Minutes of the ordinary meeting held in the Small Hall High Street Leigh on Monday 5 February 07, under the chairmanship of Cllr C Stratton-Brown, commencing at 8pm.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllr A McCarthy, and Cllr Mrs A Cook.

PRESENT Cllrs. P Croft, A Johnston, J Knock, G Marchant, M Pollard, Mrs H Powell, and R Sykes.

IN ATTENDANCE County Cllr P Lake, Sp PC G Eade, Mr M Leader, WKHA and the Clerk Mrs C Phillips.

THE MINUTES which had been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

MATTERS ARISING other than those covered by the agenda there were no outstanding matters.

The Chairman introduced Mr Mark Leader from WKHA, who had kindly come to answer questions from members relating to social housing in the Village.

Members asked questions which mainly related to the allocation of housing within the District, Mr Leader explained that the Sevenoaks District Council housing register is held and administered by WKHA. It allows anyone, from anywhere in the UK to put their name on the list and if they have the most points to be housed in houses within the District. There is no longer discretion for the WKHA to have a local lettings policy; the Housing Corporation, to whom all Housing Associations are answerable, removed this. The new properties off Meadowbank were shared ownership, this had a different application system, tenants apply and have to meet financial criteria, before being selected. People housed in Leigh are those with the greatest number of points. However, residents vacating a village house can be allocated a smaller dwelling within the village as a separate policy of encouraging residents to vacate bigger houses applies.

Mr Leader assured Council that if tenants did not abide by their tenancy or were in any way considered unsuitable, then the WKHA would take action, however, proof was required not just innuendo.

Members then focused on the Affordable Housing provision, for which local connections are paramount. The applicants must be on the housing list held by West Kent Housing and, having been nominated by their points criteria, the Parish Council will be invited to confirm their local connections.

Lastly Members spoke about the problems with the new housing in Barnetts Road, it was agreed that the houses were probably the height that they should have been but the height of the land had not been allowed for, making the final result about 1m higher that agreed.

Mr Leader explained that service charges are levied, the Bungalows in Barnetts Road have to pay for the pumping of their waste water and Crandalls and Meadowbank for the maintenance of grass verges, road and pavement surfacing. Lastly Mr Leader apologised that the land adjacent to the Chestnuts had been sold while the Parish Council was in negotiation with WKHA.

County Cllr Lake spoke about a variation of condition at Gibbs Field to resolve a problem arising from the delay in installing the interactive sign. The KCC was looking at the suggested re-siting of the sign further up the Hildenborough Road beyond the entrance to Upper Kennards. This variation had been agreed to forestall any hold-up in the formal hand over of the properties. Cllr Lake understood that the KCC was intending to fund the upgrade of the footpath SR431 to Powder Mill Lane. Mr Leader was thanked for his attendance and left the meeting.

Although sufficient, members were surprised at the lower number than expected of applicants for the rented accommodation. The Clerk was asked to verify with RHT and WKHA that the numbers were correct. Likewise, as the Parish Council's right to confirm the bona fides of applicants was not set out in the s106 agreement, there should be some sort of agreement to ensure the Parish Council's involvement in perpetuity.

REPORTS

County Cllr Lake had little to report except that the County Council's precept requirements were likely to increase by 4.5-5% as there was little government grant aid either this or next year.

Members were informed of some dumping on Compasses Road, Clerk to contact the SCD Hit Squad.

Sp.PC G.Eade reported that there had been some problems over people's properties being photographed by individuals. It was possible that these photographers were employed by the District Council, for the Council Tax review. This was being investigated. Although Council officers should have identification, it was felt that there might be a private firm employed to undertake the work. Any further incidences should be reported directly to the police. There was a group of youngsters riding scooters who seemed to gather at the bus shelter and might be responsible for further minor vandalism. The Clerk reported that she had met with the Crime prevention officer who would be attending the March meeting and these matters and others had been discussed. Cllr Lake mentioned that a dispersal order was in operation in Edenbridge, also that Community Officers were employed by the KCC, regrettably Leigh was unlikely to benefit due to the low level of this nuisance. PC Eade made the point that it was important to report every incident as otherwise the police would not think there was a problem.

Playground Working Party had met recently and consisted of Mrs S Hyde, Mrs S Butler, Mr Dyton Cllr Mrs Powell, and Cllr Pollard as chairman. Mrs Hyde was to speak to the school regarding use and type of equipment, Mrs Butler to speak to preschool parents. Cllr Pollard asked whether confirmation of legal situation had yet been received. Clerk to continue to chase. Further meeting to be held in March.

