MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING OF CHIDDINGSTONE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON

WEDNESDAY 21ST MAY 2014AT 7.30 PM IN CHIDDINGSTONE VILLAGE HALL

Present:Cllr R. Streatfeild (Chairman), Cllr P. Cooke, Cllr I. Durrant, Cllr Mrs M. Quirk

Apologies:Cllr J. Menges, District Cllr Mrs A. Cook, County Cllr C. Pearman

In attendance:Mrs L. Kleinschmidt (Clerk) and approximately 40 members of the public

1.The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 24th April 2013 were approved and duly signed. Proposed by Cllr Cooke, seconded by Cllr Mrs Quirk and all were in favour.

2.Presentation by Mr Tom Denton, Head of Corporate Responsibility for Gatwick Airport Ltd

Cllr Streatfeild welcomed Tom who agreed to attend the meeting in order to talk about Gatwick’s ‘Fly Quiet & Clean’ initiative and Gatwick’s proposals for a second runway.

Tom thanked Richard, and said that his role of Head of Corporate Responsibility included responsibility for noise management mitigation, the flight performance scheme which ensures that airlines function as they should on a day-to-day basis. Tom also chairs NATMAG and is responsible for the ‘Fly Quiet & Clean’ campaign.

Tom said that the number of noise complaints received this year to date is 2,696, and last year, the number received was 1,897. This increase is partly driven by the plans that were announced for the second runway and also people are more aware of aircraft noise as aircraft are now using PRNAV, which is like a satellite navigation system, and this drove people’s interest.

Gatwick is leading in provision navigation across all departure routes in March, and their Continual Descent Approach performance is the highest in the UK. Gatwick has the quietest aircraft fleet in the UK and has zero breaches in air quality limits as enforced by Defra since 2006/07. Gatwick holds an annual Noise Seminar and allows public flight tracking on their website. The Noise Action Plan has allowed a positive performance since 2010. The CAA consulted on the new PRNAV system and it is now a mandatory system. Last August to October, a night-time arrivals respite trial was undertaken from midnight to 5am to test flyability and safety. Gatwick’s air traffic is pushed down lower in the sky due to Heathrow’s air traffic, but this is likely to change. It is hoped that Heathrow’s aircraft will have to be lifted, which will in turn allow Gatwick’s aircraft to also be lifted. Gatwick has a Noise Insulation Scheme which covers 2,047 homes, an increase of 40%, and the area covered has also increased by 17km2. There is £3 million in the scheme in total, with a maximum grant per home of £3,000. Europe has driven the London Airspace Consultation and all UK airspace needs to change by 2020. The big concept waiting to develop is Point Merge which will reduce the number of people impacted by aircraft noise. Both Heathrow and Gatwick has submitted proposals for a new runway. If both Heathrow and Gatwick has two runways, there would be a passenger capacity of 108 million. If Heathrow has three runways and Gatwick has one runway, the passenger capacity would be 97m. If both airports have two runways, there would be an economic benefit of £40 billion, and an expanded Gatwick would result in 10 million more passengers by 2050. The airport charges are as follows: Gatwick in 2014 is £9, which would rise to £12-£15 in 2030 if the second runway proposal is successful. Heathrow currently charges £20, which would rise to £35+ in 2030 if the third runway proposal is successful. Heathrow is already the most expensive airport in the world. Gatwick would also be able to provide a second runway far quicker than Heathrow – in 2025 rather than 2030 - plus it is likely that Heathrow would have to charge a congestion charge.

Richard welcomed questions from the public:

