The monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took
place on Thursday 4th February at the Village Hall where 7 Councillors
were present and 7 members of the public including PCSO John Cork and Ward Cllr
John Wright.
Minutes of the meeting held on 7th January 2016 –
It was proposed by Cllr Masson and seconded by Cllr
Arnold that they be accepted as a true record. All agreed.
Public Time– Street Lighting - A resident reported that a street
light in Oak Lane is faulty. The Clerk advised that the contractors would be
attending the village in the week commencing 8th February to fix
three faulty lights including that one. St Mary’s Church Path- A
resident raised concerns regarding the uneven church path. Cllr Tucker reported
that the Church path is not the responsibility of the Parish Council. It is the
property of the Diocese and she therefore suggested that the resident contact
the Church directly. The Church had previously looked into replacing the path,
but following a consultation with the conservation officer, the plans were not
found to be appropriate for the area. The Clerk will also contact the Church to
ascertain whether there are plans for a new pathway. Police Report – PCSO John Cork reported that crime is low
in the village at the moment. During his surgery in the Post Office residents
had raised concerns regarding speeding through the village. Cllr Denny reported
that the Council have endeavoured to get residents involved in the speed watch
scheme but have had little interest. PCSO John Cork asked whether Upchurch are
looking to set up a neighbourhood watch scheme. Cllr Lewin reported that this
scheme had been attempted several times in the past and there had been little
interest from residents. Horsham Lane car sales – PCSO John Cork
reported that a resident had raised concerns that the signage has still not
been removed from this site. It was reported that Swale Enforcement Team are in
the process of dealing with this. Lorries
– Ward Cllr John Wright reported that having received several complaints
regarding the rubbish left behind from the lorries parked overnight in the
village and on the A2 near Spade Lane, he will be speaking with the
Environmental Warden and the Spade Lane depot. England Coast Path – Ward Cllr John
Wright passed the Clerk an update on the Iwade to Grain Coast path and this
will be forwarded on to members.
Declarations of
Interest – None.
Correspondence – Mobile Library Service– The Clerk reported that she had
received notification that KCC are carrying out a consultation of the mobile
library service, with a view to withdrawing stops, that have only had, on
average, 2 or less visitors over the period of October 2014 to September 2015. The
documentation was passed to the secretary of the Beckenham Park Residence
Association as theirs is one of the stops that will be affected. The Clerk will
forward the details to Upchurch Matters and place information on the
noticeboards to keep residents informed. Kent Minerals and Waste Local Plan
– The Clerk had passed the members notification of modifications to the
plan. It was agreed that Cllr Masson would discuss this with Ward Cllr John
Wright and advise the Clerk of any comments to be made. Queen’s 90th
Birthday Beacons – The Clerk had received correspondence regarding the
lighting of a beacon to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. It was
agreed that the Clerk should forward the paperwork to the Scout leaders and the
Upchurch firework team to ascertain whether this would be a project of interest
to them. Mill Farm – The Clerk had reported to members prior to the
meeting that correspondence had been received from the proprietor of Mill Farm
raising concerns that the Parish Council’s reporting of the Mill Farm
application was inaccurate. Following a discussion it was agreed that the
previous minutes accurately reflected the discussions that took place. The
December minutes reported that several residents had raised concerns and
following this the Clerk contacted the Enforcement Team, whose initial response
was to state that the building work was in keeping with the application. Cllr
Horton commented that the works were not actually true to the application and
the Clerk therefore followed this up again with the Enforcement team. The
January minutes stated that the Parish Council were inforrmed by the
Enforcement Officer that the building work is acceptable and in line with the
application. In light of the correspondence a final update had been requested
and the Parish Council were informed by the Enforcement Officer that the
windows were in fact different to the application. The proprietor had also
stated in their correspondence that they had omitted one of the garages. Cllr
Horton stated that as there are differences between the application and the
building works, the comment he made at the Parish meeting on 3rd
December 2015 was a factual comment.
