MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE YALDING PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON
TUESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 2009 AT 7.30 P.M. IN YALDING VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT
Geraldine BrownChairmanMike NewmanVice Chairman
Ken GoughVivienne Robinson
Sue HobbsMichael Stewart
Derek HudsonSymon Wilson
1.0PUBLIC SESSION
Tworesidents from Pikefish Lane attended the meeting regarding a cracked culvert and the untidy condition of Fowle Hall Green. KG had inspected the culvert and will speak to KCC and The Chairman advised that MBC would be asked to cut back the vegetation on Fowle Hall Green. KCC will also be asked to undertake some reinstatement of the verges, although it is unlikely that they will be prepared to install bollards. KG agreed to keep the residents informed.
KG
2.0APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
No apologies received
3.0DECLARATION OF INTEREST OF COUNCILLORS IN ANY ITEM
No interest declared
4.0DECISION TO TAKE AGENDA ITEMS UNDER CLOSED SESSION
It was agreed to take items 19 and 20 in Closed Session.
5.0WELCOME TO THE NEW CLERK
The Chairman welcomed Angela Gent to the meeting.
6.0POLICE MATTERS
The Chairman welcomed PCSO James Austin to the meeting. He has been working independently for two months and has already dealt with several local issues and spent time getting to know the residents. He is planning to visit the schools and village organisations and he and PC Gary Shaw will regularly attend the Farmers’ Markets.
A local resident had raised the questions of ongoing problems with antisocial behaviour at The Kintons that has escalated recently to a worrying degree. Following the recent survey, concerns have been expressed at the installation of a youth shelter and whether this would increase the problems. PCSO Austin explained that his and PC Shaw’s shift patterns finished by 10pm and it was agreed that the Chairman would meet with PCSO Austin and PC Gary Shaw the following day to see what arrangements might be made for police attendance at night. She would hand to them the list of problems compiled by residents. Thought was also given to the possibility of making it more difficult to drive motorbikes down the various footpaths and whether use could be made of advanced CCTV equipment. However unless it could be monitored in real time it may not be of use.
SH advised that there had been a spate of thefts in Cleavesland and that the residents would also welcome CCTV. She also advised that PC Shaw was arranging a visit to the Town Centre monitoring centre.
7.0PLANNING
7.1PLANNING APPLICATIONS
Comments on applications are recorded at the end of the minutes.
7.2GYPSY SITES
The Chairman reported that she had attended a seminar on this subject. MBC is required to provide 32 pitches by 2011 and they already have designated 24. However if new additional sites meet the current criteria permission will be granted even if the target has been already been reached. Sarah Anderton MBC who is the officer dealing with this will be circulating details of sites in each parish and this will be forwarded to Councillors. GB
8.0TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 7TH JULY 2009 AND THE PLANNING MEETING HELD ON 4TH AUGUST 2009
8.1TUESDAY 7TH JULY 2009
Proposed MN, seconded KG and all agreed that the minutes be signed as a correct record.
8.2TUESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2009
Proposed MS seconded MN and all agreed that the minutes be signed as a correct record.
9.0MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS
9.1CONGELOW
The Clerk had sent a copy of YPC’s letter of objection to John Verrall. NFA
9.2SPORTS EQUIPMENT
SH continues to canvass opinion in Laddingford and both SH and VR are working on this. SH/VR
9.3KENT WILDLIFE TRUST
The Clerk has been unable to contact Neil Coombes as yet. Clk
9.4HOGWEED SIGNS
The Hogweed signs are in place. NFA
9.5CCTV
KG has put up the brackets and will try to put up the cameras this week. KG
9.6WAR MEMORIAL
The Clerk chasing the War Memorials Trust for a reply. Clk
9.7DOGBIN
The provision of new Dogbins by MBC is now somewhat restricted. The Chairman is asking MBC if they can provide a larger bin that could be used for dog waste and general litter.
