BETHERSDEN PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the MEETING of the Parish Council held on Wednesday, 12th July 2017 in the Village Hall at 8 p.m.
PRESENT:
Cllr. A. Boydin the chair, Cllrs.K. Brannan, P. Buss,K. Mitchell, I. Anderson, K. Cordrey, Mrs J. Crannis, Ms. R. Orchard and the Clerk, Mrs. M. Shaw.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Fourmembers of the public.
- APOLOGIES:
Cllr.Mrs. S. Dacre, (indisposed)
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:
Cllr. K. Brannan on Pond Cottages.
- MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Resolved that the minutes were approved.
- MATTER ARISING:-
Freedom of Information request- the Chairman gave a report (attached) regarding correspondence relating to this request, that following consultation with the FOI Commissioner it was considered to be a vexatious request, the requester had been identified as Mr C. Benson who is a Director of one of the Bethersden Parish Councillors’ company.
- PLANNING:
a)Consultations:-
17/00719/AS 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 32
& 34 Chester Avenue, Bethersden
Recladding of existing external walls with rendered finish.
This was deferred by the A.B.C. Planning Committee following concern from
residents. The committeeagreed with the residents’ complaints regarding potential miss-match of exterior finishes to the properties and agreed with A.B.C’s Planning Committee resolution at their last planning meeting to get common agreement with all residents
This will now be before the A.B.C. Planning Committee next Wednesday.
17/01292/AS Runsell Cottage, Pluckley Road, Bethersden
Prior approval of building operations for a proposed change of use of two agricultural
building to two dwelling houses.
The application was supported.
17/00900/AS The annex, Whitehall Farm, Brissenden Green Lane, Bethersden
Demolition of existing uPVC conservatory to rear elevation and replaced with a new
link and living/hobby room
The application was supported.
17/00993/AS Forge Dene, Ashford Road, Bethersden.
Installation of new bathrooms within existing rooms at first floor and roof space including
new soil and vent pipe, replacement built in wardrobe door and replacement of existing
panelling with oak.
The application was supported.
17/01002/AS 29 Orchard Field, Bethersden.
Erection of single story side extension.
The application was supported.
b) Prior approval not required:-
17/00743/AS Agricultural Building at Faggs Mount, Smarden Road,
Bethersden.
Prior notification for the change of use of agricultural building and land
within its curtilage to a dwelling house and associated operational development
c) Action from K.A.L.C. Area Committee meeting on NPPF - Lobbying of
Minister of State for Housing and Planning - Cllr. Ms R. Orchard has been in contact
with Shadoxhurst Chairman and invited to assist with the document composition.
d) Ashford Local Plan–Copy received from Ashford Borough Council
e) Planning Enforcement update –
a) Oldbury – nothing further.
b) The Willows - nothing further.
c) Woodlands – nothing further.
- HIGHWAYS - UPATE ON ROAD SAFETY ISSUES
a) A 28 Safety gateways etc - nothing further
b) Chilmington Green /Joint Parishes Traffic Committee –report received of ameetingheld 3rd
July.
7. BOROUGH COUNCILLOR:
Borough Councillor A. Pickering had forwarded his apologies.
8.FLOODING, DRAINAGE etc: -
Cllr. I. Anderson gave aresume of the drainage problems of Bethersden, including an email received
from Howard Riddle (attached) who had been advised not to carry out remedial works on the
Bethersden Stream in the area affecting his property.
There was no written report.
Attenuation Tank – nothing further
9. GEORGE GROVE / FIELD DEVELOPMENT:-
Trees boundary – this matter has not yet been pursued. K.M. and R.O.
Transfer of land Boundaries to owners – residents present expressed their concern that this has
still not been resolved. The Chairman explained the situation, and also that the purchasers solicitors
should have dealt with these matters during the conveyancing procedure.
10. RECREATION GROUND:-
a. FOOTBALL PITCH:
Nothing further.
b TENNIS CLUB:
Nothing further
c. CRICKET CLUB:
A programme of matches and Boot Fairs are planned.
- CAR PARKING AREA condition, by the Youth Shelter, litter etc –
litter bin received, Cllr. P. Buss to install. P.B.
11. FINANCE:
Co-op Account (as at 30th June 2017) £ 38 - 59.
