Swale Weekly Planning List - 10th June 2016

The latest list of applications received by the Council under the Town and Country Planning Acts.

You may inspect a copy of any application on our online planning database or at the Sheppey Gateway, 38-42 High street, Sheerness, Kent, ME12 1NL, or Alexander Centre, 15 Preston Street, Faversham, Kent, ME13 8NZ or Swale Borough Council, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT.

You can make your comments online or by email to: planningcomments@midkent.gov.uk or in writing to MKIP Planning Support Service, Maidstone House, King Street, Maidstone ME15 6JQ.  Applications with the following suffix: ADJ, AGRIC, COUNTY, CPD, DEMO, SUB, TELNOT, TCA, NMAND, EIASCR or EIASCO are for information only. If an application is a householder application, in the event that an appeal is made against a decision of the Council to refuse to grant planning permission for the proposed development, and that appeal then proceeds by way of the expedited procedure under the written representations procedure, any representations will be passed to the Secretary of State and there will be no opportunity to make further representation.

Please be aware that any comments and your name and address will be placed on file, which will be available for public inspection and published in full on the Internet.  We will not publish your signature, email address or phone number on our website.  If you make any written comments we will notify you of the outcome of the application.  We will not make a decision on any application referred to in this list before 21 days from the date when the application was registered as valid except for those with the following suffix: ADJ, AGRIC, COUNTY, CPD, DEMO, SUB, TELNOT, TCA, NMAND, EIASCR or EIASCO.

Application: 16/504879/SUB	Officer: Heather Murton
Grid: 602955/161802	Ward: Abbey Parish: Faversham Town
Address: Abbey Fields Farm Abbeyfields Faversham Kent ME13 8HX Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to conditions 2 (Drawings), 4 (Hardstanding), 5 (Landscape and Biodiversity Management Plan), 7 (Landscape works) and 14 (Construction works) of planning application 15/505437/FULL.
Applicant: FR Solar Kent PV Ltd Contact Address: C/O Mr Philip Duncan Corylus Planning _ Environmental Ltd 3 The Old Dairy Yanworth Cheltenham Glos

Application: 16/504886/NMAMD	Officer: Heather Murton
Grid: 602955/161802	Ward: Abbey Parish: Faversham Town
Address: Abbey Fields Farm Abbeyfields Faversham Kent ME13 8HX Proposal: Non Material Amendment to planning application 15/505437/FULL - Minor changes to the site layout.
Applicant: FR Solar Kent PV Ltd Contact Address: C/O Mr Philip Duncan Corylus Planning And Environmental Ltd 3 The Old Dairy Yanworth Cheltenham Glos

Application: 16/503832/FULL	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 602033/159418	Ward: Boughton & Courtenay Parish: Sheldwich, Badlesmere And Leaveland
Address: 1 Westwood Court Sheldwich Kent ME13 9QE Proposal: Construction of a single storey orangery style extension
Applicant: Mrs Louise Ayley Contact Address: C/O Billingham Architectural Limited 34 Court Lodge Road Gillingham Kent ME7 2QX

Application: 16/503833/LBC	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 602059/159422	Ward: Boughton & Courtenay Parish: Sheldwich, Badlesmere And Leaveland
Address: 1 Westwood Court Sheldwich ME13 9QE  Proposal: Listed Building Consent for construction of a single storey orangery style extension
Applicant: Mrs Louise Ayley Contact Address: C/O Billingham Architectural Ltd 34 Court Lodge Road Gillingham ME7 2QX

Application: 16/504123/FULL	Officer: Miss Alice Reeves
Grid: 604712/161531	Ward: Boughton & Courtenay Parish: Graveney With Goodnestone
Address: Sunnybank Head Hill Road Graveney Kent ME13 9DA Proposal: 1.5 storey side extension and single storey rear extension;  Demolition of existing garage and erection of new detached garage
Applicant: Ms Rebecca Newman Contact Address: 67 Coniston Drive Aylesham Canterbury Kent CT3 3LX

Application: 16/504511/FULL	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 590589/164202	Ward: Chalkwell Parish:
Address: Unit 7B Sittingbourne Retail Park Mill Way Sittingbourne Kent Proposal: Installation of plant and machinery and associated works.
Applicant: Marks And Spencer Plc Contact Address: C/O Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners 14 Regent's Wharf All Saints Street London N1 9RL

Application: 16/504552/FULL	Officer: Mandi Pilcher
Grid: 589755/164239	Ward: Chalkwell Parish:
Address: 45 Springfield Road Sittingbourne ME10 2ND  Proposal: Proposed single storey rear extension.
Applicant: Miss M Cook Contact Address: C/O Woodstock Associates FAO: Mr K Plumb 53 Woodstock Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4HJ

