Report of the Parish Council October 2019
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.
Planning
i. Ref: 19/504504/FULL Address: Saltmarsh Cottage Ham Green Upchurch ME9 7HH
Proposal: Change of use of barn to holiday accommodation.
Councillors agreed to support the application and requested that comments from neighbours should be taken into consideration. Councillors noted that there were no observations regarding the flood risk for the site.
ii. Ref: 19/504375/FULL Address: Bell Grove Stud Farm Halstow Lane Upchurch ME9 7AB
Proposal: Erection of building to house laboratory, equine stock and welfare unit and the erection of 3no. birthing stables.
Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make.
iii. Ref: 19/504372/TCA Address: 8 The Street Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AJ
Proposal: Tree in a Conservation Area notification: One Yew Tree (T1) Crown lift to approximately 4m to allow re-roofing and maintenance of outbuildings.
Councillors noted the application for tree work.
Rural Housing Needs Survey
Councillors have decided not to conduct a Rural Housing Needs Survey as one had been completed in 2012.
Recreation Ground and Paddock
The Council will receive Section 106 money which has to be used in the Recreation Ground or Paddock and this will be a real benefit to the village. The Council is considering purchasing adult equipment with the money.
Councillors are grateful to the responsible dog owners who are keeping their dogs on short leads in The Paddock, this is helping to keep the area clean and safer for children.
Highways
The gas main replacement has proved problematic with inadequate signage and drivers ignoring the diversions. Only the Police can enforce traffic violations. The gas main replacement is necessary to maintain the gas supply to the village during the winter months.
Following the Parish Council’s Highways consultation, Cllr Horton and Cllr Ripley have met with the Swale Highways engineer to discuss the highways concerns in the village. The engineer is going to liaise with KCC Highways.
Environment
The Parish Council is applying for a grant for additional planters in the village.
Santa Sleigh
Following the successful visit from the Sittingbourne Lights Santa Sleigh last year, the Council has agreed a donation of £300 to secure a visit on Sunday 15th December, 4-6pm so that younger children can also enjoy the Santa Sleigh.
Village Caretaker
Cllr Ripley thanked Mr Cliff Hansford, on behalf of the Parish Council and the village, for his sterling work as Village Caretaker and for all his help keeping the village clean and tidy.
Following consideration of excellent candidates, the Council has appointed Mr Terry Honeyman as Village Caretaker.
This is a precis of Council business, full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 7th November 2019 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 20th November 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.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Space