  1. Janie Ramsey asked about the ‘Fly Quiet & Clean’ campaign and in particular what is being done by Gatwick to reduce the amount of residue oil. Tom replied that Gatwick did have some oil samples analysed to see if it was aviation fuel but the results were inconclusive. By using CDA and by lifting Heathrow’s ceiling, flights will be higher and, therefore, concentrations at ground level will be less. Also, aircraft engine improvements in future will help.
  2. Andrew Peterkin said that it is delusional that CDA is good. We are told that Gatwick is 91% CDA compliant but aircraft are not using a proper CDA. What does Gatwick propose to do to deal with the poor criteria applied? Tom replied that there is a voluntary agreement in place with the airlines, but it is not enforced as there is no legislative or legal framework in place. The definition of CDA is being reviewed so that it can be improved. Airlines follow different CDA percentage so even if it is 1% CDA they are still abiding by the voluntary agreement. Tom agrees it does need tightening up.
  3. Roland Pocock asked why Tom had not included any comparison with ‘Boris Island’ in his presentation? Tom replied that the proposal in the Thames Estuary would take all the nuisance and environmental impact away from this area, but also 23,000 jobs and local economy. Sir Howard Davies is not seriously considering the proposal at the moment – ‘it’s in casualty’ – and if the proposal was successful, it would cost £50 billion of tax payers’ money.
  4. Cllr Durrant said that, during the consultation period, the three options included in Gatwick’s proposal gave a total capacity of 87 million passengers at Gatwick, however, this week Gatwick has announced that the preferred proposal would have a capacity of 97 million passengers, which is nearly three times bigger than Gatwick is today with 35 million passengers. Please can Tom give an explanation? Tom replied that the capacity has increased from 93 to 97 million passengers and the 120,000 jobs quoted in the press release will cover a broader area.
  5. Mike Gilbert said that aircraft noise at night is intolerable, especially from Easyjet aircraft. Tom said that the number of night flights is set by Government, but Heathrow has a four hour window at night with no flights. Richard said that Gatwick is not filling its quota of night flights at the moment and so are not asking to increase the number. Tom said that the allowances at present are 11,500 summer night flights, and 3,250 winter night flights. If Gatwick’s second runway proposal is successful, there will not be an increase in night flights.

Richard thanked Tom very much for sparing the time to come along and talk to the Chiddingstone residents.

3.To hear Chairman’s Report of Activities 2014/15

Cllr Streatfeild reported that in the past year, the Parish Council has held 10 open meetings, 1 extraordinary meeting, 2 planning meetings, and Cllr Williams has attended several on-site meetings in consideration of planning.

Allotments: all plots are rented and the council has now paid for the preparation of all plots. We look forward to seeing a few more flowers, fruit and vegetables being grown in the next year.

Verge cutting: the Parish Council took on this function from KCC last year, working in conjunction with Hever, Penshurst and Leigh Parish Councils. The contractor is a local firm, and has carried out the work to a very high specification. The cluster of parish councils receive the majority of funding for this function from KCC but contribute a small amount from each parish precept as the contractor cuts the verges twice a year, as opposed to the one cut provided by KCC, plus an additional visibility splay cut.

Grants: the Parish Council helped fund the works to the Pavilion for the Sports association due to take place this year.

Car Park: Traffic remains a concern, and the Parish Council has investigated two possible sites for a car park in Chiddingstone, but we are back to the drawing board and will hold an interested parties parking meeting on 3rd July.

The two major pieces of work that have been undertaken over the course of the last year:

  • The Parish Council is investigating the provision of high speed internet connections using the Crockham Hill Community Interest Company. A desk-top survey has already been undertaken which shows that 80% of the properties in the parish will get improved broadband under this proposal. This was free of charge. The next step is for CHCIC to undertake a physical survey which will cost £1,800 + VAT. Cllr Streatfeild asked residents to consider whether they think the Parish Council should proceed with a physical survey during the rest of the meeting, with a vote by show of hands at the end.
  • The Parish Council has been instrumental in setting up the High Weald Parish Councils Aviation Action Group. The parishes originally involved were Chiddingstone, Hever, Leigh and Penshurst. Now Speldhurst, Sevenoaks Weald, Bidborough and Dormansland Parish Councils wish to join, and Rusthall, Hildenborough and Cowden Parish Councils are all considering whether to join:

The group has some very simple aims:

  • no new runway at Gatwick Airport
  • reduction in night flights with a target of zero night flights
  • maximum height safe flying with a Continual Descent Approach of 3%, which would make flights over the parish to be at 4,000 feet. Cllr Streatfeild stressed that it essential that residents complain to Gatwick Airport if they experience aircraft overhead flying below 4,000 feet.
  • Multiple respite routes both day and night to change on a daily basis.
  • better noise measuring to reflect the impact that the noise is having on the community.

During the past year, we have co-opted one new member after the resignation of Mike Cottrell, and Julian Menges has been co-opted onto the council. Cllr Streatfeild thanked Mike Cottrell for his many years of hard work and commitment to the Parish Council.

May I thank all of the Parish Councillors along with the District and County Councillors for their ongoing support provided over the past year. Their dedication is commendable. Clive Pearman is our new county councillor for the Sevenoaks South Division elected last May.

Also may I thank Iain Durrant as he steps down from the chair for all the hard work he has done over the last few years, and our Clerk, Louise, who’s commitment, organization and professionalism provides the backbone of this Parish Council.

4.To hear Reports by County and District Councillors

Report by District Cllr Alison Cook

In this report I will touch only briefly on the issue of government funding which has been further reduced this year by a massive 24%, with further reductions being proposed for subsequent years. In theory changes in respect of the Business Rates should help financially but since the Sevenoaks District has a limited number of medium sized businesses and no major enterprises any associated funding will be limited for the foreseeable future. Monies can also accrue from the New Homes Fund but again there will be a limited benefit as so much of the District is covered by the Green Belt.

