The Parish Council met on Thursday 8th January at
the Village Hall where 7 Councillors were present and 12 members of the public.
Public
Time - Gullies – a resident queried about the gully
cleaning – lots of intentional signs but no cleaning appears to have taken
place. Cllr Tucker will investigate. Planning
– a resident asked for clarification as to why Swale BC seem to refer to
Mid-Kent Planning support. Cllr Lewin
explained that back office planning administration for all of Mid-Kent in
general is now dealt with at Maidstone, but any Swale area planning
applications will always return to Swale BC for progression. Swale Borough
Council is still our Planning Authority. Holywell Lane – the owner of
the land at Tree Tops in Holywell Lane was supporting the local Travelling
community by clarifying that much of the mess along that lane was not
necessarily down to the travellers as had been reported in the local paper a
few months ago. Cllr Tucker informed him that the newspaper has picked this up
from the minutes of one of the meetings where a resident had reported the state
of the lane, and it had subsequently been recorded that the statement was
incorrect. However the Council is not responsible for what is reported in the
newspapers.
Correspondence - River Basin Management – Cllr Lewin advised this was not of high relevance to
Upchurch. Swale Rural Forum - The next forum is on 10th February 2015 at
Lower Halstow Memorial Hall, 7pm – Cllrs Lewin and Tucker will attend. All are welcome and should be a useful
evening. Cllr Lewin has asked for a
discussion on bridleway system west of the A249 as there is so much
“horsiculture” around such that horses are often seen on our roads. A discussion on safety issues as well as
economical support of the industry would be beneficial. He asked that members
inform him of any issues to include in his talk. Lord Lieutenant’s Civic
Service at Rochester Cathedral on 10/3/15 – Cllrs New and Lewin would like
to attend. Communication within the Parish – Upchurch Matters Website (Louis Newbery) had emailed with some suggestions of how to improve
communication from the Parish Council to the village. The ideas were favourably received as it is
important to get information out, but it was decided to await the new Clerk.
Planning - 14/505052/FULL Twinney Wharf, Susans
Lane – Erection of a barn for storage of
animal feed, bedding and associated plant and machinery. – the Parish Council
response was that the amendments made were more in keeping with the rural area
and therefore could see no planning reasons to object. SW/14/0074 Appeal
Ref: APP/V2255/A/14/2224462 Oast Field Stud, Gore Farm Track, Holywell Lane
– Change of use of land to a 1 no. pitch gypsy site (1 no. mobile home, 2 no.
touring caravans) with associated foaling boxes and parking bays. – Appeal
hearing to be 28/1/15 10am at Swale House.
Cllr Tucker will try to attend.
In addition, Cllr Lewin has raised objections and has proposed refusal
in committee, so he will be attending as Borough Councillor. 14/505230/FULL/EMEI
Jack Russell Place, Halstow Lane – Variation of condition 2 and 4 of
planning permission SW/08/0917 (Change of use to residential – stationing of
one touring caravan and two mobile homes. Erection of a stable block and a
storage shed (open sides).) to increase the number of mobile homes (from 2 to
5), and to have flood lighting security lightning for safety.– There has been
an amendment to this application to vary conditions of SW/11/0496 rather than
SW/08/0917. It was agreed that the Parish Council response should object this
relatively considerable increase in mobile homes and to any lighting in this
site as it is open countryside.
Allotments and Recreation Ground – Allotments and Recreation Ground
fences – Repairs to the allotment fence will be progressed as quickly as
possible. The Recreation Ground fence along Oak Lane path is to be replaced
with a grant from KCC.
Paddock
-.
Nothing to report
Burial
Ground and Churchyard - Burial
Ground Steps – Cllr Masson and the Clerk had met with the contractor
regarding the steps which are sloping. Cllr Tucker will follow up the outcome. Churchyard
path – Cllr New reported that she was aware that the faculty for this has
been taken to the Diocese. Burial Ground Rules and Regulations – Cllr
Rose is beginning to review the Rules and Regulations. This will be added to
the agenda for the next GPC meeting.
Environment - Salt bag –
The village annual salt provision has in incorrectly delivered to Nursery Days
car park. A resident has been approached to help to move the bag to the Village
Hall car park. The salt available for all village residents to use in event of
icy conditions. Cllr Tucker will follow this up and also research the
availability of smaller salt bags for people to fill. Church Christmas Tree
Festival – this event was very successful and Cllrs Denny and Rose were
thanked for their efforts with the Parish Council contribution.
Highways
- Street lights – the light at the junction of The
Street with The Poles is still not working.
Cllr Arnold reported that the contractor is awaiting some brackets. He
was also aware of the light opposite 101 Wallbridge Lane being out and others
in Crosier Court and near Snaffles which are unreliable. All are being followed
up with Highways. Pot hole in The Street – has been repaired. Oak
Lane closure – Information that this road will be closed from Bishop Lane
to Snaffles, on Sundays 18th and 25th January
Next
meetings – Confirmed as being 5th February 2015 and 5th
March 2015, 7:30pm in The Village Hall.
Mrs Julia Cura Parish Clerk
43 Woodside, Rainham, Kent ME8 0PL