9.8FOOTPATH HIGH STREET/SCHOOL GATE
In hand with the PROW officer. He is having the project costed and KG will try to speak with him this week.
9.9HORSES ON THE KINTONS
The owners of the field, who the Chairman had spoken to in person, have not rehung their gate. There is nothing further that can be done at this time.
9.10PROW/TWYFORD BRIDGE
The work is now complete.
9.11SYNGENTA
POSSIBLE OVERGROUND WATER SUPPLY
The grazing rights are not yet in place and the Chairman is again chasing St Modwen, who will be approached re the water once the rights are agreed.
CATTLE
Nothing to report.
9.12WEIGHT RESTRICTION
The Chairman attended the JTB whose members are still in support of YPC. The KCC Cabinet member is refusing to carry out surveys. KCC have undertaken an HGV survey for Kent and its recommendations are in draft form, although the JTB will not be consulted. The officer was asked if this contained ‘origin and destination (O&D) surveys and he said no. Members asked the officer to furnish them with details of the content of such a survey and the cost as they thought that funds might be found from another source.
9.13THE TATT WORKING PARTY
This is to be held on Saturday 26th September from 9.30 a.m.
9.14STREET LIGHTING
9.14.1YOUTH CENTRE LIGHT
The Clerk has spoken to PC Gary Shaw who advised that the only possible course of action would be through the Small Claims Court. Clk
9.14.2MEDWAY AVENUE
AXA has now paid the sum of £78 in respect of their insured. NFA
9.14.3LIGHT O/S THE OLD BARN, HIGH STREET
The Clerk has written to the owners explaining that it is essential that the light remains on at night. NFA
9.14.4DITTON ELECTRICAL
The signed paperwork, agreeing to the contract to be sent to the company.
9.15YALDING LIBRARY
The Clerk obtained from Alan Collins, an old photograph of the building and sent it to KCC. However the restoration works to the exterior seem to have stalled. The Clerk to write to KCC for an explanation and an update. Clk
10.0COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr. Mrs Stockell was not present.
11.0BOROUGH COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
RNG gave apologies on behalf of JV. Neither had anything to report.
11.1TOILET BLOCK THE LEES CAR PARK
The Chairman advised that, as yet, MBC has not consulted on this subject. The Blazye’s have offered to open and shut the facilities to fit in with the opening hours of the car park.
11.2WAGON LANE
The Chairman confirmed to RNG that she is aware of a new site to the left of The Wind in the Willows. In addition the owner of The Wind in the Willows site has applied for a Certificate of Lawful Development for year round occupation.
12.0THE TATT PARKING
Further consideration was given to the question of casual parking on The Tatt. The wording on the sign that is prominently displayed was dictated by a solicitor and leaves no doubt that parking on The Tatt is not a right. It is accepted that local people are used to routinely parking there and it does ease congestion in the High Street. However at present there are several large commercial vehicles parked every night. It was agreed that this cannot be allowed to continue. The Clerk will write to the owners of the all properties involved. A draft of the letter will be circulated prior to despatch. GB/Clk
13.0ADDITIONAL ENTRANCE ONTO THE LEES PONY FIELD
There is no one prepared to take the hay from the Pony Field this year and the Chairman has arranged for it to be cut at the same time as the amenity area. Arthur Reynolds has advised the Clerk that a gateway of 18’ onto the Pony Field would be required for the larger equipment that he has. A site meeting will be arranged, to be attended by KG, AR, Roger Finn, Laddingford Engineering and the Clerk. Clk
AR had advised the Clerk that he has not ruled out taking the haycrop next year.
14.0HIGHWAYS
14.1The Chairman attended the JTB meeting. The Highways Advisory Board, in its original form, has now been disbanded and instead the Cabinet Member will meet with the Chairmen of all the JTB’s together. This means that recommendations from the JTB now go straight to the Cabinet Member without further filtering.
14.2COBBLED FOOTWAY, HAMPSTEAD LANE
This work has been completed. The third section is being costed.
