CO-OPTION

David Bennie was co-opted onto the Council on the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr. Knock.

MINUTES of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on 14^th May were approved and signed, with the amendment of Cllr. Stratton-Brown named as Chairman of the Planning Committee. No revisions were noted to the minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly of 24^th April.

MATTERS ARISING

Poor repairs to southern side of the road around the Green - the Chairman and Mr C Rowley will pursue this.

Mower - Cllr. Croft confirmed that the lawnmower remains safe in a secure shed.

BBC Radio Kent's programme on the Gibbs Field development - The Council agreed that the Chairman should pursue the complaint of unfair reporting with the help of Chris Rowley.

Fun Fair on the Green - letters have been sent to residents around the Green, and a complaint from one resident was read to the Council. The Clerk will reply stating that the School were fully consulted, and mentioning the many letters of thanks received by the Council after last year's fair.

Trees in the Village competition - the Clerk will obtain this information from Chloe Phillips.

REPORTS

SPC Eade had nothing to report for this meeting. In connection with the proposed interactive speed sign adjacent to Gibbs Field he was asked by the Chairman if there was a Police Road Safety Officer whose advice could be sought. He will reply to the Clerk. The Clerk undertook to give SPC Eade a copy of the Council's recent letter to KCC Highways concerning the traffic sign by Gibbs Field. There followed a general discussion regarding incidents in the village, including theft from Hall Place. Cllr. Croft to check with Robin Hope-Morely whether he has reported this to the police. Cllr Powell complained about the poor response from the police that she has experienced when reporting damage to her husband's car. Although the CPO Neil Ingram was not informed immediately following her 999 call, once emailed by Cllr. Powell he did not contact her for 3 days. Cllr Powell felt that this gives no message to the youth of the village, if indeed it was they who were responsible. SPC Eade is aware of the incident, and so far his enquiries have not yielded any information. He was asked to convey the Parish Council's concern over the way this incident has been dealt with. The idea was raised of the village having a youth worker, which Cllr. Bennie thought might help especially if it were a relatively young person. Cllr. Bennie will try and find out the opportunity for this, possibly from SDC.

PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES (MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT) ORDER 2007, INCLUDING PARAGRAPH 12(2)

This will be put on the Agenda for next month following the attendance of Cllr. Sykes and Cllr. Stratton-Brown at the training event in Gravesham.

PLANNING

The following application had been received for discussion and comment:

SE/07/01439/FUL - Glaxosmithkline, Old Powder Mills, Powder Mills, Leigh - erection of staff shelter. Members had no objections.

Rural Housing - There will be a debriefing meeting on 19^th June attended by the Chairman, who asked for comments from members they would like raised at the meeting. The Chairman suggested the 106 agreement should state that Parish Councils will be consulted and not 'should'. The cascade system means that someone who lives in Leigh is has priority above someone who has moved away. For example this could be a previous resident who could not afford to buy in the village who is in desperate need, or a teacher at the school who cannot afford to live in the village. If the local connection has to be a cascade system this should be spelt out in the 106 Agreement but the Council thought that the points system should be applied first then the local connection.

ENVIRONMENT

There was a general discussion about overgrown hedges etc. Where privately owned, it will be the householder's responsibility. Also the Powdermills bridleway to Tonbridge Sports Ground is badly overgrown. The Clerk will check with KCC for mowing and clearing.

An old request from Leigh Cricket Club regarding the issue of the Parish-owned grass verge in front of the Cricket Pavilion was revived by Cllr. Knock. This area needs paving probably of the 'honecomb' variety, with grass in between. Cllr. Marchant will investigate options and costs. The Clerk will inform the secretary that the Council is researching the matter

Playground on Green - Cllr. Powell is waiting for a reply from David Boorman who is due to visit the Green and offer advice. It was proposed by the Chairman and agreed by Cllrs. Knock, Marchant and Johnson that it was best to wait until after this advice was given before any consultations within the village took place.

Village Halls - the listed building consent inspectors have asked for 3 separate and additional requests for information. This has delayed progress for about a month.

Public Transport - Cllr. Knock requested an up to date train timetable for the notice board in front of the Hall. In addition he noted an abundance of nettles on the upside to the Railway platform which needs attention. Clerk to contact Network Rail.

APD - Cllr. Johnson reported on the fires to be installed. It was agreed that it would be safer and easier to install electric fires. Cllr. Johnson will ask the residents to research models.

