Report of the Parish Council October 2018
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence
Street Light Consultation
The Parish Council has an ageing street light portfolio with various types of fittings throughout the Parish. Government legislation is phasing out the discharge lights so the Parish Council is considering upgrading the lights to LED light which will reduce maintenance and electricity. The Council does not have the funds to upgrade the lights so would need to take out a loan if the project is to go ahead. Salix are currently offering interest free loans to Councils.
Residents attending the meeting voted in favour of the Council taking out a loan to upgrade the street lights to LEDs.
Battle’s Over Commemorations
The beacon will be installed at the Recreation Ground on a four metre high oak post with a steel basket on the top. There will be an arm on one side of the post which will have a shield on it, one side depicting the trenches and the other with soldiers at ease in respect of their fallen comrades. A memorial bench has been purchased to complement the beacon. Oak Lane will be closed to traffic, from Bishops Lane to the surgery, to prevent drivers being distracted during the Beacons of Light event on Remembrance Day, this will also mean there will be hard standing for residents should the Recreation Ground be too wet.
On 11th November at 6:55pm Cllr Lewin will read out the names of the fallen; the Last Post will be played by a bugler; the beacon will be lit at 7:00pm; and the church bells will be Ringing for Peace at 7.05pm. Everyone is welcome to attend the event.
Church Clock
The JustGiving page has raised £1133 and a donation of £100 has been received from a resident as an act of remembrance. The community has responded superbly to the call for donations of remembrance.
Donations from groups and individuals can still be made by cheque payable to “Upchurch Parish Council” and sent to the Clerk at 14 Trapfield Close, Bearsted ME14 4HT or given to any Councillor.
Planning
Ref: 18/504316/FULL Address: Twinney Acre Susans Lane Upchurch ME9 7HA
Proposal: Change of use of part of residential garden for the siting of 3no. shepherd huts, with associated parking and access, to be used as holiday lets.
Councillors considered the proposal and agreed to objected to the application. There was a consensus that such a proposal would be good for the rural economy this was not the right area for it. Councillors noted the siting of shepherd hut 1 is closer to a neighbour than the property the huts are being sited; the garden is not as big as stated in the application; there is an issue of visual and environmental intrusion; residents in Susan’s Lane have raised concerns regarding the water supply which is a private supply to their properties, this is not mentioned in the application; there would be noise implications for neighbours; hours of opening could be an issue; there is a swimming pool on site which would attract usage; the proposal was not conducive to the area.
The Paddock
The Council has received the grant from the Big Lottery Fund and the new play equipment has been ordered. Cllr John Wright has approved a grant to pay for the new litter bin in the Paddock.
Dog fouling continues to be a major problem in the Paddock. There had been dog fouling near the play area and this has been walked onto the equipment. The Council will consider fencing the area off.
St John’s College land encroachment
The Landlords have raised the issue of encroachment onto the Recreation Ground and allotments from adjoining properties which have put gates in their fences. Some people have put gates in their fences to access the allotments and there could be an issue if these people give up their allotments. There is a security issue on the Recreation ground and the Council has worked hard to make the area secure. There was a problem when builders used the Recreation Ground car park as their yard when they carried work for a neighbouring property, using it for deliveries and for their machinery without permission. If people have access onto the Recreation Ground quad bikes could easily access the field and cause damage and safety issues. The Parish Council has never agreed to gates being installed in the fences and residents will be notified to remove or close up the gates.
KALC Community Awards
Councillors agreed to adopt the Awards scheme to acknowledge and recognise the contribution a resident has made to the village.
Nominations for a suitable recipient must be sent to the Clerk by 21st December 2018.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 1st November 2018 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 14th November at 7:30pm in the Committee Room of the Village Hall.
All residents are welcome to attend the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
