Parish Assembly Minutes for 23rd April 2007

Minutes of the Annual Parish Assembly held on Monday 23^rd April 2007 in the Small Village Hall, Leigh commencing at 8pm under the chairmanship of Cllr. C. Stratton-Brown.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllrs. G. Marchant and R. Sykes, Mr. C. Rowley and Mrs Chloe Phillips.

PRESENT: Cllrs. C. Stratton-Brown (Chairman), M. Pollard (Vice Chairman), J. Knock, P. Croft and Mrs H. Powell,

In Attendance: District Cllr. Mrs A. Cook, County Cllr. Mr. P. Lake, Mr. J. Cook, Mr.. M. Avison, Mr. R. Avison, Rev. Kevis, PSC G.J. Eade, Mr. E. Batchelor, Mrs M. Stratton-Brown, Mr. D.I. Furneaux and Mrs J. Butler (Clerk).

THE MINUTES of the Annual Parish Assembly held on 24th April 2006, which had been previously circulated, were agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

SPEAKER: Inspector Payne on local Policing
The Chairman welcomed Inspector Payne who has been responsible since January for the Sevenoaks District Area. Inspector Payne informed us that we live in a wonderful area and indeed Sevenoaks has the lowest crime figures which was not necessarily reflected in the public's perception. He explained that his team's function was to be accessible to the community and to get to know it well, in order that they could understand any problems and work to solve these problems in a sustainable way. He reported that large areas were involved, with 3-4 parishes to each officer.

All officers for this area work out of Edenbridge and so cover is sparse, although he has been able to transfer a post, currently being advertised, from Sevenoaks to Edenbridge to alleviate the situation. The PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers), although in uniform, are police employees with limited powers such as issuing tickets for minor offences and the power to obtain names and addresses. They should not need to spend much time in the office as all will be equipped with blackberries enabling emails etc to be received whilst out in the field. Their function is to get into the community and provide feed back to senior officers. There are 14 for the Sevenoaks District, and one is coming to our area who will also cover Cowden, Hever, Penshurst, Chiddingstone and Chiddingstone Causeway. Responding to questions, Inspector Payne advised that PCSOs would be on call 7 days a week until 11pm.

The Chairman thanked Inspector Payne for his talk. He then congratulated PSC Eade for his excellent work over the years, and noted that he operated a link with the community via a posting box in the shop. The Chairman made the point that many victims of crime fail to report to the police. Inspector Payne agreed and said that this can resulted in a lower allocation of resources.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

1. Membership: On behalf of the Council, the Chairman expressed regret at losing Chloe Phillips owing to ill health. She has been a wonderful Clerk for 23 years. Mrs Janice Butler was welcomed to her first occasion as the new Clerk. The Chairman also expressed regret at losing Cllrs. Martin Pollard and Alan Macarthy who have not stood for re-election.

2. Village Halls: The Chairman expressed the Council's appreciation for the hard work of the Village Halls Management Committee and in particular the Chairman Helen Everett in continuing to raise funds, obtain planning permission, check tenders, place contracts and monitor the building works. The Chairman highlighted the way Alan Johnson continues to quietly help. He masterminded, oversaw and did much of the work redecorating the Large Village Hall - this is a great improvement.

3. Housing

3.1 Rural Housing Trust: The Chairman expressed the Council's delight that the 10 dwellings in Gibbs Field are now almost ready and local residents will occupy all of them. Three are under the shared ownership scheme with the Rural Housing Trust retaining control. He thanked the Rural Housing Trust for their initiative and Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs for providing the land at the unimproved value.

3.2 West Kent Housing: The other 7 are being rented out and will be managed by West Kent Housing. The Gibbs Field houses are the only West Kent houses in the village where there is a priority for occupants with local connections, whereas all the rest of their properties in the parish have to be offered in strict accordance with a points system laid down by SDC.

3.3 Private Developments: the Parish Council considered 46 planning applications, of which the Council were happy with 33, were content with minor points about 4 and objected to 9. The Council was disappointed that planning permission was granted for 2 houses in place of Cornaways, Lealands Avenue as they will overlook adjoining properties but were relieved that the Inspector refused outline planning for a retirement complex on the land to the south of Garden Cottages.

3.4. Aged Persons Dwellings: A surveyor has reported on the condition of the APDs and work is in hand to effect repairs. It is intended to build up a reserve in the accounts to cover any future significant repairs. The Chairman thanked Alan Johnson for sorting out repairs and dealing with the contractors.

4. Kent Village of the Year Competition: The Chairman expressed the Council's pleasure that the village was the winner in the Older People section, highly commended for Young People and commended in the Information Technology sections adding that we are again very grateful to Cllrs. John Knock and Alan Johnson who completed the entry forms, answered questions and attended to the judges during their visits. Sadly, no one came forward to take over from John and Alan so the Council has decided not to enter the competition this year.

