(Mon. – Thurs. 9am – midday)
Monday, 17 September 2012
Upchurch Parish Council Report - October 2012
The Parish Council met on Thursday 6th September
2012 in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present
and 2 members of the public.
Public
Time – A resident raised concerns over the condition of the
Churchyard wall. He was assured that this was being monitored.
Correspondence – Bennett’s Expedition to Peru –Members
considered ideas for supporting the two residents in their objective to raise
funds to participate in a 4 week expedition to Peru in July 2014. The Clerk was
asked to contact another resident who was also hoping to participate in a
separate expedition.
Planning
- The
following applications were considered:
SW/12/0906
The Paddocks, Holywell Lane – Variation of condition (3) of
SW/04/1302 to allow mobile home to be sited 35m from Holywell Lane. No
objections.
ii) SW/12/1015 6 Wallbridge Lane – Variation of condition (4) of
planning permission SW/11/1150 to permit four mothers & babies (plus staff)
at any one time instead of three. The Planning Review Team had expressed
concerns about the expansion of the facility so soon after the initial
application. They commented that approval was given but the house now needed
converting before even being set up. Members also commented that visiting hours
should not be allowed outside normal social hours and asked if the applicant
had properly accommodated parking spaces for staff and visitors.
Permissions
and Refusals – the following decisions have been received:
Prior
approval not required:
Proposed agricultural barn
extension; Ham Green Farm, Ham Green
Permission
granted:
SW/12/0906 The Paddocks,
Holywell Lane – Variation of condition (3) of SW/04/1302 to
allow mobile home to be sited 35m from Holywell Lane
SW/12/0511 Dingles Field,
Chaffes Lane – Side extension to existing workshop
SW/12/0675 97 Chaffes Lane – Rear
conservatory
Application
withdrawn:
Hursell Farm, Chaffes Lane –
Change of use of site to allow the siting of a gypsy mobile home with
associated parking and amenity space (retrospective)
Other
Planning matters – Local
Needs Housing - A positioning paper written by Cllr Tucker had been circulated
to all members. Three meetings of the sub-group had taken place where
representatives had attended. It had been agreed that there would be two
letters accompanying the voting form, one from the Parish Council and one from
the representatives. A copy of the letter from the representatives would be
reviewed by members at the next sub-group meeting. A suggestion by the Clerk to
enable residents to vote at the ‘drop-in’ had not been agreed by
representatives. Members agreed the voting forms would be distributed after the
‘drop-in’ event as planned. It was requested that there would be no campaigning
by any party after the ‘drop-in’ event and this had been agreed by all at the
sub-group meeting. The Clerk insisted that a neutral collection point be
allocated for the return of the voting forms to ensure that no accusations of
tampering could be raised. The tampering issue was raised by representatives at
the sub-group meeting. Members discussed this and suggested placing a voting
box in the Church at various times.
Cllr Tucker had suggested that
the Council vote on the following:
“Should
the Parish Council return a decision to ERHA & ACRK that it is NOT the
right time for the village to undertake such a scheme?” It was
explained that this request had been made after the agenda had been
distributed, therefore it would be difficult for members to vote on this at the
meeting. Also an issue had been raised that two Councillors lived very close to
one of the proposed sites under the scheme and therefore had a conflict of
interest. The Clerk was asked to obtain advice regarding this. Members are
planning to discuss this further at the next meeting. Residents are advised
that the ‘drop in’ is provisionally
planned for Friday 12th October in the Village Hall between the
hours of 3pm and 8pm. This is still to
be confirmed.
Finance – Audit Commission – Annual return for the
year ended 31 March 2012 – The Clerk reported that this had been completed
and certified. No issues had been identified by the Audit Commission.
Allotments
and Recreation Ground – Relocating
gate at Allotments - The Clerk reported that two quotes had been received
and another was expected shortly. Recreation
ground fencing cost – An email from a resident regarding the cost to
install wire fencing to part of the Chaffes Lane boundary. Members discussed
the possibility of advertising similar small jobs on the notice boards asking
people to volunteer their services. It was agreed to discuss this again.
Paddock – Lease – The Clerk reported that Mowll
& Mowll Solicitors had confirmed that they were preparing the lease. A
cheque to the sum of £2,400 had been forwarded to Gullands Solicitors to enable
them to enter into the undertaking. Mr Simmons had copied the Clerk in
correspondence chasing Mowll & Mowll for the Lease. Football in the Paddock –Members are considering installing
boulders in front of the trees to discourage footballers to play in the
Paddock. The cost of this will be considered when preparing the budget for
2013/14. Trees overhanging properties in
Bradshaw Close – A letter had been received from residents raising issues
with trees which were overhanging their garden. The Tree Warden will
investigate and discuss further with the Clerk.
Burial
Ground and Churchyard – Litter
in the churchyard – It was reported that after weddings had taken place at
the church, litter was accumulating in the churchyard. The Clerk will contact PCC
asking who is responsible for keeping this area tidy after a wedding.
Environment – Footpath by fishing lake – An email
from a resident reporting the state of the footpath that runs from Horsham Lane
up to the footpath that crosses the horses fields and leads to The Poles. It was
reported that the footpath end nearest the fishing lakes was being used as a
public toilet. The Clerk will forward this information on to the owner of the
lake and inform PCSO John Cork.
Highways - Street light at Windmill Hill – A quote
to the sum of £358.52 plus VAT for the installation of a new lantern was
considered. All agreed and the Clerk will arrange this.
Next
meetings – Thursday 4th October 2012 and
Thursday 8th November 2012. Please note that the meetings are held
in the Hall of Holywell School and start at 7.30pm.
Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road Tel: 01634
363906
(Mon. – Thurs. 9am – midday)
(Mon. – Thurs. 9am – midday)