Westwell Parish Council
Minutes of a Meeting of the Parish Council
Held on Monday, 24th January 2011 at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall
1. Open Forum
There were no members of the public present.
2. Present
Cllr Lawrence (Chairman), Cllrs Mrs Drury (Vice-chairman), Miss Davidson, Dr Muir, Butcher, Hollis, Richards and Mrs S Wood (clerk).
3. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Wyatt and Cllr Hotchkiss (illness).
4. Declaration of Interest
The Chairman, re planning application 10/01491/AS, personal.
Cllr Miss Davidson, re planning application 10/01716/AS, personal.
5. Minutes
Resolved:
That the Minutes of the Meetings of Westwell Parish Council held on 6th December 2010 and 10th January 2011 be approved and confirmed as true records.
6. Matters Arising
· LDF (Core Strategy) – The Vice-chairman reported that revision of the Core Strategy is beginning, although it is not yet clear from whom or what form representation will take. Advice will be sought from Cllr Clarkson.
Comments will be submitted on the Urban Sites and Infrastructure DPD. The Vice-chairman’s paper will be circulated and comments from councillors collated by the Clerk for submission. It was noted that the DPD does not include proposals for Kennington North.
· Sandyhurst Lane – problems re use as a rat run and speeding – Dates for training of volunteers are awaited from Kent Police. Cllr Dr Muir noted that she had been informed by Pc Miller that this would begin ‘shortly’.
· Potters Corner bus shelter – Repair of the shelter was discussed at a Council meeting on 10th January, but found not to be a viable option and a replacement shelter has therefore been ordered from Queensbury Shelters. A breakdown of costs was presented. Grants have been obtained from Cllr King and the KCC Rural Bus Shelter Grant scheme towards the cost of the replacement. Installation must be completed by 25th March, this being a criterion for payment of the RBSG grant. An application has been submitted for planning permission.
In answer to a question from Cllr Richards, it was stated that the stop is well used and there have been no reported problems recently of buses failing to stop.
A site meeting is to be arranged with Kent Highway Services to discuss clearance of the verge. It was noted that responsibility for bus shelters had been unilaterally devolved to the parishes by ABC, and therefore a decision as to refurbishment or replacement lay with the Parish Council. Payment of the balance of the cost of the shelter was discussed, and it was noted that the invoice for grass cutting in 2010 had been approx £1500 lower than budgeted.
Resolved:
That the balance of the cost of the shelter be met from reserves.
Insurance would be approx £30 pa. A timber shelter had been considered but ruled out on grounds of cost and a history of theft of such shelters.
7. Correspondence
The list of Correspondence had been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting,
Comments will be submitted on the Draft Landscape Character SPD by the Clerk.
The Parish Council’s views have been sought by ABC on the local name for Watery Lane, as the mid-section has been wrongly called ‘Station Road’ by the National Gazetteer and Electoral Services. ABC has been asked that this be corrected.
8. Financial report.
Resolved:
That the following payments be agreed in accordance with the Budget.
Payments / £S Wood (salary July) / 386.51
S Wood (salary August) / 386.51
S Wood (use of home allowance July/Aug) / 12.38
Landscape Services (grass cutting) / 463.83
ABC (application fee for planning permission – Potters Corner bus shelter) / 85.00
S Wood (Getmapping – block plan) / 10.80
Receipts / £
Lloyds TSB interest / 0.97
Balance (cheque and deposit accounts): £ 10080.53
Balance (No. 2 account): £820.00
9. To consider planning applications received
10/01491/AS
Land west of Thimble Hall between CTRL and M20, Leacon Lane, Charing
Renewable energy unit facility which will comprise of plant and structures for the storage of material for production of biogas, together with ancillary structures and buildings
It was noted that vehicle movements have been underestimated, which would impact on adjacent properties. Concern was expressed at the proposed use of verges for passing and that the development would be on a greenfield site . Details of plant were lacking. The technology has been proved in Germany and maize and green waste would be used.
Resolved:
That the Parish Council submit comments that active consultation and further information are required on the application.