5. Environmental matters

5.1 The Green: Landscape services continue to maintain the Green and, thanks to the Rugby Club and Soccer Club not using the Green when it was too wet, the normal maintenance proved sufficient. A committee has set up to monitor the use of the Green and all organisations using the Green can be represented. Again thanks are due to Cllr. Martin Pollard for running and organising this committee.

5.2 Kent Highways: Maintenance of the highways has deteriorated and the Clerk continues to report problems but many of the repairs have been inadequate. The Council will press for an improvement.

5.3 Footpaths: Following a recent suggestion, the Council will resurrect the Parish Plan working party to monitor the state of the footpaths. It will also continue to press for a footpath from Home Farm to Leigh.

6. Transport

6.1 Trains: Leigh station is presently being repaired and this has resulted in bus services on Sundays.

6.2 Buses: Route: 210 - Leigh to Tonbridge - Autocars has just taken over the Monday to Friday service. Comments have been received that the access onto the buses is more difficult and this will be monitored. Route 235:The Hildenborough commuter service - Autocars was awarded this contract last year and have provided an excellent service.

7 Other Issues

7.1 Leigh Youth Forum: David Bennie and Cllr. Heather Powell have endeavoured to start a Youth Forum and 2 events were held. It is regretted that, despite the best efforts of Lizzie Longhurst and her friends, this has not caught the imagination and support of Leigh Youth.

7.2 Police: Graham Eade has given remarkable service as Special Constable both for Leigh and Penshurst and we are very grateful and hope he will be with us for many years to come. Thanks to his efforts, many small incidents are resolved before getting out of hand. We welcomed a talk from the Crime Reduction Officer, Police Constable Andy Blackmore at our March Council meeting.

8 Concluding Remarks The Chairman feels very fortunate in serving in a council who all work together on a voluntary basis for the benefit of the village. The Council members for the year were our Vice-Chairman Cllr. Martin Pollard, Cllrs. Peter Croft, Alan Johnson, John Knock, Graham Marchant, Alan McCarthy, Heather Powell and Roger Sykes. Martin has been a great support in his capacity as Vice-Chairman. He has also been responsible for the Parish Plan and put much time and effort into this. He has also been the link with the Parish web-site ensuring minutes, reports and much else have been added and has taken the minutes when Chloe has been unable to be present. Alan McCarthy has been our stalwart keeping a close watch on the Central Railway proposal and its progress. Hopefully Central Railway is now dead. John Knock continues to be involved with the youth through the Table Tennis and Cricket Clubs and the Chairman values his advice and prompting at meetings. Roger Sykes continues to look after the finance and has been keeping the books, Peter Croft is always ready to swing into action when we have a problem with our environment, Graham Marchant adds expertise on planning and the state of the roads and Heather Powell, despite being very busy as a Deputy Head Teacher, has been actively involved with our work for the youth. Alan Johnson quietly serves the village in many ways.

The Chairman also thanked Eric Batchelor for performing the internal audit function and Cllrs. Alison Cook and Peter Lake, our District and County Council representatives. Alison and Peter have loyally looked after our interests. We thank them for their hard work and regular attendance at meetings.

PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNTS
The audited accounts for the financial year ending March 2006 had been previously circulated for information. Cllr. Knock presented the draft accounts for the year ending 31st March 2007. The precept has increased by £2,500 compared to last year. Without the expenditure on the Village Hall, there would actually be a surplus. Further the APD (Aged Persons Dwelling) maintenance last year was unusually high. £2 ½ k is earmarked for future expenditure on the Village Hall. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Knock for his comprehensive presentation of the accounts.

CLLR. MRS A. COOK
Cllr. Cook congratulated the Parish Council on their diligent stewardship and thanked them for their hard work on behalf of the village. There is an increasing role for the Parish Council to respond to the growing plethora of consultation documents and Government requirements as well as acting in the capacity as local champions. Cllr. Cook also sincerely thanked Chloe Phillips for all she has done on our behalf over many years as Clerk to the Parish Council, and for her friendship and briefings.

The District Council consulted over 8,000 residents on key plans and policies including Budget proposals, the Community Plan, the Young Peoples' Action Plan and Local Development Framework. The latter brings together Planning, Transport, Economic Development and Quality of Life Issues.

The Community Plan is in its third year and as a live document is in the process of being reviewed but its purpose has remained to lead the community and work to improve the quality of life in the District in partnership with others from the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. Targets are set in each of the six themes encompassing Caring Communities, the Environment, Finance, Planning and Housing, Consultation and Communication and Community Leadership.

The Council is extremely aware of the valuable service provided by so many dedicated people working in the voluntary sector and grants to the voluntary sector total £250,000, including Age Concern, C.A.B. and the Volunteer Centre as well smaller organisations. There are also the Sevenoaks District's Sports and Arts Councils and the Council has been able to offer advice and support for projects such as village halls, sports pavilions and skate board parks, helping those involved to access other funding streams such as National Lottery Fund.

The Council has been especially active in respect of the environment by encouraging the reduction of waste and increasing the opportunities to recycle. The Council has been working with the Kent Energy Trust and the Carbon Trust and supported the signing of the Nottingham Declaration. The Council has also championed healthy lifestyles, for example promoting and supporting 'walking buses' for schoolchildren and, with other partners, encouraging balanced diets and general health care.

