Parish Council Minutes for 4th April 2005Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 4 April 05 in the Small Hall under the chairmanship of Cllr J Knock, commencing at 8.00pm. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr G Marchant. PRESENT Cllrs P.Croft, A.Johnston, A McCarthy, M.Pollard, C.Stratton-Brown, R.Sykes. IN ATTENDANCE Mr A.Bramley, Mrs H Powell, Mr B Brooker, Mr C Rowley, Cllr Mrs A Cook, County Cllr P Lake, Community SPC G Eade and the Clerk Mrs C Phillips. MINUTES the minutes of the meeting held Monday 7 March 05 which had been previously circulated, were with the following amendments.. PARISH PLAN after CA delete and, after GSK insert were to be used for the implementation of policies arising from the Plan. SEERA CONFERENCE delete Kent insert in the SE Region. .. agreed and signed by the chairman as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING The chairman introduced Mrs Heather Powell and Mr Brian Brooker, both of whom were attending the meeting with a view to possibly putting their names forward for co-option. Cllr Knock reminded those present that this was his last meeting as chairman although he will remain on the Council. REPORTSCounty Cllr Lake reported that the move of the Highways department back to the overall control of KCC had now been completed and referred to a recently delivered leaflet, of which the Clerk was also in receipt. Cllr Lake asked to be copied any letters written to enable him to keep on top of the status of requested works. Since the Penshurst and Leigh Annual Assemblies are held on the same night Cllr Lake asked to be near the top of the list of those presenting reports. This was agreed. Cllr Mrs A Cook reported that whilst the KCC Highways had relocated, Roger Russell would still be dealing with highway matters at Sevenoaks. The necessary highways repairs at Tipps Cross will be done but require traffic control, Powder Mill Lane repairs and works will be done. The use of the land opposite the new development in the Forstall has been sanctioned by SDC as the landowners. Regarding the SEERA Plan and housing needs/provision, Cllr Mrs Cook pointed out that the idea of 100 units a year was in fact less than the need, indeed the development within the WK storage site would swallow up five years housing allocation at that rate. The main concerns of the District Council were that, wherever housing development was planned the necessary infrastructure would be in situ prior to development, by that they were including not just roads and drainage, but schools, shops, surgeries and most essentially transport links. The District Council were intending to provide 10 units of temporary accommodation this year, £¾m of the budgeted £1m cost was being provided by the Housing Corporation. SDC working with Dartford Borough Council to provide 40 units of sheltered accommodation, some of which will be designated for use by Sevenoaks residents. A white van and trailer which had been helping people to tidy their gardens and dumping the resulting tree branches around the local are had been identified and dealt with. Cllr Knock asked Cllr Mrs Cook whether she was aware of when and where the spoil from the Forstall would be removed. He then went on the thank Mrs Cook for her work as Leader of the Council, the office which she has filled for the last six years. Community SPC G Eade reported that a white transit van had been reported, however the license plate had not been identified, help as usual would be appreciated. PC Eade asked that he also be put near the top of speakers at the upcoming APA since he would also be attending the Penshurst meeting. Noted. Cllr Knock reported on a red saloon that he had seen loitering near the Green and later up by the Plough PH earlier in the day. Noted. D Bennie - Youth Forum A copy of the invitation which had been sent to all village organisations had been copied to members, the date for an initial meeting was Saturday 21st May in the Small Hall. Noted. The next two items on the Agenda were West Kent Housing and RHT Affordable Housing and since it was likely that parishioners might wish to speak on these topics the chairman suspended the business of the Council and council went into OPEN SESSIONRURAL HOUSING TRUST. Mr Bramley (Kennards) had copied his letter to the RHT to the Council and merely wished to elucidate, the plan shows an access onto the FP within the first 20m, and Mr Bramley was seeking consideration of an adjustment to the siting of the houses to lessen noise to his own property to their rear. Mr Rowley who had also written to the RHT copying to the Council, again wished members to be aware of the reasoning. Mr Rowley had suggested that Mr Gibbs be asked to enter into a s106 agreement to prevent the further development of this area of Green Belt on the outskirts of the Village. After discussion on this and other points the Chairman made the point that any agreement between Mr Gibbs and the RHT was just that, the Parish Council were not party to any legal matters between the RHT and landowner or District Council, they were merely the party promoting the scheme and verifying the genuine status of any future occupants of the proposed properties. West Kent Housing Barnett's Road Members were in receipt of a copy letter from the site manager of the Barnett's Road development to Mrs Kerry SDC Planning and a letter from Mr Rutherford expressing his concerns over the possible retention of No 13, the lack of turning that this proposal would create and the inability of emergency vehicles to access. In the absence of Mr Rutherford, Mr Rowley enlarged on content of the letter. As a point of clarification both Cllr Knock and Cllr Stratton-Brown pointed out that there were inaccuracies in both the letters concerning the fact that the Council had made recommendations about the retention of No13. On the 8 March 4 members and the clerk availed themselves of the invitation from WKHA to look at the new properties prior to their occupation. During general discussion about the access and general traffic the question about the completion of the scheme was raised, and it was at that time that Mr Francis the surveyor made the point that it seemed a shame to demolish part of a pair of semis when it might not be beyond the whit of man to retain the house thus providing an additional unit of housing, much needed in the area. At no time did the Council propose or recommend this course of action. There