Parish Council Minutes for 6th October 2008Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, Monday 6th October 2008 commencing at 8.00pm under the chairmanship of Cllr. C. Stratton-Brown. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs. J. Knock, R. Sykes, H. Powell and G. Marchant. PRESENT: Cllrs. C. Stratton-Brown, A. Johnston, P. Croft, R. Dyton, D. Bennie and Mrs. J. Butler (Clerk). 2. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST. None. 3. MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 1st September were approved by Cllrs. Croft and Johnston and signed. The minutes of the Planning Meeting held on 15th September were also approved and signed. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4th August. Gibbs Field - the Clerk confirmed that West Kent Housing Association (WKHA) own 7 properties for rent, and the remaining 3 are owned by the English Rural Housing Trust on a shared ownership basis. Further clarification is sought with regard to the S106 agreement and new tenants. Donation of a bench in memory of Harry Lucas, on The Green - the Clerk will send the estimates she has obtained to Harry Lucas's daughter for her to decide. Faulty pavement at Crandalls - the Clerk has been informed by Kent Highway Services (KHS) that this is not their responsibility. District Cllr. Cook believes this is not the responsibility of Sevenoaks District Council (SDC), so it is likely KHS are mistaken. Clerk to enquire. Bartletts - the Clerk will make an appointment for Bartletts to survey the chestnut trees. 5. REPORTS i.) Sevenoaks District Cllr. Cook has raised the problems with the transport dept. associated with travel to the cottage hospital that was highlighted at the last meeting. This issue has been forwarded to KHS, but has yet Cllr. Cook has received no reply. Cllr. Cook reported that bin bags are to be made thinner in a cost-cutting drive, but these should be just as strong as before. Although the Garden Wildlife Competition has not taken place this year, it has been substituted by walks and workshops which has wider interest and gives a broader appeal. Cllr. Cook referred to the meeting organised by Seal Parish Council concerning the Strategic Housing Land Assessment, and hoped that representatives from Leigh Parish Council would attend. Cllr. Cook reported on the issue of fuel poverty as discussed at a recent climate conference, and asked the Parish Council to highlight the benefits of subsidised loft insulation to those in need. Budgets are being prepared for 2008/9 and it will be especially tough due to current market conditions. The layby between Home Farm and the village is a cause for concern, both for parking and refuse reasons that could be dangerous and present an unsightly nuisance. After some discussion Cllr. Croft was asked to enlighten the landowner as to the possible repercussions of not protecting his land. The Clerk was asked to reply to a resident who had also expressed concern about this layby. ii.) Kent County Cllr. Peter Lake reported that with regard to the Home Farm/Leigh Village footpath, the landowner has requested conditions, and he and KHS are in negotiation over these conditions. Cllr. Lake will attend a Joint Transport Board meeting tomorrow and will obtain an absolute answer to this ongoing situation. With regard to the bus service to the cottage hospital, the timetables will change in order to make the journey easier, although not immediately. Hugh Christie school pupils will be benefitting from the freedom pass, which will operate from Westerham, via Edenbridge, Leigh and North Tonbridge at the beginning of the summer term, as well as collecting fee-paying customers. Cllr. Lake reported that KHS are mapping gullies as no comprehensive map exists. He urged the Parish Council to highlight any problem drains/gullies with KHS. iii.) Open Session: Mrs Joyce Field apologised for the recent damage to the telephone cables caused by the erection of the Village Produce Association's marquee. Mrs Field raised the issue about SDC's proposals for double yellow lines on Powdermill Lane. Although she understood concerns with regard to inconsiderate and dangerous parking, it would be very difficult for residents if they couldn't park there at all. The Parish Council has already twice submitted their response asking for limited and discreet use of yellow lines, and will respond in the same way again. Mrs Field asked about the progress of the playground report, and Cllr. Dyton replied that the Parish Council was waiting for an updated of the report. iv.) Police: the Clerk read out a report she had received from the police, and a general discussion took place about the recent increase in vandalism and drunken behaviour in the village. It was agreed that an increase in police presence was required, particularly during the evenings. The Clerk was asked to contact the police to ensure they know of all incidents, to request extra visits at night, and to ask for extra support generally in the hope that the aggressive behaviour will be discouraged. 