Parish Council Minutes for 1st December 2008Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, Monday 1st December 2008 commencing at 8.00pm under the chairmanship of Cllr. C. Stratton-Brown. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs. P. Croft, D. Bennie and J. Knock. PRESENT: Cllrs. C. Stratton-Brown, A. Johnston, R. Sykes, R. Dyton, H. Powell, G. Marchant and Mrs. J. Butler (Clerk). 2. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST. None. 3. MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 3rd November were approved by Cllrs. Marchant and Johnston and signed subject to the following two amendments. Cllr. R. Sykes to be removed from those listed under Present, and under 6.i. Planning applications SE/08/02812/FUL, application for a care home on the land to the rear of Garden Cottage, Powder Mill Lane, the following should be added. "It was noted that these applications represented a significant increase to 56 beds from the 36 in the Court Royal Assisted Living application." 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 3rd November. Gibbs Field - the Clerk has been in contact with Janet Ransom of West Kent Housing Association (WKHA) to clarify the workings of the S106 Agreement at Gibbs Field. WKHA is not a signatory as it did not have a financial interest at the time of the planning application. This was signed by Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) and the Rural Housing Trust (RHT) who acted as the developer. However, the S106 Agreement is binding in perpetuity to whoever takes over the land; WKHA now owns the land on which their rented properties exist, and operate the District housing register on behalf of SDC. WKHA are responsible for all grass cutting and charge the RHT for their portion (i.e. shared ownership); it was a condition of the planning consent that the greenery was left in a semi rural state. Shayler's Fun Fair on The Green - The Clerk has now confirmed the dates of 12-14th June having first checked the dates with the School, and Cricket, Football and Rugby clubs 5. REPORTS i.) Sevenoaks District Cllr. Cook commented on the lay-by that has been created on Hildenborough Road which has resulted in the occasional overnight stay by lorries and mess/mud on the road. It may be possible for the Parish Council to work in partnership with the landowner to resolve the situation. Cllr. Cook referred to the SDC's Strategic Housing Land Assessment and expressed dismay that Oakfield was included in the assessment and there is pressure to persuade Cabinet to make certain parts more realistic, e.g, the assessment identified a potential maximum of 16,000 homes over 25 years. The actual figure required by Government is 3,200. Cllr. Cook is concerned that the District might be asked to provide nearer to the larger figure later on if an assessment states that the capability is there. Cllr. Cook met with Michael Fuller, the Chief Constable of Kent, and informed him of some unpleasant incidences and requested a more visible presence in Leigh. With regard to the 2009/10 Budget, unfortunately difficult times will necessitate reductions in staff providing services. Christmas refuse collection will have to wait until 2nd January but this is unavoidable so that refuse collectors can enjoy a holiday too. Finally Cllr. Cook drew attention to a new system called Kent Home Choice which is where vacant social housing will be advertised via libraries, surgeries as well as online. Cllr. Cook asked the Clerk and County Cllr. Lake if they knew why Powder Mill Lane was due to be closed on 5th December (later corrected to 5th January?). The Clerk hadn't been informed of this closure and Cllr. Lake said he would make enquiries. ii.) Kent County Cllr. Peter Lake updated Council with regard to the Home Farm footway. The official response from Andrew Burton, Kent Highway Schemes Manager, is that the project has been shelved for now due to lack of agreement with the landowner. However, the file has not been closed as negotiations may still continue. Cllr. Lake said that with regard to the lay-by the responsibility should lie with the contractor South East Water rather than KHS, and he is looking into this. The landowner has requested that a fence be installed that was not there before. Finally Cllr. Lake reported that he was pleased to be invited along with Sir John Stanley MP and the Chairman of the Parish Council to the official opening of the school extension later this week. It was a tremendous improvement with the entrance and security upgraded. iii.) Open Session: Further to the accidental damage in September to the telecommunication cables lying under The Green, Mrs Joyce Field asked whether there were any other service media that may pose a