10/01716/AS
Sycamores, The Street, Westwell TN25 4LQ
Alterations to roof to include raise in ridge and change in form to pitched roof and associated external alterations including new windows at first floor level and creation of a balcony at first floor to front elevation
Resolved:
That the Parish Council supports the application.
10/01699/AS
Two Chimneys, 28 Sandyhurst Lane, Ashford TN25 4NS
Proposed single storey rear extension
Resolved:
That the Parish Council supports the application.
11/00024/AS
10 Sandyhurst Lane, Ashford TN25 4NS
Erection of one 3 bedroom house
Concerns were expressed re road safety, and surprise at the opinion of KHS.
Resolved:
That the Parish Council objects to the application.
10. Report from NALC/KALC and ACRK representative
The Chairman congratulated Cllr Butcher on his election as Chairman at the Executive Meeting, and thanked him for his reports.
NALC/ACRK: See Cllr Butcher’s report. KALC is to publish Parish News electronically, but hard copy will continue to be available during the transition phase. Training will be carried out in module form at a time to suit councils, and trainers will travel to the Council.
ACRK: See Cllr Butcher’s report.
11. Report from Parish Forum representative
The meeting on 6th December was cancelled and the next meeting is on 26th January.
12. Report from Police Forum representative
Cllr Dr Muir reported that the December meeting had been cancelled and she had been unable to attend the January meeting. Minutes showed that crime in the area is decreasing.
13. Report from Parish Hall Committee representative
There has been no meeting since the Parish Council meeting of 6th December, the next meeting is in April.
14. Report from Highways representative
Cllr Richards advised that there are again large potholes near Nash Court, and there may be a blocked drain which contributes to the continued failure of repairs. The culverts in Watery Lane near Parsonage Farm may be blocked/inadequate. It is thought that the balancing pond is not fulfilling its purpose and may be leaking.
These issues have already been reported to KHS by the Clerk, with a recommendation that an investigation be carried out at Nash Court into the repeated emergence of potholes. Repairs are urgently needed as this is on the route of the Ashford and District 10k Road Race, to be run on 6th February. KHS will again be pressed for action. The Vice-chairman recommended that help be sought from Cllr Clarkson.
KHS were thanked for clearing the drain in Sandyhurst Lane, near the Potters Corner junction, but several potholes remain. Repairs are scheduled for 25 – 27th January.
15. Report from Tree Warden
A reply has been received to the Parish Council’s letter of complaint at the failure by KHS to progress the promised replacement tree on the green by The Wheel. An apology was given and assurances that the tree would be planted in autumn 2011.
16. Report from Chairman of the Playing Field Association
See Cllr Butcher’s report.
Photographs of outdoor gym equipment were circulated. Cllr Butcher asked for a letter of support from the Parish Council for a grant application for this equipment which he could take before the Grant Panel. Although letters of support from some of the village organisations have been sent to the Playing Field Association, Councillors noted mixed views from residents. Cllr Butcher was asked if, were this grant money forthcoming, it could be used for other purposes. Cllr Butcher will seek advice.
After debate it was agreed that if money were available it would be better spent on other uses, such as hall improvements.
17. Speaker for the Annual Parish Meeting
The Chairman asked for nominations for a speaker for the Annual Parish Meeting, and it was agreed to invite Mr N Sandford to speak on renewable energy.
18. Any other business
· The Vice-chairman asked for information on the mechanisms for the forthcoming Parish Council elections. On its arrival from ABC, this will be circulated by the Clerk.
· The Vice-chairman noted that several Parish Councils were of the view that membership of CPRE may not be appropriate, given its stance as a campaigning organisation. This is to be discussed at the meeting on 28th March.
· Cllr Miss Davidson asked if the Parish Council was a consultee on the planning application for the incinerator in Pett Lane, Charing, but was advised that it was not.
· Cllr Richards asked about a timetable for Beechbrook properties, following the auction. The Vice-chairman stated that all had been completed, and the tenant at Beechbrook Farm had left in September on the expiration of the lease.
· The Parish Council has been asked to publicise the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion – ‘Poppy parties’ are encouraged.
· The Chairman thanked Mr N Cackett and Cllr Hotchkiss for decorating the magnolia on the green for Christmas, and Cllr Hollis was thanked for allowing the use of his electricity for the lights.