The Council has been judged as the 6th most efficient Council in England out of 314. Planning and housing remain the most controversial issues facing the District juggling the need to provide a balanced mix of homes and businesses to support the viability of our communities whilst protecting against inappropriate development. Enormous pressure is being placed on our Green Belt and the green lungs within towns and villages, gardens being especially vulnerable.

The verdict of the Council's second Comprehensive Performance Assessment will not be known until July, but all indicators re extremely promising. There remain real concerns about perceived levels of crime and petty vandalism. Highway and Transport matters will be addressed in the revised Community Plan with targets being agreed by the Council with the relevant partners, the Police, KCC and the transport providers.

It's essential that the views of the whole community are listened to and used to shape the future direction of services, and SDC is fortunate to have a dedicated staff of high calibre and enthusiasm with a philosophy of openness and honesty to its public.

COUNTY CLLR. Mr. P. LAKE
Cllr. Lake reported that the KCC Council Tax increase for 2007/8 has been kept to 4.95%, despite a real term decrease in government funding of 5.3%. Savings have been made through central staff efficiencies, managing vacancies and transforming services such as libraries, highways and children's services. KCC has been top rated by the Audit Commission for the last 4 years.

Extra costs are borne on Kent's roads as the major UK/Europe transit route. We have to accept the placement of Social Care clients into Kent mainly by London Boroughs (5% of England's Looked after Children are now in Kent). Government has decreed 2 major housing growth areas in Thames Gateway and Ashford without proving sufficient funding for community infrastructure and services. KCC has been monitoring the height of aircraft over Hever with respect to aircraft noise and noted that instead of 3,500ft they have often been as low as 1,800ft.

We should see a new hospital by 2010 but may not retain the Edenbridge and Tonbridge cottage hospitals. Cllr. Lake then turned to matters in Leigh and declared that he was ashamed at the poor state of our roads, and said that they are transforming Kent Highway Services to ensure a swift, efficient and effective operations responsive to local needs. The salting of roads and tree cutting has been good.

The recently launched Towards 2010 vision for Kent includes the piloting of free travel (albeit £50 to apply) for 11-16 year olds, the launch of the Kent Apprenticeship Scheme and the investment of £1m into promoting economic development and employment opportunities. KCC continues to drive for value for money, to make improvements in our services, and will work closely with our district and parish colleagues, the police, health bodies and voluntary organisations to deliver these commitments.

Cllr. Lake thanked Chloe Phillips for her extraordinary efforts and also the Councillors for the terrific job they do without reward.

Cllr. Knock highlighted that Kent Youth and Community Service sometimes have given grants but last year there was difficulty with this as it would seem that now they are giving precedence to multi sports clubs instead of specific clubs that typify small villages such as Leigh. Cllr. Lake replied that attention may have been temporarily diverted due to the Olympics, but this should not be acceptable and please apply for grants and he will ensure they are received this year.

LEIGH UNITED CHARITIES
Mr. Eric Batchelor presented the accounts for the year ended 31st January 2007. Income and dividends increased by £505, whereas income from the cottages has reduced from £7,662 for 2005/6 to £5,333. The Trustees are addressing this. Benefits have increased considerably due to very high cost of fuel which is to where a lot of the benefits are directed. 89 beneficiaries were in Leigh and 20 in Hildenborough. The excess of income over expenditure is only £185, and luckily there is £15,948 on deposit. Mrs Sally Bresnahan, the new clerk has been a considerable help. Cllr. Knock requested the meeting to advise the Rev. Kevis or the Parish Council of anyone who they think could benefit.

LEIGH CRANDALLS BEQUEST
The Rev. Kevis reported that Trustee's Income for 2006 was £2,734. Grants of £500 had been made Leigh Primary School, £1,000 to PCC St. Mary's for the youth worker, and £144 to 60ties Stretch. He added that the parish is lucky to have these ancient charities that do so much for others.

PARISH PLAN - UPDATE
This was presented by Cllr. Pollard who reported that ¾ of the 25 action points identified in 2005 by the Parish Plan Steering Committee were resolved by this time last year. Of the outstanding issues, progress during the last 12 months has been as follows:

• Efforts continue to reinvigorate Neighbourhood Watch
• Leigh Immediate Search Network Scheme was abandoned due to lack of police support
• Work is being carried out at Leigh Station
• A cycle path to Hildenborough Station was not considered achievable
• Speedwatch initiative was likely to get underway after delay caused by obtaining a legal speedgun from the police and the transfer of responsibility between officers at Kent Constabulary.
• Further dog waste bins have been provided within the parish
• Further pressure put on the Police Authority and the local Community Policing Team recently attended a Parish Council meeting to explain the new policing scheme for the area.
• Parish website going strong

The Chairman thanked everyone present for their attendance, adding how lucky the parish was to have so many different individuals involved in so many different projects.

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

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

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