Parish Council Minutes for 2nd April 2007Minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on Monday 2 April 2007, held in the Small Village Hall, High Street, Leigh under the Chairmanship of Cllr C Stratton-Brown, commencing at 8pm. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs Mrs H Powell and A McCarthy and the Clerk. It was agreed that in the absence of the Clerk, Cllr M Pollard would take the minutes. PRESENT Cllrs P Croft, A Johnson, J Knock, G Marchant, M Pollard and R Sykes. IN ATTENDANCE Ms S Broom, District Cllr Mrs A Cook, Sp PC G Eade, Mrs J Field, Mr D Furneaux, Mrs Sue Smith and Mr C Rowley THE MINUTES of the meeting held on Monday 7 August 2006, which had previously been circulated, were agreed, subject to a correction to the total of cheques paid, and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. MATTERS ARISING THEREFROM there were no matters arising not covered by the agenda.
REPORTSDistrict Cllr Mrs A Cooke reported that there had been a very negative report on local radio about the affordable housing at Gibbs Field. She would be requesting a transcript of the item so that proper consideration could be given as to the response required. She agreed to provide a copy for the Council to consider. There were problems with both Hildenborough Road and Powdermill Lane where there appeared to be permanent subsidence and KCC Highways had been requested to examine the problems. There also appeared to be problems with the upgrading of the A21 where, at the end of the crawler lane towards Sevenoaks, the fast lane was arrowed into the middle lane which was proving very dangerous. There had already been several accidents. The planning application from Yew Tree bungalow would shortly be coming before the Planning Committee and she suggested that the Council write to all members of the Planning Committee emphasising their objections and, if possible, a member of the Council should attend the meeting. SDC had recently been audited and had gained maximum marks for use of resources and value for money. It would be mid May before the full results of the comprehensive assessment were available. Sp PC G Eade An incident of plant pots being knocked over on Church Hill had recently been reported and it was not thought that the culprits were local youths as a car had been seen driving off. He had also spoken to residents of Penshurst Road who were parking their cars on the pavement and pointed out that this was illegal. APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK It was agreed that Mrs Janice Butler should be appointed as the new Clerk. It was noted that she was not present at this meeting as she had a previously arranged holiday. PLAYGROUND PROVISION The Council were still awaiting a reply from the KCC's Counsel regarding the legal status of having a children's playground on the Green. The Working Party had recently had their second meeting, but the Chairman, Cllr Mrs Powell, was not present to give a report.
OPEN SESSIONMr C Rowley referred to a letter from Mr J Cook to KCC regarding the very poor repairs that had been carried out to the southern side of the road around the Green. He said that, if KCC Highways were prepared to lay some form of kerb at the edge of the tarmac, he and Mr Cook would infill and grass the edging from this point. Mr Rowley was thanked for his offer and the Clerk was asked to contact KCC to see what could be done. Mr C Rowley also referred to the Village Design Statement and the Parish Plan which had asked that the Parish Council considered the state of footpaths in the parish. He understood that the Council had set up a Working Party and the VDS had produced a paper containing a detailed report and suggestions. Nothing had appeared to happen. There was a need for a footpath from Home Farm to the village and especially the last section from Gibbs Field to the Green. He had talked to the RHT at the start of the development and asked that they leave sufficient space for a footpath between their development and Hildenborough Road for a footpath to be built. It was agreed that the Footpaths Working Party would be discussed by the Council at the May AGM. Mrs J Field raised the problem of dog waste on the Green. It was agreed that the Clerk would include a reference to this problem in her next article for the Parish Magazine as the Council had recently installed several new Dog Waste bins around the village. There being no further matters to discuss, the Chairman closed the Open Session and the Council returned to formal business. APD-update Cllr Johnson reported that much of the work covered by the original survey had either been done or would be when the new doors were fitted shortly. The main outstanding item was the provision of new gas fires and it was proving difficult to get someone qualified to provide the necessary information of what was required. He agreed