Other Planning – Local Plan/Bearing Fruits – Cllr
Lewin reported that interim findings had been received from the Inspector of
the Local Plan and it had been recommended that the housing amount be increased
from 540 to 766. The consultation is ongoing. Housing and Planning Bill – Cllr
Lewin reported that there are several matters of concern on this bill,
including the reference to setting up a competitive planning system, thus
taking decisions away from local authorities. Polytunnels in Ham Green – Cllr
Lewin reported that the proprietor has submitted a retrospective planning application.
Jack Russell Place – Cllr Lewin requested that the Clerk submit additional
comments objecting to this application based on the Traveller Site Policy
implemented in August 2015. Land off London Road Newington – Following
the submission of a new application reducing the dwellings for this development
to 200 it was agreed that the Clerk would contact Newington Parish Council to
discuss the effect this will have on Newington before comments are submitted to
Swale Planning. Cllr Lewin reported that the appeal for the original
application has not yet been heard. Land off Moor Street Rainham – Cllr
Tucker reported that the Public enquiry into the appeal will take place at
Medway Council offices from 23rd February to 26th
February and at Bridgewood Manor Hotel on 1st and 2nd
March 2016. 15/506513/FULL – Tranquility amendment to application– The
applicant for this application was present at the meeting and advised that the
application includes two garages and four parking spaces and therefore there
would be no requirement for parking on the highway. Cllr Tucker reported that
the Council’s existing comments with regards to the danger of traffic on the
highway bordering this development would still stand. The Council have no
objections to this application. Land at Otterham Quay Lane Rainham – Appeal
– It was reported that any comments regarding this appeal must be submitted
before 23rd February 2016. Mierscourt Road – Cllr Lewin
reported that there is a proposed application for a large development on
Mierscourt Road. Due to the close proximity to the parish boundary, the Clerk
will contact Medway Council to request that she is kept updated.
Finance – Precept for 2016/17– The Clerk will provide the members
with a copy of the final precept for 2016/17 as agreed at the January meeting.
APM Preparation – Cllr Tucker reported that following
investigation, it was found that, the Annual Parish Meeting should be a general
parish meeting rather than a Council meeting. It was agreed that the format of
the meeting should change from previous years. Following a discussion it was
agreed that the Clerk should contact local organisations to invite them to the
meeting in order that they can publicise any upcoming projects to the
residents. Cllr Lewin reported that the change in format would require a
transition period of several years and that the Parish Council should continue
to fund expenses for this meeting.
General Purposes
Committee – A
copy of the notes from the meeting held on 20th January 2016 had
been circulated. All agreed that these were a true record of the meeting.
Paddock – The Clerk reported that the gate had
been ordered and she had received confirmation that installation would take
place in the week commencing 8th February 2016.
Recreation Ground
gate – It was
agreed that the Clerk will purchase a new combination padlock for the
Recreation Ground gate.
Allotments– Cllr Masson reported that he had met
with Southern Water on 8th January 2016 in order for them to carry
out an inspection. Following the inspection the Council have been advised that
the taps must be changed to hose union non return taps and the polyethylene
pipe must be covered. Southern Water raised several issues including the risk
of water sitting in hosepipes leading to legionnaire’s disease. In order to
comply the work must be carried out before the 12th February 2016.
The Clerk will send letters with the allotment rent letters to tenants asking
that they do not leave hosepipes connected after use and explaining the reasons
for this.
Burial Ground and Churchyard – The
Clerk reported that the laurels in the Burial Ground had been cut back and that
further tree work will be taking place.
Church
Clock – Cllr Horton reported that he and Cllr Masson will be meeting
with Gillett & Johnston on 9th February 2016 in order for
repairs to be carried out.
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 on 4th and 5th
March. It was agreed that the Clerk would purchase the equipment for this. It
was proposed that the litter pickers work in teams over the weekend. The Clerk
will contact the Scout’s to ascertain whether they would like to be involved.
Further details will be published closer to the date.
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
March 2016 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
