Parish Council Minutes for 4th December 2006Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on Monday 4 December 06 in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, commencing at 8pm under the chairmanship of Cllr Colin Stratton-Brown. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr Mrs Powell and Cllr Mrs A Cook PRESENT Cllrs P Croft, A.Johnston, J Knock, G Marchant, A McCarthy, M Pollard, R Sykes IN ATTENDANCE County Cllr Lake, Sp PC G Eade, Mr A Wallace and the Clerk, Mrs C Phillips. Clerk's Resignation The chairman circulated copies of the letter of resignation received from the Clerk due to her ongoing ill health. The Council was very sorry that this had come about and Mrs. Phillips was thanked for all her hard work for over twenty years, the very efficient way she had handled business and the major contribution she had made to the life of the village. It was agreed that members should meet on the 11 December at 7pm to discuss the appointment of a successor. The Clerk advised that the deadline for the next KAPC Parish News was 15 January 07. It was agreed that this be mentioned in the Leigh Parish magazine along with the notice of Parish Council elections in May and information for those thinking of seeking election. MINUTES the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 6 November 06, which had been previously circulated were with the following amendments.. Open Session add unless by prior arrangement after but not speak. Village Halls update delete stands at and add before ongoing fundraising since the last Parish Council meeting £1k has been raised through.. agreed and signed by the chairman as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM
Registration of the Village Green the Clerk informed members that this had now be lodged with the Land Registry. A query was raised as to whether Charcott Green had been registered, the Clerk would check in the safe but did not think it had been registered by the Council.
West Kent Housing Despite a letter going to the Chief Executive, there had been no acknowledgement or response to the letter. The Terms of reference regarding the allocations policy had been received, but Cllr Pollard did not feel that it answered the questions raised about allocations of houses to people outside the District. It was agreed that the Clerk should write again and copy to the District Council members who are also trustees. REPORTS
County Cllr P. Lake reported that the Government settlement for County Councils for the forthcoming financial year was decreased by £12.4m a reduction of 5.3%. So regrettably it looks as if Council Tax will rise. There is a 5% capping and an undoubted squeeze on councils in the SE England. The County Council has employed Price Waterhouse to give independent advice, and this will be taken during the budget procedure early in 2007. Cllr Lake asked whether the highway "wish list sheets" were being received by the Council. On being informed that currently we had not received them Cllr Lake undertook to chase them. Cllr Lake was pleased to advise the Council that he was confident that the request by the school for a ground floor office would be agreed and that hopefully funding would be made available. Cllr Lake raised the matter of the proposed interactive sign for the Hildenborough Road near the new RHT development. He agreed that the currently proposed siting was not sensible and it should be positioned further along the road towards Hildenborough. The provision of a pavement for the residents from Home Farm even if only from opposite House Farm to Upper Kennards needed to be persued. He undertook to pursue this matter with the relevant officers. Cllr Lake was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.
Sp PC G Eade informed the meeting that he was signed up to continue as a Sp. Constable for a further year. This was welcomed and PC Eade was thanked for all his work for the village. PC Ingram is in situ and can be contacted via the Edenbridge Office. It was agreed that the Council invite PC Ingram to the next meeting. PC Eade informed members that despite comments to the contrary when he had been contacted about the problems on the Green in September he had called it in to Chris Carter in the Control Room. He suggested that contact be made with Sgt Lea at Edenbridge. Sgt Lea had spoken to Cllr Pollard and offered an unreserved apology that a vehicular response had not been sent during the incident. Cllr Stratton-Brown indicated that the response he had received from Superintendent Salisbury had been unsatisfactory and was advised to write to Superintendent Paul Wilczec. Sp. PC Eade was thanked for his report and input. Proposed Play Area Working Party Cllr Pollard provided the updated Terms of Reference to replace those previously circulated. The Clerk informed members that she was still awaiting a definitive response from both the KCC and the NALC Legal advisor, regarding the Deed of Gift implications and the definitive legality of placing a play area on the Green. The Terms of Reference were discussed and agreed, with Cllr Pollard undertaking the role as Chairman of the working party. The Chairman closed the formal business of the Council and opened the OPEN SESSIONMr Wallace thanked the Chairman and informed members that he had purchased the WKHA land adjacent to his house The Chestnuts. The purchase had included a covenant which imposed a condition to provide a 2m close boarded fence around the land which will be used as additional garden and to provide off street parking. However, the fencing had been stopped because the District Council had informed the contractor that planning consent would be required for a) a change of use and also for the proposed 2m high close boarded fence. There was considerable discussion after which the open session closed and resumed with Rural Housing update the Clerk informed Members that the name Gibbs Field had been accepted as the name for the new RHT development. Members asked for clarification when completion date was anticipated. Clerk to contact Mrs J Davis at the RHT. Youth Forum Cllr Knock informed members that David Bennie had recently organised a playstation evening but only 4 youngsters had turned up. It was clear that Lizzie and her colleagues were