Parish Council Minutes for 6th March 2006Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 6 March 06 in Jessica's Hall, under the chairmanship of Cllr C Stratton-Brown commencing at 8pm. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs Mrs H Powell P Croft and A McCarthy PRESENT Cllrs A Johnson, J Knock, G Marchant, M Pollard and R Sykes. IN ATTENDANCECllr Mrs Cook, County Cllr P Lake Special PC G Eade, Mr J Cook and the Clerk Mrs C Phillips.THE MINUTESof the meeting held on Monday 6 February 06, which had been previously circulated were agreed and signed as a correct record by the chairman.MATTERS ARISING THEREFROMSpeedwatch update Cllr Pollard reported that he is still trying to organise a training day. Pond on school field A copy email had been received from Mr Salliss, whilst members had every sympathy it is a matter for the school to resolve. Clerk to take to next governors meeting. Kent Village of the Year The Clerk reported that Mr Penn might be able to undertake the organisation, Cllr Knock agreed to liase with Mr Penn. Yew Tree Bungalow, Egg Pie Lane The Clerk reported that the Planning Department expected the application to be withdrawn since they are unable to support this application. The Clerk reported that she had informed the Highways department of the various problem areas including the top of Green View Avenue, and pot holes at the Green end and in other plaes. The County was intending to do kerbing from the pavilion towards Barden Cottages in the next financial year however they would not be able to afford conservation kerbing. It was agreed that the Council should suggest that they might be willing to contribute towards the cost. REPORTSCllr Mrs Cook reported on a letter received from the RHT regarding a change in 'staircasing' legislation for right to buy occupiers from 1 April 06. There is a great deal of uncertainty about how this might effect the Leigh development, Clerk to speak to the planners and RHT to enable the council to take further action. Cllr Mrs Cook reported on her recent obligatory Risk Assessment training where the first item was changing government policy! Mrs Cook reported that she was concerned about the increasing amount of litter along roads both in and outside the Parish, she has arranged for litter picking to be undertaken. Graffiti on road signs appears to be on the increase again. Sp. Constable Eade to report. Mrs Cook had attended the recent SEERA conference; it is unlikely that there will be any changes affecting Sevenoaks District. Disturbingly it appears that the Environment Agency considers that it is more beneficial to place all water users on meters rather than pursuing the water companies to fix leaks in their pipes. The SDC Youth Action policy is to be launched on 16 April, it is hoped that Cllr Mrs Powell may be able to attend. County Cllr P Lake reported that the County portion of Council Tax bills will increase by 4.75%, whilst the government grant received will be 0.03%. Cllr Lake voiced his hope that the Chancellor of the Exchequer would include a £200 grant for pensioners in the upcoming budget. Cllr Lake had heard of the possible removal of all buses 232-238 being removed which would leave areas such as the Causeway, Chiddingstone and Hever totally without a service, he hoped that this would not prove to be the case. The County is keeping a monitoring view on the threat of avian flu a recent comprehensive report had been published which was full of sensible advice. Kent was currently reviewing primary school places of which there are currently 12,000 surplus not locally but within the County. Cllr Lake had noted with concern the withdrawal of services and wondered if this referred to the 210 and K5. Cllr Knock informed him that this related to the rail services which would eventually change to South Central, which might have an impact on services for Leigh. Cllr Stratton-Brown reported on his email to James Cook (KCC Transport) relating to the K5 commuter bus, a copy was given to Cllr Lake and he was asked to look into matters. Special PC G Eade reported that the asbestos previously thought to have been removed from the verge at Redleaf woods, whilst depleted was in fact still there he asked Cllr Mrs Cook if this could be removed, he also asked if a traffic warden could visit Lower Street because of all the parked cars which are parking on yellow lines. However this is within Tonbridge and Malling BC. PC Eade reported that the pothole at the top of station hill had also been reported to KCC Highways but the fire hydrant previously reported in Cinder Hill Lane had not been repaired. Clerk to report. NHS Meeting - Cllr Knock Cllr knock reported on what had been a fiasco of a meeting, firstly the venue had been changed with no prior warning and then an attempt was made to shorten the advertised time, after protest it was agreed that the meeting would continue to 12.30. Cllr Knock reported that there are three areas of restructuring proposed, the strategic Health Authority, the Primary Care Trusts and the Ambulance service. Cllr Knock had asked how, if services were spread throughout Kent, services such