Parish Council Minutes for 2nd June 2008Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, Monday 2nd June 2008 commencing at 8.00pm under the chairmanship of Cllr. C. Stratton-Brown. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr. R. Dyton PRESENT: Cllrs. C. Stratton-Brown (Chairman), J. Knock, A. Johnston, D. Bennie, P. Croft, G. Marchant, R. Sykes, H. Powell and Mrs. J. Butler (Clerk). 2. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST. Cllr. Knock stated his intention to withdraw from discussions regarding the request for a donation from the Table Tennis club. 3. MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 14th May were corrected to name Colin Stevens as the new internal auditor, and then approved and signed, proposed and seconded by Cllrs. Croft and Marchant. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 14th May. Footpath between Knotley Hall and Whitepost at Chiddingstone Causeway - The landowner has been away abroad. Repair of Parish notice board by the school - Cllr. Johnston has volunteered to arrange this. Crandalls/Meadowbank pavement repair and maintenance of trees etc - the Clerk advised that the various items were the responsibilities of West Kent Housing Association, Sevenoaks District Council and Kent Highway Services, and that all items had now been reported. 5. REPORTS i.) Sevenoaks District Cllr. Cook stated that she was very disappointed with regard to the reduction in rail services proposed for the Redhill Tonbridge line. She also expressed concern about the BT proposals to reduce the number of public telephone booths and was relieved that the one in Leigh was safe for now. Reductions in services are being proposed for the new hospital at Pembury, e.g. Maternity, which is ominous at this early stage. Cllr. Cook commented on the GP-lead health centres and voiced concerns that community pharmacies will disappear. The environment survey has been completed on the Charcott site earmarked for affordable housing, and Cllr. Cook has spoken with planners re. the S106 agreement to ensure 2 of the 4 houses for Leigh. The Chairman reported on a meeting he attended along with Cllr. Knock and the Edenbridge Rail Travellers' Association, and the MD of Southern Rail, with Sir John Stanley MP present. He stated that the franchise was raised not by the railways but the Department of Transport. The first franchise would be for 18 months and thereafter for 5 years. The Clerk was asked to give a copy of the Chairman's letter to Sir John Stanley to KCC Cllr. Peter Lake. The Chairman thanked Cllr. Cook for her attendance and for all she does for Leigh Parish. ii.) Kent County Cllr. Peter Lake. Cllr. Lake reported that he has written to Kent Highway Services (KHS) with regard to the pavement on Powdermill Lane which is extremely dangerous and which has been reported as so for some time. With regard to the footway from Home Farm, he reported that it is on the agenda of the Joint Transport Board meeting at the end of the month, and so he will be able to report back at the next meeting. The Clerk and Council expressed frustration over various issues e.g. Kerbs on the Green that were scheduled for last autumn and resurfacing of the Green that was meant to happen at the beginning of June but didn't. Cllr. Lake asked the Clerk to contact him tomorrow for the names of senior contacts at KHS to complain to. Cllr. Lake expressed his disappointment over the BT proposals to remove telephone boxes in the district, even in areas where there is no O2 signal, although the one in Leigh appears to be safe for now. The Chairman raised the idea double yellow lines from the hairdresser's shop towards the High Street to prevent inconsiderate parking. However Cllr. Marchant expressed a dislike of yellow lines in rural areas and Cllr. Johnston believed that the situation may get better once the building works have disappeared. It was also agreed that the stationery cars at least acted as a traffic calming device. Cllr. Knock reported that a child was hurt by falling of a bicycle that had caught in a pothole in Greenview Avenue - the Clerk will ensure it is reported.
iii.) Open Session. Mr Chris Rowley asked for a timetable of decisions with regard to the Playground report. The Chairman replied that he was not able to do this as it may take 2 or 4 months, depending on how long it takes to answer questions posed by the Parish Council. Cllr. Powell stated that she wasn't able to get David Boorman (SDC Parks and Landscape) to an evening meeting, and he has yet to respond to the report. The Clerk was tasked with arranging a meeting with as many Councillors as possible and David Boorman during the day.