CORRESPONDENCE FOR ACTION

Correspondence for action, received up to 29^th May

Item	Action
SDC Code of Conduct Training - Clerk to attend on 11th June, and to reserve places for Cllr. Sykes and Cllr. Stratton-Brown at Gravesham venue on 22nd June.	Clerk
Bartlett Tree Report for the Green - the horse chestnut is the school's responsibility. The Clerk will pass a copy of the report to one of the Governors. Cllr. Croft will obtain 2 estimates for the report's recommendations.	Cllr.Croft
Damage to fence caused by removal of tree from old burial ground - Cllr. Croft has spoken to the resident involved and the Council agreed to repair the fence. Clerk to contact resident and Cllr. Johnson to contact John Broad for estimate.	Clerk/Cllr. Johnson
KCC Highways letter 17th May from Alan Pottinger, Snr. Development Engineer, re. traffic calming proposals on Hildenborough Road. Clerk has replied that speed needs to be reduced so that the interactive sign should be before the entrance to Gibbs Field, and we are happy to have a meeting on site with Highways.
Email from a resident re.anti-social behaviour behind Jessica's Hall - Clerk to reply informing that the matter will be passed to the Community Police Officer, and a copy the email will be sent to SPC Graeme Eade.	Clerk
Email from Mr Hutchins proposing a Community Speed Watch - Clerk to reply that as previous Cllr. with responsibility has retired; would he be interested in volunteering to help coordinate?	Clerk
KCC launches Member Community Grant and Small Community Capital Grant Schemes for 2007/8 - Cllr. Knock reported that the Kent Youth and Community grants and the new Youth Opportunity Fund are unlikely to subsidise single sports and established activities. County Cllr. Lake needs to be updated in order that projects do not fall by wayside.	Cllr.Knock
Highways Parish & Town Council Seminar 2-4 pm. 26 June, Aylesford - Clerk to reserve places for Cllrs. Stratton-Brown and Knock.	Clerk
Leigh Primary School's planning proposal for a ground floor office - Cllr. Knock declared personal interest. Council supported this proposal but wished to be consulted when the plans were available.	Clerk
Email from St. Mary's Fete Committee requesting permission to park on grassed area by entrance drive to Vicarage garden on 30th June. - Clerk to reply that Council grants permission.	Clerk

CORRESPONDENCE FOR INFORMATION

Relevant correspondence received, up to 29^th May 2007

Item	Copy/Action
KAPC Sevenoaks Area Committee meeting 8th June	Noted
KAPC's Councillors' Information Day on 16th June at Harrietsham V.Hall	R. Dyton/D. Bennie
High Weald AONB Joint Land Management Newsletter	C.Stratton-Brown
GEO Proposed works - construction of telecommunication networks causing disruption to traffic in next few weeks	Noted
West Kent 'In & Around' newsletter Spring 2007	R. Sykes
Kent Highways Spreadsheet May 07	Noted

FINANCIAL MATTERS

Leigh Produce Association - Cllr. Sykes and Knock have reviewed this request for financial help with their summer show and recommend that the Council grant £450 under section 137. This was proposed by Cllr. Powell and seconded by Cllr. Croft.

The payment of cheques listed below were proposed by Cllr. Sykes and seconded by Cllr. Marchant.

Cheque No.	Description	Amount
823	Allianz Cornhill Annual Insurance renewal - re-quote	£2,163.13
824	Clerk's salary 6 weeks	£ 437.53
830	Clerk's pension 6 weeks	£ 89.35
825	Clerk's expenses 6 weeks	£ 333.04
826	Discspeed	£ 654.47
831	Peter Croft mowing	£ 125.00
832	Down to Earth	£ 282.00
836	Leigh Produce Association grant	£ 450.00
833	Chloe Phillips pension last 6 weeks	£ 31.68
835	Chloe Phillips PAYE	£ 17.35
834	Chloe Phillips salary 2 weeks	£ 137.75
	Total	£4,721.30

ANY FURTHER INFORMATION

• Cllr. Knock passed various historical filing to the Clerk for storage.
• The Chairman informed the Council that as the previous Clerk was retiring due to ill health, KCC pensions require an assessment by an independent, occupational health qualified doctor. The cost of approx. £300 has to be borne by the Council, and if a personal visit is required the cost will be an extra £150. The Chairman will seek confirmation that the Parish Council have to pay.

Signed.................................... Chairman

Date......................................