i.) Planning applications: SE/ 08/00853/FUL. Hale Oak Cottage, Hale Oak Road, Weald, TN14 6NQ. Demolition of existing outbuilding & erection of extension to dwelling. Renewal of SE/05/02313/FUL. No objection.

ii.) Planning decisions: SE/07/3859. Leigh Primary School - Construction of single storey extension and improvements to access for DDA.
SE/08/00428/FUL: Kiln Mere, Lower Green, Leigh, TN118RU - erection of conservatory to rear.
SE/07/03358/FUL & 03357 LBCALT: Oak Cottage, High Street, Leigh: Two storey rear extension.
SE/08/00554/DETAIL: Details pursuant to condition 7 (soft landscaping) of SE/)5/02230/FUL.
All were granted permission.

SE /08/00246/FUL & 248LBCALT: Fleur De Lis Public House, High Street, Leigh, Tonbridge Kent TN11 8RL. Erection of timber and lead canopy to front patio. Refusal to grant planning permission.

7. CURRENT ISSUES

i.) Speedwatch - The Clerk is waiting for the Police Speedwatch coordinator PC James Ball to report back on the identified sites of Penshurst Road, Gibbs Field and Powder Mill Lane by Garden Cottages, and also to suggest dates for volunteer training. Lower Green was also suggested as a potential speeding site.

ii.) Annual Parish Assembly - Cllr. Knock will report on Leigh United Charities. The Clerk will forward a list of last year's speakers for him to confirm for this year.

8. ENVIRONMENT

i.) Footpath Working Committee. The Clerk reported that Martin and Ros Avison may be interested in joining. As yet no one has volunteered to lead the Committee. Chris Rowley suggested contacting the old list of volunteers from a few years ago.

9. PLAYGROUND

Cllr. Powell was asked if there was anything else she wished to add on the proposal submitted last month. The Chairman thanked the authors for their time and effort. The Chairman asked for the Councillors' views. Cllr. Knock thanked the Committee for their thorough proposal, and said that after a great deal of consideration he worried about the urbanisation that would result by installing a playground on the Green. It may result in looking more like a recreation ground. He acknowledged that younger members may have a different view which he respects, but found he could not support the proposal unless there is great support from the parish. Cllr. Knock was also worried about the cost of maintenance and repair, fearing it may be a burden to the Council's precept and therefore to Leigh council taxpayers. This was especially a factor with recent outbreaks of vandalism in recent years eg. Public toilets by Jessica's Hall that had been closed.

Cllr. Powell said that the issue of vandalism was addressed by the report, and indeed that is why the Green is suggested as a suitable site as it is an open and visible site. She stressed that the proposal were not a foregone conclusion, and that there would be consultation with lots of people.

Cllr. Bennie was in favour of the proposal, saying that society had changed and that parents required safe play areas. Any playground needed to be central as it would invite misuses and vandalism if it were hidden away.

The Chairman suggested that if there is to be a playground in Leigh, were Councillors in agreement that it should be on the Green? The age range needed to be decided upon; the proposal suggested up to 10 years, and Cllr. Powell said this would be determined by the size of the playground which realistically would necessitate up to 5/6 years, and that views should be sought from parents and children. Children 6+years have other activities provided for them e.g. brownies, although what would parents do with elder siblings.

It was confirmed that fencing was needed and that security cameras were an excellent idea, if possible to include the troublesome Jessica's Hall area. It is possible that SDC might be able to support this proposal financially. In order to establish that this is something the village wants, a public meeting is required but we need sufficient detail before this goes ahead.

Cllr. Knock asked if the Clerk had contacted other parish councils yet for their experiences, which she had not. Cllr. Powell advised that Weald would be a good example, whereas Hildenborough is more out of site and so might have encouraged misuse. David Boorman of SDC should be invited to the June Parish Council meeting to advise.

Cllr. Knock called again for the Open Session where members of the public could ask questions, in light of the recent discussion. Peter Willoughby asked whether there would be a referendum, and the Chairman replied that the public meeting would help the Parish Council decide if this was something the parish wanted.

10. VILLAGE HALLS

Cllr. Johnston said that permission for the renewal of the kitchen had been granted, and the design will be decided upon in a few weeks, with fitting early in May. There are also investigations into providing a new floor.

11. AGED PERSONS DWELLING

Peter Fullbrook is currently working at the bungalows fitting the new fires.

12. TRANSPORT

Peter Willoughby's letter concerning all night lighting at Leigh Station has already been received and reported upon by the Clerk. The Chairman referred to the Transport Forum (with GlaxoSmithKline) where mention was made about the cycle way from Powdermills to Tonbridge. The Clerk will contact Graham Rustlin and Chris Wade to report on the comments made by Mary Myers, and to get the no cycling signs removed.

Cllr. Knock reiterated that from December 08 the trains from Tonbridge to Redhill will be reduced to 1 per hour and passengers will have to change at Redhill for Gatwick, which is far less convenient.

13. YOUTH FORUM

A draft report on Youth Zone piloted last Autumn for 11+year children from Cllr. Bennie was previously circulated to Council. The scheme will rely on volunteers and consideration must be given to costs and insurance, and what happens first. The insurance is due for renewal, and the quote may be able to be reduced. The Clerk will contact Willis to try and reduce the premium.

14. CORRESPONDENCE for information received up to 1^st April was previously circulated.

Correspondence for Action up to 7th April	Action/Copy
The Orchid newspaper of Kent Downs Area Outstanding Natural Beauty	Cllrs Stratton-Brown & Dyton
SDC 'Go Wild' wildlife workshops 24th April & 24th July, wildlife walks 18th June & 16th July	Noticeboard
'Town and Parish Standard' March 2008, Standards Board newsletter	Cllr. Stratton-Brown
Local Councils Update journal March 2008	Cllrs. Stratton-Brown & Powell
KCC letter Proposed Changes to the Planning Application Process from 6th April. Applications are required to be made on a new national application form (1APP) which can be submitted electronically. Government has sought to standardise information required, and made provision for planning authorities to add a list of local requirements. KCC have drafted a list of local information requirements which should be commented upon by 9th May.
SDC's Young People's Action Plan Period Four (1 October 2007 - 31 March 2008) monitoring form, to be completed by Friday 2 May 2008.	Cllrs. Knock & Bennie
Notice of the Annual Audit for y/e 31/3/08, to be returned by 2nd June.	Clerk/Cllr. Sykes

15. FINANCIAL MATTERS

1. To consider Parish Council annual insurance renewal from 1^st June. This was agreed to be deferred to the next meeting.
2. Subscription to National and Kent Association of Local Councils from 1^st April. This was deferred to the next meeting.
3. Annual Subscription of £35 to Action with Communities in Rural Kent from 1^st April. Proposed by Cllr. Sykes and approved by Cllr. Knock, cheque number 871.

The Clerk had not prepared this month's salary, pension, or expenses; the former two payments could be presented for Council's approval immediately prior to the Annual Parish Assembly on 21^st April.

16. ANY FURTHER MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.

None

Meeting closed at 9.30pm.

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

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