Government continues to devolve certain responsibilities down to Local Authorities in pursuit of its localism agenda but once again funding does not always follow. Even where it does, services are expected to be delivered at a lower cost. This was a matter of concern highlighted by a recent report from the Council of Europe, a concern which was not accepted by our UK ministers.

Turning to development control, there will be changes in the way that developers contribute to infrastructure, schools, affordable housing etc. moving from the old 106 agreements to the CIL – Community Infrastructure Levy. A portion of this levy can be used for local projects but all schemes will however need Council approval and be subject to close monitoring.

One of the key responsibilities devolved down to local authorities has been in respect of health and well-being as well as the transfer of public health scrutiny. Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs) are funded by the government. There are two which serve this district – the Dartford Gravesham and Swanley HWB and the West Kent HWB. There are also two Clinical Commissioning Groups serving the same two areas. There is a plethora of bodies whose remit is to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities. Both members and officers attend many of these, the information being fed back to the Council’s Health Liaison Board which I currently chair. Members of this committee monitor progress made against SDC’s ‘Mind the Gap’ Health Inequalities Action Plan. The six headline priorities cover:- giving children the best start in life, enabling people to have control over their lives and to realise their potential, fair employment opportunities, a healthy standard of living for all, developing sustainable communities and ill health preventative measures.

Kent County Council has the responsibility for scrutinising health issues but the District Council has a major role to play in ensuring the provision of a high quality, diverse, housing stock which supports the needs of its residents. For older people this includes ensuring that the property is fit for their long term needs allowing them to live independent lives for as long as possible.

The District Council also has a duty to respond to relevant consultation documents and to look in more depth at specific issues. Two recent examples have been examining the changes being implemented in the provision of childrens’ services and the support available for those people suffering from dementia together with their carers.

Over the year many changes have taken place both within the Council and externally – the development of the new Marks and Spencer store and plans for a decked car park in Sevenoaks, proposals for the centre in New Ash Green and opportunities for Swanley but perhaps the most significant has been the appointment of Dr Pav Ramerwal as Chief Executive following the retirement of Robin Hales. There has also been a restructuring and further partnership ventures with other councils. These initiatives have enabled the Council to keep within its overall ten year budget plan and make provision for future uncertainties.

Report by District Cllr Paddy Cooke

This Municipal Year has been a mixture of successes and some hardships. SDC have received their 2014 - 2015 Revenue Support Grant in the sum of £2.225 million which was a 24% reduction on that received in the fiscal year 2013 - 2014. It is expected that the budget for 2015/2016 will be reduced by a further approximately 30%. In spite of this reduction SDC has managed to sustain all the main services at the same level as the previous years. Some of the lesser used services have been scrapped or reduced but only after careful consideration. A move to sharing resources with adjacent Town or Borough Councils has produced cost savings ; this is particularly successful in Development Control and Licensing.

The controversy of the 'missing' Council Tax Support Grant continues, with SDC claiming that an allowance had not been made by the Government in this Years' allocation. SDC has always stated that if the Government declare the amount, if any, that was included this would be passed on to the Parishes. In the case of the Chiddingstones', based on last year, less the 24% reduction, the grant would have amounted to approximately £1,000. Because of the concern of the Cabinet to be seen to be acting in a fair and reasonable fashion, three motions were put before the full Council meeting last Tuesday. They were:-

A) to pass on to Town and Parish Councils the 2013/2014 grant allocation complete.

B) ditto less 24%.

C) not to pass on any grant.

The majority of members voted for C) generally because it was accepted that Town and Parish Council, when preparing the 2013/2014 precept, were warned by both the District Council and Cllr Mc Garvey that they should take into account that the Council Tax Support Grant could conceivably not be available in 2014/2015. The possibility of a Judicial Review, which 'The Chiddingstones' are supporting remains a possibility.

The majority of Planning Applications in this Ward have been resolved without issue. The Parish Council, Parishioners and the District Council resolving to debate controversial application in order to arrive at a compromise which is acceptable to all parties. This approach saves both money and tears!

Parking in Sevenoaks has become an important issue over this year with the Scrutiny Board, of which I am a member, looking carefully into the adequacy of parking and the level of charges in the Town and local villages. The Economic and Community Development Advisory Committee put forward a proposal that SDC investigated the possibility of providing additional car parking on the existing Buckhurst 2 car park and on the existing Suffolk Way Car Park. There is currently a demand for 241 long stay places and 40 short stay spaces in the Town.