The Parish Council met on Thursday 2nd April at the Village Hall where 5 Councillors were present and 7 members of the public including Cllr John Wright.
Public
Time – Burial Ground – Residents raised concerns
regarding the recently publicised Burial Ground Proposal. Cllr Tucker assured
residents that the Parish Council are mindful of the sensitivity of the subject
and do not wish to cause families any unnecessary upset. All comments from Parishioners
will be taken on board before any final decisions are taken and that the
proposal had been intended as a way to get feedback from the Parish and to
target those graves and ashes plots that do not currently comply with the
Burial Ground rules and regulations. It was agreed that the non-compliant and
un-kept graves should be dealt with initially and that the rules and
regulations would be made more accessible in order for people to comply. Planning
– A resident reported that he had received confirmation of a planning
application for 41 houses to be built in Jubilee Fields and enquired whether
the Parish Council would be objecting to this application. Cllr Tucker advised
that the application was yet to be discussed with the Planning Team as it was
very recent, but asked Ward Cllr Wright for his opinion on the application.
Ward Cllr Wright advised that the probability was that the application would be
declined by Swale Planning but that the Parish should put forward as many
responses as possible to Swale Planning due to the volume of applications that
have been submitted recently for the areas in and around Upchurch.
Declaration
of Interest – Cllr Tucker and Cllr Denny declared a
Disclosable Non Pecuniary Interest in the Jubilee Fields Plans.
Correspondence – Church Path–
Cllr Tucker reported that the Church are in the process of obtaining quotations
for a Church Path and had asked if the Parish Council would assist with
funding. There is no money in the current budget for this, however it was
agreed that this could be considered in the future. Kent’s Third Speed Watch
Conference – It was agreed that attendance would not be beneficial at this
time.
Planning – 15/501109/REM – Four Gun Field,
Otterham Quay Lane –
Approval of reserved matters for the erection of 52 dwellings, open public
space with wildlife area - It was agreed that further comments to the earlier
objection to this application should be submitted regarding education
facilities, the drainage system and also the fact that the data for the application
should be updated to Swale as opposed to Medway. 15/501140/FULL – Four Gun
Field, Otterham Quay Lane – New vehicular/pedestrian access to southern
boundary – The further objection will be submitted as per the above
application. 15/501495/FULL – Unit 1, The Oast Business Park, Spade
Lane – Change of use from B1 to B2 incorporating an MOT bay – The Parish
Council could see no reason to object to this application apart from asking
that the use of advertising be monitored so as not to cause a distraction on
the A2.
Permissions and refusals – Nothing to report.
Other Planning Matters – Cllr Tucker reported that both Jack
Russell Place and Jubilee Fields are to be the subject of a Planning Committee
meeting as the applications were not received in time for this meeting’s
agenda. A discussion took place regarding the need for an Extraordinary Council
Meeting to discuss the Jubilee Fields application rather than restricting it to
just the Planning Committee and it was agreed that this was a way forward.
Allotments and Recreation Ground – Allotment Rents– The Clerk
reported that she had been receiving the allotment rents and that there were
still some outstanding that would be chased. Allotment Fence –It was
reported that the allotment fence had now been replaced following the vehicle
collision. Recreation Ground – Nothing to report.
Paddock
-.
Play Equipment – It was reported that the rubber protection on the
swings is being looked at as it appears to be loose.
Burial
Ground and Churchyard - Burial
Ground Proposal– Cllr Rose and Cllr Tucker had met with the PCC regarding
the proposal and to discuss the ashes plots in the Church Yard. The PCC are to
hold a meeting at the end of the month regarding the ashes plots and will keep
the Parish Council informed. Burial Ground Steps – Cllr Masson is to
meet with the contractors to discuss the uneven steps.
Environment – Nothing to
report.
Highways
– Street Lights – Cllr Arnold reported that a
street light is not working in Chaffes Lane and will be reported to the
contractors. Road markings – It was reported that new road markings had
been completed on several junctions and that the work is still ongoing.
Other
Matters – Moor
Street, Rainham and Newington Applications -The proposed amendments to the response had been made and submitted
to the planning departments. Permissions and Refusals and Enforcements –
It was reported that the Clerk had contacted Swale Planning to enquire how
information can be obtained on Permissions and Refusals and that Cllr Lewin is
working alongside the Clerk to ensure the Council are kept informed on
Enforcements.
Next
meetings – The Annual Parish Meeting will take place in
the Village Hall on 30th April 2015. The May meeting will take place
on 14th May in the Village Hall at 7.30pm as the elections take
place on the first Thursday in May.
Please
note the full Minutes from the Meeting can be seen on the Upchurch Parish
Council website.
Julia Cura
Clerk to the Parish Council
Tel: 01634 363906