6. PLANNING i.) Planning applications: SE/08/01304/FUL Laundry Cottage, Hildenborough Road, Leigh TN11 8NA. Two storey side extension and alterations. The Parish Council (PC) objects to this extension, specifically because of the westerly part where the bedroom 3 will overlook another property. The PC thinks that it will be to the detriment of the appearance of the building, which was designed by George Devey. Currently there is a sloping roof, but the plans propose that the roof ends in a gable end which is unsuitable. The positioning of bedroom 4 window is acceptable though we feel it should match existing in shape and style. The PC would also like to point out that the north and south elevations have been marked incorrectly on the plans. The Clerk was asked to show her written response to Cllrs. Stratton-Brown and Marchant prior to sending to Sevenoaks District Council (SDC). SE/08/01349/FUL 6 Knotley Hall Cottages, Chiddingstone Causeway TN11 8JH Amendment to previously approved SE/07/03440/FUL. No objection. SE/08/01322/FUL 49 Penshurst Road, Leigh, TN11 8HN. Two storey rear extension. Support. SE/08/01413/FUL Brampton House, Scabharbour Road, Hildenborough, TN11 8PJ. Partial demolition and alterations to existing outbuilding. Construction of 2 storey corner infill extension to existing dwelling. The Parish Council is concerned about the size of the extension relative to the existing structure, and feels that it detracts from the character of the house as visible from the road, but overall has no objection. SE/08/01188/FUL Coppings Farm, Coppings Road, Leigh, TN11 8PN. Change of use of existing building to agricultural dwelling. Support. ii.) Planning decisions: SE/01039/FUL: 10 Wyndham Avenue, Leigh, TN11 8RB Erection of two storey side and single storey rear extensions. Permission granted 7. CURRENT ISSUES i.) Speedwatch - the Clerk has managed to contact PC Ball and a meeting was held last week with him and the volunteers, where they were trained. Although the original sites have been rejected by PC Ball as being unsuitable, David Hutchins was able to suggest alternative sites for consideration. PC Ball needs to report upon these sites. The last stage will be for the Clerk to arrange the borrowing of equipment from Bidborough Parish Council and with David Hutchins she will also organise the dates to go 'live'. The Clerk thanked David Hutchins for his considerable efforts in progressing Speedwatch. ii.) Leigh Produce Association Show 6th September on The Green - this was discussed at last month's meeting. iii.) Surgery - The Chairman proposed out of courtesy that the Village Halls Committee (VHC) manage a future surgery which may operate in the existing Small Hall or later in a proposed extension to the Large Hall. Cllr. Knock expressed concern that the VHC was set up as a charity for leisure and recreation and this would lie outside of its powers. It was agreed that the deeds would need to be reviewed for this detail. Cllr. Knock also stated that the VHC was at the end of a 5 year fundraising project and would not want to be involved in another such project soon. Cllr. Johnston said that he would raise these issues at the next VHC meeting. Cllr. Knock asked whether the Parish Council would be able to borrow in order to build a surgery - the Clerk will enquire with the Kent Association of Local Councils. There will be a site meeting at 10am on Thursday 5th June. Providing the Primary Care Trust (PCT) agrees, the surgery will temporarily move to the Small Hall; it is not necessary yet to incur costs by involving surveyors. The Chairman will try and gauge the reaction of the PCT. 8. ENVIRONMENT Cllr. Croft reported that Mrs Tapp has employed him to repair the kissing gate at the end of Green View. The Clerk will write a letter of thanks to Mrs Tapp for her generosity to the village. Footpath Working Party: the Clerk has yet to write to those who volunteered to suggest a meeting with Cllr. Dyton. The Clerk has requested the definitive footpath map from KCC Rights of Way. 9. PLAYGROUND Reported above within the Open Session. 10. VILLAGE HALLS Cllr. Johnston reported that the kitchen should be finished by the end of next week. The floor should be fitted at the beginning of August. This will leave minor works such as exterior lighting to be carried out before final completion. 11. AGED PERSONS DWELLING Two estimates were obtained for the exterior painting of the bungalows, and Martin Padgham was chosen based on a reasonable and fair quote and that he can complete by October this year. Clerk to reply. 12. TRANSPORT The occasional recorded pronunciation of Leigh as "Lee" at the Train Station is due to be corrected soon. 13. YOUTH FORUM Cllr. Bennie informed Council that he would be attending a first aid course on Saturday with expensed charged to the Council. Cllr. Bennie raised the issue of CRB checks and that we would get the first 3 free, but it would be expensive to have every person checked. Cllr. Powell believed that a Police 99 would suffice so long as an adult was not left alone with a child. Cllr. Bennie would check with SDC and whether it would be best to have a female present. He has so far received one offer from a parent to help on a rota basis. He has been contacted by a Kent Youth liaison officer with the offer of help, and it's possible they could help with payment for a youth worker. The Chairman suggested local colleges may be a contact for young people looking to help. 14. CORRESPONDENCE for information received up to 26th May was previously circulated.
15. FINANCIAL MATTERS The Parish Council considered the request from Leigh R.B.L. Table Tennis Club for a grant towards the costs of running junior activities. Cllr. Knock declared a prejudicial interest and withdrew from discussion and abstained from the vote. The Parish Council agreed to donate £200, and this was proposed by Cllr. Marchant and seconded by Cllr. Johnston. Cllr. Sykes summarised the end of year accounts prepared with Cllr. Knock. Section 137 grants to the community were relatively low at around £2.800, which was spread amongst 11 organisations. The audit form was presented to Councillors and all agreed with its contents, and was then signed by the Chairman and Clerk (as Responsible Finance Officer). Cllr. Knock will give it to our internal auditor before it is posted to the external auditors. The Clerk will contact the external auditor to advise of late entry. A financial request from the Kenward Trust was considered but declined for not being of direct local benefit. The following cheques were approved for payment.
16. ANY FURTHER MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION. Cllr. Knock requested that the small quantity of untidy grass in front of the Pavilion be included in Peter Croft's mowing. All in favour. The Clerk reported that she had been asked by West Kent Housing Association to publicise the two 1 bedroom shared ownership houses still available in the new development in Chiddingstone Causeway that cannot be filled by Chiddingstone residents. They are therefore being offered to the neighbouring parish of Leigh, and the Clerk has put posters with details on the notice boards. Meeting closed at 10.30pm. Signed..................................... Chairman Date........................................
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