Application: 16/504776/FULL	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 597623/153041	Ward: East Downs Ward Parish: Throwley
Address: Land Adj .Heel Farm Heel Road Throwley Kent ME13 0JH Proposal: Variation of condition 1 of SW/13/0579 - to make permission permanent.
Applicant: North Downs Model Flying Club (Kent) Contact Address: C/O Mr Henry J Rubie 9 St Ann's Road Faversham Kent ME13 8RQ

Application: 16/504504/FULL	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 585956/164588	Ward: Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Parish: Newington
Address: Cromas Callaways Lane Newington Kent ME9 7LX Proposal: Construction of a single, detached residential dwelling.
Applicant: TSP Property Developments Contact Address: C/O Edwards Planning Consultancy 83 Clock House Road Beckenham BR3 4JU

Application: 16/504418/FULL	Officer: Sara Potter
Grid: 589390/162936	Ward: Homewood Parish:
Address: 8 Grayling Court Sittingbourne Kent ME10 1LE Proposal: Changes to fenestration and doors.
Applicant: Mr David Thomas Contact Address: 8 Grayling Court Sittingbourne Kent Kent ME10 1LE

Application: 16/504907/COUNTY	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 588334/167414	Ward: Bobbing, Iwade & Lower Halstow Parish: Iwade
Address: 4 Moat Farm Cottages School Lane Iwade Kent ME9 8QH Proposal: Details pursuant to conditions 20 (off-site highway works), 21 (Traffic Management Plan), 22 (road condition survey) and 23 (access, parking & turning space) of planning permission SW/15/502632 for the phased extraction of brickearth and restoration to agricultural at Orchard Farm, School Lane, Iwade, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8QH
Applicant: Weinberger Ltd Contact Address: C/O Kent County Council Planning Applications Group Kent County Council  Invicta House County Hall Maidstone

Application: 16/504571/FULL	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 590461/166529	Ward: Kemsley Parish:
Address: Great Grovehurst Farmhouse Grovehurst Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 8RB Proposal: New entrance gates
Applicant: Mr Jason Righton Contact Address: C/O Alpha Design Studio Limited 43 Park Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 1DY United Kingdom

Application: 16/504655/FULL	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 590242/165455	Ward: Milton Regis Parish:
Address: 11 Britannia Close Sittingbourne Kent ME10 2JF Proposal: Rear single storey kitchen extension, mono pitched roof, bi-fold doors to rear elevation
Applicant: Mr James Whiffin Contact Address: C/O Mr Michael Holloway 108 Earlshall Road Eltham London SE9 1ER

Application: 16/503522/FULL	Officer: Martin Evans
Grid: 592563/164676	Ward: Murston Parish:
Address: Plots 4A 4B And 4C Bingham Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 3SU Proposal: Erection of redesigned single storey detached office building to replace attached two storey office building previously approved (SW/09/0630).
Applicant: Mr B Lynch Contact Address: C/O Harrison Mutch Chartered Architects FAO: Mr D Bellamy Innovation Centre Medway Maidstone Road Chatham Kent

Application: 16/504963/COUNTY	Officer: Aaron Wilkinson
Grid: 592171/163078	Ward: Roman Parish:
Address: Meadowfield School Swanstree Avenue Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4NL Proposal: Kent County Council application, regulation 3 Non material amendment to change colour of external cladding to red.
Applicant: Mr Brian Hirst Contact Address: C/O Kent County Council Planning Applications Group First Floor, Invicta House County Hall Maidstone Kent

Application: 16/504008/LBC	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 601418/161176	Ward: St Ann's Parish: Faversham Town
Address: War Memorial Stone Street Faversham Kent ME13 8PZ Proposal: Listed Building Consent to carefully dismantle the Faversham war memorial and re-erect in the centre of the Memorial garden
Applicant: Faversham War Memorial Group Contact Address: C/O Mr Peter Binnie 1 Lake Walk Aylesford Kent ME20 6TB

Application: 16/504482/FULL	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 601310/161094	Ward: St Ann's Parish: Faversham Town
Address: 19 Norman Road Faversham Kent ME13 8PX Proposal: Demolition of existing single storey rear and construct new single storey side and rear extension together with basement conversion.
Applicant: Mrs Justina Palmer Contact Address: C/O Mr Julian Mann 9 Preston Lane Faversham Kent ME13 8LF

