Parish Council Minutes for 3rd March 2008Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, Monday 3rd March 2008 commencing at 8.00 pm under the chairmanship of Cllr. C. Stratton-Brown. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs. Bennie, H. Powell, R. Dyton, County Councillor Peter Lake. PRESENT: Cllrs. C. Stratton-Brown (Chairman), R. Sykes (V.Chairman), J. Knock, G. Marchant, A. Johnston, P. Croft and Mrs. J. Butler (Clerk). IN ATTENDANCE: District Councillor Alison Cook. 2. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST. None. 3. MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 4th February were approved after adding that Cllrs. Sykes and Knock left the meeting, according to correct procedure, during the discussion over the agenda item of a possible grant to the Cricket Club. Proposed by Cllr. Croft and seconded by Cllr. Knock. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4th February. Millennium seat. Cllr. Croft has now moved this bench from outside Jessica's Hall to the site of the bench that was recently destroyed by a car accident. The Clerk has received a letter of acknowledgement from Kent Police in response to her letter asking for the details of those responsible for the accident. Footpath from Gibbs Field to Powdermills - the Clerk will find out who is responsible and report of its poor state. Footway from Home Farm to Gibbs Field - the Clerk reported that she had been contacted by the K&S Courier to say that the land ownership had been resolved. However, according to Kent Highway Services, the issue has still not been resolved. Footpath between Knotley Hall and Whitepost at Chiddingstone Causeway - the Clerk has learnt from the previous Clerk that to progress further this footpath project requires a meeting between the landowner and the Chairman. Funfair on the Green - the Clerk has checked that the dates of 12th-16th June are acceptable to the School, and will also contact Rev. Kevis. Letters regarding changes to rail timetables to Sir John Stanley and transport providers and passenger associations - Clerk to action. 5. REPORTS i.) Sevenoaks District Cllr. Cook reported that the Council Tax would be increasing by £8.01 per year for those in Band D. Some services have been saved such as the minibus from Edenbridge Hospital, the retention of the Saturday freight service, and the grant funding to the Citizens Advice Bureaux. There has only been a 1% increase from Central Government which is less than inflation and the lowest in Kent. Black and white refuse sacks will be delivered in the next few weeks. Sevenoaks District recycle 33% of waste which means it is in the top quartile nationally. However Cllr. Cook believes more can be done and called on the Parish Council for ideas to improve. Cllr. Cook thanked the Playground Committee for producing the Playground Report, acknowledging the hard work behind it As Chairman of the West Kent Mediation Cllr. Cook drew attention to the important work carried out by this charity on behalf of good relations particularly between parents and teenagers, and asked for its consideration as a worthwhile cause. Cllr. Knock asked when the public conveniences would be opened, and Cllr. Cook replied that it had been difficult to get parts but she would pursue. ii.) Kent County Cllr. Peter Lake was absent from the meeting and the Clerk read out his comments. He confirmed that the Council Tax will rise by 3.9%. The few differences with Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) concerning the proposed school extension are being discussed. Cllr. Lake was able to confirm that he has been able to award a grant for the costs for the nets for the Cricket Club. iii.) Open Session. The Chairman informed the members of the public present that he had just become aware of an official planning application by Barchester Homes for a care home on land to the rear of Garden Cottages. The Parish Council have not received a copy of this application from SDC, which is the usual procedure, and so cannot discuss it at tonight's meeting. The Clerk will contact SDC immediately to find out more and obtain an extension for the Parish Council's response. Meanwhile members of the public were urged to respond to the consultation notice by the date advised. Mr Rowley said that the Village Design Statement states that the allotments currently on this site should be retained. The Chairman informed members of the public that Councillors have just received a copy of a report from the Playground Committee, which needed to be digested and studied. A large number of issues needed to be considered, such as safety, security, cost, location, age range, and maintenance. After this period of consideration, the public would be consulted more widely. Cllr. Knock asked whether it would be useful to know of the maintenance and repair costs borne by other parishes, particularly Hildenborough. Cllr. Johnston enquired whether this would be more appropriately investigated by the working party, but Cllr. Knock felt that it was a broader issue and so should be part of a formal investigation. The Clerk distributed copies of the report to those members of the public present. Mr Chris Rowley asked for the authors of the report, and Mr Smith stated that a long time had elapsed before the public had a chance to respond. The Chairman replied that the authors were named in the report, and that the report needed to be substantiated after lots of question had been asked which would take months. 