that he and Cllr Marchant would provide an updated report of outstanding work for the next meeting. RHT The Council emphasised that, despite what had appeared on the local radio report, the new development at Gibbs Field provided excellent housing and that the community would welcome the new occupants. The Council had been fully supportive of the development and had received a letter from SDC confirming that. Under the Section 106 order Leigh Parish Council would be asked to verify the details of applicants local connections before they are accepted onto the waiting list for any of the properties, both those for lease and those for shared ownership. Both WKHA and RHT had supplied details of the proposed applicants to the Chairman and the Clerk before the allocations had been made but had unfortunately had required immediate responses so that there would be no delays in the initial applications. The Rural Housing Trust and West Kent Housing should be contacted to ensure this did not happen in future and applicants' local connections would be considered by the full Council. Youth Forum There was a Breakfast meeting scheduled for April. The Council queried the point of the meeting and the Chairman agreed to discuss it with Mr Bennie. WKHA There was a proposal for a Section 106 development in Charcott for four dwellings. It was agreed that further discussions should take place and that the Chairman would contact WKHA. Village Halls It was necessary to obtain Listed Building consent for the installation of the new heating system and a meeting had been arranged with SDC and the Heating Engineer to progress this.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERSIt was agreed that the Clerk would circulate the new Bartlett Tree Report to all members for consideration at the next meeting.It was agreed that Leigh would again enter the Trees in the Village competition for 2007. The Clerk was asked to discuss this with Mr Penn who had overseen previous entries. It was agreed that the Leigh Village Produce Association should be allowed to hold their Summer Show on the Green. This would take place in conjunction with Superstars. It was noted that the dates for the Fair on the Green were 15 - 17 June. The set up would start on Wednesday 13 June and departure would be on Monday 18 June. The Clerk was asked to write to all properties adjacent to the Green and the School to notify them of these dates.
CORRESPONDENCEThe appointment of the External Auditor was noted.The Review of the Quality and Town Parish Council Scheme was noted. This would be considered when the new Clerk had completed the necessary training. KCC Highway report leaflets were received. It was agreed that these were a positive step forward and Cllr Johnson agreed to obtain a further supply to be made available in the Village Shop. Bus Service Cllr Knock reported that Autocar had taken over the Monday to Friday service and that access to their buses was not user friendly. New Enterprise would continue to operate the Saturday service. There would be no changes to any of the timetables. Euro Freight Service There appeared to be no further developments and it was agreed that this would no longer be included as an item on the agenda. The Chairman agreed to keep a watching brief for any developments.
PLANNINGSE/06/02065/FULYew Tree Bungalow The Chairman agreed to discover when this application would be considered by the SDC Planning Committee. Full details of the Councils objections to the application should be circulated to all members of the SDC committee prior to their meeting and, if possible, a member of the Council should attend the SDC meeting to ensure their views are known. SE/07/00722/FUL Old Vicarage The Green Single storey extension to form kitchen. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this proposal SE/07/00929/FUL Ardullie, Penshurst Road application for retrospective planning permission for rear conservatory and rear lobby. There were NO OBJECTIONS to this application Land East of Charcott Green Cottages No objections but draw attention to possible problems with drains and access raised with the Chairman by a parishioner. Normal subject to neighbourliness. The following decisions had been received: SE/07/00204/FUL Hale Oak Cottage Hale Oak Road, Weald Replacement dwelling REFUSED SE/06/03310/FUL Chestnuts The Green change of use form opens space to residential including provision of off street parking and 1.2m post and rail fencing GRANTED SE/06/03341/FUL & SE/06/03344LBCALT Forge House, Charcott demolition of existing redundant workshop, lean-to link and conservatory. Construction of dining room and music/guest room REFUSED
FINANCIAL MATTERS
It was resolved that the bills be paid. Carried. There being no other matters for discussion the meeting closed at 9.45pm. Signed Chairman Date
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