Application: 16/504667/SUB	Officer: Paul Gregory
Grid: 595591/172703	Ward: Sheppey Central Parish: Minster On Sea
Address: 43 Scocles Road Minster-on-sea Kent ME12 3SD Proposal: Submission of details pursuant to Condition 3: Sustainable construction techniques, and Condition 5: Details of hard and soft landscape works, of application 16/502507/FULL.
Applicant: Mr Scott Gosset Contact Address: C/O Mr Keith Plumb Woodstock Associates 53 Woodstock Road Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4HJ

Application: 16/504486/FULL	Officer: Miss Alice Reeves
Grid: 593182/159660	Ward: Teynham & Lynsted Parish: Lynsted And Kingsdown
Address: Kingsdown House Kingsdown Road Lynsted Kent ME9 0RA Proposal: Erection of a detached timber garage in garden (Resubmission).
Applicant: Mr Ian Grant Contact Address: C/O Kent Leisure Buildings Willesborough Garden Centre Hythe Road Willesborough Ashford Kent

Application: 16/504460/FULL	Officer: Heather Murton
Grid: 601806/160402	Ward: Watling Parish: Faversham Town
Address: Mill House Salters Lane Faversham Kent ME13 8ND Proposal: Change of use from Care Home (Class C2) to House of Multiple Occupation (C4) with minor internal alterations
Applicant: Mrs Renuha Francis Contact Address: C/O Lusher Architects Apartment 6 8 Bluelion Place London SE1 4PU

Application: 16/504186/FULL	Officer: Heather Murton
Grid: 601756/162031	Ward: Priory Parish: Faversham Town
Address: Land Opposite 117 Upper Brents Faversham Kent ME13 7DZ Proposal: Demolition of existing garage and the erection of two bedroom family dwelling and studio space at ground floor level
Applicant: Mr Damian Rowe Contact Address: C/O Timothy Hatton Architects RB Building 557 Harrow Road London W10 4RH

Application: 16/504575/OUT	Officer: Andrew Spiers
Grid: 601336/162255	Ward: Priory Parish: Faversham Town
Address: Land To The East Of Ham Road Faversham Kent ME13 7ER Proposal: Outline application for residential development including access and parking, together with public open space and drainage (all matters reserved for future consideration).
Applicant: GBH Wheler Will Trust Contact Address: C/O DHA Planning F.A.O Mr David Harvey Eclipse House Eclipse Park Sittingbourne Road Maidstone

Mid Kent Planning Services

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Upchurch CO-OP - Cake Bake Sale

Staff from the Co-operative Food Stores in Upchurch and Newington are holding a Cake Bake Sale at the front of their Store in The Street, Upchurch on Village Fete Day, Saturday the 18th of June.

Their delicious homemade Cakes can be bought between 11:00am and 5:00pm for a donation towards the British Red Cross.

Please support this very worthy cause!

Upchurch Matters

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New Covered Patio Dining Area at The Crown

The newly furnished Covered Patio Dining Area is open at The Crown.

Relax with friends for drinks and enjoy good home cooked food from the lunchtime menu and specials board.

Sunday roast is £7.95 and served between 12:00pm and 2:00pm.

Please book before Saturday.

Read more about The Crown here ☞ http://bit.ly/1Mfnr1T

Telephone: 01634 233896 to book.

Annmarie

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Euro Chads Appear at The Crown

Click to Enlarge.

Boris, Nigel, François, Angela and Dave keeping a very close eye on the ‪#‎EUref‬ at The Crown.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch 50 Years Ago in June 1966 by David Wood

The month began with news that an escaped Eastchurch prisoner had stolen an Austin A40 car belonging to Upchurch resident George Sanderson from the Rest Tea Rooms car park at the bottom of Oak Lane. The prisoner who was later caught by the police said he had done this in order to visit his pregnant girlfriend in Worcestershire. He was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment for stealing the car.

In parish council affairs Ted Tress from Wallbridge Lane was re-elected chairman and Roy Bachelor from Horsham Lane vice-chairman. At the same meeting the clerk announced that a quarter of the allotments in Oak Lane had become vacant mainly due to an excess of water that had flooded the ground from the bend in the road at the foot of the hill in Oak Lane. The replacement of glass panes in the telephone kiosk came under discussion while permission was given to Upchurch Football Club to erect a large portable pavilion on the recreation ground. The council learned that Mr Gardner of Oak Lane had offered to regularly trim the young elm trees on the northern boundary of the recreation Ground.

Because of an increase in pupil numbers a new single timber built classroom had to be provided at Holywell School meaning that four classrooms would be in use from the following September and an advertisement placed for an extra teacher. An increase in the village population due to the building of four private housing estates in quick succession during the first part of the decade had resulted in higher pupil numbers and had put Holywell School under pressure for space. Miss Phyllis Broughton who came to the school in 1936 continued to serve as headmistress.

