Parish Council Minutes for 8th January 2007Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on Monday 8 January 2007 in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh under the chairmanship of Cllr C Stratton-Brown commencing at 8pm. APOLOGIES Cllrs Mrs H Powell, P Croft, PC Ingram. PRESENT Cllrs A Johnston, J Knock, G Marchant, M Pollard, R Sykes. IN ATTENDANCE Mr J Munro, Sp PC G Eade, Cllr Mrs A Cook, County Cllr P Lake and the Clerk Mrs C Phillips. THE MINUTES of the Ordinary meeting held on 4 December 06, which had been previously circulated, were, with the alteration of the planning decision for Ardullie which should read REFUSED instead of GRANTED, signed by the chairman as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROMWhite Paper Summary Clerk to download. Cyclist alert signs on Enfield Road Clerk to speak to Highways regarding provision. Charcott Green Clerk to check a) whether this is registered with the Land Registry b) whether there was any legal paperwork from Mr Hills and to trace. REPORTSCllr Mrs A Cook reported that the District Council had been dealing with the Budget, Community Plan and the Local Development Plan. The Local Authority inflation runs at 7.5% not the government indicators therefore it is very unlikely that the District Council will get the necessary grants. Over previous years £3m have been placed in reserves but only £1/4m this year. Recently Mrs Cook had circulated a questionnaire to discover the concerns of people in Leigh and Chiddingstone Causeway. The main problems identified were vandalism, abusive language/behaviour, fly tipping etc. People were seeking speeding restrictions, road repairs, better policing and police response times and in the Village street lighting, yellow lines and a reduction of the Village Green to allow parking. Mrs Cook advised that whilst these were concerns voiced by a section of the community equal numbers did not raise these concerns. Cllr Knock pointed out the problems experienced by the Village Produce Society in September, and pointed out that vehicular parking on the Green was not legally allowed. Mrs Cook expressed her regrets and left the meeting at 8.20pm. Sp.PC G Eade Reported that there is quite a lot of Police activity with youngsters within the Village although he is not at liberty to disclose these matters. He suggested that Mr Baldock who is the Crime Reduction Co-ordinator be asked to attend a meeting and also it was suggested that Sgt Lea be invited to be the speaker at the Annual Assembly. PC Eade advised that there is another gang of conmen who are in the area getting people to pay for work with the advice that it can be claimed back. County Cllr P Lake advised that the views of the Parish Council and affected residents appear to be being taken seriously regarding a more sensible siting of the interative sign from its proposed site on the bend just before the Village on the Hildenborough Road to the proposed site on the far side of Upper Kennards. Cllr Lake also advised that there appears to be consideration being given to the provision of a pavement from Home Farm Close into the Village along the B2027 despite the fact that the Authority has already dismissed the previous application due to the lack of necessary width and expense. The Chairman closed the meeting for the OPEN SESSION Mr Munro came to discuss the incidences of vandalism to cars parked along the High Street, some of which he had experienced personally, also the increased use of the pavement by cyclists who appear to be unaware that this is illegal and dangerous. He wondered whether the installation of street lighting might prevent such mindless damage. During discussion the incidences of other vandalism were identified, the removal of the speed repeater signs around the village green, the toilet sign at Crandalls, the break in to the Cricket Pavilion and theft of footballs, the intimidation of residents in properties around the Green and damage to cars here as well as previously resolved incidences near the War Memorial. Sp.PC G Eade advised that the Police are aware and action is being considered in a number of cases. County Cllr Lake enquired whether there was a need for Social Services intervention, but it was felt that in some cases it was more the family environs than the fault of the youngsters involved. There being no further issues to discuss the Chairman closed the Open Session and the Council meeting resumed with Playground Provision -update it was reported by the Clerk that letters were still awaited from the KCC and NALC. RHT housing development Gibbs Field A copy letter had been received from Mr Kaye regarding the problems relating to drainage in the ditch and to the rear