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MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE IRON ROOM ON MONDAY 5TH APRIL 2004 STARTING AT 7.35PM
THOSE PRESENT: Mr P LeClercq (Chairman), Mr R Oliver, Mr A Coles, Mrs S Elsy, Ms LeClercq, Mr P O’Sullivan and Mr K Miller. Also present was Mr H Preston Chairman Sandyhurst Lane Residents Assoc. 4 members of the public and the Clerk.
The Chairman opened the closed section of the meeting to discuss the co-option to the vacancy on the Parish Council. Mr O’Sullivan reported the decision of the Appointments Committee and recommended the co-option of Mr Pandya. The Clerk was asked to write to both Mr Pandya and Mr B Roberts who had been unsuccessful. As Mr Pandya was not yet present it was agreed he would be asked to sign the papers required at the end of the meeting.
04.33.1. APOLOGIES: Mrs R Hawes & Mr R Honey would both be late.
04.34.2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Mr O’Sullivan declared an interest with regard to an item in planning, Minute Number 39.7c, Application by Eastwell Manor for a Golf Course. Mr O’Sullivan lives adjacent to the land and would be affected by the application.
04.35.3. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: These were agreed and signed as a true record.
04.36.4. MATTERS ARISING:
a) Highways. The Clerk reported she was meeting Lee Goodman from the Highways department Tuesday 6th – the next day – they would be driving round the parish inspecting roads. The Clerk was asked to raise the following areas, Pavement on A251 between the Towers and Boughton Lees, A251 junction with Wye Road, white lines in Wye Road, a ‘slow’ sign heading towards Ashford at the A251 Wye Rd junction. Sandyhurst Lane – the crossing from Goat Lees to Sandy Acres, muddy water down Mole Hill from building works with no planning permission and the nameplates for Sandyhurst Lane.
b) Community Centre. Mr Preston gave a short verbal report regarding the latest position; there had been a meeting with Mr Vink. The acoustic shutters have now been completed although the storage cupboards have yet to be put in. Mark Lake has been on long-term sick leave, which is the cause of some of the delays. Mr Carty is now to advise the completion dates as it is now in the hands of the solicitors to complete the legal papers. The Clerk was asked to write to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) and ask; what is the current situation and when do they expect a completion date, why is no-one acting in Mr Lake’s absence. The Clerk reported she had written to Mr Arum one of the directors of the Community Hall Committee but had received no reply, the Chairman reported he had visited the house but no-one was in.
c) Angus Drive. The Chairman reported he had spoken to the police at the police forum about residents within the area being affected by youths. The NHW Co-ordinator informed the Chairman that a site meeting was to be held with ABC, the police and the developers. It was hoped matters would be resolved in due course.
d) Strategic Rail Authority Document requested at last months’ meeting by Mr Honey was handed to him.
Mr R Honey arrived.
04.37.5. WARD MEMBERS REPORT. As Mrs Hawes had not yet arrived this item would be discussed later. (See below)
04.38.6. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:
A short discussion took place regarding the dates and venue. Mr Miller stated that at last months meeting it had been agreed to have the Council Meeting on the 3rd of May even though this was a Bank Holiday and the Parish Meeting on the 17th. Items for the agenda will be discussed with members via email. The Clerk was asked to ensure the dates were included in the parish magazine report, the Kentish Express and on the Web site.
Public open session Mr Preston reported the sewerage connections of properties in Sandyhurst Lane were going along fairly well, there had been a few issues which he had helped to resolve, with further discussions being undertaken with ABC, residents in Sandyhurst Lane and Southern Water. A question about Speedwatch was raised, Mr O’Sullivan replied that there was still a need for volunteers; anyone interested could contact Mr Dean Richardson, as he is trying to draw up a rota. As Trinity Way is in this parish the Speedwatch volunteers should come from this group.
It was reported the traffic count wire in Wye Road had come loose.
