Parish Council Minutes for 10th January 2005Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 10 January 2005 in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, commencing at 8pm under the chairmanship of Cllr J. Knock. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs L Featherstone, A McCarthy and M Pollard. PRESENT Cllrs A Johnston, P Croft, C.Stratton-Brown, R Sykes and G Marchant. IN ATTENDANCE Cllr Mrs A Cook, Special Parish Constable G Eade, Mrs C Thompsett, S.Thompsett and the Clerk, Mrs C Phillips. The Chairman announced that he had received a letter of resignation from Les Featherstone, who felt that his poor health was impeding his usefulness as a Councillor and was standing down to enable the Council to have a more pro-active Member. This was regretfully accepted and it was agreed a letter of thanks should go from the Council. The Clerk would contact SDC to arrange for the vacancy to be advertised. MINUTES the minutes of 6 December 2004, which had been previously circulated, were agreed and signed as a correct record by the Chairman. MATTERS ARISING all matters arising were covered by the agenda. REPORTSCllr Mrs A Cook reported that 80% of targets set for the second year of the Community Plan had been met; where they had not, they had been altered or subsumed due to a lack of accountability. At the end of April 05 Highways will revert to the KCC, in the interim there are three centres ours being at Gravesend. It was agreed that, to ensure continuity of care, the Clerk should write to Mr Linfield, reminding him that the verge on Penshurst Road, the verge outside the APD in Powder Mill Lane and the triangle of grass where FP431 exits and verge running to the Forstall, are all KCC responsibilities for mowing. Mrs Cook finished her report with information that she was aware of consultation on likely Cabinet action on the sale of the land on the r.h.s of the Forstall but disbarred from discussing or acting on the subject. She informed Members that if there were any concerns on this matter then either Cllr Mrs G Davison(chair of the relevant committee) or Cllr D Spence (the nearest local member) should be contacted. Barnetts Road WKHA housing development members expressed concerned over the works that had been done in breach of planning consent also the dumping of spoil around the three young oaks. Cllr Mrs cook said that the spoil was not thought to be causing damage, and that currently there was no intention to push the fence back. A response was still outstanding from Mrs Morgan and no TPO had been received on these trees. There was some disquiet over the status of No 13 as to whether it was still to be demolished. Clerk to establish with Mrs Nye (WKHA). There was no further information over development on the land to the rear of Garden Cottages. Rural Housing Trust update The open day is to be held during the week of 14 -18 March from 2.30-7.30pm. Confirmation of exact date when hall bookings have been agreed. Sale of recreational land at The Forstall Leigh Cllr Mrs Cook left the meeting. The Clerk had received a paper due for consideration at the next meeting of the SDC Cabinet. The background was laid out and the Members were asked for comment. There was some surprise about the fact that a planning application had been received and accepted prior to the ownership transfer being completed, but no objection. There was some disquiet over the fact that no regard had been taken of resident or Parish Council comments when the plans had been submitted and approved. Further, it was felt that WKHA needed very careful monitoring to prevent a similar debacle as experienced in Barnetts Road, particularly with regard to the Oak. It was agreed that Cllrs Davison and Spence be notified of these concerns. Special Community PC Eade PC Eade asked for help about the cars which appeared and disappeared from the old Print Shop forecourt, some of which were unlicensed. Also the white transit which appears to be on the right under the railway arch on a fairly regular basis. The chairman closed the Council meeting and opened the OPEN SESSION Mr S Thompsett expressed his concern over the current rash of housing development which he felt was contrary to the Parish Plan. The RHT development was for 7-10 houses, 3 had consent in Meadow Bank, 2 with consent in The Forstall, also those nearing completion in Barnetts Road, giving a total of some 20 houses. Mr Thompsett questioned whether the village infrastructure could cope with the additional families. Mrs Thompsett was concerned that the RHT development would open up the remaining field behind the Forstall. Councillors shared these concerns although the RHT only develop with proven need, and then one scheme in any area in a decade and always under build for the demand, and their schemes are governed by S106 agreements. It is well known that the Government wants to build more houses in the SE however, the Sevenoaks District currently is building in line with their quota. The Council was keeping a watching brief in line with the Parish Plan. There being no further matters for discussion the chairman closed the Open Session and the Council resumed formal business with Parish Plan In his absence Cllr Pollard had circulated two documents, he had also investigated the question of a replacement Parish Noticeboard by the school, his suggestion was for