Parish Council Minutes for 6th June 2005Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 6 June 05 in the Small Hall, High Street Leigh commencing at 8pm. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman Cllr Pollard was in the chair. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs C Stratton-Brown, A McCarthy, P Croft. PRESENT Cllrs J Knock, R.Sykes, Mrs H Powell G.Marchant and A Johnston. IN ATTENDANCE Cllr Mrs A Cook, County Cllr P Lake and Special Parish Constable G Eade. Cllr Mrs Powell was welcomed to her first meeting and having signed her declaration of office took her seat. Mrs Powell expressed interest in being appointed to the Footpaths Committee. MINUTES two amendments were made to the Minutes of the Annual Meeting which had been previously circulated. These would go to the next Annual Meeting for approval. PC EADE alter Inspector Price to Superintendent Price under PARISH PLAN alter application for Parish Warden to Cllr Pollard reported that 100 community wardens had been appointed for the current year agreed and on the proposal of Cllr Knock, seconded Cllr Marchant, signed by the Chairman as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROMAnnual Assembly Minutes were circulated to Members, it was proposed that copies should also be sent to those presenting reports, so that matters of accuracy could be resolved whilst the meeting was fresh in everyone's mind. Agreed. The Annual report which had been circulated with the June copy of the Parish News, Cllr Knock felt that this should not have been circulated under his name as the content differed from his annual report to Parishioners on a number of points. Cllr Pollard apologised that he had not cleared this with Cllr Knock prior to publication. The Clerk reported that Mr Wood did not wish to continue as Parish representative to CPRE. There is a Committee Member of the Sevenoaks Branch in Sevenoaks Weald, who broadly covers Leigh, so it was agreed to leave this appointment in abeyance. Rugby on the Green to date no response had been received from the Rugby Club, but the Cricket Club had now formerly responded, with severe reservations. Noted. REPORTSCllr Mrs Cook reported that she had emailed details of the various highways matters which required attention around the Parish. These included the cutting of the grass verge along the Almshouse boundary in Powder Mill Lane along with the triangle at the end of FP431 near the Forstall. Potholes, which have been marked for some time, including those at the entrance to the Forstall, the problem hole by The Woods on the Hildenborough Road and numerous others. She had also indicated her unhappiness that Ensfield Road had been resurfaced without potholes being filled first. Grass cutting was also a problem. Mrs Cook informed members of the formal opening of the new building at SmithklineBeecham. County Cllr P Lake reported on the new KCC initiative of a lengthsman, who would liase with the Clerk or appointed Highways rep regarding necessary works. Penshurst had produced a map on which councillors could identify problems, Cllr Marchant agreed to find such a map for the use of the Council. Road surfacing was a problem because of funding, there are 580km of roads in Kent and 7,500km should be resurfaced yearly. Every road should be resurfaced every 15 years, although some will never be resurfaced. Cllr Lake asked to be kept in the loop regarding any highways matters. Cllr Marchant reported that again, grasds cutting was not happening, and asked why not. Special PC G Eade reported that antique "knockers" were at work in the area and that all vulnerable people should be alerted. There was to be a meeting regarding the use of Speed guns 16/17 August. Cllr Knock reported that Mr & Mrs H Lucas had been robbed recently, this was noted. Youth Forum The recent Youth Forum had been productive with 19 youngsters attending, the majority of whom had been boys. Cllr Knock reported that there had been two speakers one of whom had been very down to earth and telling the audience that the forum would be youth led. The next meeting will be held to determine whether the forum will proceed. Cllr Knock informed the meeting that it had been recommended that the Parish Council, School and Youth Forum should work together to get the drainage achieved and turned over to recreational use for all. West Kent Housing, Barnetts RoadThe Clerk had been asked to check the hedgerows to be removed to improve visual splays or nesting birds, this had been somewhat cursory due to a thunderstorm! It was understood that No13 would be demolished; the resident from No 14 had been temporarily re-housed during the necessary underpinning works.Rural Housing Trust The plans would be lodged with the District Council within the next month. The Clerk had spoken to Roger Russell KCC Highways regarding the visual splay, this will not be the reported 20m+, however Mr Russell agreed that enhanced gateway treatment would be a benefit, to be discussed further with KCC. Mr Russell also said that he would anticipate the majority of pedestrians to use the footpath rather than walking down the main road to the Village. Village Halls update Cllr Johnston reported that fundraising was progressing and that Awards for All had approved a grant for £4,100, whilst an award of £2,000 had been approved from the Courier newspapers group. KAPC Area Committee The last meeting had been 3 June, with Lesley Bowles from SDC as the speaker. SDC can provide a graffiti removal kit to Parish Councils if required. Agreed. The question of Parish Councillors expenses had been discussed, apparently the independent board had offered Riverhead PC £130 per Councillor per annum. ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEEA site for Daisy Batchelor's Memorial Tree needed to be identified. Concerns were voiced over the replacement chestnut on the Green. The Clerk reported that it was being watered and Cllr Croft felt that with care it would recover. The agreement for the permissive path at Knotley Hall was agreed. To be signed in July. The Green Lane hedge cutting was outstanding, Clerk to chase. The blocked gully in the High Street has been cleared. The stile in Birdcage Walk was in need of replacing, the FP Officer was in discussion with Hall Place. A water leak by the Old Post Office was reported, Clerk to deal. PARISH PLANCllr Knock agreed to speak to the School Governors about possible use of the computers for evening community use. Cllr McCarthy to write to SE Rail re parking at Hildenborough Station Cllr Croft to investigate other recycling opportunities LISNFollowing the recent missing person incident PC Eade had spoken to the Superintendent concerned to resolve the outstanding problems and revert to Mr Hemmings. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACTThe Clerk reported that after her recent training she felt it advisable for the Council to agree a schedule of retention for letters and documents, to conform with the Act. This had been previously circulated and was agreed. It was agreed that a fee of 50p per sheet would be charged for any FOI requests. Mr Rowley had suggested that to relieve the congestion in the Council safe, it might be possible to place some of the contents in secure storage at Hall Place. Clerk to liase with Mr Rowley and Mr Rice. CORRESPONDENCEAll relevant correspondence had been previously circulated. Cllr Knock reported that he had met with a Kent Village of the Year judge, it had been a detailed visit for all categories except IT lasting about 1 1/2 hours. The second round judge of the business category would be likely to be dealt with over the phone as an update, not necessarily requiring a visit. KCC lengthsman Clerk to co-ordinate. Overview and Scrutiny of NHS KCC Committee Cllr Knock to investigate BR, BUS 210 COMMUTER BUS K5The Clerk had yet to meet with the Station Manager but would endeavour to do so in the next month. PLANNINGThe following planning applications had been received for comment: SE/05/01179/FUL 4 Powder Mills Leigh. Construction of 2 storey brick extension with pitched roof to form 1 box room, master bedroom on 1st floor and extension of kitchen and lounge. There were no planning objections but concerns over the impact on neighbouring properties was to be reported. SE/05/01209/FUL 5 Knotley Hall Cottages, Chiddingstone Causeway. Demolition of store and undercroft. Build single storey side extension to provide study and utility room. Existing flat roof over kitchen to be replaced with pitched roof and glazed bay to sitting room. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this application. SE/05/01211/LBCALT (REVISED SCHEME) 2 Oak Cottages, High Street, Leigh. Single storey extension. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this application. SE/05/01218/LBCALT14 Home Farm Close. Alteration to kitchen cloakroom, form door in window opening and window in door opening, replacement staircase. Provided that these alterations meet with Listed Building requirements there were NO OBJECTIONS SE/05/01228/FUL 7 Wyndham Close, Leigh Extend existing garage forward 2m and change roof to slight pitch. Construct ensuite shower room and study behind garage. This was considered to be an improvement on previous plan and there were NO OBJECTIONS. The following planning decisions had been received. These all related to plans which had been valid in the first three months of the year. The Clerk was asked to write strenuously complaining about this and asking where current decision notices were. SE/05/00072/FUL Unit 19 Gaza Trading Estate, Scabharbour Road. Change of use from storage building to boxing training facility with administrative offices. GRANTED SE/05/00328/FUL & SE/04/00329/LBCDEM Old Brickmakers, High street. Demolition of modern unlisted garage and store. Erection of new garage and store next to Listed Building.GRANTED SE/05/00312/FUL &SE/05/00313/LBC Chilling House, High Street. Alterations to existing out-building. Conversion of part garage to garden room. GRANTED SE/05/00256/FULThe Priory, Scabharbour Road. Extension to form day room/breakfast room and first floor bedroom accommodation GRANTED SE/05/00255/FUL Cornerways, Lealands Avenue. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2no detached properties with integral garages. REFUSED SE/0500154/FUL 22 Barnetts Road, Leigh Detached garage. GRANTED SE/05/00020/FUL Pauls Farm cottage, Ensfiled Road. Improvement of existing entrance. GRANTED.
FINANCIAL MATTERSCllr Sykes presented the draft Account for 2004 - 05. these would with minor adjustments be presented for approval at the July Meeting. A request for funding for a laptop for his Youth Work was received from Mr Bennie. Whilst the Council was prepared to consider a contribution, Mr Bennie was employed as Youth worker by the church and it was agreed that once a contribution had been agreed with them, the Council would reconsider this request. The following accounts were presented for payment:
The increase of rents, which should be done in April each year, would be £10 per 28 day period with effect from August payment date. Clerk to write to the tenants. MATTERS FOR THE CLERKS FURTHER ATTENTION Cllr Johnston reported that the gable end of Pump Cottage required scaffolding which would not block the drive, were there any objections. No objections provided that any damage would be made good. An enquiry had been received regarding the use of the mower shed. It was thought that Mr Brooker used it but Cllr Johnston would investigate. There being no further business the meeting closed at 10 15 with thanks to the chairman. Signed.................................... Chairman Date.......................................
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