problem in the future. The Clerk will contact the relevant agencies and report back. Mrs Field also asked whether there were any further plans of yellow lines on the bend near the junction with Powder Mill Lane. The Clerk will investigate. Mrs Field also asked about the possible proposals for a playground on The Green, and whether the Council had considered the issue of fencing in relation to cricket games. Mr Jonathan Cook agreed that this could be a real safety problem. Mr Chris Rowley reported that Langton Green have to put a 20ft high fence around their playground because a lower fence would not be safe enough. He also said that although the Parish Plan identified 280 residents who wanted a play area in the village, this was not necessarily on The Green, and that the Council should also consider smaller and possibly cheaper sites, and more than one. Mrs Field said that the main issue was that of anti-social behaviour, and used the closure of the public toilets as an example. Another member of the public summarised the issues against a play area on The Green as urbanisation and attracting vandalism. iv.) Police: The Clerk read out a letter from Srgt Johnson responding to the Clerk's letter about recent vandalism. Srgt Johnson notes that reported crime in Leigh has decreased by 19% (8 offences) compared with the same periods last year but requested for assistance in reporting incidents by informing PCSO Kingscott who is spending more time in the community, or PC Ingram, even if wishing to remain anonymous. The community were to be encouraged to attend one of PCSO Kingscott's surgeries, details of which are published on the Kent Police website. There has been an increase in 24 hour police patrols and response officers are aware of our concerns. 6. PLANNING i.) Planning applications: SE/08/03150/FUL Podium House, The Green, Leigh TN11 8QN. Replacement dwelling. There were many objections to this application which will be forwarded in detail to SDC. In summary it was thought the application was obtrusive, out of scale and in many ways suburban. SE/08/03118/FUL Kiltairn, Penshurst Road, Leigh, TN11 8HL. Proposed single-storey extension to front, side and rear of existing house. Subject to no material objections lodged by neighbours SE/08/02941/FUL 3 Coppings Brook Cottages, Coppings Rd, Leigh TN11 8PP. Front extension and porch with bathroom above. Objection based on the extension being too large a structure for the front of the property. SE/08/03050/FUL Gales, Powder Mill Lane, Leigh TN11 8QE. Single storey rear extension. The Parish Council support this application. SE/08/02946/FUL Bat & Ball, High Street, Leigh, TN11 8RL. Change of use from pub (A4) to residential (C3) and conversion to form 4 bed. house with new door and flanking window. Cllrs. Dyton and Johnston declared an interest and withdrew. The Parish Council registered no objection. ii.) Planning decisions by Sevenoaks District Council: SE/08/02284/FUL Woodside Kennels, Penshurst Rd., Penshurst TN11 8HY. Replacement of existing tiles veranda with conservatory. SE/08/01540/FUL 2 Engineers Cottage, High Street, Leigh TN11 8RN. Erection of a porch and the addition of walls and fences to the boundary. As amended by plan received 22/9/08. SE/08.02170/FUL & 02171/LBCALT 1 Oak Cottages, High St., Leigh TN11 8RW. The erection of a single storey rear extension. WE/08/03106/DETAIL The Woods Cottage, Hildenborough Rd. Leigh TN11 8NA Details pursuant to condition 2 (materials) of SE/08/01666/FUL. All were approved or granted permission. SE/08/02603/FUL & 02604/LBCALT Laundry Cottage, Hildenborough Rd, Leigh TN11 8NA. Proposed ground and 1st floor extension of grade 2 listed cottage. Planning permission refused, listed building consent granted. SDC Enforcement notice issued for 23 Powder Mill for rear extension without planning permission, and query over possible change of use with regard to large numbers of dogs at the property 7. CURRENT ISSUES i.) Speedwatch - The Clerk reported that a mobile police unit had visited the village on 6th November responding to the request by Speedwatch volunteer coordinator David Hutchins. ii.) Surgery Cllr. Johnston reported that the new surgery was going well. To be removed from the agenda. 8. ENVIRONMENT i.) EDF Energy Networks Ltd. Service upgrade to Upper Kennards, Hildenborough Road: proposed link box & cable. The Chairman reported that after some misunderstanding he has agreed with EDF that the link box be situated under the footway by the triangle green, opposite Powdermill Lane, as it is below ground apart from a manhole cover. ii.) Trees on the Green - The Clerk will be meeting with a representative of Bartlett on Friday 7th December to discuss the condition of the chestnut trees, with particular attention to the young tree near the horse trough. iii.) GlaxoSmithKline offer of volunteers - The Chairman suggested that unless there were other ideas, tidying up the new and old churchyards would be useful. 