Upchurch Parish Council Report - November 2017

Report of the Parish Council meeting 2^nd November 2017

Anti-Social Behaviour

Upchurch has been subjected to an unprecedented amount of anti-social behaviour in recent months and this is becoming extremely costly to the Parish Council.

In May, a new picnic bench, which had cost £513, was burnt out in The Paddock, residents had worked hard to raise the money to enhance area. New safety matting, which cost £1296.00, was installed in October under the swing in the Paddock and this was subsequently ripped up. A spate of graffiti occurred on 31st October and benches in the Paddock and also the Recreation Ground fence were targeted and, most disappointingly, the new bus shelter which cost over £7,000 was also attacked with graffiti.

In addition to this rubbish bins have been burnt out in the Paddock and other graffiti has occurred in the village on several occasions. There have also been issues with littering in the Paddock and other areas and this again is costly to the village.

All incidents have been reported to the Police and the matters are being investigated.

Some of the criminal damage has been covered by the insurance although the Council has had to pay the excess, and future premiums will be affected; some of the criminal damage has not been covered by the insurance so the Parish Council has had to foot the bill. This will ultimately impact on the precept and Council Tax may have to rise so the burden of the cost of this anti-social behaviour will ultimately fall on residents.

Upchurch Parish Council asks that all residents be vigilant and to report any incidents to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. PCSO John Cork is working diligently to try to combat the surge in vandalism and the Parish Council is extremely grateful for his support.

Councillors are working hard to enhance the village for the benefit of residents and hope that everyone will help to keep Upchurch a great place to live in. Thank you for your co-operation.

Community Warden

Upchurch now has the help of a KCC Community Warden who has been patrolling the village and Paddock to help combat dog fouling and to report any problems. The Community Warden will work closely with PCSO John Cork.

Environment

Following the recent graffiti attack on the village, Mr Paul Boakes responded very quickly and arranged to have the graffiti removed from the bus shelter. The Parish Council is extremely grateful to Mr Boakes for his help.

Councillors agreed to have a Christmas tree in the village which will be installed on 2nd December. The Parish Council is extremely grateful to Mr Bob Friend for the generous gift of the tree.

The next annual village clean will be in March 2018 and it is hoped residents will come forward and volunteer to help.

Planning

i. Application Ref: 17/504725/FULL Bedfont House Holywell Lane Upchurch ME9 7HN

Proposal: external changes to the existing building

Councillors agreed that there was no comment to make save that any objections or comments from neighbours be taken into consideration.

ii. Application: 17/505019/FULL Ridgedale Riding School Halstow Lane Upchurch

Proposal: Retrospective application for Change of use of land to a mixed use site, to continue the equestrian use and add residential use for three Romani Gypsy families. Site to contain three static caravans, three touring caravans, parking for 6 vehicles with associated development

Councillors considered the application and were concerned about access to the footpaths; the site is on a flood plain and is unsuitable; there is environmental concern regarding waste from drainage and sewerage; Swale Borough Council has fulfilled its quota of Gipsy and Traveller sites to 2031; the vans do not move so the residents do not meet the criteria of traveller status; concern was raised regarding the impact of the area.

It was AGREED UNANIMOUSLY to object to the application.

iii. Ref: 17/505284/FULL 46 Woodruff Close Upchurch Kent

Proposal: Proposed single storey rear extension, first floor front extension with cat-slide roof and single storey front porch

Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ views be taken into account.

iv. Ref: 17/505215/FULL 2 Wetham Green Cottages Wetham Green Upchurch

Proposal: Replacement of existing fence with 1.4m high fence

Councillors considered the application and raised no objections.

v. Ref: 17/505293/FULL School Cottage Holywell Lane Upchurch

Proposal: Removal of the existing single storey rear conservatory and the erection of a single storey rear extension.

Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ views be taken into account.

vi. Four Gun Field

Members were informed that the angle of the block paving at Four Gun Field makes the water run into the lane as there are no drains. This is a retrospective issue and Cllr Lewin and Cllr Rosewell will investigate.

Paddock and Recreation Ground

General Purposes Committee has consulted with users of the Recreation Ground car park and the Council has agreed that there should be a formal agreement with a charge of £40.00 per annum per vehicle for residents, who have no driveway and who are immediate neighbours of the Recreation Ground, to park on the access road to alleviate parking on the road.

KALC Community Award 2018

Councillors agreed to participate in the Awards again to acknowledge a resident who has made a significant difference to the village. Nominations for the KALC Community Award should be sent to the Clerk and the award will be presented at the Annual Parish Meeting.

Date of next meetings:

Full Council - Thursday 7th December and 4th January at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 20th December and 17th January at 7.30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.

All residents are welcome to attend the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.

Upchurch Parish Council would like to wish all residents a

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council

Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerkupc@outlook.com
Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

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