Parish Council Minutes for 6th November 2006Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 6 November 06, in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, commencing at 8pm under the chairmanship of Cllr M Pollard. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs C Stratton-Brown and R Sykes. PRESENT Cllrs P Croft, A Johnston, G Marchant, J Knock Mrs H Powell. IN ATTENDANCE Cllr Mrs A Cook, Sp PC G Eade, parishioners Mrs Coward, Mr Truzzi, Mr Martin and Mr Witchell, and the Clerk Mrs Phillips. Apologies were received from Mrs Hyde. MINUTESThe minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 2 October 06 were agreed and signed by the acting chairman as a correct record.MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM
REPORTSCllr Mrs A Cook reported that the hedge at the Forstall had now been cut and some works done to the pond at the Crandalls. The land through the Crandalls and Meadowbank is definitely West Kent (Members were in receipt of a map showing the various owners received from Mrs Willimott SDC). Mrs Cook was thanked for this information. Regarding the new White Paper on Local Government, there was a great deal to digest, and definite concerns that the largest authority does not claim back too much as in the recent Highways reorganisation. Otherwise there is a danger that funding will be distributed elsewhere. Regarding the valuable work done by voluntary organisations, which is recognised, again there are dangers that if they are given powers to undertake some statutory duties funding may be diluted to the detriment of those in receipt of the services. A watch must be kept to ensure that West Kent doesn't lose out for funding if it comes via the County Council as they will tend to divert monies to East Kent where areas of deprivation are larger. Cllr Mrs Cook was thanked for her report. She informed the Council that if they were to discuss the development of the land to the rear of Garden Cottages she would have to absent herself as she had a personal and prejudicial interest. Sp PC G Eade reported on a spate of garden burglaries which appear to be happening around both Penshurst and Leigh Parishes, although after some successful information some may have been recovered. It was agreed that PC Ingram the new Parish Constable would be invited to the December meeting. Proposed Play Area Working party The various items of correspondence, which had been circulated, were discussed and it was agreed that the vice-chairman agreed to write terms of reference for the working group, which, since it was a working group of the Parish Council, would be chaired by a councillor. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to Mrs Hyde keeping her up to date. Responses were awaited from the KCC and the NALC. The chairman closed the formal meeting for the OPEN SESSIONIn view of the discussion about the upcoming Appeal by Court Royal, Cllr Mrs Cook declared her personal and prejudicial interest and left the meeting. The parishioners were very concerned about the proposal by Court Royal to erect older peoples houses on the land to the rear of Garden Cottages and were seeking advice as to what else they could do. Letters of objection and a petition have been sent to the District Council also to Gregg Clark MP for Tunbridge Wells. The Clerk suggested writing to Sir John Stanley MP who is MP for Leigh. Mr Truzzi had been to Company's House and found some interesting information about the make-up of the two companies involved in the proposed development. The matter was discussed at length and finished with the Clerk advising that people could attend the Appeal, but not speak. The Open Session closed and Council re-entered the meeting with RHT update Letters had been received from Mr Bramley suggesting to the contractors that a proposed interactive speed sign be re-located to the north of the new development along with the renewed gateway. This had been supported by Mr & Mrs Court and it was agreed that the Clerk should write supporting this idea and also to the KCC suggesting that an interactive sign be installed (as previously requested) along with an upgraded gateway on the Penshurst Road, where speed is also an issue. Youth Forum in the absence of Lizzie Longhurst, Cllr Mrs Powell reported that the meeting scheduled for 4 November had been cancelled but further events were planned. West Kent Housing in the continuing absence of a satisfactory response to the Clerk's enquiry about the method of housing allocations from WK Housing, Cllr Pollard offered to write a letter to the Chief Executive. Village Halls update - ongoing fund raising stands at £1K, estimates for heating the large hall are being sought, and the painting of the interior walls will be happening shortly. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS Cllr Croft reported that he had done the necessary pruning work to the trees on the Green and was awaiting Down to Earth to quote for the removal of the Oak in the Old Burial Ground as the previous quote had been in excess of £500. The Clerk informed members that she had become aware that the Village Green was not registered with the Land Registry and proposed to undertake this matter. Agreed. PLANNING There were two applications for members consideration and recommendation: SE/-6/020265/FUL Yew Tree Bungalow, Egg Pie Lane Weald Amended application for demolition of existing building and replacement with a new dwelling with a reduced footprint. Members OBJECTED strenuously to this application and directed the clerk to re-iterate all the Council's previous objections including their feelings over the previously granted lawful development certificate. SE/06/02756/FUL The Old Dairy, Green view Avenue. Small rear/side extension to garage to provide utility room facility. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this application. The Clerk reported that the Council had received an application for work under a General Permitted Development Order for the Granary at Sevton Farm, but had received advice from the Planning Officer that this would require a full planning application, and had replied in these terms. The following decisions had been received: SE/06/02155/FUL Hoath Cottage, Leigh replacement of garage and stables building with open bayed double garage. GRANTED SE/06/02146/FUL 11 Powder Mills Leigh. First floor rear extension GRANTED SE/06/02143/FUL 7 Wyndham Close Leigh single storey rear extension and single front extension GRANTED FINANCIAL MATTERS The Council was in receipt of estimates for works to the Bungalows from Mr Fullbrook, the first for works to the bathroom of No1 in the sum of £581.60 and the second for servicing and testing both gas fires at Nos 1&2 in the sum of £123.40. It was agreed that all the works were essential and the estimates were accepted. The Council had received a S137 grant application from the Table Tennis Club, Cllr Knock declared a personal interest and left the meeting. The application was for two new practice tables and the Club were seeking a 50% grant in the sum of £500. This was approved. The Council was in receipt of a s137 application from the Golden Years Club and agreed that the prize won in the Village of the Year in the sum of £250 be given to the Club for the purpose of outings. The following accounts were presented for payment:
It was resolved that 'the bills be paid'. There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.00pm Signed................................ Chairman Date...................................
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