Parish Council Minutes for 11th May 2009

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, Monday 11th May 2009 commencing at 7.45pm under the chairmanship of Cllr. C. Stratton-Brown.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs. G. Marchant, D.Bennie and J. Knock. ABSENT: Cllr. H. Powell

PRESENT: Cllrs. C. Stratton-Brown (Chairman), A. Johnston, P. Croft, R. Dyton and Mrs. J. Butler (Clerk).

2. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN The Clerk called for nominations for Chairman, Cllr. Stratton-Brown was proposed by Cllr. Croft and seconded by Cllr. Sykes and re-elected unanimously.

ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman. Cllr. Sykes was nominated by Cllr. Johnston, seconded by Cllr. Stratton-Brown and was elected unanimously.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEES

Finance: Cllrs. R.Sykes (Chairman) and C Stratton-Brown; Cllrs. Marchant and .Knock appointed in absence.

Environment: Cllrs. P Croft (Chairman), R. Dyton, J Knock

Planning: Cllrs. A.Johnston, G.Marchant, R Sykes, C Stratton-Brown.

3. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST. Cllr. Stratton-Brown declared a prejudicial interest for agenda item 15.iv. and will leave the room during discussions.

4. MINUTES of the Parish Council meeting held on 6th April were approved and signed, proposed and seconded by Cllrs. Sykes and Johnston.

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 6th April.

i.) Absence of dropped kerbs along the High Street from Hall Place to Church Hill - The Clerk has recorded this item with Kent Highway Services (KHS) who have sent an acknowledgement of their intention to evaluate.

ii.) Railway timetable outside Village Halls - the Clerk will remind Southern Rail of her request for a timetable.

6. REPORTS

i.) Sevenoaks District Cllr. Cook stated that the new yellow lines on Powder Mill Lane, The Green were still being disregarded and asked whether the police could be asked to issue tickets. In the first instance the Clerk will contact PCSO Anne Kingscott. Cllr. Cook expressed regret that the small horse chestnut tree by the trough on the Green appears to be beyond revival. The Clerk will ask the opinion of Bartlett Tree Experts who were contracted this year to treat the other chestnut trees for disease.

ii.) Kent County Cllr. Peter Lake was absent.

iii.) Police. PCSO Kingscott was absent.

iv.) Open Session. Mrs Joyce Field reminded the Clerk with regard to her request for the location of utility services under The Green, and also highlighted the increase in the inconsiderate, dangerous and even illegal parking on the section of the High Street nearest the Green. This is an increasing problem and the Clerk has received other complaints from parishioners. The Clerk will report the matter to the police. Mr. Peter Willoughby reported that the Railway police had leafleted residents near the station asking for them to make contact should there be any further acts of vandalism. Mr. Chris Rowley reported overgrown brambles making it difficult for pedestrians on the High Street and offered to contact the homeowner responsible, and also reported that the Playgroup intends to install play equipment by the yew trees outside the Large Village Hall. Ms Kathryn Wakeman thanked the Clerk for sending a copy of the Parish Plan, and asked the Parish Council how they would publicise the final decision about whether to propose a playground. The Clerk replied that it would be publicised in the usual way via the four noticeboards in the parish, village website, parish magazine and possibly the shop. The Clerk was asked and agreed to send a copy of the letter addressed to the Parish Council a few years ago which advised on the legal interpretation with regard to the use of The Green as outlined in the original bequest.

7. PLANNING

i.) Planning applications: SE/09/00708/AGRNOT The Granary, Powdermills, Leigh. Erection of roof over space between two agricultural buildings. SE/09/00873/FUL 9 Wyndham Avenue, Leigh TN118RB. Conversion of garage to family room. Both no objection.

ii.) Planning decisions by Sevenoaks District Council: Refusal of Planning Permission: SE/09/00285/FUL Pantiles, Penshurst Road, Leigh Erection of a single storey side extension and 2nd storey rear extension. Demolition of existing detached double garage and erection of attached garage at side of dwelling.

Refusal of listed building consent: SE/09/00320/LBCALT South View, The Green, Leigh, TN11 8QR Insertion of two conservation style roof windows in rear roof slope

8. CURRENT ISSUES

Speedwatch - The Clerk distributed data compiled by the Speedwatch volunteers of their activity to date. Cllr. Johnston reported that David Hutchins would like written support from the Parish Council with regard to the location of their operation, and the Clerk replied that she is aware of the issue and has contacted Tony Croucher at West Kent Housing Association for advice.

9. ENVIRONMENT

i.) Cllr. Croft has removed the dead tree causing an obstruction on Birdcage Walk, as reported at the last meeting.

ii.) Footpath Working Party: Cllr. Stratton-Brown will give reports to the Clerk once they are typed, for her to forward to KCC (Kent County Council) Rights of Way. He thanked Mr Rowley for his report.

iii.) Cllr. Sykes will be meeting with KCC Landscape Services with regard to maintenance of the Green for 2009.

iv.) The Clerk read out the letter from the Cricket Club insurers stating that the Club would be covered in the unlikely event of an accident occurring as a result of cricket played on the Green at the same time as Shayler's Fun Fair visit on 13/14th June. The Parish Council were satisfied with this response and asked the Clerk to reply to the Cricket Club accordingly, and also to inform Shayler's Fun Fair.

v.) Bench on The Green, purchased by Sandra Nichols with a contribution from the Parish Council, in memory of Harry Lucas - all Councillors agreed to the inscription 'In memory of Harry and Estelle Lucas who did so much for this village they lived in & loved'.

