Parish Council Minutes for 10th May 2010Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held in the Small Hall, High Street, Leigh, Monday 10th May 2010 commencing at 8pm under the chairmanship of Cllr. Stratton-Brown. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs. Powell and R. Sykes. PRESENT: Cllrs. C. Stratton-Brown (Chairman), A. Johnston, J. Knock, G. Marchant, R. Dyton, P. Croft and D. Bennie. IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs. J Butler (Clerk). 2. Election of Chairman & Vice Chairman and appointment to the following Committees and outside bodies: Finance, Environment, Planning, Public Transport, Leigh United Charities, Village Halls, Transport Forum.The Clerk called for nominations for Chairman, Cllr. Stratton-Brown was proposed by Cllr. Knock and seconded by Cllr. Johnston and re-elected unanimously. The Chairman signed the declaration of office. In his absence Cllr. Sykes was nominated as Vice Chairman, proposed by Cllr. Croft, seconded by Cllr. Marchant and re-elected unanimously. The following appointments were re-assigned as last year en-bloc. Finance: Cllrs. R.Sykes (Chairman), C. Stratton-Brown, Marchant and Knock. Environment: Cllrs. P. Croft (Chairman), R. Dyton, J. Knock Planning: Cllrs. A. Johnston, G. Marchant, R. Sykes, C. Stratton-Brown. Public Transport: Cllrs. J. Knock, C. Stratton-Brown. Leigh United Charities: Cllr. J. Knock and Brian Ball. Village Halls: Cllr. A. Johnston. Due to their changed circumstances, there will no longer be a representative for the Transport Forum at Glaxo SmithKline. 3. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTEREST None. 4. MINUTES from the Parish Council meeting held on 12th April were approved , proposed by Cllr. Marchant and seconded by Cllr. Johnston, and signed by the Chairman. 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 12th April. None. 6. PLAYGROUND The Clerk had presented Council with all comments from consultees in time for the 12th April meeting, and virtually all comments had been incorporated and Councillors approved this draft of the questionnaire. Question 2 would take care of any concerned regarding use of a playground. The Clerk had forwarded this draft to a few professional bodies to see if in their view it was 'fit for purpose'. She recommended that in the interests of efficiency the questionnaires should be professionally printed, and also suggested that the response should be received and analysed by an agent such as Action with Communities in Rural Kent who undertake Parish Plans and other community projects. The Clerk undertook to obtain quotes for all aspects of the mailing and present to Councillors for approval in time for the questionnaire to despatch before the next meeting. 7. PLANNING i.) Planning applications: SE/10/00997/FUL 31, Well Close, Leigh TN11 8RQ. Conversion of existing garage to habitable room. Erection of single storey detached garage at side. Erection of single storey rear extension. Internal alterations. The Parish Council objected to the proposed garage extension as they believe it would cause intrusion and loss of privacy in what is now an open space. SE/00986/FUL Oak Lodge, Powdermill Lane, Leigh TN11 8QE. Car port in front of property. Councillors noted a large oak tree not shown on the plan which is relevant to this application, sited immediately opposite the middle of the proposed car port on the land belonging to Inglenook, on the far side of the drive which is between Oak Lodge and Lantern Croft. Councillors requested that the SDC tree officer confirm that the proposed car port will have no material affect on this tree. SE/10/00895/FUL 3 Moorden Farm Cottages, Leigh TN11 8RQ. Construction of driveway. No objection. ii.) Planning decisions by Sevenoaks District Council: Grant of permission: SE/10/00596/FUL & 597/LBCALT - 4, The Square, High Street - Single storey extension to the rear of the existing property and internal alterations to ground floor kitchen. SE/10/00256/FUL & 257LBCALT 1 Oak Cottages, High Street, Leigh TN11 8RW. Erection of 1st floor extension. SE/10/00237/FUL White Gates, Hollow Trees Drive, Leigh TN11 8QA. Demolition of existing dwelling. Erection of replacement dwelling & attached garage. SE/10/00293/FUL 33, Well Close, Leigh TN11 8RQ single storey rear conservatory extension. SE/10/00269/FUL 7, Moorden Cottages, Station Hill, Chiddingstone Causeway, TN11 8JB. Demolition of existing extension and construction of new flat roof single storey extension to form kitchen. SE/10/00324/FUL Pantiles, Penshurst Road, Leigh TN11 8HN. Erection of a first floor rear extension and demolition of a garage (of two). SE/10/00291/FUL 3, Lower Green, Leigh TN11 8RU. Replace front flat roof canopy with slightly larger with sloping tiled roof, replace north flat roof wooden lean-to with similar with sloping tiled roof and extend 1.5m forward. SE/10/00123/FUL & 00128/LBCALT Little Moorden, Cinder Hill Lane, Leigh TN11 8HU. Erection of single storey side extension and roof. Removal of brick floor, replace period timber and bricks. Lower floor to match study. Remove plaster in stud partitioning in adjoining wall to expose beams and footplate. Alter size of window previously approved. SE/10/00444/FUL 4 The Green Lane, Leigh TN11 8QX. Part demolition and alterations to existing police house. Change of use for the formation of a new residential cartilage and erection of 1 no. detached dwelling. Planning Inspectorates Appeal Decision SE/09/02605/FUL APP/G2245/D/10/2124455 Hale Oak Cottage, Hale Oak Road, Weald, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6NQ. Demolition