14.3LAYBY JUNCTION BENOVER ROAD/MILL LANE
On Highways list.
14.4REFLECTORS ON BEND NEAR TWYFORD BRIDGE
With Kent Highways.
14.5LEES CORNER SAFETY
DH will request quotes from KCC approved contractors to mark up the road to improve road safety at this dangerous junction. This may include material to create a rumble strip. Councillors will inspect a tree on the Pony Field near to the junction to decide whether it should be removed, as suggested by KCC, or trimmed back. DH
14.6LADDINGFORD SPEED LIMIT
The Chairman will ask Cllr Mrs Stockell to put pressure on KCC to implement the speed limit reductions. GB
15.0SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ACT
MBC advise that they would welcome input from communities. They will then consider them at a special panel in October. They refer interested parties to communities.gov.uk, lga.gov.uk and localworks.org. The Clerk to ask the officer to clarify this as it not at all obvious what is the best way forward. Clk
16.0CORRESPONDENCE
16.1POST OFFICE
We have received a further request to provide a certificate confirming the absence of asbestos on the premises. The Clerk to write to the landlord with a copy to the Post Mistress asking him to provide confirmation of this. Clk
16.2GIANT HOGWEED
MVCP has sent copies of correspondence that they have had in connection with an ongoing claim.
17.0FINANCE
BILLS
Proposed MS, seconded SH and all agreed that the bills be paid.
PLAYSCHEME
The Clerk to circulate the Playscheme Accounts, together with the OFSTED report when it is received. Clk
18.0MONITOR LIST
18.1BYELAWS
DH will study the DEFRA byelaws template and email suggested amendments to the Chairman. The final draft will be circulated to all. GB/DH
RNG will ascertain how MBC enforce their byelaws. RNG
18.2CAMPING ON THE LEES
It has not been possible to move casual campers from The Lees, despite having byelaws in place. It was agreed that the Chairman should obtain two quotes from a local security company. Firstly, to patrol the area on Friday and Saturday nights during the season and secondly to be called out. GB
18.3BOUNDARY STONES
Alison Cresswell who is undertaking this project for YPC has obtained large scale copies of maps of the Parish, current and historic, from KCC. The Clerk reported that AC has made a good start with the assistance of AS. AS to identify the relevant landowners in order that the Clerk can write to ask permission for AC to survey the boundary. The Clerk to write to Alison Cresswell to thank her for her work so far. AS/Clk
19.0PARISH MATTERS
19.1PARISH OUTING
It was agreed that it would be useful for all Councillors and the Clerks old and new to undertake a detailed tour of the Parish by minibus. Everyone to advise the Chairman of dates that they would be available. ALL
19.2WEBSITE
MN asked, stressing that he did not intend any criticism, if the website was as up to date as possible. The Chairman explained that the date on the home page was only relevant to that page and not to the whole site. VR explained that there had been problems uploading content. After training it is the intention that the Clerk should take over this role.
19.3CHRISTMAS LIGHTING TOWN BRIDGE
The Chairman advised that the owner of Bridge House has kindly agreed that his land can be used to support the festoon lighting to be erected on the western side of the Town Bridge.
19.4MAINTENANCE
The Clerk to request the owners of the bench opposite The Chequers and BT to repaint their respective property. Clk
19.5GRAVELLY WAYS PROW
SH expressed thanks to KG for the extensive work he had undertaken by Stoneham Lock and along the overgrown sections of the footpath crossing the old tip, in order to make it accessible.
COMMENTS ON PLANNING APPLICATIONS
MA/09/1061Marshalls Farm Hunt Street West Farleigh
Construction of temporary Spanish Polythene Tunnels
Prior to meeting agreed NO COMMENT
MA/09/1351Land adjacent to Fairways Benover Road
Variation of condition 2 of MA/006/0458 (the finished floor level of the buildings must be set a minimum of 12.9m above Ordnance Data Newlyn) to 12.3m above ODN. NO COMMENT