Anti-Social Behaviour
Upchurch
has been subjected to an unprecedented amount of anti-social behaviour in
recent months and this is becoming extremely costly to the Parish Council.
In
May, a new picnic bench, which had cost £513, was burnt out in The Paddock,
residents had worked hard to raise the money to enhance area. New safety
matting, which cost £1296.00, was installed in October under the swing in the
Paddock and this was subsequently ripped up. A spate of graffiti occurred on 31st October and benches in the Paddock and also the Recreation Ground fence were
targeted and, most disappointingly, the new bus shelter which cost over £7,000
was also attacked with graffiti.
In
addition to this rubbish bins have been burnt out in the Paddock and other
graffiti has occurred in the village on several occasions. There have also been
issues with littering in the Paddock and other areas and this again is costly
to the village.
All
incidents have been reported to the Police and the matters are being
investigated.
Some
of the criminal damage has been covered by the insurance although the Council
has had to pay the excess, and future premiums will be affected; some of the
criminal damage has not been covered by the insurance so the Parish Council has
had to foot the bill. This will
ultimately impact on the precept and Council Tax may have to rise so the burden
of the cost of this anti-social behaviour will ultimately fall on residents.
Upchurch
Parish Council asks that all residents be vigilant and to report any incidents
to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. PCSO John Cork is working diligently to try to combat the surge in
vandalism and the Parish Council is extremely grateful for his support.
Councillors
are working hard to enhance the village for the benefit of residents and hope
that everyone will help to keep Upchurch a great place to live in. Thank you for your co-operation.
Community
Warden
Upchurch
now has the help of a KCC Community Warden who has been patrolling the village
and Paddock to help combat dog fouling and to report any problems. The
Community Warden will work closely with PCSO John Cork.
Environment
Following
the recent graffiti attack on the village, Mr Paul Boakes responded very
quickly and arranged to have the graffiti removed from the bus shelter. The Parish Council is extremely grateful to Mr Boakes for his help.
Councillors agreed to have a Christmas tree in the village which will be installed on 2nd December. The Parish Council is extremely grateful to Mr Bob Friend for the generous gift of the tree.
The next annual village clean will be in March 2018 and it is hoped residents will come forward and volunteer to help.
Planning
i. Application Ref:
17/504725/FULL Bedfont House Holywell Lane Upchurch ME9 7HN
Proposal: external
changes to the existing building
Councillors agreed that
there was no comment to make save that any objections or comments from neighbours
be taken into consideration.
ii. Application:
17/505019/FULL Ridgedale Riding School Halstow Lane Upchurch
Proposal: Retrospective
application for Change of use of land to a mixed use site, to continue the
equestrian use and add residential use for three Romani Gypsy families. Site to
contain three static caravans, three touring caravans, parking for 6 vehicles
with associated development
Councillors considered
the application and were concerned about access to the footpaths; the site is
on a flood plain and is unsuitable; there is environmental concern regarding
waste from drainage and sewerage; Swale Borough Council has fulfilled its quota
of Gipsy and Traveller sites to 2031; the vans do not move so the residents do
not meet the criteria of traveller status; concern was raised regarding the
impact of the area.
It was AGREED UNANIMOUSLY to object to the
application.
iii. Ref:
17/505284/FULL 46 Woodruff Close Upchurch Kent
Proposal: Proposed
single storey rear extension, first floor front extension with cat-slide roof
and single storey front porch
Councillors considered
the application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ views be taken
into account.
iv. Ref:
17/505215/FULL 2 Wetham Green Cottages Wetham Green Upchurch
Proposal:
Replacement of existing fence with 1.4m high fence
Councillors
considered the application and raised no objections.
v. Ref:
17/505293/FULL School Cottage Holywell Lane Upchurch
Proposal: Removal of
the existing single storey rear conservatory and the erection of a single
storey rear extension.
Councillors considered the
application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ views be taken
into account.
vi. Four Gun Field
Members
were informed that the angle of the block paving at Four Gun Field makes the
water run into the lane as there are no drains. This is a retrospective issue and Cllr Lewin and Cllr Rosewell will
investigate.
Paddock and Recreation
Ground
General
Purposes Committee has consulted with users of the Recreation Ground car park
and the Council has agreed that there should be a formal agreement with a
charge of £40.00 per annum per vehicle for residents, who have no driveway and
who are immediate neighbours of the Recreation Ground, to park on the access
road to alleviate parking on the road.
KALC
Community Award 2018
Councillors
agreed to participate in the Awards again to acknowledge a resident who has
made a significant difference to the village. Nominations for the KALC Community Award should be sent to the Clerk and
the award will be presented at the Annual Parish Meeting.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 7th December and 4th January at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 20th December and 17th January 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.
Upchurch Parish Council would like to wish all
residents a
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