6. PLANNING i.) Planning applications: SE/08/00272/FUL: 5 Moorden Cottages, Station Hill, Chiddingstone Causeway TN11 8JB. Replacement garden shed. Objection. This would obstruct the view from no.6; the position of the existing shed would be an improvement. SE/08/00527/FUL: Hollow Trees Hollow Trees Drive, Leigh TN11 8QA - retention of a garden shed. No objection. SE/08/00428/FUL: Kiln Mere, Lower Green, Leigh, TN118RU - erection of conservatory to rear. No objection. SE/08/00504/FUL & 00506/LBCALT: Gales, Powdermill Lane, Leigh, TN11 8QE - erection of fully glazed timber conservatory, relocation of ground floor bathroom, provision of pedestrian access gates and new vehicle gates. No objection. SE/08/00380/FUL: Coppings Farm Cottage, Coppings Road, Leigh, TN11 8PN - change of use from workshop store to agricultural cottage. No objection. SE/08/00353/FUL: 49 Penshurst Road, Leigh, TN11 8HN - 2 storey rear extension. Subject to neighbourliness and 50% rule. ii.)Planning decisions: SE/07/02689/FUL. Upper Kennards, Hildenborough Road, Leigh - Alterations, extension, reconstruction of out-building as amended by plans received on 18th January 2008. SE/07/03767/FUL Priory Ardullie, Penshurst Road, Leigh - single storey side extension. SE/07/03579/FUL Southwood, Scabharbour Road, Hildenborough. Erection of 20m x 40m ménage. All were granted permission. SE/07/03763/FUL Harden Farm, Grove Road, Penshurst, Tonbridge - conversion of remainder of partially converted barn to residential use (renewal with modifications of ref: SE/95/02003). Refusal of permission 7. CURRENT ISSUES i.) Speedwatch - Cllr. Croft volunteered for this programme, and the Clerk will forward his details to coordinator David Hutchins, and contact the police for assessment of sites and training. ii.) Interactive speed sign at Gibbs Field. - Since agreement has been reached with KHS, this item can now be taken off the agenda. iii.) To approve a list of parish council meetings 2008/9 - the meeting dates were approved. Clerk to contact Rosemary Hawkins for an invoice for the 2007/8 meetings. 8. ENVIRONMENT i.) Footpath Working Committee. The Clerk has been contacted by one volunteer and has been advised to contact the Historical Society for further assistance, as well as a second article in the Parish magazine. ii.) to consider request by Leigh Cricket Club for installation of nets on Green. This was agreed at the last meeting and was included in this month's agenda in error. 9. PLAYGROUND Cllr. Knock proposed for the Clerk to write Hildenborough Parish Council and possibly Speldhurst and Kemsing to find out their experiences regarding the maintenance of playgrounds and instances of vandalism. The Clerk will contact Cllr. Powell before doing so. 10. VILLAGE HALLS Cllr. Johnston reported on a meeting between SDC Health and Safety with regard to the refurbishment of the kitchen. Anything is permissible except it is important to have easy to clean surfaces, non-slip floors and ventilation. 11. AGED PERSONS DWELLING Peter Fullbrook will visit this week. 12. TRANSPORT The new off peak rail timetable is unacceptable. The Clerk should write to Southern Rail (see 'Matters Arising'). The bus timetable at the bus stop has been replaced on the Clerk's request from Arriva. 13. YOUTH FORUM No report 14. CORRESPONDENCE for information received up to 28th February was previously circulated.
15. FINANCIAL MATTERS i.) To consider request by Leigh School for annual funding of Kwik Cricket coaching, in the region of £75. Councillors approved this request and will await news of the actual costs. ii To consider quotes for parish notice boards. The Clerk has applied for a Parish Plan Support grant from Action with Communities in Rural Kent. They have awarded £250 which although welcome, is not enough to justify replacing the three parish council noticeboards. Councillors agreed the grant should go towards the Forest Joinery Ltd estimate of £725 for a new upright noticeboard at Powdermills. Cllr. Johnston will endeavour to look at the repair of the village noticeboard by the school. iii.) To consider the increase of employer pension contribution rates for the Clerk. Cllr. Sykes suggested that this proposal by KCC should be phased over 3 years and not introduced immediately. A letter that arrived too late to be included in the agenda from Leigh RBL Table Tennis Club requesting a contribution towards the costs for new equipment for junior coaching and matches was discussed by the Council. Councillors agreed to grant the full £142.14, observing that the club was well organised and supported. Cllr. Knock confirmed the acceptance of Colin Stevens as internal auditor. The following cheques were approved for payment, proposed by Cllr. Johnston and seconded by Cllr. Marchant.
16. ANY FURTHER MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION. Cllr. Marchant complained that the so-called emergency works on the High Street, of which he displayed photographs, had been badly organised and executed. Regular inspections had not been carried out to discover that the signs had fallen down and not been reinstated, which was dangerous to pedestrians. The traffic lights had failed on Saturday and were only repaired days later. It was also foolish to start the job on a Friday - the workforce left the site at 1.30pm. The Clerk was asked to write to County Cllr. Lake to complain about the disregard for safety and welfare of members of the public. Meeting closed at 10.20pm. Signed..................................... Chairman Date........................................
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