04.39.7. PLANNING
a) The Borough council have granted planning permission for Old Orchard House for a two-storey side extension.
b) Goat Lees Joint Venture Co. Ltd. Had parallel applications for areas 6,7, & 9 in Goat Lees, (this was a regular practice) application number 02/00243/AS was disposed of undetermined.
c) 04/00485/AS, Eastwell Manor Hotel. Application for nine hole golf course. Before the debate commenced Mr O’Sullivan declared an interest and left the meeting. This is a second application, the first having failed then been allowed on appeal due to the lack of objectors at the public inquiry. Outline permission was granted for three years, this has now lapsed and is therefore a new application. After a lengthy debate the application was OBJECTED too. There have a been a number of accidents at the entrance, with an increase in the number of people using the area, vehicle numbers will go up, the historical landscape outweighs the need for a golf course given that there are a number of other courses close by, one of the tees will be close the National Footpath. Other areas of concern are that it would be detrimental to the landscape and historic environment, detrimental to the natural biodiversity and have a harmful effect on AONB. As Mr Honey had researched the application it was agreed by all, that he would draft the OBJECTION letter and email it to the Clerk.
d) 04/00353/AS, Fairlawns, Pilgrims Way. Application for conversion of aviaries to cat chalets. Initially it was felt the application should be OBJECTED too. However, after a further debate it was decided the application should be not be objected too provided conditions were placed on the granting, to restrict traffic arrival & departures, ensure the waste is removed often enough to prevent odour but not too often to cause problems with extra traffic, lights should be of a minimum and not be angled so as to shine into neighbours gardens.
e) Floodlighting Towers School. This was a late item. There has been a previous application for floodlighting at the Towers School, the Parish Council (PC) objected to this, however, there have been further debate with the school and KCC whereby the lighting as been changed to prevent as much light pollution as possible. With a maximum time of 9pm to be switch off. Members agreed the application should be supported with temporary permission given for three years when the activities can be reviewed. Mr Honey will draft a letter and send to the Clerk for posting within the 28 days allowed for comments.
04.37.5. WARD MEMBERS REPORT.
a) Mrs Hawes arrived and requested she give her report straight away, as she needed to get home. All agreed. Mrs Hawes apologised for the ‘Focus’ being late, PC Members said it was good for the PC as they could now ask for the dates of the next PC meetings to be included. The Wish List and Parish Plan was very important to the Local Development Framework (LDF) document now being commenced.
Ashford’s Future Workshops are to be carried out on 26 to 29th April. Mrs Hawes was asked if anyone could go and join in, she replied it was by invitation only. The Chairman informed Members that the Clerk had been invited so she could take on board any thoughts members wished to pass on. There have been continued investigations into transport within the borough. Work on the Stour Centre starts at the end of the year. As there were no questions Mrs Hawes left the Meeting.
04.40.8. PARISH PLAN:
There has been a group of parishioners getting together via emails to produce the draft pattern of activities. Mr O’Sullivan reported he has taken over the finances until there is a public meeting and a formal committee is developed. He feels the cost will be about £5,000 with various grants and donations there may be a short fall of approximately £250.00.
04.41.9. BOUGHTON ALUPH & EASTWELL DESIGN STATEMENT.
In the above document four issues were raised with the idea that the PC would take them on board. If agreed at a PC Meeting they would be investigated and taken forward. The first to be discussed was the Plantagenet Well in Eastwell Park and the Wall. The Clerk was asked to write to ABC about listing both the well and the wall. It was felt the well could be listed as an ancient monument. As the next item from the Parish Design Statement is the extension of the conservation area the Clerk was asked to write to ABC asking how this is done.
At this point the Clerk reported she had been on to Mr Humphries at ABC regarding the green dog bins, he has confirmed that while ABC do not mind ordering green bins they will not empty them free of charge and the cost will be £75 per week. The Clerk was asked to order the red ones as previously agreed 2 large and one small, but also lobby the borough council, as conservation areas need to have sympathetic furniture.
04.42.10. FINANCE:
a) The following cheques were agreed and signed
Name Reason Amount Chq. No.