as ambulances would find properties, some of which are off the beaten track. He was assured that the control centre, which is currently at Coxheath, would remain there, and there were currently no problems. Primary Health Care hospital beds would be decreased and these would be farmed out to Cottage Hospitals and to GPs surgeries. It was hoped that area combinations would be kept as currently or enlarged. No response was received to Cllr Knock's question as to the practicalities of such changes on the ground. Youth Forum Cllr Knock reported on the recently held meeting, currently there are more adults attending than youngsters. At the last meeting, he, David Bennie, Mike Doggett and Cllr Mrs Powell had been present with Lizzie Longhurst and Tottie Clark representing the youth. It was hoped to visit the Youth shelter at Knockholt although where such a structure would be placed in Leigh was not known. WK Housing at Wyndham Avenue there are still concerns over whether these houses are in the right place, the Clerk would deliver the plans to Cllr Johnston. Concerns over the filling in of the pond were voiced. The Clerk informed members that she had alerted the Environment Agency and the Planning Department, who had informed the owner of No6 that planning consent would be required and would be unlikely to be granted due to the importance of this pond relating to drainage of the village. Village Halls update Cllr Johnston reported that the building works were progressing well and that scaffolding would be removed shortly although the end date was currently the end of May. It was agreed that the April meeting should be booked in Jessica's Hall also a reservation made for the Annual Assembly in case the Small Hall was not available. The KCC grant had been paid in full whilst SDC were paying on an invoice by invoice basis. The Parish Council had been asked to release the first part of their grant aid. This would be discussed further under finance. Environmental matters Cllr Sykes reported that the noticeboard was nearing completion, it was likely to be a little larger than the present one. It was felt that the £500 from Cllr Lake would pay for the Council's share and that it would be best if the RBL had the account and reclaimed the VAT with the Council paying its share. Village Green Working Party. Cllr Pollard reported that despite frequent reminders a representative from the rugby club was still awaited. CORRESPONDENCE All relevant correspondence had been previously circulated. The chairman had received a request from the Produce Association for permission to hold their show on the Green on September 2. There were no objections to this request. It was agreed that since no Councillor was available the Clerk would attend the meeting on the Community Plan on April 6. Showtime Amusements had responded to the Clerk's previous letter but not with dates. It was agreed that the Clerk should meet Mr Shayler and that he be invited to attend the April meeting to discuss the possibility of his family funfair coming to the Green during the summer. The letters regarding Police restructuring were discussed and it was agreed that the Council should support the District Council in their view that the Sevenoaks District should be policed by an enlarged West Kent Area with additional support for Swanley and was opposed to the Sevenoaks Area being covered by an enlarged North Kent Area Cllr Johnston kindly agreed to meet with Mr Browitt for his inspection of the bungalows on 14 March, due to the Clerk's absence. The contents of Sir John Stanley's letter, and that from the Minister, regarding the Licensing laws was noted. PLANNINGThe following applications had been received for comment from the District Council SE/06/00285/FUL The Greyhound PH Charcott installation of new extract duct and flue from existing kitchen. The Council had NO OBJECTIONS to this application but would like to request that it is painted black to lessen the sun's reflection. 06/00399/WTCA 3 The Square, High Street Leigh fell 2 conifer trees in rear garden 06/00424/WTCA Leigh Primary School The Green, Leigh Prune Horse Chestnut tree. There were NO OBJECTIONS to either of these applications The Clerk reported on the decisions received. SE/05/03149/FUL The Stone House, High Street, Alterations and extensions GRANTED. There was some dismay over this since the Council had opposed the insertion of velux roof lights, it was agreed that the Council should talk to Cllr Mrs Cook since this yet again devalued the local knowledge and opinion of the Parish Council. SE/05/03054/FUL Alphester Greenview Avenue Rear single storey extension to provide new dining room GRANTED SE/05/03024/FUL Little Barnetts Farm retrospective application to replace and relocate gates GRANTED.
FINANCIAL MATTERSThe following accounts were presented for payment:
It was resolved that the bills be paid. Carried. There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.10pm. Signed............................. Chairman Date................................
|
| Please contact us with any updates or comments on this web site. | Page last updated: Fri 31st March 2006 |