Parish Council Minutes for 4th September 2006Minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on Monday 4 September 2006, held in the Small Village Hall, High Street, Leigh under the Chairmanship of Cllr C Stratton-Brown, commencing at 8pm. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs P Croft and A McCarthy, District Cllr Mrs A Cook, Sp. PC Eade and the Clerk. It was agreed that in the absence of the Clerk, Cllr M Pollard would take the minutes. PRESENT Cllrs A Johnson, J Knock, G Marchant, M Pollard, Mrs H Powell and R Sykes. There was no-one in attendance. THE MINUTES of the meeting held on Monday 7 August 2006, which had previously been circulated, were agreed and signed by the chairman as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM · State of paths around Crandalls The state of the paths and pond were still very bad. The clerk to ascertain who is responsible (SDC or WKH) and insist that action is taken immediately. · Verge cutting Some verges had now received the first cut of the year but many remained untouched. This was unacceptable and the clerk was to contact the KCC cabinet member responsible and draw their attention to the matter and ask why, when other counties in the country can keep verges cut, KCC cannot · Burial Ground Oak A report from Cllr Croft was awaited · APD's A quotation for the electrical work had been received from Gilbert & Stamper Ltd. Clerk to obtain competitive quote from Toby Ball. When the initial work has been done, guide prices for the outstanding work should be sought from the surveyor to allow a remedial programme to be scheduled and costed. RURAL HOUSING TRUST It was noted that the groundwork had started on this project. YOUTH FORUM It was noted that a barbecue would be held on The Green on 7 September to disseminate information. The organisation of the event was being overseen by D Bennie and Cllr Mrs H Powell would attend. WEST KENT HOUSING It was reported that WKH had not been able to find anyone on their own housing list to occupy the new properties in Meadowbank and that they had been allocated to tenants from outside Sevenoaks DC. The council expressed surprise at this and asked the clerk to obtain written confirmation from WKH that everything possible had been done to accommodate local people in these properties. VILLAGE HALLS Most of the railings had now been erected and the gate would soon be mounted and the fencing completed. The committee were now looking at the next round of funding and had been impressed by the heating and lighting systems and floor treatment seen at Tudeley Village Hall. Quotes were to be obtained from the contractors who had installed these systems and indications are that funding should be available to meet these costs. The council asked that its thanks should be relayed to all those who were working so hard on this refurbishment project. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS Approval was given to an application from Mr E G Plaistowe to erect a bench with a commemorative plaque on the Green in memory of his partner. Mr Plaistowe was asked to liaise with the Clerk to ensure that all necessary public health and safety requirements were met. The oak tree by the School had low branches that needed attention. Cllr Croft was to be asked to attend to this. GREEN WORKING PARTY Cllr Pollard presented the report of the meeting of the Working Party. It was hoped that the suggestions for additional work would be ready for the next council meeting. Cllrs Knock and Sykes were to meet with Landscape Services shortly and it was agreed they would invite S Johnson from the Rugby Club to attend that meeting. KAPC NEWS The clerk was asked to obtain copies of the "Good Councillors Guide" for all members. TRANSPORT There was nothing to report on rail or bus services. In the absence of Cllr McCarthy there was nothing to report on the Eurorail Freight project. PLANNING A lengthy letter had been received from SDC outlining the action being taken to ensure that they would be in a position to deliver a more efficient planning service than had been the case in the past. The following plans had been received for comment: SE/06/01973/FUL 2 Oak Cottages, High Street. Retention of vehicular access and replacement of existing parking area. Members were OPPOSED to this application. The existing access had been put in by a previous resident without planning permission, which had subsequently been refused. The access is on to a classified road and there is no provision for a turning area on the driveway. The pavement is narrow at this point which would make it difficult to drop the kerbstone. SE/06/02091/FUL Pauls Farm Cottage, Ensfield Road. Restoration, alteration and change of use of barn. Members had NO OBJECTIONS as long as the barn was re-erected in its existing format. SE/06/02146/FUL 11 Powder Mills. First floor rear extension. After discussion it was agreed that subject to no un-neighbourly comments there were NO OBJECTIONS. SE/06/02065/FUL Yew Tree Bungalow, Egg Pie Lane. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling. Members were OPPOSED to this application as they did not accept that the existing building was a bona fide dwelling. Reference should be made to objections to similar previous applications. SE/06/02143/FUL 7 Wyndham Close. Single storey rear extension and single front extension. After discussion it was agreed that subject to no un-neighbourly comments there were NO OBJECTIONS. The following decisions had been received: SE/06/01533/FUL Sandalwood House, High Street. Replacement Garage GRANTED SE/05/02314/FUL 10 Moorden Cottages. Formation of parking lay-by. GRANTED SE/06/01243/FUL The Old Stables, Moorden Farm. Realignment of boundary fencing and hedging. GRANTED FINANCE The amended accounts were adopted and signed by the chairman. The audit was received from the auditors and signed. It was agreed to make a section 137 payment of £250 to St Mary's Church as a contribution to the production of the Parish Magazine. The following accounts had been received for payment:
It was resolved that "bills be paid". Carried. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Cllr Pollard reported that there had been trouble on the Green with youths interfering with the marquee on the night before the Village Flower Show. There had been trouble in previous years and Sp PC Eade had been asked earlier to arrange for the local constabulary to patrol the Green on the Friday night. When the trouble occurred, the police had been contacted but no patrol car had arrived at the Green within an hour of the call. Members expressed their dismay at the lack of response and agreed that a letter should be sent to the Inspector in charge of the local area expressing their concern. The letter should be copied to the local MP. There being no other matters for discussion the meeting closed at 9.48pm. Signed Chairman Date
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