MINUTES (DRAFT) OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SUNDRIDGE WITH IDE HILL 1 MARCH 2005

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held at the Village Hall, Ide Hill, commencing at 8 p.m. on Tuesday 1st March 2005.

Present:                 Cllr. R.W.Godsal (Chairman of the Parish Council Presiding)

Ten Members of the Parish Council, the Parish Council Clerk and Sir David Milman (Chair of the Governors of Sundridge and Brasted Cof E Primary School. There were two members of the public present.

There were no apologies received.

1.   Minutes of the Last Annual Parish Meeting

The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 1 st March 2004, which had been circulated, were taken as read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

2.   Chairman's Report

The Chairman gave his report, a copy of which is appended to these minutes, on the work of the Parish Council during the past year. He made reference to his disappointment at the antisocial behaviour that had been experienced in the village of Sundridge during the year but on a more positive note he reported that the Parish Council had enjoyed another busy year. He was pleased to report on the completion of the purchase of Bowsers Meadow and the success in receiving grants which had enabled improvements to the facilities at the Recreation Ground in Sundridge to be made. The Byelaws for Open Spaces had been reviewed and the final stages of implementing them were in hand. Financially he commented on the healthy condition of the Parish finances and that sensible reserves were being provided for future projects that would not be affordable out of one year's precept.

The Chairman invited questions after his report and the Members of the Public raised two issues: the fencing that had appeared along Chapmans Road and New Road and the safety of the junction of New Road with the A25.

Resolved: That the report be received and the Clerk should write to West Kent Housing Association recording the objection to the new fencing in Chapmans Road and New Road and she should write to the Highways Department about the safety of the junction of New Road with Main Road.

3.   Reports

(1) Sundridge and Brasted CE Primary School

Sir David Milman, the Parish Council's representative on the School's Governing Body, had circulated a report on the activities of the School over the past year prior to the Council Meeting (copy appended). He referred to his report highlighting the Staffing changes; the building works at the school and stressed that the falling rolls of the school were of particular concern as this was adversely affecting the financial position of the school. Sir David invited questions on his report, in answer to which he gave further explanation.

The Chairman expressed his thanks and those of the Parish Council to Sir David for his report and for continuing to represent the Parish Council on the Governing Body of the School. He was grateful for the offer from Sir David to continue to act as a link with the school in an informal way after the proposed reconstitution next August when the new rules denying Parish Council representation on the Board of Governors would be implemented.

Resolved: That the report on the activities of the Sundridge and Brasted CE Primary School for the last year be received.

(2} Ide Hill (Aided) Primary School

As the Parish Council was no longer represented on the Board of Governors for this school, the Chairman was sorry to have to announce that he had no report to present this year. Any news from the school would be reported at a Parish Council Meeting as and when it was received.

(3) Charities

Cllr. Mrs. Gandon presented a report on the activities of the Sundridge and Ide Hill Charities over the past year, a copy of which is appended to these minutes. The Chairman thanked Cllr Mrs. Gandon for her report.

The Clerk reported the outstanding balance on the Eliza Martyr Charity account which now stood at £281.91 pence after the receipt of £4.27 pence of interest received during the year.

Resolved: That the reports be received

4. Policing in the Parish

The Chairman read a report that had been received from PC Higham, the local policeman for Sundridge with Ide Hill. The Chairman commented that he was particularly pleased to have received this report and that the excellent work that PC Higham was doing was very much appreciated. He invited comments to pass back to PC Higham.

Resolved: That PC Higham should be thanked for his hard work in the Parish.

5. Public Open Session

Mrs. Wortley asked about the plans for the newly acquired land in Bowsers Meadow. She had noted that the Parish Council would give consideration to moving the children's playground to that site and she was concerned about some flooding in the field. She felt that a survey should be undertaken before considering moving the playground to the meadow. The Chairman reassured Mrs. Wortley that full investigations would be undertaken before such a move was contemplated and that all safety regulations would be complied with if a new facility was to be provided.

THE MEETING WAS CONCLUDED AT 8.40 P.M.