19. Dates for future meetings
Wednesday, 18th May (Annual Meeting of the Parish Council). A date for the July meeting will be set in May by the new Council.
20. Resolution to exclude the public and press
It is proposed that, under Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, that, because of the confidential nature of the business to be dealt with, the Public and Press leave the meeting during the following item, namely to discuss the Citizenship Award.
Resolved:
That the Public and Press be excluded during discussion of Agenda item 21.
21. Citizenship Award
Nominations received were discussed. The presentation will be made at the Annual Parish Meeting.
22. Date of next meetings
Monday 7th March (Annual Parish Meeting), Monday 28th March and Wednesday 18th May.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.
Reports for Parish Council Meeting 24th January 2011
Agenda Item 10: Reports on KALC & AWCRK:
a) KALC:
(i) Executive Meeting: A meeting was held at Lenham on 15th January. A major part of this meeting was to debate and elect a new Chairman, the incumbent, Richard Parry, having served the 3 year term. Resulting from this I have been elected, not only to represent Kent at NALC as at present, but also to represent KALC on the AWCRK Management Committee in place of Peter Mummery (Dover) who has resigned. (As an aside, this means I have 2 votes at the management meetings!)
There were several papers debated, but of special interest was the latest Govt. Briefing on the Localism Bill. This has a great many proposals that will affect all Parish Councils directly, so I am proposing to produce a Paper in which these proposals will be enumerated and possible effects laid out. (The Briefing is 12 sides of A4 and the accompanying explanation by NALC is a further 10 sides, hence I am not including this for our meeting.)
Other items included NALC’s assessment of the need for funding for “The Big Society” if this initiative is to succeed at local level; a report on the AGM; a paper on the Kent Revised Community Safety Partnership and the need to review costings for training courses. St Nicholas at Wade & Sarre Parish Council has gained Quality Council status and Cranbrook, Folkestone Town and Sissinghurst Parish Councils have been reaccredited.
(ii) Area Committee: Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 2nd February, when the guest speaker will be Ian Learmonth, Kent’s Chief Constable. He will present his views on policing in Kent, with emphasis on Ashford’s policing. There will be the usual reports from our representatives to other bodies.
b) AWCRK:
(i) Audit Committee 11th January. Major items included vetting for prospective tenants for the Manor Road premises; the state of the 2010/11 Budget and the provisional 2011/12 budget. It appears that 3 or 4 Rural ousing ssociations have refused to pay for the workHousing AssociationsHHousing Associations are refusing to pay for the work done by the organisation on their behalf, although commissioned to do so. This may well mean drawing on Reserves due to the large sums involved. For the next financial year our Core Work budget may be the lowest for several years, so there are likely to be redundancies. This is due to cuts to and by our funders and the prospect of the loss of all Colyer-Fergusson funding. (As an example, the Grass Roots funding has been totally withdrawn by HM Go
(ii) Management Committee 17th January. Items debated included the financial implications of the drop in revenue, arrangements for redundancy and a replacement for our Representative on the KALC Executive. In addition, a possible replacement for the present IT contract and that for the photocopier were to be investigated. Our applications for funding were reported together with ACRE’s response to Govt. funding cuts.
Agenda Item 16: Report of Playing Field & YPA.
Following the article & photograph of the outdoor exercise equipment in the “Westwell Eye” we have received phone calls and letters of support for the Project. These include the Westwell Extend Group and the Westwell Women’s Institute. We have sent letters to the Players and Hall Committee and already have confirmation of the support of the G7 group of parishes and especially from many of the congregation of St Mary’s. In addition we have received confirmation from Aldington Parish Council that the insurance premium for their 12 items of equipment comes to £89 per annum. We have also obtained the maintenance schedule from the manufacturer, who provides a five year guarantee, during which period the equipment will undergo an annual inspection and report issued foc. From the maintenance schedule there appears to be no reason why members of the Association (such as Derek Warner and I) could not carry this out, since it is minimal as a result of the high standards of manufacture. (This policy is followed by many Parish Councils and Associations.) We have also been in contact with “Funding Buddies” and are pursuing various sources. These include several with whom the manufacturer has an agreement.