unable to give the time to organising the forum due to pressures of exams etc. It was hoped that dance classes would be organised as another event, but the continuance of the Forum clearly needed more input from youngsters in the Village if it was to continue. Village Halls update Cllr Johnston and Mr Beresford and his son, (who are booking the Hall for a wedding reception in the New Year) had decorated the main hall. Alan was thanked for his ongoing works within the Halls complex. Cllr Johnston reported that quotes are being sought for the heating, which will consist of convection wall heaters fuelled by a water heater that will ensure that the heat remains down at floor level. The first quotation has been received the other is awaited. The lighting is to be done. There is a question of whether the wall panelling can be repainted in a light colour although the Listed Building Officer had indicated that painting would have to remain a dark colour. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSCllr Croft was meeting with Down to Earth regarding the Oak in the Old Burial Ground on Saturday. The Clerk mentioned that some of the chestnut trees were showing signs of the recently diagnosed fungal infection and it was agreed that the Clerk ask Bartletts for a report. Cllr Croft was thanked for the works to the cherry trees outside the Halls, it was suggested that Bartletts also look at these trees. The Clerk reported that the footpath FP 435 had been resurfaced but that Smith Kline Beecham were requesting a dog waste bin to try and make the environment more appealing. It was agreed that a bin be installed and KCC be asked to erect no fouling notices. The Bungalows Cllr Johnston reported that the gas fires needed replacement and that the chimneys be lined before installation. It was agreed that carbon monoxide monitors and smoke detectors should be installed. Cllr Johnston agreed to look at the door handle of No1. The Clerk was asked to chase Gilbert Stamper regarding works previously identified. RAILWAYS domestic matters- Bus 210- commuter bus 234 Cllr Knock reported that in the new timetable from 11th December there was a minor amendment to the last weekday train service to Redhill. A later train has been added departing Leigh at 2321 for Redhill. He has also heard rumours that the new Brighton line alterations may affect the Tonbridge-Redhill-Victoria service. The strategic Rail Authority has mooted the scrapping of the Tonbridge-Gatwick service and, if this is the case, instead of the current hourly service to Gatwick, passengers for Gatwick would have to change at Redhill. Both the 210 service and the 234 commuter service are continuing to provide excellent service. Cllr Mc Carthy reported that the new Euro Rail website had been upgraded and is much better. He will continue to monitor this.
PLANNINGThe following applications had been received for comment:SE/06/02817/FUL The Granary Sevton Farm Powder Mills Leigh. Demolition of existing pigsties and replacement with a general purpose agricultural building. There are NO OBJECTIONS to this application SE/06/03021/FUL 22 Barnetts Road Leigh Single storey rear extension to provide breakfast room, subject to the usual un-neighbourly proviso there were NO OBJECTIONS to this application. SE/06/02945/FUL The Old Vicarage, the Green. Single storey side extension to form kitchen. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this application. SE/06/03019 Hale Oak Cottage, Hale Oak Road, Sevenoaks Weald. Replacement dwelling (Resubmission of SE/06/01688/FUL) Having viewed the submitted plans members did not consider the changes were materially altered and wished to reiterate their previously submitted objections. The following decision notices had been received: SE/06/02368 4 Knotley Hall Cottages, Chiddingstone Causeway. 2 Storey front extension 1.8m wide x 2.5m long GRANTED SE/06/02091/FUL Pauls Farm cottage Ensfield Road Leigh. Replacement Barn GRANTED SE/06/02432/FUL The Coach house. 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 of existing NE Elevation. GRANTED SE/06/02216/FUL Ardullie, Penshurst Road. Demolition of existing garage erection of ground floor side extension to provide bedroom and ensuite and ground floor extension to enlarge bedroom. Changes to fenestration in front elevation and installation of single roof light to rear roof slope. GRANTED
FINANCEThe estimate for the Village maintenance by KCC Landscape Services had been received and was approved. Cllr Sykes presented the draft budget for 2007/08, which was discussed, mention being made of the possible cost for the 2007 elections, the bungalow expenditure and costs associated with the appointment of new clerk. Cllr Sykes will adjust and present the budget to the Council in January in time for a precept request to be made to SDC. The following accounts were presented for payment:
It was resolved "that the bills be paid" Carried. ANY OTHER BUSINESSCllr Knock drew the attention of members to the latest copy of the National Association of Local Councils magazine which included an article on Town and Parish Standards referring to dual-hatted members. The Clerk explained that this referred to Councillors who served on two local government authorities, for example the District Council as well as the Parish Council. Also within this magazine were many adverts for play equipment and surfacing. Cllr Knock continued to express his concerns over the future of Parish Councils as the first tier of government, and drew member's attention to the new White Paper. The Clerk will endeavour to download a summary for information. Cllr Marchant asked that the Highways Department be chased to clear the drains in Scabharbour Road, Coppins Lane and Priory Road as there had been more than 5 inches of lying water after the recent rainfall, most of which could be attributed to blocked drains. Clerk to chase. Cllr Johnston asked that a suitable warning sign be provided on Ensfield Road to warn about the cycle track entrance just over the Medway bridge. Clerk to chase. There being no further business, the meeting closed with seasonal best wishes at 10.30pm Signed................................ Chairman Date..................................
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