Linda Hedley Salary £185.00 490
KAPC Subscription £250.29 491
Mr Cuerden Internal audit £195.00 492
Open Spaces Subscription £30.00 493
Audit Commission External audit £190.35 494
ABC Dog bin £310.07 495
G J White Iron Room kitchen £151.35 498
Also approved were cheques written on 31st March
Mr LeClercq Allowance £50.00 496
Linda Hedley Petty Cash £25.00 497
b) The Clerk reported the current financial situation as
Current account £1.00 Deposit account £15,489.13
Creditors nil Outstanding cheque £75.00
Petty cash in hand £22.24
These figures do not take into account cheques signed at tonight’s meeting. The Clerk also reported, that having spoken to a business manager with regard to the bank charges, instead of having details of a sweep between current and deposit accounts sent to the Clerk it has been set up. The Clerk was asked to write to the bank asking to confirm details of costs.
c) As the accounts for 2001/2002 and 2003/2003 have been previously circulated Mr O’Sullivan proposed they be accepted by the PC this was seconded by Mr Oliver. All agreed.
04.43.11. REPORTS:
a) Police Forum. At the Forum, attended by the Chairman & Ms LeClercq, community watch, Speedwatch and Angus Drive at Goat Lees was mentioned. Ms LeClercq will find out if the crime figures for Goat Lees are being added to Kennington instead of Boughton Aluph.
b) Parish Forum. The Chairman & Ms LeClercq attended. Mrs Hawes gave a report about the transport survey. Also an update was given by a borough officer on the LDF plan and local housing. Minutes of this Forum will be circulated once received, the agenda has been added to this months items for circulation.
c) Kennington Forum. Items included bus service information and police business. It was also noted the proposed school at Goat Lees may not be built, with the land earmarked for more houses. The PC feel this area should be given over to other usage, the Wish List stated this should remain for a school, and ABC has adopted the Wish List. The Clerk was asked to write to ABC asking about the status of land where the school is proposed.
d) Mid Kent Leader +. A presentation was attended by the chairman & Ms LeClercq at the civic centre. The notes given out at the meeting have been included in the items for circulation.
e) KAPC. The next meeting is on Wednesday 7th April the Chairman will be attending.
04.44.12. CORRESPONDENCE:
a) Items for circulation were handed out.
b) Items previously circulated required no action except for The Clerk was asked to inquire if ABC will adopt the North Downs Way Plan as a Supplementary Planning Guideline. Ashford Guide, a copy of the 2001 issue was circulated requesting up to date information to be included in the new edition. It was agreed that none of the previous up dates appear to have been included; the Clerk was asked to action this.
b) Survey of Ashford. No action.
c) Ashford Youth Centre Outreach Service. The Clerk was asked to write and state that at present there was no requirement but may be in the future.
d) Code of conduct. A letter from Mr Mortimer regarding updating information on the Register of Interests was read out. The content was noted, with Mr Oliver updating his Register.
e) Bus Service at Goat Lees. This was in reply to a request about future services in Goat Lees. Stagecoach has stated they will be looking at ways to extend their service in the future. The Clerk was also asked to contact KCC about a rumour that the route of the 666 may change.
04.45.13. MATTERS OF GENERAL INTEREST:
1. Locals have been observed dropping dog waste in the litter bin, not the dog bins, can a note be included in the magazine and local paper.
2. The pavement between the Towers and the village is covered with leaf fall; the Clerk replied she would add this to her list for tomorrow.
3. The clerk was asked to phone BT regarding the phone box at the Sandyhurst Lane and Lenacre St junction, due to the damage not having been repaired.
4. The rubbish at the shop and play area off Trinity Way is still not being collected regularly. The Clerk was asked to contact ABC.
5. The notice boards have still not been replaced. The clerk reported a message left on her answer phone by Mr Wilson about a recent death in the family and it was hoped he would have them up soon. Members ask the Clerk to contact Mr Wilson urgently as the notice board by the Flying Horse is now very bad.
6. A general discussion took place regarding the annual donation to the Iron Room before the building of the new hall. It was agreed this should probably continue at present and will be added to the agenda for the next meeting.
The Chairman informed Mr Pandya he was co opted and requested he speak to the Clerk and sign his Register of Interests and Code of conduct forms before leaving the hall,
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and stated it was good to get back to the Iron Room but greatly appreciated Simon Chicken at the Flying Horse for his help when the PC were unable to find an alternative meeting venue. All agreed with the sentiment.
The next meeting will be on Monday 3rd May it will be the Annual Council Meeting.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 10:55pm.
Signed
Chairman
3rd May 04
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