Parish Council Minutes for 4th July 2005Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 4 July 05 at 8pm under the chairmanship of Cllr C Stratton-Brown.APOLOGIES were received from Cllr A McCarthy and District Cllr Mrs A Cook PRESENT Cllr P Croft, A Johnston, J Knock, G Marchant, Mrs H Powell, M Pollard, and R Sykes. IN ATTENDANCE County Cllr P Lake, Sp.Parish Constable G Eade, Mr A Bramley, Mr P Baldock and the Clerk Mrs C Phillips. MINUTES The Clerk informed Members that there was an error in the bills, which had been corrected after the distribution. The figure for Mr B Brooker should read £159 not £129, the Clerk thanked Cllr Knock for pointing this out. The Minutes were agreed and signed as a correct record by the chairman. MATTERS ARISINGArchive storage The Clerk to arrange with Mr Rowley and Mr Rice that some documentation from the safe be removed to Hall Place for permanent retention. Filing Cabinet The Clerk to enquire of Mrs Everett whether the Hall or the Parish Council owned this. Parish maps Cllr Marchant distributed maps of the road network to enable members to note potholes, overgrown vegetation, lack or dirty signage, so that the new lengthsman service can be notified. Kent village of the Year Cllr Knock was thanked for the time he had spent showing judges around the village. Meeting with station manager since the emails were being 'bounced back' the clerk would endeavour to meet with Mrs Bridle on her next visit to Tonbridge. Mower Shed is not currently in use, the sandbags stored in the shed are perished. Cllr Johnston had kindly cleared the path. REPORTSCllr Mrs Cook sent her apologies, no report. Sp.Parish Constable Ead alerted Members that salespeople trying to sell health insurance, probably bona fide, but being investigated were approaching some of the elderly parishioners. A car was stolen from Lower Green. Details of LISN had been passed to D.I Steve Evans at Tonbridge. The asbestos sheeting was still at Redleaf although some had gone. There is still a water leak at the top of Station Hill, Moorden. County Cllr P Lake congratulated Cllr Stratton-Brown on his election to chairmanship. Cllr Lake expressed his concerns over the number of leaks which remain un-repaired, also that the Environment Agency were intending that the level of the River Medway would remain lower in an effort to conserve water. Cllr Lake expressed his concerns about the proposals from the deputy Prime Minister for the building of 250,000 houses p.a in Kent, wondering about the necessary money for the infrastructure, not just roads, schools etc, but water, which is a very precious but increasingly scarce commodity. Again, Cllr Lake has grant money available for kick starting Parish schemes. Cllr Lake was asked about the speed gun meeting scheduled for August. Cllr Knock asked why the potholes around the Green and at the end of Green View Avenue, having been marked up for repair were still there. These holes had been reported by the Clerk, but Cllr Lake was asked to follow up as well. Likewise the small culvert bridge at Laundry Cottage on the B2027 where large vehicles had a tendency to drive in the middle of the carriageway, it was felt that overhanging vegetation might be a contributory factor. West Kent Housing update A piling rig has been delivered for the housing at the end of Wyndham Avenue. The houses in the Forstall have been altered in line with Parish comments on the matching gable ends, which was welcome, and appear to be progressing satisfactorily. The works in Barnetts Road are finally almost completed, including the erection of trellis fencing to the rear of Gowers. Rural Housing update An amended layout plan had been received which was viewed by all those present, the planning application has yet to be submitted so that possible traffic calming measures can be discussed. The footpath entrance and windows on SW side on plots 9&10 have been moved lessening the impact on Kennards, Mr Bramley expressed his thanks for these modifications. The chairman closed the Council meeting for the OPEN SESSIONMr Baldock sought the help of the Council in obtaining a reasonable water pressure for his property and his farm where the stock water trough sometimes took all night to fill, there is never great pressure over the weekend, possibly due to domestic garden use. The Clerk to write to West Kent Water with a copy to the Penshurst Estate. There being no other matters of concern to parishioners the chairman closed the Open Session and the formal Council meeting resumed with VILLAGE HALLS UPDATECllr Johnston reported that the drawings for the new toilet and storage blocks were pending. Fund raising was ongoing and over £30,000 had been raised with donations and the tireless work of the Management Committee members. A £5,000 donation and grants from KCC, SDC and the Parish Council will help to pay for the new building work. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSHedges around the parish were a problem, clerk to raise awareness in the magazine, she had already alerted residents on the High Street to a problem. Grass cutting was also causing concern, the grass in Charlotte Cottages was not apparently being cut on the fortnightly cycle, which WK had assured the Clerk it was contracted for. Clerk to chase. Verge cutting up Hildenborough Road was very poor. Dropped kerb provision in the High Street, Clerk to chase KCC. A TPO request from Dr Davies in Lanterncroft had been received, Cllr Croft had inspected the works proposed, the Oaks on Powder Mill Lane were merely being 'tidied' as an ongoing maintenance programme. The two maples whilst not in Dr Davies ownership were causing problems for him and if consent were granted their removal would not be noticed. It was agreed that there was NO OBJECTION to this work. More judges from Kent Village of the Year had visited and been entertained by Cllr Johnston, who had answered all their questions. The yew trees to the rear of the Pump House were causing a nuisance to the residents of West Cottage, these had been previously reduced and bound, but might well require further attention. Cllr Croft would look at these trees. The report of the 2004 Men of the Trees competition had been received and circulated including the Tree Warden Mr Penn, in it was voiced a concern over the condition of the Chestnut by Jessica's Hall. It was agreed that copies should be sent to those whose properties/ trees were mentioned for their information. PARISH PLAN UPDATECllr Knock would ask about the possible use of computers for evening community use at the next school governors meeting. Cllr Croft would pursue recycling matters, whilst Cllr Pollard would pursue Speedwatch. Playground on the Village Green, Clerk to clarify the legal position of this with Mr Clayden the NALC legal officer. CORRESPONDENCEAll relevant received correspondence had been previously circulated and was noted. The PTA had asked for the consent of the Council for a bouncy castle on the green opposite the school on 16 July, there were no objections but it was suggested that since there was a cricket match on the green the rear of the castle should face the pitch in the interest of safety. Also that the PTA should be advised that they required their own Public Liability Insurance if that of the school did not cover the Green. Cllr Stratton Brown reported that he had attended the opening of the new GSK building which had been performed by the Mayor of Tonbridge! Cllr Knock asked that the Clerk pursue a response from SDC regarding Barnetts Road. DOMESTIC RAILWAY/BUS 210/COMMUTER BUS K5Cllr Knock reported that the transfer of responsibility for the Tonbridge-Redhill line had not yet taken place, when it does it is possible that the service will change to an hourly service and that the direct link with Gatwick may cease. To be monitored. Bus 210 from April 06 all senior citizens will be able to travel free on this service. PLANNINGCllr Sykes declared a non-pecuniary interest in the application for Bradbourne, Lower Green as an adjoining neighbour. Cllr Pollard declared a pecuniary interest in the application for Timbalyghe, Penshurst Road as the applicant. Neither took any part in the subsequent deliberations on these applications. The following applications had been received for comment: SE/05/11136/FUL Bradbourne, Lower Green. Loft conversion with rear dormer. Whilst there were no planning objections, Members were unhappy with the two roof lights not being in line as it upset the symmetry when viewed from the road. SE/05/01450/KCCRG3 Leigh School, The Green. Storeroom extension to Jessica's Hall. There were no planning objections to this application, however an informative should be added that unrestricted access to the Parish Council Mower shed should be maintained, and that if the path needed re-siting, with the previous proviso there was no objection. SE/05/01576/FUL Timbalyghe, Penshurst Road. Tow storey side extension. Subject to the usual neighourliness consideration, there were NO OBJECTIONS to the application. Notification of a planning appeal for Cornerways, Lealands Avenue had been received. Noted. The following decisions had been received: 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. GRANTED SE/05/01218/LBCALT 14 Home Farm Close Leigh. Alterations to kitchen cloakroom, form door in windaow opening and window in door opening, replacement staircase. GRANTED SE/05/01210/FUL&SE/05/01211/LBCALT 2 Oak Cottages, high street single storey rear extension (revised scheme) GRANTED SE/05/01228/FUL 7 Wyndham Close, extend existing garage forward 2m and change roof to slight pitch. Construct en suite shower room and study behind garage GRANTED SE/05/01039/FUL Hollow Trees, Hollow Tree Drive demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling REFUSED SE/05/00935/LBCALT 10 Home Farm Close Leigh. Removal of 2 internal plasterboard walls. GRANTED SE/05/00917/FUL Pippin Cottage, The Green. Single storey kitchen extension GRANTED SE/05/01498 & SE/05/01151/DETAILapproval of details land west of 6 Wyndham Avenue. APPROVED
FINANCIAL MATTERSThe annual accounts were presented, but could not be accepted due to an error. It was agreed that with the amendment they represented an accurate record of the Council's financial year and could be subsequently signed by the chairman and RFO. It was agreed a sinking fund for the Bungalows should be established, and that a surveyor should be asked to view the properties, to give the Council some idea of their likely financial liabilities over the next few years. It was agreed that two dog bins be ordered for Well Close entrance and the triangle at the end of FP431. The following accounts were presented for payment:
MATTERS FOR THE CLERK'S FURTHER ATTENTION Mr Linstead had asked whether changing his pub sign required planning consent, the Clerk was of the opinion that unless radical alterations were involved no consent was needed but would check and let Mr Linstead know. Concerns over the state of the War Memorial were voiced, the Clerk agreed to contact Mr Newton of Burslems for advice. To be discussed further. There being no further items for discussion the chairman declared the meeting closed at 10pm. Signed................................... Chairman Date .....................................
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