OPEN SESSION There were no members of the public present but Cllr Knock felt that this should be noted as, with elections in May, it would be expected that any parishioner considering standing for election would have attended just to familiarise themselves with what was involved. Cllr Knock was thanked for his observation.

RHT Affordable Housing -update The Clerk to write and expedite the various matters discussed with Mr Leader.

Youth Forum - update Cllr Mrs Powell had been trying to contact Mr Bennie to discuss a further event, however, to date with no success. Cllr Stratton-Brown agreed to approach Mr Bennie to see whether he would be prepared to continue leading the initiative. Cllr Mrs Powell was concerned that funds previously received were being used just to maintain insurance etc.

Village Halls -update Cllr Johnston reported that estimates for the heating had been received and agreed and the works were scheduled for June/July 07. The next phase is the lighting and this is underway.

APD -update The Clerk had received a quote for new front doors, this was handed to the working party. The work to the flues was awaited, John Jarvis would contact the tenants directly. Two new fires would be required. Cllr Johnston to speak to Mr Ball.

Environmental matters Cllr Croft informed members that the fallen tree in the old burial ground should be removed shortlyas consent was not required from SDC as the tree had already fallen.

The Clerk had received the Best Kent Village competition pack. It was agreed that a volunteer should be sought but if no-one was forthcoming the Village might not enter this year.

CORRESPONDENCE All relevant received correspondence had been previously circulated and noted. Cllr Knock had submitted his report on the Fire Risks for public buildings and about NHS changes. Cllr Knock was thanked for his reports. It was agreed that the report on fire risk would be sent to the Scouts for their information.

RAILWAYS, domestic Cllr Knock reported that the works were ongoing and appeared to be on schedule.

PLANNING The Clerk had received an approach from Madgewick and Dotteridge about a possible planning application which could contain affordable housing governed by a s106 agreement, asking if the council felt there was still a need and if so supporting the ongoing discussions. It was felt that this was something which required further investigation and that it was too early to voice an opinion.

Minutes of the planning committee held on Monday 22 January 07,which had been circulated, were agreed and signed as a correct record with the altered spelling of names.

The following applications had been received for comment:

SE/07/00204/FUL Hale Oak Cottage, Hale Oak Road, Weald. Replacement dwelling. Members welcomed the reduction in size and felt that provided it fell within the development 'footprint' of 50% and if there were no objections from Weald Parish Council then Leigh Parish Council would not wish to object.

SE/06/03310/FUL Chestnuts, The Green, Leigh. Erection of boundary fences and provision of off street parking. Firstly, the Council feels that this proposal requires the benefit of an application for change of use from open space to residential, indeed in the information supplied there is a letter from Mrs Kerry advising that this is the case. The Council is vehemently OPPOSED to the fencing of this land. The elderly residents of 1&2 the Crandalls who are elderly will lose the visual amenity by the erection of a 2m high close boarded fence, and whilst the land is not in the Conservation Area it immediately abuts it, and this type of fencing will radically alter the current open aspect which is enjoyed in this village focal point that is the Village Green.

The following decision notice had been received:

SE/06/03021/FUL 22 Barnetts Road, Leigh Single storey extension to provide breakfast room. GRANTED

FINANCIAL MATTERS

A s137 application had been received from the school for new carpeting in the sum of £1200, this was agreed in principle, subject to the provision of a firm quotation for the work.

Cllr Croft had submitted a bill for the removal of a tree from the highway, whilst the Council was prepared to pay this they wondered if in fact it was a bill which should be submitted to the householder. Clerk to establish legal situation

Members ratified the payment of accounts listed below and paid at the planning meeting:

Cheque No Description Amount

00678 Leigh VHMC Insurance renewal 2767.64

00679 BT Clerk's Phone a/c inc VAT 22.02 147.86

00680 BT Emergency phone line inc VAT1.65 11.12

The following accounts were presented for payment:

Cheque No Description Amount

00681 Earth Anchors supply & erection of Dog Waste Bin inc VAT 29.93 200.93

00682 Mrs Phillips salary 275.89

00683 Inland revenue Clerk's PAYE 34.31

00684 KCC Clerk's pension 63.36

00685 P Croft work to tree and repair ruts on Green 85.00

00686 M Pollard Internet host annual charge 51.57

Total £711.06

It was resolved that the bills be paid. Carried

Parish Council Minutes for 5th February 2007

REPORTS

FINANCIAL MATTERS

ANY OTHER BUSINESS