of the Forstall. Noted. The envisaged completion date of the development is the end of March. The Clerk was asked to chase up the RHT regarding the S106 agreement ands the procedure for the nomination ratification of the proposed tenants. West Kent Housing responses had been received and circulated regarding the various problems being experienced. It was agreed to invite Mr Leader to the February or March meeting for a discussion about the Council's reservations and concerns. Village Halls - update Cllr Johnston reported that the next meeting would be held on January 9th. . Cllr Knock reported on a Fire and Safety workshop attended by him and Mrs McCarthy, an excellent informative presentation was given by a fire officer on good and bad practice for Village Halls. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSThe Clerk was asked to chase up the replacement or repair of the litter bin adj. to the Horse Trough on the Green. In the absence of Cllr Croft the Clerk was asked for an update on the fallen tree in the Old Burial Ground. This is in hand and as soon as Sevenoaks gives the OK it will be removed. APD - UPDATECllr Johnston reported that Mr Fullbrook had advised by that the gas fires needed replacing and that the chimneys require lining. This is a specialist job. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Mr Ball with a view to seeking his advice. The Clerk reported that damage had been done to the door of No2 and she felt that more substantial doors should be fitted. It was agreed that Mr Ball be asked to advise on this at the same time. CORRESPONDENCEAll relevant correspondence had been circulated and the contents noted. RAILWAYS - domestic matters - update/ Bus service 210 / commuter bus 234 Cllr Knock reported that works to Leigh station were being undertaken from January until July as some work can only be undertaken over Saturday night Sunday morning. The fencing is being replaced and the concrete slabs on the platform are being replaced/repaired. The stilts under the platform are similarly being replaced or repaired. When necessary a bus service will replace the trains. Bus 210 the service is satisfactory. Commuter Bus 234 the use of this service is increasing with between 12 -15 commuters every day. PLANNINGThe Following plans had been received for comment: Members were asked to ratify the decision on SE/06/03080 which had been discussed at the recent meeting. SE/06/03080/LBCALT & SE/06/03078/FUL South Down House, High Street, Leigh To install 12 solar (photo voltaic) panels on the flat roof of the existing garage. The Council had NO OBJECTIONS to this proposal. This decision was ratified. SE/06/03327/FUL Yew Tree Cottage Egg Pie Lane, Weald Demolition of existing garage and workshop and erection of replacement single storey garage and workshop. The Council had NO OBJECTIONS to this proposal. SE/0603190/LBCALT Yew Tree Cottage, Egg Pie Lane, Weald Internal layout revisions and repositioning of first floor windows in west elevations. The Council had NO OBJECTIONS to these proposals SE/06/03138/FUL Wickhurst Oast, Coppings Road, Leigh Proposed single storey utility room extension plus single storey hallway/sunroom extension. The Council had NO OBJECTIONS to these proposals. SE/06/03242/LBCALT Little Keepers and Margavon Cottage Charcott. Return of two dwellings into one by removing certain internal walls a staircase and insertion of one partition. Replacement of certain crittle windows with painted wood single glazed windows. The Council had NO OBJECTIONS to these proposals. 07/00005/WTCA South View The Green Leigh Removal of Lawson Cypress Tree and pruning of apple tree. There are NO OBJECTIONS to these proposed works. The following decision notices had been received: SE/06/02756/FUL The Old Dairy Greenview Avenue Leigh. Small rear/side extension to existing garage to provide utility room facility. GRANTED SE/06/02945/FUL The Old Vicarage, The Green single storey side extension to form kitchen. GRANTED. FINANCIAL MATTERSBudget 07-08 After discussion it was agreed to slightly increase the precept requirements, taking into account the likely works to the Bungalows, and the appointment of a new Clerk. The Village Halls commitments were covered for the forthcoming year with additional works being undertaken in the 08-09 financial year. It was therefore resolved that the Precept request from the SDC should be £17,500. Carried. The following accounts were presented for payment:
It was resolved that the bills be paid. Carried. There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.25pm Signed ....................................... Date .........................................
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