of an existing barn and the erection of an extension to the dwelling and a detached double garage. .Appeal dismissed: "The proposal represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt which would cause harm by reason by inappropriateness and loss of openness, and would detract from the character and appearance of the property and the area." The Public Session was re-opened to allow the report from Kent County Councillor Peter Lake. Cllr. Lake reported that the indication for the go-ahead for an interactive sign at the east end of the village was promising. However, the Gibbs Field interactive sign was unlikely to ever happen. SDC had agreed to withdraw the requirement for the developer to supply a sign due to the lack of progress in negotiations between Kent Highways and the landowner during the last three years. Cllr. Lake promised to give the Clerk a copy of the letter. Ringway succeeded in its bid to repair potholes in the Sevenoaks District, and Cllr. Lake felt that smaller firms were not given a fair chance to tender. With regard to Schools, there were problems with children achieving their first choice due to overcrowding, but Cllr. Lake was confident that most if not all will eventually get the school of their choice. Social Services - the voluntary sector eg. Age Concern, are unlikely to get the grants as in the past to do their essential services. The Chairman asked for possibilities for funding for a playground if the Parish Council decided to propose a site based on the results of the questionnaire. Cllr. Lake replied that he was not personally not keen on The Green as an option, and believed that the Parish Council would need to consult carefully even if there was a massive majority in favour. A copy of the most recent draft was handed to Cllr. Lake. The Chairman outlined a general deteriation in the commuter bus service since the contract for the commuter bus service changed a month or so ago, in particular no. 235. The drivers are not waiting the extra minute for the London trains, and one driver in the mornings has been driving recklessly. The Chairman had corresponded with KCC to try and rectify this and obtain some degree of flexibility. Cllr. Lake expressed his support. Cllr. Croft enquired whether it was possible to place an acoustic barrier near the A21 bridge on Powdermills Lane. Cllr. Lake replied that although it was a Highways issue (ie. not Kent County Council) he thought it was a good idea and report this. The Clerk stated that although she had taken at least two calls regarding the dropped kerbs along the High Street, nothing had been done; Cllr. Lake promised to persue Cllr. Marchant reported the dangerous junction between Phillpots Lane and Coppings Road, near Gaza Trading, and called for a 20mph sign approaching from Charcott. Clerk to report to KHS. 8. CURRENT ISSUES i.) Speedwatch. The Clerk had intended to inform the Parish Council last month about the change in the way Speed Watch is being run in West Kent. In the Clerk's opinion it seemed a 'watered down' approach and also involved a scheme of restorative justice involving members of the parish. The Clerk will speak with David Hutchins to obtain his view. ii.) Neighbourhood Watch. No report. iii.) Play Place. Due to the Clerk's delay returning from holiday due to the volcanic ash issue, the appointment with Chris Hennis was missed. The Clerk will arrange another meeting. 9. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS St. Mary's Church Fete 26th June - permission was granted to park on The Green in front of the Vicarage. Permission has been granted to remove the yews in front of the Pump, and Peter Croft will remove the wood. The Clerk will ask Peter Penn if he wishes to escort the judges again this year for the Kent Men of the Trees, 'Trees in the Village Competition'. 10. VILLAGE HALLS. No report. 11. AGED PERSONS DWELLING. No report. 12. TRANSPORT 13. CORRESPONDENCE for information only had already been circulated.
14. FINANCIAL MATTERS
a.) renewing with Aon Allianz Insurance plc at £2,664.61 (last year £2,490.64). b.)Tennyson Insurance, underwritten by Zurich Municipal, at £1,445.95. c.) Came & Company quoted Aviva at £2,117.04 (reduced to 2,011.19 for a 3 year binding agreement). Councillors voted to accept Tennyson Insurance which offers slightly better cover for more than £1,000 less.
A list of cheques were approved and signed, proposed by Cllr. Marchant and seconded by Cllr. Johnston.
The Chairman announced that in the Clerk's absence on holiday during the last meeting, Councillors had agreed from April to raise her NJC recommended pay scale by one level. The Clerk thanked Councillors. 15. ANY FURTHER MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION The Clerk was reminded to write to the owners of 1 Forge Square to request the pruning of the road-side hedge to enable adequate passage. The Clerk distributed copies of the Parish Council Risk Assessment, which should be assessed and approved at the next meeting. The only issue she highlighted was of earmarked reserves, particularly in relation to the APDs. Finally the Clerk suggested the archiving of old minute books at Maidstone for safety and historical preservation. It was suggested that the Clerk check what was in the existing safe held in the Large Village Hall. The meeting closed at 9.40pm. Signed................................................. Chairman................................................... Date.....................................................
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