Parish Council Minutes for 6th December 2004

PRESENT: Cllrs A Johnston, P Croft, C Stratton-Brown, M Pollard, and R Sykes.

IN ATTENDANCE County Cllr P Lake SPC G Eade and the Clerk Mrs C Phillips.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs L Featherstone, A McCarthy, and G Marchant and Cllr Mrs A Cook

MINUTES of meeting held on 1 November 04 which had been previously circulated were with the addition of the date of meeting agreed and signed by the chairman on the proposal of Cllr Stratton-Brown seconded Cllr Croft as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM: It was noted that the game of Rugby had taken place on 6 November.

Members were informed that SPC G Eade was back in post for a further two years. This was unanimously welcomed.

REPORTS

RHT The Open Day would be held in the early New Year, this would be well advertised by the RHT and all those who had expressed an interest would also be notified.

CLLR MRS A COOK In Mrs Cook's absence, the Clerk presented her report:

Barnetts Road Mrs Cook was aware of the problems to do with levels of the new properties, which did not appear to be in line with the plans and the dumping of soil around the Oak trees, planning enforcements had been informed and discussions with the WKHA were continuing.

Gas work, Powder Mill Lane The gas works in Powder Mill Lane appeared to be taking a very long time, and the pavement and kerbing were sinking and breaking up, Clerk to contact Transco and Mike Linfield to obtain rapid response and completion.

Potholes the continuing problems with potholes were noted, Clerk to contact Highways over potholes in Greenview Avenue, slight subsidence on the Hildenborough Road before The Woods, and growing holes on the bend adjacent to Laundry Cottage/Bungalow.

Emptying of bins Mrs Cook had taken up the infrequent/haphazard emptying of the litter bins around the Parish.

Mrs Cook finished her report with thanks for the return of the newly completed Village Sign and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

WKHA

Barnetts Road Concerns were voiced over the new houses which had not been constructed in line with the approved plans. The Clerk was asked to write to Mrs Morgan SDC Planning, with copies to Mark Leader WKHA, Development Control Cttee Chairman, Cllr Mrs Cook and affected residents, asking why the problems were not identified by Building Control, when the footings were inspected, by the WKHA architect when he visited the site? Regarding the Oak trees it was agreed that Mr Jones the SDC arboricultural officer should be written to asking a) whether the tree Oaks had been given TPO's as previously requested and b) that he gets the spoil being deposited around these trees removed before their health is adversely affected, with copies as appropriate.

Possible further housing development off Hollow Tree Drive The clerk had been approached informally by WKHA, to ascertain the possible response to a housing development on the land to the rear of Garden Cottages, which had previously had an application submitted by Berkley Homes. This land had previously been allotment land. The Clerk had indicated that this would be discussed and any 'in principle' comments would be forwarded. The majority of the Council was concerned over housing balance, access, and the suitability. It was agreed that clerk should notify Alison Thompson of RHT about the possible release of this land in case the present site did not receive necessary consents. WKHA to be advised that the Council would await concrete proposals before commenting further.

VILLAGE HALLS - update

The plans for the toilet block had been approved, and now the committee were concentrating on funding the project.

KAPC AGM Cllr Pollard reported that the major item of concern was the impact of the freedom of Information Act on Councils, something of which we would need to be aware with the Parish Council website.

COUNTY CLLR P LAKE

Cllr Lake informed members that, although the Government had outlined grant-aid to Local Authorities to prevent over large Council Tax bills, again, most of this aid was being targeted at authorities in the North of England. It was the intention of the Kent County Council to keep below the 5% threshold set by government before they would intervene, this was to a large part dependant on other bodies and the level of their precepts. Cllr Lake asked whether the Council would be making use of the £500 grant which had had offered? The Clerk asked whether it would be possible to have a speed indicator as was being proposed for Chiddingstone Causeway, Cllr Lake responded that he would investigate and respond.