9. FOOTPATH WORKING COMMITTEE The Clerk reported on the second meeting of the volunteers on 15th November where she displayed a copy of a Leigh Parish footpath map. It was agreed that this would be the reference map, and the Clerk will try to obtain permission for multiple copies to be made with OS references added. The Clerk also showed her footpaths assessment form that was commented on by the volunteers and will be amended by Martin Avison. Some of the paths were allocated to each of the volunteers so that surveying could commence. Colin Stratton-Brown offered to compile a list all of the paths with a brief description. 10. PLAYGROUND An updated version of the Playground report had previously been circulated. The Councillors present were asked if they had any further questions. Cllr. Sykes said that he would like to know the capital costs involved. The Clerk urged Cllrs. to consider the main issue of whether The Green a suitable location; if so, then the decision of exact location, age range, capital and ongoing costs could be tackled. The Clerk also asked whether Council thought it was worth surveying residents since the previous survey was carried out at least 4 years ago. Cllr. Johnston said that it was difficult to comment without seeing examples. Cllr. Powell believes that The Green is not a suitable size for older children and for children up to 6 years a challenging play area would need to be approximately 10sqm. She would prefer to see colours sympathetic to the natural environment. The Chairman asked whether the recreation ground at Lealands Avenue would be more suitable to pursue but Cllr. Powell replied that the security of the children was not so good at this site. The Clerk stated that all Councillors should be present for a vote and asked that Cllrs. direct any questions to Cllr. Powell that arise in the next few months regarding actual play equipment. Questions concerning other parish experience and ongoing costs could be dealt with by the Clerk. The Clerk also asked whether Council wanted to consider CCTV and/or lighting. 11. VILLAGE HALLS No report. 12. AGED PERSONS DWELLING A new boiler has been replaced at No.1 and No.2 is currently in progress. 13. TRANSPORT No report. 14. YOUTH FORUM No report. 15. CORRESPONDENCE for information only has already been circulated
16. TO ADOPT THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT NEW MODEL PUBLICATION SCHEME Proposed by Cllr. Sykes and Seconded by Cllr. Marchant. The Clerk will need to comply with the Act by publishing the documents available via the website and possibly noticeboard. 17. FINANCIAL MATTERS i.) the Clerk had requested Council to consider that a.) her hourly rate be further increased, b.) the working from home allowance be increased from the current £8 per month, and c.) contract 8 hours per week be increased . Councillors agreed that while they would not increase the hourly rate paid, the working from home allowance would be increased to £35 per month and contracted hours be increased to 12 per week. ii.) 2009/10 Budget and precept requirements - Cllr. Sykes outlined spend to date and future expenses and expected income, to include increased admin. costs and approximate £2,000 for cutting of The Green. The end of year balance will be around £11,000. He recommends to keep the precept at £17,500 again for 2009/10. iii.) The 2009 membership renewal of £82 to the Society of Local Council Clerks was approved. iv,) a request for a donation from the Tunbridge Wells Samaritans was politely refused. Leigh Scouts have requested a donation for improvements to the Scout Hut. Copies of their accounts were submitted, detailing and two estimates for proposed work amounting to around £2,500. After some discussion Cllr. Sykes suggested donating £1,500 towards the Scouts, which was agreed by all present. The following cheques were approved for payment.
18. ANY FURTHER MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION. The Clerk suggested that since the kerbs had been installed, the surfacing of the verge in front of the Cricket Pavillion should return to next month's agenda. Cllr. Marchant asked the Clerk to contact KHS to inform them of blocked drains at Coppings Brook which has caused the road to flood. Meeting closed at 10.15pm. Signed............................................................... Chairman................................................................. Date..................................................................
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