Parish Council Minutes for 7th February 2005Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 7 February 05 in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, commencing at 8pm under the chairmanship of Cllr J Knock. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs P Croft, A McCarthy and Cllr Mrs A Cook. PRESENT Cllrs M Pollard, C Stratton-Brown, G Marchant, A Johnson and R Sykes. IN ATTENDANCE Community SPC G Eade, David Bennie, Mr Bramley and the clerk, Mrs Phillips. THE MINUTES of the ordinary meeting held on 10 January 05, which had been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the chairman as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING Casual vacancy The Clerk reported that she was waiting for confirmation that no election had been requested, after which the council would be asked to fill the vacancy "as soon as practicable". To date there had been no applications from the notice placed in the magazine. REPORTS Proposed Youth Forum Mr Bennie outlined his proposals for a Youth Forum as suggested in the Parish Plan and re-enforced by the presentation given by the Maidstone Youth Forum at the Rural Youth Conference attended by him. It is Mr Bennie's intention to contact all youth organisations or the youth branches of organisations within the Village inviting all youngsters between the ages of 12-18 to attend an initial open meeting to gauge the likely interest, then to circulate a questionnaire and ultimately to start a Youth Forum with two representatives from each organisation. Mr Bennie advised that, at least initially, there would be the need for adult input, even though decisions would be those of the representatives. Mr Bennie, when asked, felt that a start-up grant of £50 should get things started. Mr Bennie was thanked for attending. West Kent Housing update The Clerk advised that she had been contacted by WKHA who intend to hold an open meeting for all interested parties to outline the plans for the two sites which have consent for houses, namely The Forstall and land at Wyndham Close/Meadowbank, and likely time frames, for start dates etc. on Thursday 24 February in the Small Hall from 7-9pm. A letter had been received from Mrs Morgan in answer to the Council's letter concerning the anomalies that had occurred during the construction of addition properties in Barnett's Road. Members felt that there were still some points which had not been adequately addressed by Mrs Morgan and asked the clerk to write again seeking clarification on why the District Council's building inspectors had not picked up the various breeches of planning consent before the houses were completed, querying whether it was the case that 10ft fencing panels would be erected and whether it was not the case that these would require planning consent. Lastly, whether the altered levels would adversely affect the water run off from the field to the rear, which had been a matter of concern to both the council and residents of Barnetts Road. The Clerk informed members of the meetings which she had had with several residents as a result of her invitation in the magazine and at the request of Rev. Kevis. These had been concerning the proposed Affordable Housing scheme. Whilst there was no outright objection to the scheme itself, reassurances had been sought over such matters as 'hope value' for the remaining land and other pieces of Green Belt between the village and the A21. All parties had been advised to attend the meeting being hosted by the RHT on Thursday 17 March between 2.30 and 7.30pm. The Chairman reported that Rev. Kevis had also approached him regarding the possibility of meeting with parishioners. Cllr Knock did not personally favour meetings in his home, particularly on possibly contentious matters, feeling that most matters could be addressed within the Open Session at a Council meeting. Both Cllrs Stratton-Brown and Marchant had concerns over pedestrian access from the site to the village; since the RHT had made it known that they did not have funds available to create a footway. The Chairman closed the Council meeting for the OPEN SESSION Mr Bramley thanked the Chairman but indicated that he had come to listen and had nothing further to ask. There being no other matters for discussion the Chairman closed the Open Session and council resumed formal business with a report from: Community Special PC Eade firstly reported the freephone number for anyone to use to report flytipping 0800 288820. Further that matters relating to various parked vehicles in Lower Green were the subject of investigation, lastly PC Eade reported that Cllr Mrs Cook had asked for the location of Tipps Cross and whether this was in Leigh as the road surface was a cause for concern. After consulting a local map it was found that the area was just on the border between Leigh, Hildenborough and the Weald. PC Eade was thanked for his attendance. Village Halls update The Sevenoaks District Council had informed Mrs Everett that the Village Hall grant application for £10,000 had been approved. Although nothing official had yet been heard from KCC, since one local authority had approved the application, it was likely that the £20,000 application to KCC would also be approved. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSKent Village of the Year The Council had again entered this competition, including additional categories. This year, for the first time cash prizes were being offered to category winners. Trees on the Green The Clerk reported that Cllr Croft would be transplanting the Horse Chestnut in the next week or so, she had asked Cllr Croft to give some attention to the young oak on the Green outside Gowers, which needed some trimming of damaged branches. Lastly, two estimates had been received for the year two maintenance to trees on the main green from Kingswood and Down to Earth. After discussion it was agreed that the lower estimate for £696.00 from Down to Earth should be accepted and instruction given for work to commence once approval had been received from SDC. The Clerk reported on the cost of a salt bin from Kent Highways, which was higher than Cllr Marchant could obtain one, but, not if the price included siting on a base and filling. Clerk to clarify. Cllr Pollard asked what had happened to the cutting back of the overgrown hedge on the Green Lane, Clerk to chase. Cllr Sykes reported that Mr Brooker was happy to build a two bay noticeboard for erection outside the Halls for use by the RBL and the council, it was agreed that the costs would be split 50/50. The Clerk was asked to report a broken stile on FP 414 on which new treads were required. Also to explore the costs of reproducing her FP map as it appears that these are no longer available from the Ramblers Association. PARISH PLANCllr Pollard reported that he had applied for the final tranche of £950 grant from the Countryside Agency. The Website goes live on 14 February, and notices will be put on the Parish noticeboards. Cllr Pollard ran through the responsibilities that had been allocated to various Councillors and promised an update at the March meeting. Cllr Stratton-Brown NW co-ordinators; Cllr Knock continue liasing with Mr Bigney re possible changes to services; clerk to write to SRA, Network Rail, and Tonbridge station manager re station matters and timetable provision for shop; Cllr McCarthy, statement re Central Railways; Cllr Sykes Hildenborough Medical Centre. CORRESPONDENCERelevant correspondence had been circulated and the contents noted. Consultation documents had been circulated for comment at March Meeting. Two courses were offered by KAPC Clerk to attend new legislation information day 24 February and Cllr Stratton-Brown Planning Information day 19 March. PLANNINGTwo applications had been received for comment: SE/05/00020/FUL Paul's Farm Cottage, Ensfield Road. Improvement of existing access. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this application SE/05/00154/FUL 22 Barnetts Road Leigh Detached garage. Apart from the usual unneighbourliness criteria there were NO OBJECTIONS to this application. The following decision notices had been received: SE/04/02845/FUL Land south of Woodend, Greeview Avenue Detached house and integral garage (amended to SE/03/02388) REFUSED SE/04/02719/FUL & SE/04/03037/LBCALT 1 Home Farm Close. New front door to provide disabled access GRANTED Tree Preservation Order 11/2004 relating to Barnetts Road had now been received. Noted. Two copy letters from Planning Enforcement concerning Pump Cottage and 8 Home Farm Close, had been received and the contents noted. Concerns were noted over the use of the drive adjacent to Pump Cottage by building contractors, and the possible deterioration of the surface. Cllr Marchant to investigate. FINANCIAL MATTERSVarious papers relating to the Clerks employment, salary and tax, were handed to Cllr Sykes. Requests for s137 grants had been received: from the school in the sum of £300, this was agreed. The Dragons Way Club had supplied the information previously requested and it was resolved that £300 be granted with the opportunity to seek further help in the future. The annual request for the council's share of the Village Halls insurance in the sum of £2,372.80 had been received it was resolved that this should be paid. After the presentation by D Bennie regarding the Youth Forum it was agreed to give a s137 set up grant of £75. The following accounts were presented for payment:
There being no further matters for discussion or decision the chairman declared the meeting closed at 10.20pm. Signed............................ Chairman Date...............................
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