SPC G EADE

Thanked everyone for their good wishes on his return. He reported that the vandalism to the phone box adjacent to the bus shelter, had been perpetrated by two 14 year olds. Both these youngsters were known, and as with the vandalism in the toilets, action would be taken. Regarding the toilet block, the youngster concerned was now on his final warning. The fire on the station platform had been set by two youngsters from Well Close.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The community noticeboard for the school wall had not yet been ordered, but would be done before Christmas. The clerk had contacted various people about the triangle behind the bus shelter finally asking Mr David Biddle, who had agreed to investigate the matter for the council.

Tree work, Old Kennards. The Clerk reported that she and Cllr Croft had visited the site after the last meeting and had had NO OBJECTIONS to the proposed work. This had been reported to SDC.

Replacement tree on the Green It was resolved that the tree, which the Council had won in the Best Kept Village competition, should be another Horse Chestnut, to be planted adjacent to that which was previously removed. A young horse chestnut grown from a conker had been offered by Mrs Cormack, Cllr Croft to investigate.

Chestnut tree, report Mr Larkham had again been asked to report on the Chestnut on the green in front of The Chestnuts.

Health report on Trees The Clerk and Mr Penn, the tree warden, had met with Barlett Tree Experts to discuss the health of the Swamp Cypress/Dawn Redwood from which he had taken a sample to identify. It had been agreed that the tree needed to be braced to get it growing straight and that the overhanging oak should be trimmed. It had been suggested that all the trees would benefit from having the grass removed under the canopy replacing this with chippings. An application of fertiliser on an annual basis would also aid continuing good health.

Flowering cherries at Village Hall Cllr Croft reported that he had fed and trimmed these trees but that one was failing. It was agreed that in time these trees should be replaced and commemorated. A final decision would be taken after the spring flowering. Cllr Croft had also dealt with the other minor works to trees on the green and tidied the footpath alongside the vicarage.

The Clerk was asked to contact highways about the Give Way sign below the Old Brickmakers that needs replacing, and reinstating the 30mph indicator sign which had been removed from the Green and placed by the recycling bins. It was agreed that the Clerk should order dog waste bins for the top of Greenview Avenue, Powder Mills and at Charcott. It was also agreed to ask for a litter bin at the top of Church Hill.

Permissive path, Knotley Hall The permissive path agreement had been amended so as to prevent any personal liability for individual and would be signed by Mr Hills and countersigned at the January meeting.

PARISH PLAN

Cllr Pollard informed members that the Parish Plan is almost complete and then the final tranche of money can be claimed from the Countryside Agency. The papers on the proposed Parish Council Website and the suggested Terms and Reference for the various committees/working groups were both agreed on the proposal of Cllr Stratton-Brown, seconded Cllr Croft. Unfortunately the Speedwatch group was suspended due to problems with the speed gun, but it is likely that informal use to establish speeds could probably continue. Cllr Pollard asked for consent to include Councillors Names, addresses and contact numbers on the website. After some discussion it was agreed that only the information currently available in the Parish Directory should be used.

LISN

This scheme is still waiting for Police approval, there appears to be some problem with using a pyramid phone scheme as currently proposed.

SEERA

The Clerk had attended an information evening on the subject. The S.E Regional Assembly has to prepare a Spatial Planning Strategy, which will ultimately replace the County Structure Plan as the main reference document for the whole of the S.E region rather than, as currently just Kent and Medway. Whilst Sevenoaks is not currently identified for any major change, being 96% covered by the MGB policy as well as AONB cover, and currently building more houses than are required by Central Government, however, there is a need for diligence since areas in the north of the district Swanley and Hextable may well be peripherally affected by any Thames Gateway activity and require special identification. There are also areas along the M25 and M20 which might attract developers attention. There will be a 13 week consultation period early in 2005 at which time everyone will have an input to the future of the SE Region.

CORRESPONDENCE

All received relevant correspondence had been copied to Members, the Clerk was asked to write to the Environment Agency to obtain detailed copies of the report and matters relevant to the Leigh Barrier and any knock on effects.

