IN ATTENDANCE

Mr Trehearne, Mrs Hyde, Lizzie Longhurst, Cllr Mrs Cook, County Cllr P. Lake, Sp. PC G Eade, and the Clerk Mrs Phillips.

The Clerk thanked Cllr Pollard for writing the Minutes for the September meeting in her absence.

THE MINUTES of the meeting held on Monday 4 September 06 which had been previously circulated were agreed and signed by the chairman as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM

• Seat and Ashes The Clerk outlined the information which she had received, it was felt that it was most suitable for the ashes to be scattered on the Green, but that the Clerk should speak to the applicant with regard to a suitable plaque and siting for the seat.
• Dropped kerb 2 Oak Cottages The Clerk circulated the email correspondence which had been received, Cllr Marchant felt that again the regulations were being 'dummed down' the Clerk was asked to write outlining the Council's continuing concerns over the narrowness of the pavement and the possible dangers with regard to the dropping of the pavement at this point, however an approval notice had been received.

REPORTS

County Cllr P Lake spoke about the KCC document towards 2010 which is being delivered to all households and outlines the vision of Kent's direction. Cllr Lake expressed his dissatisfaction with the state of signs within his ward, particularly with the overkill of signage from Hildenborough, he advised that he will be meeting with highways regarding the mowing, water drainage and general lack of attention to the state of the rural roads.

Cllr Mrs Cook congratulated Cllr Knock for all his work in achieving the Older People's award in the Kent Village of the Year award. Mrs Cook informed members about the public meetings being held around the district to seek the views of the local communities on the budget, the next being in Otford on October 17. The library in Hildenborough is having its hours cut to 20 hours a week, which reflects the usage of the library and community, this is difficult for children although its open all day on Monday. The clerk was asked to write to the KCC portfolio holder Cllr Hill. The Forstall Oak has received some surgery which has been well done and will hopefully help the tree to fully recover.

Mrs Jackson had enquired about the ownership of the non-surfaced footpath on Porcupine Hill, Cllr Knock informed Mrs Cook that it was not owned by the Parish Council. Clerk to undertake Land Registry search.

The signage on the Hildenborough Road for the new housing development is causing chaos, Clerk to contact Jane Davis at RHT.

The problems with the paths into Well Close and through the Crandalls to Meadow Bank are still causing problems, Clerk to chase Mrs Willimot from SDC and Aileen Kennedy from WK Housing to establish the exact ownership of the problem areas after which a meeting can be held to set up a suitable maintenance programme. The ownership of the Well Close path is not in doubt, but in the absence of Cllr McCarthy the clerk agreed to contact the Residents Association Chairman, Mr Williams to ask for its clearance.

Sp PC G Eade informed members that there is a new community officer starting at the end of October PC Ingram, and wondered if it would be in order for him to attend the next meeting. Agreed. The police are aware of the vandalism of the Harvest goods outlined in the letter from Mrs Sellicks and also the damage to the toilets these matters are in hand. Members expressed their dissatisfaction over the lack of action over the problems with the marquee for the Produce Association show, the chairman undertook to respond to Sgt Lea.The clerk to email copy of letter to Cllr Lake.

Provision of playground Mrs Hyde had undertaken a considerable amount of work copies of which had been circulated to members. Mrs Hyde was invited to address the meeting. Cllr Knock outlined the previous problems when this was proposed some 12 years ago. It was agreed that further background work would be completed to ascertain the legal situation regarding the use of the Green. If this proved positive a working party would look at the matter in greater depth before a public meeting was held. Mrs Hyde was invited to be a member of the working party.

Youth Forum Lizzie Longhurst reported on the successful barbeque held in September when there were about 18 young people in attendance. The group has been awarded a grant from Kent Youth with which they intend to purchase a heavy-duty gazebo. The result of questionnaires has identified a desire for dance classes, junior football, rugby, a zip wire and other more adult leisure equipment, the school field at the top of Lealands Avenue was identified as a possible site. Cllr Knock advised that this is KEC property and is unlikely to be available to unsupervised groups. The Clerk advised that a zip wire was not the sort of equipment that could be made available as it needs constant supervision and is therefore only suitable for outward-bound courses. Lizzie advised that she and her colleagues are all now in the Lower 6^th with a serious workload towards AS and A level exams and therefore their availability in the future would be less and she was doubtful as to whether any others might come forward to take on the role. Lizzie and her friends were thanked for their efforts.

RHT update the highways situation near the site had been chaotic, with lorries unable to access the site and blocking the entire road and traffic lights intermittently not working. Clerk to speak to Jane Davis regarding the current situation.