10. PLAYGROUND

The Clerk updated Council with regard to her briefing to the Play Inspection Company, and is awaiting their response. She anticipated that once this was produced, she would collate other relevant documents eg. local correspondence in support and against, advice from KALC (Kent Association of Local Councils) and KCC and present this to Councillors in one package. This was likely to be mid summer with decision making taking place in the autumn. The Clerk will soon attend a free seminar operated by KCC on Village Greens and Common Land.

11. VILLAGE HALLS No report.

12. AGED PERSONS DWELLING

Cllr. Johnston offered to brief Peter Fullbrook with regard to the installation of a security light at No.2. Councillors agreed that it was not necessary to have the properties professionally surveyed for maintenance issues. The properties had received substantial investment over the past couple of years bringing them up to date and with good communication the maintenance would not be allowed to fall behind again.

13. TRANSPORT

The Chairman reported that he had been in touch with KCC about the commuter bus and the timetable will not change. Unfortunately there is little that can be done about the reduction in the Tonbridge-Redhill rail service now. There will be significant changes from December with new trains from Ashford to Kings Cross which will increase the number of trains from Hildenborough.

14. CORRESPONDENCE for information only had already been circulated.

Correspondence for Action up to 11th May Action/Copy
Letter from KHS's Countywide Drainage Team who are currently setting up a database of all their drainage assets in the County. They have asked whether the Parishes and Town Councils are able to help them to collate a database of the ownership of the ditches in your parish/town. Councillors are willing to meet but Clerk to find out exactly what information is needed as they may not be able to advise.
Request from the Doctors to display details of cancellations of the surgery via the noticeboard, on the Parish Council side. Ideally they need a key, because they often have last minute cancellations or reversal of cancellations. Would it be possible for them to have a key to the Parish council side? Cllr Johnston said that this had been solved, as Bill Coulstock was putting cancellation on the Legion side of the noticeboard.
KALC Parish News April 2009 All councillors. Clerk to download advice on burial ground
Local Councils Update May 2009 Cllr. Stratton-Brown
St Mary's Church request permission for cars to be parked on the small area of Green in front of the vicarage on Saturday 27th June for the Church Fete. Clerk to grant permission
SDC's Youth Zone Family Fun Day on Friday 31st July, on The Green, will not be registering children or taking responsibility for the supervision of individual children. Family members can join in with to encourage family play. Clerk to grant permission
Clerks & Councils Direct May 2009 Clerk to cancel subscription
KALC Sevenoaks Area Committee minutes 20th March Cllrs. Stratton-Brown & Sykes
Kent Downs AONB in partnership with KHS requesting participation in village signing to promote the location and importance of the AONB, and it aims to affect driver behaviour and traffic volume. Each sign will cost up to £400 and KHS will provide up to 50% of the cost, and provide installation. Councillors decided this was not relevant as only a tiny part of the village was in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Complaint re. condition of parish council noticeboard by school. Clerk to obtain quotes.

15. FINANCIAL MATTERS

  1. The Parish Council annual insurance renewal from 1st June: £2,490.64.
  2. Subscription to Local Councils Update: £65
  3. an application from St.Mary's Church PCC for a grant of £300 for the production and distribution to the village of the twice yearly Leigh Directory. As this benefitted all those in the village, it was agreed by Councillors to award £300 under Section 137.
  4. an application from St.Mary's Church PCC for a grant towards the renovation of the Church tower. Cllr. Stratton-Brown left the room while discussion took place. Cllr. Sykes had reviewed the accounts and proposed an amount of £1,500 which was seconded by Cllr. Johnston. Cllr. Sykes was reluctant to award more so early on in the financial year as he didn't want to use up too much of the Section 137 allowance at this stage. Councillors agreed that it could be revisited again later in the financial year.
  5. Purchase of Local Council Administration 8th Edition, by Charles Arnold-Baker - £63. This reference book is viewed as a 'bible' for Parish Clerks and Councillors agreed to purchase against an invoice once it was published in July.
  6. To renew membership from 1st May to the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) £29.

The following cheques were approved for payment, proposed by Cllr Johnston and seconded by Cllr. Croft.

chq. no. List of Cheques Amount VAT
978 Clerk's expenses (Apr) £67.13 £0.00
979 Clerk's salary (Apr.) £456.78 £0.00
980 Clerk's pension (Apr) £104.58 £0.00
981 Clerk's 'phone £57.28 £6.89
982 Civil Protection 'phone line £10.89 £1.19
983 CPRE membership renewal May 09-Apr 10 £29.00 £0.00
984 2008/9 Hall rental £228.00 £0.00
985 Insurance renewal June 09-May 10 £2,490.64 £0.00
986 Local Councils Update subscription renewal June 09-May 10 £65.00 £0.00
987 B. Brooker: mowing war memorial April £30.00 £0.00
988 P.Croft: grass cutting April/May £281.00 £0.00
989 St Marys PCC Leigh Directory £300.00 £0.00
990 St Marys Church Tower Appeal £1,500.00 £0.00
Total: £5,620.30 £8.08

Clerks expenses (Apr)
mileage @ 58.7 pm £22.07
working from home allowance £35.00
postage £0.90
unclaimed from February £9.16
Total £67.13

16. ANY FURTHER MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION.

The Chairman asked District Councillor Cook about the Section 106 Agreement with regard to the affordable housing at Charcott. Cllr. Cook had been promised a copy of the agreement and will check on progress.

In accordance with correct procedure, all Councillors voted to retain Cllr. John Knock as a valued member of the Council and wish him good health and recovery.

The Clerk was asked to find out whether it was too late to enter the Kent Men of the Trees competition.

Meeting closed at 9.25pm.

Signed.......................................................

Chairman.........................................................

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

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