On June 18th the Carnival Queen Selection Dance took place in the village hall and the group ‘Music Makers’ provided music. Ann Davies of Horsham Lane was elected Carnival Queen with Janet Boakes and Linda Ellis as her attendants. Meanwhile, the Women’s Institute entertained a party of handicapped elderly people from Court Regis in Sittingbourne and Mrs Bull organised a coffee morning and raised 30/- for Christian Aid Week.

In village sporting affairs Upchurch cricket club captained by Basil Barden had a mixed month with the highlight being the match against Hollingbourne when Don Diffey and Aubrey Belson both scored half centuries in a 100 run opening partnership to enable Upchurch to score 152. Frank Cook then helped to dismiss the visitors for 109 by taking 6 wickets for 30 runs. The club also recorded a good victory against Oakdean but were defeated by Minster and Borden in a month where rain caused the cancellation of some matches.

Upchurch Young Wives visited West Malling Abbey, the oldest religious house in England, where they met the Enclosed Order of the Benedictine Nuns. The chaplain escorted the Upchurch ladies around the building and gave them a brief history on a memorable day.

The only recorded wedding to take place at the church in June involved Joy Swift of Crosier Court and Norman Calver of Newton Pagnell while baptisms took place for Brian Henniker of Oak Lane and Peter Bentley of Chaffes Lane. There were not any burials during the month.

About David

David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.

David Wood

Newington Tribute to Somme Victims

Villagers in Newington will mark the centenary of the start of the Battle of the Somme on July 1 with a commemoration event around the Memorial Garden poppies at 2pm.

Newington lost 31 men in World War One and the tribute, organised by Newington History Group (NHG), will remember those villagers killed at the Somme during the first four months.

Pupils from Newington CofE primary school, who are taught about the lives of the local men who fought in the war, will join the community event - A Moment to Remember - under the village sign alongside the A2.

There will be the unveiling of a plaque to all the village’s war dead at a short ceremony, along with a two minutes silence. The plaque and Memorial Garden have been donated by NHG.

The five soldiers who died in the early months of the battle were: L/Cpl Henry Bishenden, 35, 1st Bn Queen's Own (Royal West Kent), died Sept 3; Rifleman Harold Brand, 23, 1st/5th Bn London, from Rainham who was the Newington parish church organist, died Sept 6; Pte Edgar Hales 27, 1st/9th Bn The Buffs (East Kent), died Oct 2; Pte James Mannering, 35, 6th Bn The Buffs (East Kent), died Oct 6 and 2nd Lieut Alexander John Hanmer MC, 20, 3rd Bn attd. 6th Bn The Buffs (East Kent), died Oct 7.

The Battle of the Somme began on July 1, 1916, was one of the bloodiest battles in history. Fought on both sides of the river Somme in France, it lasted until November 18.

The first day of fighting resulted in 57,470 British casualties, more than the combined British casualties of the Crimean, Boer and Korean wars.

For more information contact: Richard Thompstone, NHG publicity officer, 07967 332866, or Thelma Dudley, NHG secretary, 01795 842711.

Richard Thompstone
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Upchurch Horticultural Society - “The June Show”

Please contact Steve on: 07703 339290 or Email: slaming@tycoint.com

Steve Laming

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UpARA - June 2016 Newsletter & Latest Schedule of Events

David Powell - Chairman

Email: davidrpowell5@hotmail.co.uk
Telephone: 01795 843550

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Poolside Bar Rock n Roll Tribute at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
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Poolside Bar Summer Music Nights at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
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Summer Produce Sale and Crafts at St. Margaret's Church, Lower Halstow

Liz Mouland
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Upchurch Parish Council Report - June 2016

The Draft Minutes of the MEETING of the Upchurch Parish Council held in Upchurch Village Hall on Thursday 2nd June 2016 at 7:30pm

Present: Cllr Sara Tucker (Chair), Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Vice-Chair), Cllr Gary Rosewell, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Pamela Denny, Cllr Stephen Hunt, Mrs Julia Cura (Clerk) and 7 members of the public including Kent County Cllr Mike Baldock and Ward Cllr John Wright.

Apologies: Cllr Peter Masson and Cllr Gerry Lewin.

Minutes of the meeting held on 7th May 2016 – Cllr Lewin had contacted the Clerk prior to the meeting to request the following amendments be made: to Public Time (vi) ‘below the minimum amount stipulated on the enforcement notice’ was replaced with ‘regarded as a de minimus and did not warrant enforcement. 10 (i) ‘is of little interest to the area of’ was replaced with ‘this does not cover’ and 20 (i) the following sentence was added ‘ Cllr Lewin reminded the Council that during the last few years it had reviewed all activity it was undertaking and ceased those for which it was not responsible for. The request was therefore against that objective’. It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Ripley that the minutes be accepted as a true record and all agreed. Cllr Tucker signed them.

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Public Time 

i) Planning – Ward Cllr John Wright reported that two large applications had recently been refused by Swale Planning, one at St Mary’s View and the other at Pond Farm. The Pond Farm application has gone to appeal, the date for this has currently been postponed.

ii) Bearing Fruits – Ward Cllr John Wright reported that the Inspector had found the methodology of selecting the sites in the Local Plan to be correct and following this very little development has been recommended for Upchurch and Newington for inclusion. Cllr Tucker asked what bearing this would have on the Gladman proposal and the Jubilee Fields application. Ward Cllr John Wright stated that although the proposed sites are not recommended within the consultation, this does not prohibit developers putting plans forward. He requested that the Parish Council encourage residents to respond in a positive way to the consultation which will be online at Swale Borough Council on 16th June 2016.

iii) Neighbourhood Watch – Ward Cllr John Wright reported that the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is functioning well in Hartlip. Due to the new Government legislation which will reduce the time period for comments on planning applications, Hartlip Parish Council are intending to incorporate raising awareness of current applications in this scheme. He recommended that Upchurch consider this for the future. 

iv) Bus Shelter – Kent County Cllr Mike Baldock reported that the forms have been finalised for the bus shelter grant. He had spoken to the Clerk prior to the meeting regarding the ongoing situation with the Licence application and will assist the Clerk with progressing this.

v) Active Travel Strategy – Kent County Cllr Mike Baldock advised that the Active Travel Strategy survey, which is a scheme to help reduce traffic by car sharing, cycling and taking the 

bus, is now running and he will forward the details onto the Clerk. The survey can be accessed via: www.kent.gov.uk/activetravel

vi) Road Closures – A resident requested that road closure notifications be forwarded to him in order that these can be placed on Upchurch Matters. Cllr Tucker stated that all those received are forwarded on, but unfortunately she and the Clerk do not appear to be receiving all of the notifications from KCC.

vii) Mierscourt Road – A resident reported that despite a large number of objections regarding infrastructure the planning application to build 138 homes on Mierscourt Road had been approved. Ward Cllr John Wright advised that as Medway currently have no Local Plan and therefore no five year housing supply in place, this unfortunately opens the door to developers.

The meeting re-opened at 7:55pm 

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Declarations of Interest - None

Correspondence 

i) Letter from Gabriel requesting use of the Paddock– The Clerk reported that she had received a letter from the owners of Gabriel requesting the use of the Paddock for parking on 30th July 2016. Cllr Tucker reported that it had been agreed last year that the Paddock would no longer be used for parking. Following discussion, the Clerk was asked to respond stating that the correspondents are welcome to use the Recreation area for parking on 30th July 2016 instead. 

ii) Request for a donation from the Citizens Advice Bureau – The Clerk reported that she had received a request from the CAB for a donation. It was agreed by all that, in keeping with previous years a £65 donation be made on behalf of the Parish Council.

iii) Clean for the Queen – The Clerk had received a response from her letter to McDonalds following the amount of litter found from their restaurant during the Clean for the Queen weekend. The letter had been distributed to the members prior to the meeting. 

iv) Fete Committee – The Clerk reported that she had received confirmation from the Fete Committee regarding their plans to stay overnight in the Paddock on Friday 17th June 2016 in order to ensure the safety of the equipment. All agreed that permission should be granted. The Clerk will respond to the Fete Committee. 

Planning 

i) 15/510595/OUT Land off London Road, Newington- Notification had been received of an appeal made by Gladman Developments – It was agreed that the Council had no further comments to make on this application. 

ii) 16/503680/FULL – The Paddock, 76 Horsham Lane – Use of land for the stationing of a mobile home - Following discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk should contact Swale Planning to clarify whether the resident of the mobile home is an employee of the public house. It was agreed that if the resident is an employee, the Council would have no objections but would raise concerns regarding the placement of further caravans in the future and would like the views of neighbouring residents of Woodruff Close taken into consideration. 

iii) 16/503808/FULL – Greenacres, Holywell Lane – Application for the removal of condition 1 and condition 4- Following discussion it was unclear as to why the removal of these conditions had been requested. It was agreed that the Clerk contact Swale Planning to clarify the reasons for this before comments are submitted. 

iv) 16/504128/FULL – Gore Pumping Station, London Road, Upchurch – Minor material amendment to application – It was agreed that the Council had no objections to this application. The Clerk will report this to Swale Planning. 

Any other Planning

i) Street Naming – Following consultation with Street Naming and historians, the Council had submitted relevant names to the Street Naming department. The Clerk had received confirmation of the names for the site which are historically related to the brick making firms of Upchurch. The names are to be – Quilters Yard, Woods Edge, Butchers Green and Eastwood Meadow. The members were agreeable to the outcome of this consultation. 

ii) 15/509058/FULL - Beckenham Park Update - Cllr Tucker reported that this application was discussed at the GPC on the 18th May 2016 and although the plans submitted had been found to be inaccurate, no planning reasons to object were found.

iii) Planning Training session – Cllr Tucker reported that Cllr Masson had attended a session on the updates to the Local Plan, Housing and Planning Bill on 12th May 2016. It was suggested that due to Cllr Masson’s absence the Clerk place this on a future agenda for discussion.

Finance 

i) Annual Audit Return to approve section 1 – A copy of the return was circulated to all members present. Section 1 – It was resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2015/16, which was then signed by Cllr Tucker.

ii) Annual Audit Return to approve Section 2 – It was resolved to approve the Accounting Statements for 2015/16, which was then signed by Cllr Tucker. 

Administration 

i) General Purposes Committee (GPC) – a copy of the notes taken from the meeting held on 18th May 2016 had been circulated and agreed.

ii) Arrange date for APM 2017– It was agreed that the date for next year’s APM be 27th April 2017 in order to avoid the Easter Holidays. Cllr Tucker suggested that following the APM in 2017, future APM’s be organised by the Village. Cllr Horton advised that the meeting in May 2017 may require a change of venue due to elections being held on the first Thursday of the month.

Allotments 

i) Unattended Fire – Cllr Tucker reported that she had sited an unattended fire at the allotments on the evening of 17th May 2016. Cllr Tucker reported this to number 101 and a fire crew attended at 11.30pm. Cllr Tucker requested that the Clerk place a notice at the allotments reminding tenants that fires are not permitted to be left unattended at any time.

ii) Vacant Plots– The Clerk reported that she had attended the allotments with a prospective tenant, but had found the vacant plots to be in an unworkable state. The Clerk requested permission to get these plots cleared in order to rent them out this year. The Clerk also advised that the majority of plots are no longer numbered making it very difficult to show prospective tenants around. Following discussion it was agreed that the work required would be too costly in comparison to the income generated from the allotment rent. Cllr Horton proposed that any prospective tenants be advised that the first year’s rent will be waived in recognition of the work required during the growing season, Cllr Ripley seconded the proposal and all agreed. 

Paddock and Recreation Ground

i) Play Area Resurfacing– The Clerk presented three quotations that had been received to remove the remaining tarmac and fencing and lay soil and grass seed in the area of the Paddock that the play equipment had previously been removed from. The members considered all three quotations and agreed on the cheapest quote which had been submitted by a local contractor. The Clerk was requested to obtain a copy of the waste removal certificate from the contractor and to clarify how the grass seed will be protected once laid. Due to the Village Fete taking place in the Paddock on the 18th June 2016 and the question as to the best time to lay grass seed, the Clerk was requested to check with the contractor with regards to dates for the works to commence. 

ii) Recreation Ground Quotations – The Clerk presented two quotations to replace the rotten fence posts and wire on the boundary of Chaffes Lane. The members discussed the quotations and it was agreed that further details were required with regards to the specifications. It was agreed that the Clerk would place this on the GPC agenda on 15th June 2016.

iii) Recreation Ground parking area– The Clerk presented two quotations to place diamond fencing around the parking area of the Recreation Ground to prohibit access to the grass area. The members discussed the quotations and it was agreed that a site meeting would be necessary in order that the Council could ensure that the correct specifications were requested. It was agreed that the Clerk would place this on the agenda for the GPC on 15th June 2016. Cllr Horton and Cllr Ripley agreed to review the quotations.

iv) Procedures for Quotations – Due to the content of the discussions on the quotations received for works to be carried out it was agreed that the procedures for quotations should be reviewed. Cllr Tucker raised the issues of ongoing confusion over the discussion of quotations in public and the correct procedures that should be followed. Cllr Horton suggested that the Clerk, Chair and Vice Chair should discuss any quotations received and put forward a matrix for decision by all members. It was agreed that the Clerk should place this on the GPC agenda on 15th June 2016 for further discussion.

Burial Ground and Churchyard 

i) Church Clock– The Clerk reported that she had written to Gillett and Johnston stating that the Parish Council would no longer be using their company for annual services. The Clerk stated that she had received confirmation from both The Cumbria Clock Company and Smith of Derby stating that they would be willing to attend the clock for repairs when required and had both confirmed that this could be done without a contracted annual service. 

Environment

i) Bus Shelter – The Clerk reported that she is chasing KCC Highways department daily regarding the licence for the Bus Shelter. 

Highways

i) Street Lights– Cllr Arnold reported that there are currently no faulty street lights.

ii) Highways – Cllr Arnold reported that Windmill Hill is due to be resurfaced but no date has been provided for this work yet. 

Reports from representatives 

i) Village Hall – Cllr Tucker reported that after much deliberation she has resigned as the Chair for the Village Hall. Cllr Tucker also stated that she would like to stand down from her role as Trustee which she took on as representative for the Parish Council. No other members expressed an interest in replacing Cllr Tucker in this role and it was therefore agreed that the Clerk write to the Village Hall to advise them that regrettably, the Parish Council would not have representation on the Village Hall committee for the foreseeable future. This will be kept in mind and a trustee appointed at the next annual meeting if not before.

ii) PCSO – Cllr Rosewell reported that he has spoken with PCSO John Cork and that he will be the contact between the members and the PCSO. For future meetings the PCSO has agreed to provide Cllr Rosewell with a report which will be forwarded to the members prior to the meeting. The PCSO will hold his next surgery in Snaffles on 29th June 2016. 

iii) Twinning Group – Nothing to report.

iv) KALC – Nothing to report. 

Matters arising not yet covered – Cllr Tucker requested that the Clerk place the position of Clerk vacancy on the GPC agenda as the closing date for applications is 13th June 2016.

Next meetings – Confirmed as being 4th August 2016 and 1st September 2016 in the Village Hall. (There will not be a meeting in July) 

There being no further business to discuss, the meeting closed at 9:40pm

A confidential session followed the meeting. 

The full draft minutes can be seen on the Parish Council website.

Julia Cura, Clerk to the Parish Council

Tel: 01634 363906
Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk
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News from Upchurch Twinning Group

Upchurch is twinned with Ferques-Elinghen in Pas de Calais, France

The Upchurch Village Fete will be held in the Paddock on the 18th of June where the Twinning Group will once again be hosting the ‘large garden games'. Look for us in Keith Rossiter’s green gazebo - we don’t charge for you to have a go - instead we ask for a donation if you have enjoyed it.

The Twinning Group AGM will be held at Holywell School on Thursday the 23rd of June, commencing at 7:30pm. The committee would like as many from our village to come along as possible. Ann and Jim Harman will put up notices, similar to the notices they put around the village advertising our Quiz Night.

Some of the residents of Ferques will be visiting Ramsgate for the day on the 26th of June they have suggested that any of their Upchurch friends who wish to join them and meet them at their first stop, which is due to be the Spitfire and Hurricane museum at Manston at approx. 10:00am. So far, Mike and Kathy Johnson will go - any one else is of course welcome to join them.

‘A Day of Activities’ Previously called ‘Upchurch Twinning Group Sports Day’ - (Our Secretary and Typist hope you will grant us some artistic licence here, after all - you can hardly call ‘Boules’ a sport!). The date for this event has been agreed by Ferques, the Upchurch Cricket Club and the Twinning Group as being on Sunday the 11th of September. The event will be held at the Cricket Ground.

UpARA have expressed a desire to be kept informed, as they have been practicing Boules at the Golf Club in their car park at the rear of the Pro Shop, also, the old Kentish Pub Game of Bat and Trap - (no running involved, just good hand and eye co-ordination). They would like to issue a Cross Channel challenge to the older residents of Ferques.

Jim Harman has informed UpARA of this and also he will let Christian Finance the chairman of their "Jumelage" (Twinning Group) know, so that he can advise the Senior Citizens of Ferques.

If any of this interests you and you would like to know more please email - mikeinupchurch@gmail.com

Si tout cela vous intéresse et vous voulez en savoir plus s'il vous plaît envoyer un courriel - mikeinupchurch@gmail.com

Read more about Upchurch Twinning Group: here

Mike Johnson - Chairman: 01634 234226

Ann Harman - Secretary: 01634 235420

Upchurch Twinning Group

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Have your say on Kent County Council’s Active Travel Strategy

People are being asked to have their say on making Kent a more active and environmentally friendly county.

Kent County Council’s Active Travel Strategy aims to make travel by foot or on a bicycle an attractive and realistic choice for short journeys - or included in longer journeys using the bus or train.

By developing and promoting accessible, safer and well-planned active travel opportunities, it is hoped the strategy will help establish Kent as a pioneer for active travel.

The plan has been created to improve people’s lives in numerous ways, including improved health, reduced traffic congestion, reduced pollution and financial savings.

In Kent, almost half of adults fail to meet recommended levels of physical activity required for good health, and one third of Kent’s children are overweight or obese by the time they leave primary school.

In the county, one in 10 people walk to work and just one in 100 people cycle to work.

The council want to know what you think of the strategy and the ambition and actions outlined within it.

More information is available at: www.kent.gov.uk/activetravel where people can have their say by completing the online questionnaire.

This consultation will run for eight weeks from May 18th to July 13th.

Views will help shape the final strategy, which will be presented to the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee in November.

Councillor Mike Baldock

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Latest POLICE.UK Crime Data for the Area - April 2016

Here is a brief summary of the crime information for the past 2 months:

	March 2016	April 2016
All crime	47	24
Anti-social behaviour	16	3
Bicycle theft	0	1
Burglary	13	3
Criminal damage and arson	8	6
Drugs	0	0
Other crime	0	0
Other theft	2	2
Possession of weapons	0	0
Public order	0	2
Robbery	0	0
Shoplifting	1	2
Theft from the person	0	0
Vehicle crime	1	0
Violence and sexual offences	6	5

Please visit: www.police.uk for more information including outcomes for these crimes and contact information for your local policing team.

Upchurch Matters

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Upchurch Choral Society Presents Over The Rainbow

Pat New
Upchurch Choral Society
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Good News for Upchurch? A report from Councillor Gerry Lewin

As Cabinet Member for Planning Services at Swale Borough Council I have been steering the emerging Local Plan, titled Bearing Fruits, through consultation, Cabinet Committee and to a recent Examination in Public [EIP] by a Planning Inspector [PIN].

Following the first stage of the EIP in November and December last year. The PIN advised a number of required modifications, the most significant was that we should set a higher target for housing development, in accordance with National Policy, across the borough at 776 homes per year [as against our submitted 540] to the year 2031. If we deliver the required modifications after public consultation, then at the next stage of the EIP the PIN will declare our emerging Local Plan sound and we can adopt it at Council to be one if its strategic policies.

In the last month or so I have been heavily involved in steering the revised housing targets through Committee and Cabinet. This has involved a call for fresh sites to accommodate the housing and to then deciding which sites should be allocated to meet the increased target. From over 170 sites submitted for development only 16 have been selected.

Using the same methodology for considering sites at first stage, NO site in the Parish of Upchurch has been identified as being needed to help with the increased borough target imposed by the PIN and so none will appear in the next round of public consultation.

Councillor Gerry Lewin

Tel: 01634 366113 Email: lewing135@btinternet.com

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Upchurch Village Fete - Saturday 18th June 2016

Upchurch Village Fete Committee

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Upchurch Village Fete - Saturday 18th June 2016 - Schedule of Events

Upchurch Village Fete Committee

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Upchurch Village Fete - Saturday 18th June 2016 - Chairman's Note

Upchurch Village Fete Committee

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Your Village Hall - Use It or Lose It!

The hall is a village facility that can easily be forgotten due to its position yet if it was no longer available it would very much be missed. It was once used for events such as wedding receptions and celebrations but times have changed and use of halls for such events seems no longer in fashion.

The village hall is struggling to make ends meet due to the decline in the number of bookings. It is obvious that one of the reasons for this is that the hall itself is in need of major refurbishment. We are in a catch 22 situation that without bookings the money will not be available to carry out the work required to make these improvements.

It is a shame that yet again a few have spoiled it for the majority where damage to the hall during a private hiring and regular vandalism has necessitated repairs at cost to the hall.

We would like to thank a group of residents who, on their own instigation, recently held a tea dance and raised around £300 as our first donation!

If anyone else is as passionate as these residents and the hall’s committee about keeping the hall functioning within the village, and not seeing it turn into another derelict area, then any form of help such as donations, offers from local builders, electrical companies, plumbers, etc towards maintaining the hall is welcomed.

Please help promote the hiring the hall, for private or society events, to friends and family to help us keep it going.

We are able to co-opt new trustees to the committee if you are interested, or you can just work with us to make things happen!

Join in and lets save it!!

Contact our Secretary Jill Lewis on: 01634 230643 or visit our website: Here

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