6. PLANNING EDF Energy Networks Ltd. Service upgrade to Upper Kennards, Hildenborough Road, Leigh: proposed link box & cable. The Clerk was asked to reply and object to this proposal unless it could be totally underground. It would be dangerous, obstructive and not in keeping with the surrounding area. It was also observed that heavy lorries occasionally drive over this area. i.) Planning applications: SE/08/02184/FUL. 2 Fleur De-Lis Cottages, High Street, Leigh, TN11 8RL. Change of use from D1 (doctors surgery) to C3 (residential) SE/08/02320/LBCALT. The Woods, Hildenborough Road, Leigh, TN11 8NA. Family Bathroom Partition Removal SE/08/02166/LBCALT. Small Village Hall, High Street, Leigh, TN11. Change of use of existing store to replacement doctors' surgery, including internal partition walls and new windows to east elevation. SE/08/02284/FUL. Woodside Kennels, Penshurst Road, Leigh, TN11. Replacement of existing tiled veranda with conservatory. SE/08/02365/LBCALT. Old Wood Cottage, The Green, Leigh, TN11. To convert the existing attic into a bedroom with 2 no. dormers to the rear. The Parish Council had no objection to any of the applications above. SE/08/02603/FUL & SE/08/02604/LBCALT Laundry Cottage, Hildenborough Road, Leigh, TN11 8NA Proposed ground & first floor extension and alteration of grade 2 listed cottage. Existing floor area 102m2 additional area proposed: 44m2. With regard to the window protruding from proposed Bed 3, the Parish Council requested the Clerk to suggest that the same decorative brickwork appear above the gable end as for the existing southern elevation. SE/08/01540/FUL 2 Engineers Cottage, High Street, Leigh, TN11 8PN. Erection of porch, internal alterations and the addition of walls and fences to boundary. As amended by plan received 22/9/08. The Parish Council will record that it is still concerned about the fencing, with the wish to avoid urbanisation. ii.) Planning decisions by Sevenoaks District Council: SE/08/01701/DETAIL Land West of Upper Kennards, Hildenborough Road, TN11 8RE Details pursuant to condition 25 (traffic calming) of SE.05/02614/FUL. SE/08/01670/LBCALT. Oak Cottage, High Street, Leigh TN11 8RW. Two storey rear extension, amendment to application SE/07/03357/LBCALT. SE/08/02393/DETAIL. The Woods, Hildenborough Road, Leigh, TN11 8NA Details pursuant to condition 3 of SE/08/01745/LBCALT. SE/08/02403/AGRNOT Leigh Park Farm, Coppings Road, Leigh. The erection of a new steel framed store (amended). SE/08/02009.FUL Wheelwrights Cottage, High Street, Leigh, TN11 8RL. Single storey side extension, demolition of existing garage and replacement with larger garage. All were approved or granted permission. iii.) Notice of work to trees in a conservation area: 08/02512/WTCA. Chilling House, High Street, Leigh, Tonbridge TN11 8RH. Various Work to trees. 7. CURRENT ISSUES i.) Speedwatch - the Clerk circulated the report that she produces from the data captured by David Hutchins and his volunteers. Mr Hutchins is keen to have a police presence during a speedwatch session, and the Clerk will make enquiries. ii.) Surgery Cllr. Johnston reported that the work was completed 3 weeks ago, and they are waiting for the practice to supply the furniture. 8. ENVIRONMENT i.) Footpath Working Party: The Clerk has arranged a meeting for volunteers on 20th October, 8pm in the Small Hall. She requested advice from KCC Rights of Way who advocated their volunteer scheme of Countryside Wardens, but this was thought to be too demanding and involved. ii.) Gibbs Field - Cllr. Croft reported that there is an issue with grass cutting. Cllrs. agreed that this was an issue between residents and WKHA. iii.) KCC Landscape Services - the Clerk was asked to refer to Cllr. Knock with regard to any mowing additional to contract. iv.) Green Lane flooding - Cllr. Bennie reported a possible problem with a blocked gully. The Clerk will report to KHS. v.) The Chairman and District Councillor Alison Cook will be meeting with Robin Hales of Sevenoaks District Council, on 11th November, to discuss their recent communication regarding SDC's Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. 9. PLAYGROUND No report. Cllr. Dyton will ask Cllr. Powell if there has been any progress. 10. VILLAGE HALLS Cllr. Johnston reported that the cupboards will be painted at the end of October, and the floor in the kitchen in the large Hall will be completed in the next few weeks. The Clerk was asked by the rest of the Council to send a letter of appreciation to the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee, Mrs Helen Everett. 11. AGED PERSONS DWELLING The Clerk read out the estimates from British Gas of £4,339 for replacing the boilers in both properties. This compares to £4,490 as quoted by Peter Fullbrook in July. Cllr. Johnston will check a few technicalities with Peter and also whether he can still honour the quote, as it is Parish Council policy to use local business where cost and service are comparable. The Clerk asked whether No. 2 would be permitted to create hardstanding in the front for a car; the Clerk was asked to contact SDC Planning Department for their advice in the first instance. 12. TRANSPORT No report. 13. YOUTH FORUM Cllr. Bennie said that this may be revived in the Spring once the better weather returns, and with additional volunteers. 14. CORRESPONDENCE for information only has already been circulated
15. FINANCIAL MATTERS A copy of the 2007/8 Accounts was previously circulated to all Councillors. The following cheques were approved for payment.
16. ANY FURTHER MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION. None. Meeting closed at 10.15pm. Signed..................................... Chairman Date........................................
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