The monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took
place on Thursday 3rd December at the Village Hall where 8 Councillors
were present and 39 members of the public including Ward Cllr Baldock and PCSO
John Cork.
Minutes of the meeting held on 5th November 2015 –
Amendments were made, which can be seen on the
full minutes. It was proposed by Cllr Lewin and seconded by Cllr Denny that
they be accepted as a true record. All agreed.
Public Time– Flats on Forge Lane - A resident raised concerns
regarding the rubbish and general condition of the area outside of the flats. Cllr
Tucker reported that the Clerk has tried to contact the landlord several times
without success. PCSO John Cork provided the Clerk with a contact number for
the Environmental Warden at Swale and it was agreed that the Clerk should
contact her. Bus Shelter- Ward Cllr Baldock reported that he had been
liaising with the Clerk and KCC with regards to the siting of the Bus Shelter
and that the Clerk is now awaiting a response from KCC. Bus Service – Ward
Cllr Baldock provided an update on the recent meeting between Chalkwell buses
and KCC and stated that unfortunately Chalkwell were not accommodating with
regards to increasing the recently reduced services. He is now looking into
alternatives and is arranging a meeting between Councillors of the local
Parishes to ascertain how to move forward. Paddock Play Area – A
resident reported that the survey on Upchurch Matters face book page asking
whether residents would like the play equipment replaced has had 52 responses
to date. 49 for and 3 against. Planning
– 15/509058/FULL – Beckenham Park –A large number of residents from
Beckenham Park were in attendance to raise their concerns with regards to the
recent application submitted to erect five new mobile homes at Beckenham Park.
The Chairman of the Residence Association of Beckenham Park spoke on behalf of
the residents and raised the following concerns – a) No prior notification had
been given to them by Haulfryn Ltd which goes against their residency
agreement. b) The report submitted with regards to the parking was carried out
over one day which is not substantial evidence to assess the need or usage. c)
The garages to be demolished are currently in use. d) The amount of parking
spaces to be cut will leave less than one remaining per home. Also having an
impact on visitors, carers and other services currently visiting the park. e)
There will be health and safety issues with large vehicles coming into the park.
It is already difficult for them to turn and will be even more so with the lack
of space that will be left. f) The age limit on the application is 40 however
the report shows 55 and uses the incorrect age to back up parking usage
figures. g) Residents have previously been turned down for hard standing
outside of homes and this is now being allowed in order for new homes to be
erected. h) The proposed plans will greatly reduce the green areas on the site
and the views. Cllr Tucker thanked the residents for attending and for putting
across their views. It was agreed that Cllr Lewin would assist Beckenham Park
with the process of speaking with Haulfryn Ltd and Swale Planning. The Clerk
will contact Swale Planning and advise them of the large attendance at the
meeting and reiterate the issues raised as well as asking for an extension on
the consultation period due to Haulfryn Ltd failing to provide Beckenham Park
with the correct notification period. New Councillors– Cllr Tucker introduced
two recently co-opted Councillors and welcomed them to the meeting. PCSO
Report – PCSO John Cork reported that there had been further reports of a
homeless person sleeping in the Paddock and a local farmer’s barn. Following
the Clerk reporting cars being left in the Recreation Ground, he had contacted
Horsham Garage who denied that the cars belonged to them. The cars are
registered to private owners. The PCSO holds monthly surgeries in the Post
Office, the dates and times of these are on Upchurch Matters and in the Post Office.
Declarations of
Interest – None.
Correspondence – Request for parking in Recreation
Ground and Paddock– The
Clerk had received a letter from the school requesting the use for both areas
for parking on 11th June 2016. The school are organising an open air
concert to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday and are hoping for an
attendance of up to 1000. The profits from this will be split with 70% going to
the school and 30% to the village hall to assist with the required maintenance.
