Parish Council Minutes for 12th May 2008Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, Monday 12th May 2008 commencing at 7.45pm under the chairmanship of Cllr. C. Stratton-Brown. A minute silence was held in honour of Harry Lucas who died recently. He was involved with and supported many aspects of village life, including as founder member and President of the Royal British Legion 1966-2004, and as Chairman of the Parish Council 1982-1998. He was born in 1918 and attended Leigh School, later representing the Parish Council as a governor of the school. Cllr. Knock stated that Harry Lucas lived and served his community with a tremendous commitment throughout his life. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs H. Powell and R. Sykes, District Cllr. Alison Cook, County Cllr. Peter Lake. PRESENT: Cllrs. C. Stratton-Brown (Chairman), J. Knock, A. Johnston, D. Bennie, P. Croft, G. Marchant, R. Dyton (apology for lateness) and Mrs. J. Butler (Clerk). 2. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN The Clerk called for nominations for Chairman, Cllr. Stratton-Brown was proposed by Cllr. Knock and seconded by Cllr. Marchant and re-elected unanimously. Cllr. Stratton-Brown signed his acceptance of office. ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman. Cllr. Sykes was nominated in his absence by Cllr. Stratton-Brown, seconded by Cllr. Croft and was elected unanimously. ELECTION OF COMMITTEES
Finance: Cllrs. R.Sykes (Chairman), G Marchant, J.Knock, C Stratton-Brown.
APPOINTMENT TO OUTSIDE BODIES
KAPC Sevenoaks Area Committee to be decided at the next monthly meeting.
Election/nomination to all committees and working parties was agreed en bloc.
Transport Forum Cllr. C Stratton-Brown
3. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST. None. 4. MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 7th April were approved and signed, proposed and seconded by Cllrs. Knock and Johnston. 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 3rd March. Footpath between Knotley Hall and Whitepost at Chiddingstone Causeway - The Chairman/P.Hills Repair of Parish noticeboard by the school - Cllr. Johnston has volunteered to arrange this. 6. REPORTS i.) Sevenoaks District Cllr. Cook was absent and her report was read out by the Clerk. Cllr. Cook has written to West Kent Housing Association (WKHA) in respect of Saxby Wood and the concerns of the residents, and she has also written to County Councillor Peter Lake over her concerns about the footpath from Home Farm to the village. Cllr. Cook states that the pavement in Powdermill Lane continues to cause problems and believes that the planning application with respect to the land behind Garden Cottages may be withdrawn (this was confirmed a week later). Latest figures show that the Council's CCTV system has been successful in its fight against crime with over 50 arrests in the first quarter of this year. Finally Cllr. Cook reports that a random selection of households had their black sack collections analysed and it was found that up to 20% of materials could have been recycled. The Clerk should write to WKHA with regard to Saxby Wood and also Kiln Lane. The Chairman will be attending their AGM on 22nd May. ii.) Kent County Cllr. Peter Lake was absent and sent his apologies. iii.) Open Session. No members of the public were present.7. PLANNING
i.) Planning applications: SE/08/01039/FUL 10 Wyndham Ave., Leigh TN11 8RB. Erection of 2 storey side & single storey rear extensions.
ii.) Planning decisions: SE/08/00506LBCALT & 504/FUL: Gales, Powder Mill Lane, Leigh. Erection of a fully glazed timber conservatory, relocation of ground floor bathroom, provision of pedestrian access gates and new vehicle gates.
iii.) Planning appeal decision: APP/G2245/A/07/2057519/WF, SDC Ref: SE/06/02065/FUL. Yew Tree Bungalow, Egg Pie Lane, Weald, Sevenoaks, TN14 6NP. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling as amended by drawings received on 18/1/06. Appeal dismissed.
8. CURRENT ISSUES i.) Speedwatch - The Clerk is still 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. Councillors agreed that the delay was unacceptable and asked the Clerk to make other enquiries to speed things along. There will be a danger of losing the enthusiasm of volunteers as well as wasting the summer daylight months. The Clerk will appeal to the Inspector Ingram for advice. ii.) Leigh Produce Association Show 6th September on The Green - the Cricket Club has altered its fixtures accordingly and the Clerk will reply to the Produce Association accordingly. iii.) Surgery - The Chairman has met with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) on alternative sites for the surgery, and one idea is that an extension would be added to the Large Village Hall, funded by a loan paid for by PCT rent. This would be more or less self-financing and could have other uses. The ultimate owner would be the Parish Council, and there was a discussion as to who would manage the building. It was agreed that a site meeting was needed between the Parish Council, Village Halls Committee and the PCT. 9. ENVIRONMENT The vegetation next to the pond at Crandalls needs to be tidied. The Clerk has made enquires back in with West Kent Housing Association with regard to responsibility for the area, and was told that it came under the remit of Sevenoaks District Council. The Clerk will report this to Sevenoaks Council. Footpath Working Party: to take this initiative forward, it was decided for the Clerk to write to those who volunteered and suggest a meeting with Cllr. Dyton. The Clerk will also email Cllr. Dyton with footpath maps she has received from KCC Rights of Way. 10. PLAYGROUND The Clerk updated Council with Cllr. Powell's message. It has proved too difficult to get advisor David Boorman of Sevenoaks Council to attend a Parish Council meeting in the next few months, so she will forward the report to him for comments. Meanwhile the Clerk has surveyed other neighbouring parishes for their comments with regard to maintenance and repair costs, and will summarise these comments in time for the next meeting. 11. VILLAGE HALLS Cllr. Johnston reported that the kitchen is making good progress, with cupboards delivered and paid for. The electrician has carried out some rewiring. Permission has been received to renew the floor, to take up and replace. Quotes are being sought. This will likely to be done from July-September. Cllr. Johnston paid tribute to the Village Halls Committee, and Cllrs. wholeheartedly agreed. 12. AGED PERSONS DWELLING Painting has been scheduled for sometime this year/next. The Clerk will obtain quotes. 13. TRANSPORT The Chairman and Cllr. Knock felt that the Parish Council should write to Sir John Stanley asking for his support in opposing the reduction in the Tonbridge-Redhill rail service from December 08. Clerk/Chairman to action. 13. YOUTH FORUM The Clerk has managed to reduce the insurance premium renewal by nearly £100. Cllr. Bennie reported that he has had no response from his advertisements in the Courier and leaflets for requests for help. The best volunteers would be the parents of the children. Around £200 would be needed for equipment and Cllr. Bennie wondered if the Parish Council could support this. Proposed by Cllr. Croft and seconded by Cllr. Marchant. Cllr. Knock reported the decline in grants from KCC Youth & Community which has been so important in making the Table Tennis Club affordable for young players. After some discussion it was decided that the Parish Council may be able to help with revenue as KCC can only grant towards projects and capital expenditure. Cllr. Marchant made the point that he would be pleased if the Parish Council supported a club run by volunteers. The Clerk was asked to publicise the Parish Council's ability to give grants to small clubs and societies in Leigh after considering applications. 14. CORRESPONDENCE for information received up to 7th May was previously circulated.
15. FINANCIAL MATTERS The following cheques were approved for payment, proposed by Cllr Croft and seconded by Cllr. Johnston.
16. ANY FURTHER MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION. The Clerk was tasked with finding out the schedule of verge cutting this year. Meeting closed at 10pm. Signed..................................... Chairman Date........................................
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