It was agreed that the consultation document on the Modernising Mental Health in the south of West Kent should be copied and circulated to all Members.

LOCAL RAILWAYS, BUS 210 AND COMMUTER BUS K5

The fire at Leigh station had previously been referred to. The 210 Bus had problems with passenger access due to the gas work chicane in Powder Mill Lane. The clerk will raise the length of these works with TRANSCo and the SDC.

Cllr Stratton-Brown was seeking a timetable change for the K5 in the morning.

PLANNING

The following applications had been received for comment:

SE/04/02845/FUL Land south of Woodend, Greenview Avenue, Leigh Amended application for detached house with integral garage. The amended plan still does not meet the previously expressed and current OBJECTIONS. Woodend is the only house in Greenview Avenue to face south rather than east/west. This was done specifically to give a view over the garden from the six south facing windows. This proposed house is now 2m nearer to Woodend with a 1.8m close boarded fence 1m from the previously mentioned south facing windows and will seriously compromise daylight to the ground floor. It is 3m nearer to the road and tree no2, and the proposed parking spaces are likely to compromise the health of this mature tree. The Council continues to strenuously OPPOSE this application.

SE/04/92924/FUL 3 Old Orchard, Charcott. Two storey extension. The Council has NO OBJECTION to this application.

The following decisions had been received:

SE/04/02369/FUL Yew Tree Bungalow Egg Pie Lane, Weald. Application withdrawn

SE/04/02240/LBCALT Leigh Village Halls alteration and extension GRANTED

SE/04/02239/FUL Leigh Village Halls alteration and extension GRANTED

SE/04/02377/FUL South Lodge, 46 Well Close single storey side extension GRANTED

SE/04/01759/FUL South View, The Green. Replacement garage, log store(amnd)GRANTED

SE/04/02310/FUL 1 The Compasses rear extension REFUSED

SE/04/02320/FUL Wansfell, Greenview Avenue Rear single storey and first floor bed/bathroom extension over garage REFUSED

SE/04/02326/FUL Rayak, Penshurst Road, two storey side extension GRANTED

SE/04/02349/FUL Old Brickmakers Lower Green Detached double garage log store to side and storage room in attic space in rear garden. REFUSED

SE/04/02351/LBCALT - " - " - " - " - " - " - " - " - " - " - " - " - " REFUSED

SE/04/02356/CAC " - " - " - ". Demolish unlisted modern garage in rear garden GRANTED

SE/04/02242/LBCALT Little Barn,White Post Farmhouse lengthen& paint flue GRANTED

SE/04/02426/FUL Land south of 14 The Forstall, erection of pair of semi detached 2 bed houses GRANTED

FINANCIAL MATTERS

An application for s137 grant-aid had been received from the school for £766. The grant was approved, but it was suggested that initially the school should be given the £500 grant made available to the Council by Cllr Lake, with the balance being paid by the Council if their entire need came to more than the total £1,000 of KCC grant (£500 also being offered to school by KCC).

Victim support s137 grant, annual £50 agreed. An application had also been received from the Dragons Way Club. Members had no objection to considering their request but asked the Clerk to obtain further information on membership numbers, and whether other grant applications had been made. This would be resolved at the January meeting.

The following accounts were presented for payment and agreed:

Cheque No	Description	Amount
0584	B Brooker maintenance of areas of Green	10.00
0585	SDC dog bin emptying (inc VAT 23 80)	159.80
0586	Clerk salary (inc arrears)	340.02
0587	Clerk PAYE	54.02
0588	P Croft various Tree works	138.99
0589	C Rowley Parish Plan a/c	28.23
0590	J.M Pollard (inc VAT 37 25) Parish Plan a/c	329.35
0591	Cancelled
0592	Victim Support s137	50.00
	Total	£1110.41

The Finance Committee Chairman outlined the proposed budget for the year 2005-06, he anticipated a precept of £12,500, this matter to be formally resolved at the January meeting.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting with Christmas wishes.

Signed.................................

Date....................................

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