Report of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
and May Monthly Meeting 3rd May 2018
Councillors
Cllr Ripley has been elected as Chairman and Cllr Arnold elected as Vice Chairman for another year.
There is currently a vacancy on the Council due to the resignation of Cllr Stephen Hunt who was thanked for his sterling work as a Councillor.
Planning
i. Ref: 18/501332/FULL Address: 1 The Poles Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7EX
Proposal: Erection of a single storey side extension, replace flat roof with pitched roof and alterations to existing garden wall
Councillors considered the application and agreed, subject to neighbours’ comments, to support the proposal.
ii. Ref: 18/501516/FULL Address: 117 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AY
Proposal: Garage conversion and erection of a single storey front extension together with first floor side extension with 2 no. dormer windows
Councillors considered the application and agreed, subject to neighbours’ comments, to support the proposal.
Application Reference: 18/501667/FULL Address: New Acres Spade Lane Hartlip ME9 7TT
Proposal: Application to extend the time limit to submit a site development scheme
required by condition 4 of the planning permission granted on a ground A appeal against
notice ref 17/500054/CHANGE
Councillors were concerned at the blatant disregard of the appeal notice and agreed that Swale Borough Council should consider punitive action against the applicant; the applicants had been given a generous three months in which to submit a site development scheme; the site is still growing; the applicants should abide by the rules; Swale Borough Council should takes such measures available to them regarding the site.
Councillors agreed unanimously to object to the application.
Paddock and Recreation Ground
A quotation has been received for three small pieces of play equipment for the Paddock which will be low maintenance. The company helps obtain grants and the Parish Council is under no obligation to proceed if grant money is not forthcoming.
The safety matting under the swing has been repaired.
There had been a three year contract with Grasstex to cut the grass in the Recreation Ground, the Paddock and the Burial Ground and Church yard but the company has pulled out of Kent. The contractor who took over the work only informed the Council last month that they would not honour the Upchurch contract. An emergency cut of the areas has been carried out by another contractor. Five contractors were invited to tender, one did not respond, two quoted for Recreation Ground, Paddock and Burial Ground and two quoted for the Burial Ground only. Councillors considered the quotations in detail and agreed to accept the quotation from James Vincent Landscapes for all the areas.
Church Clock
The engineer has removed the winding mechanisms, which are no longer required and examined the clock. The new electric winders have been ordered and the work should be completed by the end of May. The refurbished clock will refer to the MSF Radio Time Signal and will update itself every hour. Further work may be required as one of the bearings has failed and there is signs of mechanical wear. The Parish Council will pay the cost of the repair and while this is funded by the precept some residents have said they want to make donations towards the repair remembering that the residents gave to purchase the clock as a memorial to those who gave their lives in the First World War.
The cost of the refurbishment has been divided by 3,600 seconds (in an hour) so that people can buy time with a second costing £2.35.
Councillors thanked Mr Newbery for working on an online “Giving” page for residents to donate towards the refurbishment.
Defibrillator
The Council still has not received a report of the investigation by the SECAMB Emergency Operations Team about the incident which happened last year. The Parish Council continues to pursue the matter with SECAMB.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 7th June 2018 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 20th June 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
Tel: 01634 363906