also appeared to be some difference about the use of the land if no 13 were indeed demolished. It was the Council's understanding that this would merely be space to allow a reasonable access to the new properties, not that a new turning circle would be formed. There being no further points for discussion the open session was closed and the Council re-entered formal session with WEST KENT HOUSING Cllrs Knock Mrs Cook informed Members that they had heard a rumour that WKHA intended to compulsorily purchase No 10 Barnetts Road and then build on the old allotment land to the rear of Garden Cottages. Cllr Mrs Cook had also heard that this land would not be made available to WKHA. Cllr Mrs Cook was thanked for this. Members had been circularised with a letter from Ms Osborne, regarding housing and WKHA. The Clerk had responded suggesting contact with Mrs Thompson RHT, and contacted WKHA who were in discussion with Ms Osborne. Noted. There was no further news on the commencement of the development off Meadowbank. The Clerk was asked to contact SDC regarding an enhanced road sign at the entrance to the Green Lane to replace the existing with one showing that this also leads to Wyndham Avenue, Wyndham Close and Meadowbank. BARNETTS ROADThe Parish Council is aware that whilst the scheme in Barnetts Road is complete except for the moot point over the future of nos 13/14, the road surface has yet to be finished. It was made very clear that the Parish Council had not received any formal approach regarding the parking outside the new housing at the top of the road, nor pedestrian access through the existing access to the rear of no 13, nor Emergency Access provision to properties in Barnetts Road. Neither was the retention of no 13 a formal proposal by the Parish Council but informal discussions on site by 4 members. It was agreed that these matters be made clear to SDC planners with copies of Mr Rutherford's letter. That WKHA be informed of the latter point and asked when the outstanding matters would be complete. The Clerk was also asked to seek a response from Mrs Morgan with a detailed response on outstanding matters. RHT - updateIt was agreed that as copy of the letter from Mr Rowley be sent to Mrs Thompson for information and to inform her that the Council supported Mr Bramley's proposals contained in his correspondence with her. VILLAGE HALLS updateAn application to Awards for all had been made for gates and fencing to allow a play area to be established. Thanks were extended to Cllr Croft for the works done to the flowering cherries, which appeared to be in reasonably good health considering their age. Cllr Croft said he would be removing the deadwood evident on one tree. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSIt was suggested that the KCC be approached about providing some dropped kerbs on the Hall Place pavement along the High Street. Possible sites included near Ensfield Road, opposite the shop and at the Charlotte Cottages lay-by, and from the Green to the Bus stop. The Clerk reported that Barletts had confirmed that the tree thought to be a Swamp Cypress is indeed a Dawn Redwood. The clerk was asked to remind the SDC that the hedge in the Green Lane is still in need of attention. CORRESPONDENCECouncillors had been circulated with all relevant correspondence. An email from Ian Linstead requesting permission for the playing of rugby on the Green had been received. There were concerns regarding the possible resulting damage to the surface, matters of safety to houses and road users, and the views of other sports clubs to be resolved, prior to any decision being taken. Clerk to write to concerned parties and Cllrs Knock and Sykes also to refer to Landscape Services at their forthcoming meeting. PARISH PLANThe Clerk informed members that the monies from SKB could be distributed using the powers under s19 of the 1976 Local Government (miscellaneous provisions) Act, rather than s137, which indeed would be illegal as there is a specific power relating to recreation. Cllr Pollard updated members on the Speedwatch initiative. It was likely that the KCC and Kent Police would issue portable illuminated speed check signs, but this was still in the discussion stage and the KAPC was also involved. Chevening PC are intending to try and get their money refunded, Clerk to pursue with Chevening Clerk. Members went through the implementation document, the Clerk to obtain 2 further dog waste bins one for the entrance of FP 413 at its junction with Powder Mill Lane and on the green at the entrance to Well Close. Most matters had been resolved but those which were outstanding would be resolved in the near future. Consultation documentsCllr Stratton-Brown had drawn up comments on both the SEERA document and the SDC Planning for the People questionnaire. It was resolved that the Clerk send these off. Thanks were expressed to Cllr Stratton-Brown for his work. BRITISH RAIL DOMESTIC MATTERS/BUS 210/COMMUTER BUS K5Clerk to visit station manager to resolve outstanding concerns including the lights which have been installed in the bridge without power to light them. Although installed by SDC the railways may have some influence on this. Bus 210. Cllr Knock had identified a considerable depression in the highway between Ramhurst Manor and the emergency access to SKB whilst travelling on 210. Clerk to alert highways. CENTRAL RAILWAYS nothing further to report an up dated comprehensive report will be prepared by Cllr McCarthy for the APA. FINANCIAL MATTERSThe central heating in No1 The Bungalows was causing some concern the latest problem had been a replacement pump and British Gas had submitted an estimate in the sum of £589 to flush the system which hopefully will resolve future problems, and allow the continuing of the central heating maintenance contract. It was resolved that the work be done at the earliest possible time. St Mary's PCC had forgotten to submit a s137 application for their usual grant towards the twice yearly parish wide distribution of the magazine and they were requesting a grant to cover last year and the forthcoming financial year of £500. Agreed. The following accounts were presented for payment:
It was resolved that the cheques be signed and accounts paid. There being no further matters of business the meeting closed at 10.35pm Signed........................... Chairman Date...............................
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