The Parish Council met on Thursday 6th December
2012 in the Hall of Holywell Primary School where 8 Councillors were present
and 5 members of the public.
Public
Time
– Windmill Hill – A resident reported that the drain located on this
hill was still leaking. Internet Speeds – A resident asked for an update
on this. Cllr Lewin reported that he had consulted Cllr Catford and would be
taking this forward. Blocked drain – A resident reported that a drain in
The Poles was still blocked. Cllr Arnold reported that he had consulted Kent
Highways regarding this and would request it be cleaned again. Rural Crime –
A resident explained that this was happening all over the village. The Clerk
will contact PCSO Cork to request if his presence in the village could be
increased. Residents are reminded to report crime to the Police. The
non-emergency number for Kent Police is 101.
Dog waste – A resident reported that bags full of dog waste were
being left in the bushes along footpaths. Parking issues in the centre of
the Village – A resident raised concerns over parking on the bend of the
junction with Church Farm Road/Chaffes Lane during school pick up times. It was
suggested that wooden bollards on this bend could prevent this. Paddock Play
equipment – Two residents reported that they had come along to the meeting
to find out the Councils plan for the Paddock play area.
Administration - Co-option
of one member – Members welcomed David Steward who had filled
this vacancy.
Correspondence – Swale Rural Forum – The
next Forum will be held on Tuesday 8 January 2013 at 7pm at Eastchurch Village
Hall.
Planning
- Permissions and Refusals – The
following changes have been made to the route on the Definitive Map sheets:
Footpath
ZR32 (part) Upchurch – Public Path Diversion
Order 2010 – The Kent County Council (Map Sheet 089 (TQ86NE) Definitive Map
Modification Order, NO.2, 2012.
Finance
– KCC Member Community Engagement Grant Scheme 2012/13
– A grant of £6,120 for Paddock Play Equipment and re-pointing of church yard
wall had been approved and the acceptance form submitted to Kent County
Council. Members discussed ideas for the Paddock Project. It was hoped that a
working group could be set up with Parish Councillors and residents to investigate
this project further. A detailed plan and costing for the project was required
and then ways to obtain grant funding could be explored. Cllr Tucker offered to
contact the residents present at the meeting who had expressed an interest in
the project and the Clerk will consult Phil Newbery. Members were asked to
forward any ideas for the project to Cllr Tucker. Subscriptions 2013/14 –
Members agreed the planned expenditure for next year’s subscriptions and
donations. Budget/Precept Planning 2013-14 – The sub-group had met and a
draft proposal had been circulated. The Clerk reported that the draft plan
proposed a 0.3% increase in the precept, however the tax base had not yet been
reported by Swale BC, and therefore this figure could change. The sub-group
were looking towards planning for a three year budget.
Paddock – Lease – The Clerk reported that an email had
been received from Tim Simmons with several attachments. The correspondence
attached indicated that the lease renewal was in progress and that questions
had been raised with regards to the use of the Paddock as a car park. Trees
overhanging properties in Bradshaw Close – Cllr Kennard had met Paul Hegley, Tree Officer of Swale BC to
discuss the issues raised by residents of 2 and 3 Bradshaw Close. Members
considered the work required:
· The
felling of 5 false acacia/Robinia trees to the rear of No. 2
· The
felling of 2 no. Holm Oaks saplings to the rear of No. 3
The
Clerk will submit the application to Swale BC to remove these trees which are
located within a Conservation Area.
Burial Ground and Churchyard – Trees
overhanging pub garden, Churchyard wall and cables on outside of garage – It was suggested that a management
programme was needed for this area. The Clerk will contact the owners of the
garage in Horsham Lane with regards to the cables on the outside of the garage
wall. The Clerk will find out if the cost of repointing the churchyard wall was
still the same as previously quoted. The Clerk will arrange the weed spraying
of the churchyard wall as soon as possible. Cllr Lewin explained that he had
asked a resident to carry out adult supervision whilst the three fundraising
students carried out some menial tasks in the churchyard.
Environment – Christmas
tree Festival at St Marys Church from 16th December 2012 – The Clerk reported that a Christmas
tree would be decorated on behalf of the Council and the theme chosen was “A
Sweetie Christmas Tree”. She thanked Cllr Apps and his wife Trudy for kindly
offering to donate a real Christmas tree and providing the decorations.
Highways - Street
light in The Poles – An
email from a resident explaining that this light was causing light pollution
onto their property. Cllr Arnold would continue to follow this up. Street
Lights needing attention – Residents
may wish to report any faulty street lights found in the village to Cllr Arnold: john.arnold@justclickmail.com and/or the Clerk: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk Windmill
Hill – Cllr Arnold reported that
he was consulting Kent Highways regarding the issue of running water down this
hill. However, the ownership of this issue had not yet been identified.
Upchurch
Parish Council wishes all residents a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Next
meetings – 3rd January 2013, 7th
February 2013. Please note that the meetings are held in the Hall of Holywell
School and start at 7.30pm and the Public are welcome to attend this meeting.
The Public may put questions and/or make comments to members and it is helpful
if you let the Clerk know in writing prior to the meeting. Please contact the
Clerk if you require further advice.
Claire Attaway
Clerk to the Parish Council
33 Church Farm Road, Upchurch.
Tel: 01634 363906 (Monday – Thursday 9am to midday)
Upchurch Parish Council
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