The monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took place on
Thursday 1st October at the Village Hall where 5 Councillors were
present and 6 members of the public including Ward Cllr Wright and Ward Cllr
Baldock.
Minutes
of the meeting held on 3rd September 2015 – It was
proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Masson that they be accepted as a
true record. All agreed.
Public
Time– KCC Grants – Ward Cllr
Baldock advised that next year would possibly be his last year as a Councillor
and therefore Parish’s should start looking into any major projects that they
would like to undertake with a view to Cllr Baldock providing a quarter of the
funding with the other three quarters being worked into the precept. Bus
Timetable update – Ward Cllr Baldock reported that leaflets had been
distributed throughout Upchurch and so far a very good response has been
received. Lower Halstow are still awaiting a leaflet drop. The next stage will
be to collate the results and put a case forward to the KCC transport cabinet.
Correspondence – Letter of resignation – Cllr Tucker advised the members that
a letter of resignation had been received from Cllr Maria Rose and all agreed
that she would be missed and that she had been a committed member of the Parish
Council. Village Hall price
increase – The Clerk advised the members that she had received notification
of minimal price increases for the hire of the village hall.
Planning – 15/507464/FULL -
3A Upchurch Poultry Farm, Poot Lane – It was agreed that there
appear to be no issues with this application. Cllr Tucker will forward a
response for the Clerk to submit before the 14th October 2015. 15/502716/FULL
– Breach Farm Paddocks, Newington – Cllr Lewin reported that permission was
granted for this application at the Swale planning meeting on 23rd
September 2015. Both Cllr Lewin and Ward Cllr Wright objected strongly to this.
14/505230/FULL Jack Russell Place Cllr Lewin reported that permission
was granted for this application at the Swale planning meeting on 29th
September 2015. Horsham Lane Garage – The Clerk reported that the she
had received a demolition notice for the garage. The demolition will be
controlled by the conditions set out by the planning department. These
conditions are available from the Clerk or via the website.
Other Planning - Traveller Sites
– Cllr Lewin reported that the
Government have produced a new policy on traveller sites. This policy is
applicable from August 2015 although Swale Borough Council are still awaiting
guidance on this. Bearing Fruits – Cllr Lewin reported that the draft
was submitted in April 2015 to the Inspector, following this the Inspector has
asked for further information and commented that the number of housing being
submitted at 540 is distant from the objective assessed and has asked that this
be reassessed. Following the reassessment a figure of 776 will be published but
Swale will be meeting with the Inspector in November to defend its initial
figure of 540.
Finance
– The Clerk reported that she had received a cheque for £125 from Allianz
insurance in respect of the excess paid when a vehicle collided with the
allotment fence. Finance meeting update – It was agreed at the finance
meeting that following the playground inspection, the removal of the old play
equipment and rubber matting would need to take priority. It had also been
agreed that the Parish Council would donate £500 to the village hall towards
painting costs.
Casual Vacancy – As there are currently three
vacancies on the Parish Council, it was agreed that a leaflet drop would take
place throughout the village to promote these vacancies.
Allotments – An allotment rent increase for next
year was agreed.
Recreation Ground – The Clerk reported that a bench
had been vandalised and that this had been reported to the PCSO John Cork. The
Clerk was asked to speak to the insurance company regarding making a claim for
this. The Clerk also reported that a large amount of household rubbish had been
disposed of in the Recreation Ground.
Paddock – The Clerk reported that there had
been further vandalism to the rubber matting under the round swing in the
Paddock and this had also been reported to PCSO John Cork. This was thought to
have been damaged by an individual sleeping rough in the Paddock and PCSO John
Cork asked that people be vigilant. Cllr Tucker reported that due to the GPC
meeting not taking place the way forward with the removal of the old play area
equipment was still awaiting discussion. Cllr Arnold reported that the new
parts have been placed on the climbing frame. Cllr Arnold also reported that
the Paddock gate is broken and that he will be looking into costs for fixing
this.
Bus Shelter – The Clerk reported that she is still
awaiting an appointment for a pre planning site meeting with Swale Planning.
Following the Swale West meeting on 14th September the Clerk
reported that Ward Cllr Baldock had agreed to provide a £5000 match funded
grant next year towards the bus shelter.
Burial Ground and Churchyard – The Clerk reported that she has
begun sending the revised rules and regulations to plot owners requesting that
they return the signed statement to confirm they have read and agree to the
rules.
Highways – Cllr Lewin reported that the
enforcement officers have had a degree of success with regards to the parking
outside of Holywell School.
Other Matters not yet arising – Remembrance Sunday
Service – This
will take place in St Mary’s Church on 8th November at 10.15am. Cllr
Lewin has ordered the wreath. Defibrillator – Cllr Arnold reported that
this cannot be placed in direct sunlight and therefore Snaffles is not a
feasible site for it. It was agreed that Cllr Arnold would look into a place to
temporarily site this until it can possibly be moved to the Bus Shelter next
year.
Please
note the full Minutes from the Meeting can be seen on the Upchurch Parish
Council website.
The
next Parish Council Meeting will take place on 5th November at
7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Julia Cura, Clerk to the Parish Council.
Tel: 01634 363906