an aluminium board with magnetic 'pins'. In an attempt to lessen the flyposting on the Green Cllr Pollard also suggested a double bay noticeboard in oak on the corner of the green by the school. Members felt that a wooden board on the school wall was still the best option and were opposed to any boards on the green. The Clerk expressed some concern over the ability to monitor all the individual matters listed on the plan update, for example the salt bin, she had a feeling that the SDC might find it confusing to receive letters from individual members. In this instance she was meeting with an officer to discuss the placing of waste bins in Green View Avenue and Church Hill, she was also seeking authority to purchase three dog waste bins, and would happily pursue the salt bin for Charcott since to get these filled the KCC Highways had to approve their need. The final report has been circulated and Cllr Pollard will be applying for the final stage of the grant from the Countryside Agency. Whilst supporting the idea of a Youth Forum, Cllr Pollard felt that we require more information and to this end David Bennie had been invited to this meeting but had another meeting to attend, the Clerk would notify him of the February meeting date. Village Halls update nothing further to report, matters were continuing. KAPC minutes had been distributed to representatives Emergency Plan nothing further to report. ENVIRONMENT MATTERSA new board is being built for the British Legion outside the Village Halls and it was suggested that a slightly larger 2 bay board could be built so that parish notices could go on one side. It was agreed that the yr 2 work should be commenced for the trees on the green including the chestnut by the Crandalls. Clerk to seek consent from SDC and obtain quotes from Down to earth and Kingswood Tree Surgeons. It was agreed to replace the fallen chestnut with one grown from a conker from the green Cllr Croft agreed to undertake. It was agreed to defer the collection of the Village of the Year tree and perhaps get a replacement Cherry for the Village Halls. CORRESPONDENCEThe relevant received correspondence had been circulated along with extracts from the Mental Health consultation document. It was agreed that the Hildenborough Medical practise should be asked whether they had been consulted. The Council wished to comment that there were concerns over the reduction and resiting of services except on a temporary basis during the redevelopment works at Pembury. It was felt that a quality service hinged on the ability of family and friends to visit and the nearness of support services for those treated outside hospital. The next Transport meeting was at SKB on 14 January at 1.30 Cllr Stratton-Brown was uncertain of his ability to attend and the Clerk agreed to substitute. RAILWAY, Bus 210 and K5 commuter service. There is currently no news of any reductions since the SRA has not yet published its proposals for the South Central section of which Leigh is now a part. Cllr Johnson reported that he will be carrying timetables. The clerk had written to the SRA with no response to date. CENTRAL RAILWAYSIn the absence of Cllr McCarthy the chairman reported that the Chair of Central Rail has died, and whilst there is nothing happening there are still 'bullish noises' sounding from their headquarters. PLANNINGThe following applications had been received for comment: SE/04/02666/FUL Eastwood Farm, Scabharbour Road Demolition of existing garage and annex and construction of side extension to form garage and bedroom. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this proposal. SE/04/03037/LBCALT 1 Home Farm Close, Leigh New front door to provide disabled access. The clerk explained that although not a listed building it was within the curtilage, so the applicant had been asked to submit this application, previously the Planning Committee had had no objections. Whilst it was noted that the position of the new door had altered, there were NO OBJECTIONS to this application. SE/04/03014/LBCALT 2 Oak Cottages, High Street, Leigh Single storey rear extension. Subject to the usual neighbourliness consideration and the use of matching materials, there were NO OBJECTIONS to the application. The following decisions had been received: SE/04/02673/FUL Moat Farm Barn Powder Mill Lane. Minor alterations to part of existing annex ancillary to barn, mainly internal within existing footprint. GRANTED SE/04/02559/FUL 5 Knotley Hall Cottages, Chiddingstone Causeway. Demolition of store and undercroft. Addition of utility room, first floor bedroom (part of) over ex-flat roofed area of kitchen and glazed bay to sitting room.GRANTED FINANCEThe budget was unanimously confirmed as £12,500. A S137 grant application had been received from the Mother and Toddler group for £236. After discussion it was agreed to grant £200. The following accounts were presented for payment:
MATTERS FOR THE CLERKS FURTHER ATTENTIONCllr Sykes informed Members that the Cricket Club would be repairing and reinstating the recessed concrete bases to support the rope around the square. Clerk to request red entrance lines to be reinstated. There being no further matters the meeting closed at 10.20pm Signed...................................... Chairman Date.........................................
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