Upchurch Parish Council Report - September 2016

The monthly meeting of the Parish Council took place on Thursday 1^st 2016 in the Village Hall and all Councillors were in attendance. Also present were Ward Cllr John Wright and ten members of the public.

Cllr Ripley informed Members that Cllr Tucker has resigned and he thanked her for her service to the Council and gave appreciation for all her hard work over the past few years.

Cllr Lewin said that there have been very positive comments from residents for the work that Cllr Tucker had put into the Parish Council.

Cllr Ripley was elected Chairman and Cllr Arnold was elected as Vice Chairman.

Public Time

Residents raised concerns about the school bus service and Ward Councillors John Wright and Gerry Lewin had also been contacted by residents about the issue. The Parish Council will contact KCC about the problems.

A resident asked if the Council meetings could be held in the school as it is difficult to hear the meetings. The Parish Council is considering a PA system to address the problem.

Concerns about the caravan in The Paddock, 76 Horsham Lane were also raised and residents expressed disappointment at how long it has taken the Borough Council planning department to deal with it.        

Complaints about young men riding motor bikes around the village were raised. This has become a problem throughout the area and must be reported to the police with as much information as possible. The problem is affecting Newington, Lower Halstow and Hartlip as well and the police have photographs of the bikes. Residents are advised to report all incidents to the Police on 101.

Planning

i) Application Ref: 16/505960/FULL

Address: 119 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch ME8 7XD 

Proposal: Erection of a single storey and two storey rear extension.

Councillors considered the application and had no comments to make but views of neighbours must be taken into account.

ii) Application Ref: 16/506417/FULL

Address: 17 Horsham Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AN

Proposal: Erection of a single storey rear extension to dwelling.

Councillors considered the application and had no comments to make but views of neighbours must be taken into account.

iii) Application Ref: 16/506160/PNQCLA­­­

Address:  Holywell Farm Holywell Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7HN

Proposal: Prior notification for the change of use of two agricultural buildings to two dwellings with building operations. For its prior approval to: Transport and Highways impacts of the development. Noise impacts of the development. Contamination risks on the site. Whether the location or siting of the building makes it over wise impractical or undesirable for the use of the building to change as proposed. The design and external appearance impacts on the building.

Cllr Lewin informed Members that this is a redundant farm building and the application is permitted unless there are strong reasons for refusal.

iv) Application Ref: 16/506249/LAWPRO­­

Address: Twinney Wharf, Susans Lane, Upchurch Kent ME9 7HA

Proposal: Lawful Development Certificate (Proposed) for temporary use (i.e. not more than 28 days a year) for the holding of wedding receptions, corporate events and parties, with associated temporary structures e.g. marquees.

Cllr Lewin informed Members there are local objections to the granting of this certificate.

v) Application: 16/506353/SUB

Address: 18 Wallbridge Lane Upchurch Kent ME8 7XH

Proposal: Submission of Details to discharge Condition 4 (Hard and Soft Landscaping); Condition 13 (dust suppression); Condition 14 (Reptile Mitigation Strategy) and Condition 19 (Water Energy Efficiency) all subject to 16/503183/FULL.

Cllr Lewin informed Members that this is a continuing series of applications and there is nothing to comment on.

vi) 16/503680/FULL - The Paddock 76 Horsham Lane

Councillors considered the application and AGREED UNANIMOUSLY to object to the proposal.

Amenities     

i)  Bus Shelter

Work on the bus shelter will start later in the month and will take two to three weeks.

ii) To consider suitable site for defibrillator

Councillors agreed the second defibrillator should be sited at The Three Sisters with the agreement of the landlord.

iii) Village Christmas Tree

Councillors considered when to erect the Christmas tree and agreed it should be put up two weeks before the Christmas Tree Festival.

Paddock and Recreation Ground

i)  The Paddock Project

The Paddock Project group want to have a meeting with the Council and this will be arranged shortly.

Grass cuttings have been left in the area along the wall and in the hedgerow and a TV has been dumped in the area. The Clerk will contact the contractor.

ii) Recreation Ground – Update for fencing and quote update for parking area

Councillors considered three quotes for the parking area, two of the quotes only give a ball park figure and further details will be obtained.

iii) To consider RoSPA report

The Council needs to be confident with regards to providing a safe place for children to play and carries out an annual safety inspection. The report graded risks low and medium.

Burial Ground and Churchyard

Cllr Hunt and Cllr Denny have carried out a risk assessment of the Burial Ground.

Environment

The hawthorn by the recreation ground is covered with hops and the Clerk will contact the contractor to cut it back.

The Clerk will contact Swale Borough Council to see if a litter bin can be put in Oak Lane opposite the Recreation Ground.

Reports from Representatives

Members were informed that the problems with rough sleepers in the Paddock have been addressed. The Police are investigating the problems caused by nuisance bikers. Any antisocial behavior must be reported to the Police.

There is an app called Self Evident to which photographs of crimes can be sent to the Police.

Date of next meeting 6th October 7:30pm at Upchurch Village Hall.

Wendy Licence

Clerk to the Parish Council

Tel: 01634 363906
Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk