The Parish Council met on Thursday 2nd February in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 6 Councillors were present and 7 members of the public including PSCO Platt.
Public Time – PCSO Platt reported that PCSO McCall will no longer be the PCSO for Upchurch. We await details of her replacement. Bus Shelter – One resident commented on the bus shelter recently installed in Lower Halstow and hoped that Upchurch would have one soon. One resident asked for further information on the questionnaire carried out by a resident supporting the bus shelter. Another resident reminded members that the proposed location was opposite a beautiful church and the Old School. He feared that the shelter would attract anti-social behaviour. Another resident explained that he had carried out a survey of the number of people using the bus during the last month. He reported that apart from the school children, normally 18, the 9:29 bus had the most people waiting for it, usually 5. However most of the time, there was no-one waiting for the bus. He commented that it would have to be a large shelter to accommodate 18 school children. Rural Needs Housing – A resident commented that issues with car parking in the centre of the village and the demand on school places needed to be considered in relation to this scheme.
Correspondence – Village Hall Management Committee – A letter expressing thanks for the Councils generous offer of a grant of £3,000 towards the cost of removing asbestos. War Memorial – An email from a resident seeking the Councils comments on an Upchurch War Memorial. Members discussed this suggestion and commented on the memorials at the church i.e. the Church Clock, the tablet inside the Lady Chapel and the war graves in the Churchyard. Cllr New asked for a copy of the email.
Planning - The following applications will be considered by the Planning Review Team and reported at the next Parish Council Meeting:
SW/12/0079 39 Oak Lane – Proposed two storey side and rear extension
SW/12/0058 Hursell Farm, Chaffes Lane – Change of use of site to allow the siting of a gypsy mobile home with associated parking and amenity space (retrospective)
Permissions and Refusals – the following decisions have been received:
permission granted:
SW/11/0949 79 Chaffes Lane – Retrospective application for amendments to scheme approved under SW/10/0762 comprising additional bedroom and en-suite in loft space together with roof lights and light tube in roof slopes, barn hip to rear gable and porthole window to garden room
Permission refused:
SW/11/1296 Frogs Farm, Susans Lane – Retrospective application for the building of an agricultural barn
Other Planning matters – Rural Needs Housing - The working group reported that holding a drop in event would be more productive than arranging a referendum. Members discussed various ways this event could be organised. It was suggested that at this event, residents could be given the opportunity to vote for the Parish Council to continue with the housing scheme and if so, which site they would prefer to be put forward. Another suggestion was to ask residents to vote on a site selected by the Parish Council. It was agreed that the working group needed to meet with Alison Thompson (English Rural Housing Association) and Tessa O’Sullivan (Action with Communities in Rural Kent) to discuss the next steps.
Finance – Cheque for approval & signature – It was agreed that a cheque to the sum of £3,000 to Upchurch Village Hall Fund be signed.
Allotments and Recreation Ground – Water usage at the Allotments - Cllr Apps confirmed that the water had been turned off and that there was no leak. He explained that the amount of water used in the three month period at the end of last year had been high but could not explain why. Members discussed various suggestions to tackling this issue. Cllr Apps will report back when the water is turned back on.
Paddock – External hedge– Cllr Catford reported that this would need cutting back shortly and would liaise with the Clerk as to the timing of this.
Burial Ground and Churchyard – Tree Related Subsidence at 2 Horsham Lane –The Council will be obtaining a quote for the removal of the trees adjacent to this property as requested in the report issued by Oriel Services Ltd. It is claimed that these trees are causing damage to this property. Yew Tree in Burial Ground – A tree surgeon will be consulted regarding cutting back this tree and the Clerk will find out if this tree has a TPO.
Environment – Queens Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – The sub-committee reported their ideas for these celebrations which included an all-faiths service on Sunday afternoon, a family event on Sunday morning and gifts for the children. Cllr Rossiter had brought two sample mugs to show members the style and design chosen by the committee. Also, an example of the logo and wording was distributed. Village Clean up day – Cllr Catford explained that as the village cleaner was carrying out an excellent job, it was not necessary to organise a clean-up day this year. Cllr Lewin reported that he had forwarded a request to Swale BC for a litter pick in Oak Lane.
Highways – Proposed Bus Shelter – It was commented that further research was required on the design of a bus shelter. Cllr New offered to lead a small sub-group who could investigate further a suitable design for the bus shelter. This could then be reviewed by the Parish Council before consulting the Conservation Officer. It was suggested that then a consultation event could be held. The Clerk will obtain ideas for designs of bus shelters and along with Cllr New investigate further with two or three residents. An email had been received from a resident strongly objecting to the planning of a bus shelter to be constructed in Horsham Lane/The Street. Letters of concern had also been received from residents living opposite the proposed location, along with results of a survey carried out in January.
Next meetings – 1st March 2012 and 29th March 2012, starting at 7.30pm in the Hall of Holywell Primary School. Please note that the Annual Parish Meeting will be held at the Village Hall on Thursday 26th April starting at 7.30pm where refreshments will be available after the meeting. Everyone is welcome.
Claire Attaway, Parish Clerk, 33 Church Farm Road Tel: 01634 363906
Office opening hours: Monday – Thursday 9.00 – 11.30am
Parish Councillors Contact Details are available on the Parish Council Notice boards and website. Please be aware that the Parish Council Office is at my home address therefore I request that you respect the opening times.
Upchurch Parish Council
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