Lloyds Account (ditto) £ 83,754 – 09
Income received:-
Ashford Borough Council, Neighbourhood Plan grant £ 1,600 – 00 (included in
above account)
Lloyds account (George Field)(as at 30th June 2017) £ 60,871 - 29
Lloyds (George Field Account) interest included (ditto) £ 2 - 58
Cheques wereapproved and drawn as appendix (1)
12. REPORTS:
HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS etc:
Highways and Byways -
(a)Roadway by Pond Cottages and the adjoining properties – the Chairman is still
pursuingthe Land Registry at Croydon,considerable time and expensebeing
incurred. A.B.
(b)“Lay by” opposite Millfields Place development –nothing further S.D.
(c)“Lay-by” opposite The Bull Inn and condition of the building - it is understood that this
building is on the market.
COMMUNITY WARDENS REPORT:-
This had been circulated.
13. CORRESPONDENCE:
Ashford Borough Council Leaders Heritage and History Briefing, no. 3.
Clerks and Councils Direct
Ashford Borough Council – Overview and Scrutiny
K.C.C. road closures
14. BUS SHELTER:
A possible site was suggested but with limited time available until the grant window closed -
grant applications for next year 2018 to be submitted by 31st July - agreed to wait for the next
application round.
P.B. and J.C.
15. NOTICE BOARD RENOVATION :
In progress. P.B
17. VILLAGE HALL:-
A meeting was held but there was a lack of volunteers, despite all village organisations being
invited to attend. Cllr. A. Boyd will still act as Chairman for theinterim.
18. LEGAL MATTERS:
Style and Winch – further Land Registry documents had been received but one defining the
transfer in 1975 was yet to be obtained . See item 12a.
19. PROVISION OF A CARE HOME:
Nothing further.
20. CAR PARKING & BLOCKING OF PAVEMENTS AT CHESTER AVENUE and
ORCHARD FIELD:
A one-way system or provision of parking area suggested. Site meeting agreed. J.C. & P.B
.
21. CONDITION OF BAILEYS FIELD GARAGES:
Nothing further – to be again pursued Clerk
22. WEB SITE AND COMMUNICATIONS:
The web-site still requires upgraded. It was agreed to obtain quotations for this work. R.O
23. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN:
The Environmental Assessment has gone to Historical England in response to their request, when
this is approved, it can be put onto the website. The next stage is with Ashford Borough Council.
24. A.B.C. LITTER and DOG BINS LOCATION REVIEW:
Cllr. P. Buss has completed this survey.
25. STORAGE OF VALUABLE DOCUMENTS:
Nothing further. Cllr. K. Brannan to ascertain supplier. K. B.
26. ITEMS OF INTEREST or for the NEXT AGENDA:
Speeding traffic, Bull Hill – suggested location for Speed Watch monitoring, Mr Gordon Rye
to be contacted.
A28, dangers at Bull Bridge, small trees growing on the verge obscuring sight lines on a
dangerous bend and bridge.
Overgrown vegetation, Wissenden Lane/Primary School junction to be notified to K.C.C.
Dangerous stile on the PROW258a
27. DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING:
Thenext meeting was agreed for Wednesday 9th August 2017 at 8 p.m. in the Village Hall, with the Planning sub-committee at 7.30 p.m.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.25 p.m.
______
Appendix (1)
Cheques were drawn:-
Mrs. M. Shaw (July salary) £ 391- 03
Mrs. M. Shaw, Administration expenses (July) £ 85- 96
Mr. D. Cook, Street Cleaner, £ 75 - 00
Countrywide Grounds Maintenance (George field) (July account) £ 229 – 83 + V.A.T.
£ 45 – 97. Total due £ 275- 80
Countrywide Grounds Maintenance (Recreation ground ) (July Account)
£ 175 – 00 + V.A.T. £ 35 – 00. Total Due £ 210 – 00
K.A.L.C – Good Councillors Guide £ £29 – 75 + V.A.T. £0 – 57. Total due £ 30 – 32
Glasdon U.K. Litter Bin, £ 273 - 34 + V.A.T. £ 54 – 66. Total due £ 328 - 00
Cheques drawn between meetings:-
Catherine Hughes Associates, Neighbourhood Plan, £ 400 – 00.
Catherine Hughes Associates, Neighbourhood Plan, £ 1,600 – 00.
Page 1 of 7
Meeting of the Bethersden Parish Council, Wednesday 12th July 2017