WK Housing no letter had been received confirming the reason for tenants outside the District being allocated houses in the parish. Clerk to seek response detailing the allocation procedure.

Village Halls update Stage one is complete and now the committee is going for grants for stage two after a recent visit to Tudeley Village Hall.

KAPC Area Committee Cllr Pollard reported on the recent meeting at which the Chairman had given a talk on the planning legislation and legal grounds for objection relating to phone masts. The new repair list system from the Highways Department had been discussed.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Oak in old Burial Ground Cllr Croft to expedite felling. Cllr Croft to be asked to do minor works to bough over Swamp Cypress and small Oak by school.

Kent village of the Year Cllrs Knock and Johnston were thanked for all the work undertaken to achieve our success in the competition. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Martin Avison thanking him for all his work on the village website which had resulted in a Commendation in the IT section of the competition.

Maintenance of Green Cllrs Knock and Sykes had met Simon Kidd (Landscape Services) regarding the future maintenance of the green the general maintenance remains the same with a few additions/variations and the quote is awaited.

Village Green - use for play area The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Biddle seeking his advice on the Deed of Gift, also to NALC and KCC re Green Registration confirmation.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Correspondence had been received from the Produce Association and it was agreed that a S137 grant payment of £275 be made.

The following accounts were presented for payment:

Cheque No	Description	Amount
740	Audit Commission Audit of Accounts (inc VAT 43.75)	293.75
741	Gilbert & Stamper electric report (inc VAT 56.00)	376.00
742	Southern Water 2nd ½ year The Bungalows	80.60
743	SDC Dog bin emptying Jul-Sept.(inc VAT 55.74)	374.24
744	Mrs Phillips month salary	275.89
745	KCC Clerks pension	63.36
746	Inland Revenue Clerks PAYE	34.31
747	B Brooker mowing	40.00
748	P Croft mowing /tree work	125.00
749	S137 LVPA grant	275.00
	Total	£1938.15

It was resolved "that the bills be paid".

PLANNING

The Clerk was asked to write to Action with Communities in Rural Kent who run the Kent Village of the Year competition alerting them to the use of awards pictures and advertising of their business by the sponsors Court Royal, also the Courier and the Appeal Inspector hearing the appeal by Court Royal against the refusal to allow them to build Retirement Accommodation in the village.

The following applications were received for comment:

SE/06/02155/FUL Hoath Cottage, Leigh, Tonbridge. Replacement of garage and stables building with open bayed double garage. The Council had NO OBJECTIONS to this application.

SE/06/02432/FUL The Coach House, The Green. Demolition of existing twin dormer windows. Construction of new enlarged dormer window, first floor bathroom extension and new canopy to front door . Plain tile hanging to part existing N.E. Elevation. Apart from concerns over neighbourly objections, the Council did not wish to object.

SE/06/02368/FUL 4 Knotley Hall Cottages, Chiddingstone Causeway Two storey side extension 1.8m wide and 2.5m long. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this application

SE/06/02216/FUL Ardullie, Penshurst Road Demolition of existing garage. Erection of ground floor extension to provide bedroom and en suite, and ground floor front extension to enlarge bedroom. Changes to fenestration in the front elevation and installation of single rooflight to rear roofslope. The Council had NO OBJECTIONS to this application

SE/06/01042/FUL 4 The Green Lane, Leigh. Part demolition and alterations to existing police house. Change of use for the formation of a new residential curtilage for the purposes of erecting a four bedroom detached dwelling with integral garage. The Council was very concerned that the proposed dwelling would be very close to the existing very important surface water drain which carries water from a large area of the Village. So long as the materials used were in keeping with the VDS and that concerns from the neighbours are addressed, then there were NO OBJECTIONS.

The following decision notices were received:

SE/06/01973/FUL 2 Oak Cottages High Street, retention of vehicular access and replacement of existing parking area GRANTED

An informative relating to the provision of a dropped kerb required separate consent from KCC Highways. (This had been a matter of contention and the various correspondence had been circulated and the Clerk was instructed to register continuing objections with the Highways Department regarding the width of the pavement and the drop of the kerb at that particular point.)

SE/06/01688/FUL Hale Oak Cottage, Hale Oak Road, Weald Replacement Dwelling REFUSED

SE/06/02474/FUL Oak Lodge, Powder Mill Lane. Erection of open sided 2 bay garage. REFUSED

There being no further matters for discussion or resolution the meeting closed, with apologies for absence for the November meeting from the Chairman, at 10.40pm.

Signed............................ Chairman

Date ..............................