The Clerk reported that having spoken to the holders of the lease for the
Paddock and the Recreation Ground, she had received clarification that they do
not feel the Paddock is a suitable area for parking. They will allow the
Recreation Ground to be used once a year for parking with permission. As
permission has already been granted to the Village Fete in 2016 it was agreed
that due to the nature of the event on 11th June the Clerk should
contact the leaseholders to ask if permission could be granted also for the
concert. Cllr Horton reported that he has now taken on the role of Chair of
Governors for the school and thanked the Parish Council for considering the
request. Poppy Appeal Update – The total donations to the Royal British
Legion from Upchurch will exceed £3000 for the first time. Cllr Lewin conveyed
thanks to Upchurch on behalf of the Royal British Legion.
Planning –15/509058/FULL – Beckenham Park,
Otterham Quay Lane– As
previously mentioned the Clerk will contact Swale Planning to express the
raised concerns and request an extension on the comments period. 15/505680/FULL
– Orchard Close, Poot Lane – The Council had received an amended drawing
for this application but could see very little difference to the original
drawing. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Swale Planning stating that
it is felt that the design is still not in keeping with the area. Mill Farm,
Otterham Quay Lane – The Clerk reported that having received concerns
regarding the size of the works carried out at Mill Farm she had contacted the
Planning Enforcement Officer at Swale and had been advised that the application
had been approved in 2000. As work had started within three years of this date
there is no time limit on completion of the works. It was agreed that as the
building work being carried out is not in keeping with the original
application, the Clerk should contact the Enforcement Officer again. Horsham
Car Sales – The Clerk reported that she had received confirmation from the
Enforcement Team that the matter of the signage at Horsham Car Sales had been
referred to the legal department to take forward to prosecution.
Finance – Agreement of Final Budget – It was agreed that the budget would
be finalised in January once the Clerk is in possession of the tax base figure
and the balance of the reserve account.
General Purposes
Committee – A
copy of the notes from the meeting held on 18th November had been
circulated. All agreed that these were a true record of the meeting.
Defibrillator – The Clerk reported that the W.I had
offered to donate a second defibrillator to the village. It was agreed that the
Clerk should thank the W.I for their generous donation and a further discussion
would need to take place regarding possible sites for this.
Paddock – It was agreed that the Clerk should
place an order for a new gate for the Paddock. This will be funded from an underspend
in this year’s budget. The figure already allocated for a new gate in next
year’s budget should be reallocated towards a village Christmas tree. The Clerk
will obtain a quote for replacement rubber matting under the swing in the
Paddock.
Recreation Ground
– Cllr
Denny reported that the damaged bench in the Recreation Ground needs removing
as soon as possible as this is unsafe. The Clerk reported that she has written
to three contractors to obtain quotes for a new bench and the re-siting of a
bench in the Paddock.
Burial Ground
and Churchyard – The Clerk reported that she and Cllr
Denny had met with the Churchwarden on 20th November to discuss the
proposal for memorial rose beds and ashes plots in the closed Churchyard. The
Churchwarden agreed at this meeting to discuss the possibility of a
contribution towards maintenance costs with the Diocese on 2nd
December and will inform the Clerk of the outcome. Cllr Tucker reported that a
written agreement will need to be put in place with regards to the Parish
Council’s responsibilities with regards to maintenance.
Clean
for the Queen – In the run up to the Queen’s 90th birthday on 21st
April 2016 a countrywide clean-up is taking place. The aim is to inspire a
million people to take action and enjoy a few hours together litter-picking to
improve the areas we live in. It was agreed that Upchurch Parish Council would
like to be involved with this from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th
March 2015. Cllr Horton suggested that the school get involved with this and
will research the logistics and liaise with the Clerk.
Highways – Cllr
Arnold reported that there are currently three faulty street lights in the
village and will obtain a quote for repairing these.
Other Matters not yet arising – Church
Christmas Tree Donation– Cllr Denny reported that she had
contacted the Churchwarden regarding the Christmas tree festival and that she
is happy to donate and decorate one on behalf of the Parish Council.
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 7th
January 2016 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Julia Cura, Clerk to the Parish Council.
