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MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE FLYING HORSE ON MONDAY 2nd FEBRUARY 2004 STARTING AT 7.30PM
THOSE PRESENT: Mr P LeClercq (Chairman), Mr R Oliver, Mr R Honey, Mr P O’Sullivan, Mr A Coles, Ms A LeClercq, Mr K Miller, and Mrs S Elsy. Also present were 4 members of the public and the Clerk.
2.12.1. APOLOGIES: There were none.
2.13.2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: there were none.
2.14.3 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: Were agreed and signed as a true copy after the following changes; 1.8.8.bBudget, add ……’will arrange purchase and fitting up to the value of £3,500 excluding VAT. …..were in favour, invoice to be in the name of the PC.
2.15.4. MATTERS ARISING:
a) There is a problem of water running on to the road from a development at 250 Sandyhurst Lane, it is causing flooding at 202 Sandyhurst Land, the water is flooding into the house. The Chairman has contacted Mr Bridger who is investigating further and will contact the Chairman. The Clerk was asked to write to both the highways and planning departments, informing them of the issue.
b) 106 Agreement and Goat Lees. The Clerk reported that Mr Girling, from the legal department had spoken on the phone and he has a meeting arranged for Tuesday of this week, then he can write with more information.
c) Dog Bins. The Clerk had received quotes from other sources, after a brief discussion it was agreed the Clerk should work out the total cost for 2 small bins and 1 large bin the Chairman can then agree an order.
d) Highways issues. 1. With regard to the white line down Wye Road, the highways department had asked for more information, the Clerk was told to write to ABC stating that if the white lines were in place more people would be aware of hazards and not drive in the middle of the road. 2. Footpath on A251 between Iron Room and Wye Rd junction. A letter from ABC suggesting that a gateway is made outside Runmore, was received. Mr O’Sullivan pointed out that land adjacent to the wall and the wall itself belongs to residents and permission would be required. The Clerk is to contact ABC and inform them of this.
Future Meetings. It is hoped the Iron Room will be ready for use by April. After a short discussion, the Clerk was asked to contact the Manager of Sandy Acres, as this was now fully open again.
Goat Lees, Play area & Insurance. A letter was received from Mr Girling, legal department; PC requested further assurances, as the letter did not answer the original question.
Open Session.
The meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to raise issues. Mr Amish Pandya from the One Stop Shop in Goat Lees reported his continuing difficulties with Ashford Borough Council and vandalism. The lights within the area are not working and this encourages vandalism around his shop. Mr Pandya is also having rude, offensive and racist remarks made to him and his family. The rubbish is not being collected on a regular basis and someone who lives locally is dumping rubbish. Mr Pandya went on to say that he has been helping the Community Hall Committee, with their difficulties, by being around when workers etc have required access to the Hall, he hopes that once this is open there will be somewhere for the older children to go and reduce the nuisance.
Members of the PC discussed those problems raised by Mr Pandya. By consensus the PC agreed that they had supported the applications for both illuminated signs and shutters, that they could see no reason why there had been delays or problems with the applications. As far as both the police and ABC were concerned, the Clerk was asked to write stating that for the economic viability of the shop there should be a quick resolve to the lighting and collection of rubbish, this will increase security and the police should be made aware of the safety issue regarding younger children using the shop. ABC should be told that the enforcement action mentioned in a letter to Mr Pandya is inappropriate due the verbal reply from Lois Jarrett.
2.16.5. VACANCY & APPOINTMENTS:
a) PC Member. The Appointments Committee will take this forward.
b) Iron Room Representative. Mr Oliver volunteered and has already been to a Meeting, all agreed.
c) Planning Committee Member. Mr Honey Volunteered, all agreed.
d) Signatory for cheques. Since Mr Sanders has resigned another council member was required for the signing of cheques. Mr Miller was proposed by Mr Oliver and seconded by the Chairman, all agreed.
2.17.6. FINANCE:
a) All cheques as per the Cheque Authorisation Sheet were agreed.
b) The Chairman reported that he had been in touch with ABC and obtained a questionnaire to complete regarding Parish Councillors allowances, this he had done. The meeting agreed that no attendance allowance should be paid to parish councillors, but they should receive out of pocket expenses.
c) Mr O’Sullivan reported he had obtained a list of Independent auditors and approached four. One did not return the call. Of the three left, after reading details of experience and cost, Mr O’Sullivan recommended Mr Cuerden. It was agreed that as Mr Cuerden has been recommended by Mr O’Sullivan he should be appointed, the Clerk was asked to write confirming this.
d) The Clerk reported she had received the Letter of Audit Completion and Certificate. Mr O’Sullivan will look at it before putting it in items for circulation.
2.18.7. WARD MEMBERS REPORT: Mrs Hawes arrived late due to borough council meetings. She reported that there is to be a review of public transport and members of the focus group at ABC are all taking a trip on different forms of transport. It is thought the issue of public transport will take about 4 to 5 meetings. Mrs Tweedy told Mrs Hawes she has lots of inquires concerning transport made at the information centre. Mrs Hawes was aware of the problems concerning the issues about the community hall and One Stop Shop; she had been having discussions with those involved. Mention was made about the Hawkeye van, which is controlled by the police; members thought this was off the road at present. It was felt that vandalism should be sorted out now before it became a bigger problem. The Towers School are hoping to be a pilot for a Community School, this will mean it could provide more activities for the local community.
