The monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took place on Thursday 5th November at the Village Hall where 4 Councillors were present and 10 members of the public including Ward Cllr Wright.
Minutes
of the meeting held on 1st October 2015 – It was
proposed by Cllr Lewin and seconded by Cllr Denny that they be accepted as a
true record. All agreed.
Public
Time– Planning – 2 Horsham Lane - A
resident enquired whether the planning application for four 4 bedroom houses
had been accepted for 2 Horsham Lane and whether Swale Planning had considered
the impact that the extra cars would have on parking in the area around the
development. Cllr Lewin reported that the planning application had been
accepted and that as there was no objection from KCC the plans must have
conformed to their parking standards. Cllr Tucker reported that the Council had
raised concerns regarding the parking situation. Brent
Orchard, Halstow Lane - A resident asked whether the Council had received
notification of a change of use from agricultural to residential. Cllr Tucker
reported that the Council had not yet received the paperwork but would review
the application when received. Jubilee Fields – A resident asked whether
the Council had any update on this application. Cllr Tucker reported that a lot
of testing had been taking place on the ground in the proposed area. Cllr Lewin
reported that a date had not yet been set for the application to be discussed
by the Swale Planning committee. Paddock Play Area – Several residents
enquired as to why the play equipment had been removed and whether it would be
replaced. Cllr Tucker reported that due to the play area equipment failing the
recent safety report and therefore making the area uninsurable the Council had
no choice regarding the removal of the equipment. The Council are looking to
get residents opinions on how to progress with this area as any improvements
will have an impact on the precept. It is the intention that the project be
discussed at the Parish Meeting next year to enable residents to give their
views and ideas and form part of a play area sub-committee. Bus Timetable - Ward
Cllr Wright reported that himself and Ward Cllr Baldock are still in
discussions regarding the reduced service on the 326/327 buses and possible
solutions to this. Defibrillator – A resident enquired as to where the
defibrillator has been sited. Cllr Arnold reported that the defibrillator is
fully functional and sited on the Chaffes Lane wall of Snaffles. Initially it
was thought that the machine could not be placed in direct sunlight but
following discussions with the manufacturers it is fine to remain where it is.
If the machine is needed then 999 should be dialled and the caller will be
given a code to open the casing and access the machine. The machine then
dictates how to proceed whilst a first responder will be despatched to the
site. Bus shelter – A resident asked whether the Council had considered
purchasing the bus shelter from a local joinery firm. Cllr Lewin reported that
the governing factor when purchasing the bus shelter is ensuring that it
conforms to the conservation order. The Council agreed that when the project
meets the stage of purchase, quotations will be requested from local firms.
Declarations of Interest – Cllr Tucker and Cllr Arnold disclosed
a non-pecuniary interest in the letter from the Fete committee.
Correspondence – Letter regarding parking in
Recreation Ground– The
Clerk had received a letter from a resident concerned about the parking in the
Recreation Ground around the Scout hut and the dangers posed to pedestrians.
The Clerk had liaised with the leaders of the Scouts, Guides and Brownies and
requested that they speak with the parents regarding possible dangers at these
times. KALC Community Awards Scheme – Cllr Tucker reported that Kent
Association of Local Councils are running the community awards scheme again
next year. It was agreed that the Council would put someone forward for this
and any nominations should be forwarded to the Clerk. Fete – The Clerk
reported that she had received a request from the Fete committee for the use of
the Paddock and Recreation Ground on 18th June 2016. Permission was
granted.
Planning –15/502716/FULL – Ridgedale Riding
School, Halstow Lane – The
Council have objected to this application on the basis that there are already a
substantial amount of traveller sites in and around the village. Further
comments are to be submitted with regards to the fact that the proposed site is
a known flood plain and that the applicant has not shown sufficient evidence
that they are of nomadic habit. 15/507923/FULL – 63 Chaffes Lane – The
Council could see no reason to object to this application provided that any
neighbour’s comments were taken into consideration. 15/508572/FULL – 17
Horsham Lane – The Council had only received the full paperwork for this
application on the day of the meeting, therefore any comments will be submitted
to planning once the paperwork has been reviewed. APP/V2255/D/15/3133082 –
61 Horsham Lane – The Clerk has liaised with the applicant regarding
initial concerns the Council had regarding the amount of dormer windows in the
application. Following this discussion it was confirmed that the application
was in keeping with surrounding properties and the Clerk advised Swale Planning
that the Council had no objections. 14/506519/FULL – Kent Terrace – Cllr
Lewin reported that permission was granted for this application at the Swale
planning meeting although the Council had raised concerns regarding the highway
issues and the possible effects of the ground work on the existing Victorian
terrace houses. The application was approved on the basis that a green space
provision towards off-site play facilities be provided to the sum of £11203.40.
The Clerk will contact the developers regarding this. 15/503300/FULL – 2
Horsham Lane – This application was accepted at the Swale Planning meeting
with the agreement that the exterior finish would be facing brick rather than
barge boarding.
Finance – Annual Audit - The Clerk reported that the external
audit had been completed successfully. Finance
meeting update – The Clerk reported the outcome of the recent finance
meeting and it was agreed that the Council should endeavour to work with the
residents to ascertain which projects should take priority over the coming
years. It was agreed that over and above the regular responsibilities, the
Council will make additional provision for the Bus Shelter, a survey of trees
under the Council’s responsibility to assist with future budgeting, funds to
potentially engage contractors to assist with tidying the environment and
regeneration of the old play area – dependent on longer term plans. Potential
projects are the Village Hall and the replacement of the play area. As the
potential projects will impact the precept, it was agreed that next year’s
Parish Meeting would provide a good forum for discussion in order to gauge resident’s
views.
General Purposes Committee – A copy of the notes from the meeting
held on 21st October had been circulated. All agreed that these were
a true record of the meeting.
Casual Vacancy – The Clerk reported that a notice had
been placed in the noticeboards advising that the Council currently have three
casual vacancies. Councillors have begun to distribute leaflets throughout the
village.
Review of Standing Orders and
Financial Regulations – It
was agreed that Cllr Tucker would review these by May 2016.
Paddock – Cllr Arnold had provided the Clerk
with quotations for a replacement gate in the Paddock. These will be reviewed
at the next General Purposes Committee meeting.
Bus Shelter – The Clerk reported that she had
received confirmation from Swale Planning that planning permission is not
required for the Bus Shelter, however the proposed site is owned by KCC and
therefore the Clerk will need to obtain permission form them.
Burial Ground and Churchyard – Tree overhanging the Crown Pub - The Clerk reported
that she has a meeting with the Conservation Officer regarding the tree
overhanging the Crown Pub on 6th November 2015. Ashes Plots in
Churchyard – Cllr Denny reported that she and the Clerk have a meeting on
20th November 2015 with the Churchwardens regarding the proposal for
ashes plots to be placed in the Churchyard.
Highways – Cllr Arnold reported that there are
currently two faulty street lights in the village. Cllr Tucker advised that any
pot holes should be reported directly to the KCC website or to the Clerk who
will report them to KCC.
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 reported that the wreath will be laid by Royal Engineer Robert White.
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 3rd December at
7.30pm in the Village Hall. A private session will take place before the
meeting at 7.15pm which the public are not able to attend.
Julia Cura, Clerk to the Parish Council.