2.19.8. REPORTS:
a) Wish List. ABC confirmed they have received our Wish List. They will produce feedback once all the issues on the wish lists across the borough have been examined.
b) Parish Forum. The minutes of the meeting are in circulation this month.
c) KAPC. The next meeting is on Wednesday 4th, the Chairman will attend, if Ms LeClercq is available, she will go with him.
2.20.9. CORRESPONDENCE.
a) Items for circulation were handed out.
b) Items previously circulated included the following; 1. Ragwort is a notifiable weed, but the highways do not cut it down as much as they should, the government has produced a guide on how to treat it, this will come in to force in February 2004. 2. Quality Councils, it was felt that there would be no benefit to the parish at this time. No other items required action.
c) The copy of the letter from Sandyhurst Lane Resident Association was added to 'a' above.
d) Traffic regulations, due to Ashford & District 10k race, these have gone into circulation but as this is an annual event members were aware.
e) Notice of a Funding Fair at Ramada Hotel was received; no one was able to attend.
f) SLCC one-day conference to talk about Quality Parish Councils, no action was taken as it was felt there was no advantage at present.
2.21.10. MATTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST:
1. Notice boards, the Clerk was asked to find out how much longer they would be.
2. The Clerk reported a telephone conversation with a resident from Goat Lees about salting in icy weather. It was felt this should be put on the agenda for next month.
3. Mr O’Sullivan reported that there was a computer virus, which sends mail out without the owner’s knowledge. This had been discovered as people had been receiving mail, which looked as if he had sent it, but he had not. Mr O’Sullivan asked everyone to check his or her computers.
4. Complaints had been received by residents around the green complaining of the height of the Iron Room, Members confirmed that these details had been circulated to residents in July 1997.
5. The blue oil drum next to St Christopher’s was still not being emptied. The Clerk was asked to write to the owner Mr Goodman.
6. There are potholes in Wye Road on the left hand side as you come up from Kempes Corner.
7. There have been residents asking if it is possible for there to be buses along Trinity Way, and if these buses could connect with train times for commuters. The Clerk was asked to find out.
8. There has been one training session for Speedwatch. The police have agreed four sites. More volunteers are still needed.
9. The Clerk reported she keeps all correspondence in her loft, this is a fire hazard and it needs to be ‘sifted through’ and anything considered ‘not required’ could be shredded, with the rest being archived. About seven or eight years ago Mr Oliver had done this with Mr Graves, he is willing to do this again but needs a second councillor.
PLANNING:
a) There were no decisions received from ABC.
b) 03/03929/AS, Aluph House. Application for ground floor extension, first floor bedroom & ensuite bathroom. Separate double garage and detached swimming pool. Alteration to gates. After a detailed discussion it was agreed to OBJECT to the application, on the following grounds, the development would be detrimental as it is not sympathetic to the scale and size and is out of place for it’s setting and is in an AONB, the design quality is poor, because of the position close too and will be seen from the North Downs Way – a national and European Footpath – extra care should be taken. It is contrary to the PDS which states it will be an over development of the site. (Church Cottage is viewed as a good example) The roofline of the swimming pool is too high. The gates are not suitable for a countryside property. Page 26 of the PDS gives building design guidelines for extensions.
c) 03/03916/AS, 36 Dunnock Rd, to erect single storey timber & glazed conservatory, this application was SUPPORTED.
d) 04/00010/AS, Drovers, Sandyhurst Lane, an extension to the bungalow, with demolition and rebuilding of garage. After discussion, this application was SUPPORTED.
e) 04/00047/AS, Fairlawns, Pilgrims Way. Application for ground floor extension & first floor extension. After considerable discussion the PC OBJECT to the application on the following grounds, there is need for a proper path diversion, a gate should be used instead of a stile and there are no indications of materials to be used.
Windows are mentioned in the PDS page 26 with regard to the relationship of the whole building, the PC feels this application does not conform to that ideal.
f) TC/04/00001/AS, Anderida, Wye Rd. Application to raise canopy of ash trees on boundary with Flying Horse. This application was briefly discussed, it was agreed that the tree warden, Mr O’Sullivan should inspect the trees and liase with the Clerk for comments to ABC.
g) 04/00044/AS, Eureka Science Park. Outline planning permission on remainder of undeveloped land. Most members of the PC had seen the plans before the meeting so had time to consider the application, after a lengthy debate is was agreed to OBJECT to the application. The grounds for objection are attached to the minutes.
h) 03/03920/AS, Unit 2 Trinity Way. Application for illuminated sign. This application was SUPPORTED.
i) 03/03919/AS, Unit 2 Trinity Way. Application for roller shutters. This application was SUPPORTED.
j) TP/04/00011/AS, 67 Aylesbury Drive, Goat Lees. Again the Tree Warden was asked to look at the application and liase with the Clerk.
The next meeting will be on 1st March 04, the venue will be confirmed at a later date.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.55pm
Signed
Chairman
1st March 04
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