Hawkhurst Parish Council
Hawkhurst Parish CouncilMeeting:Full Council
Date:12th May 2014
Ref:nm.
Copt HallTyped:14th May 2014
PRESENT
Mr P Dartnell(Chairman), Mr M Appelbe,Mrs M Brinsley (Vice Chairman), Mr G Davies, Mrs S Fisher, Mr B Fitzpatrick,Mr J Hunt, Mr P Jones, Mrs J Newman, Mrs B Weeden,Mr C Williamson.
ADDITIONAL CIRCULATION
Mr. R Weeden, Mrs. B Palmer, Mr. J Cunningham, Mr.S Holden
KM, K&SC
1 / The Chairman opened the Meeting expressing his gratitude for the support of his fellow Members..
Adjournment for public speaking.
1.1
2. / A resident addressed the Members and spoke against 2 planning Applications at 8 Plumtree Cottages.
Apologies for absence:
Mr P Whittle
3. / Declaration of interests:
BW, PD and GD declared a personal interest in S.10 Planning item numbers 7 and 8 due to their involvement as Trustees at Springetts Almshouses.
MB and CW declared a personal interest in the Streetcruzer bus for S.5.2 Youth.
4. / Approval of minutes of previous meetings
Received the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14th April 2014. They were approved unanimously.
5. / Matters arising
5.1 / Transport & Highways. The road repair from Copthall Avenue to Talbot Road on the A229 was welcomed. Members asked the clerk to request a date for repair of Highgate Hill from the traffic lights to Copthall Avenue, which is felt to be in an equally bad state. JH asked for a timetable from KHT for road repairs in and around Hawkhurst.
SF described software for a car share scheme aimed at schools. It has 30days free and is £20 per month thereafter. Schools host the software and parents make a profile on it and organize car sharing amongst themselves. The most recent village consultation showed that 64% of children at Hawkhurst Primary School arrive by car. SF to write to Hawkhurst Primary School, Marlborough House School and St Ronans to discuss the software with them and the potential for the schools to create a car sharing scheme as a benefit to their pupils, their families and the community.
The clerk updated the meeting that TWBC and KHT have been approached to consider placing double yellow lines at the entrance to Copthall Avenue to assist those leaving and entering this narrow road from the A229. A reply is awaited.
5.2 / Youth Matters. Members agreed unanimously to give permission for the use of KGV Playing field and Sports Hall for the TWBC Family Fun Day on August 14th 2014. Volunteers are sought by the organisers and posters are up on HPC noticeboards to invite applications. The rise in price per session of the Streetcruzer Bus was discussed. In view of the scale of the increase, councilors agreed to ask WRAP for an explanation of their increase in cost and an undertaking to hold the current price until the matter is resolved. CW suggested an alternative of consideruing a grant for some of the equipment offered on Streetcruzer and hosting the KCC Youth Workers at The Sports Hall. JN Suggested HPC could offer the service until the current budget was spent.
5.3 / Police. (JH) 8 reported crimes in April 2014 and particular concern about non-domestic burglaries. MA offered to highlight this in the Village Magazine.
5.4 / Local Community Interest. Social networking. The advantages and disadvantages of Facebook and Twitter for HPC were discussed. A benefit in community engagement was agreed, subject to monitoring for illegal or defamatory comments. SF offered to set up HPC social networking with the clerk. Members agreed that Facebook would be set up as a trial if comments on it could be moderated.
Neighbourhood Planning. (JN). Next Meeting for the NDP Committee will be Weds 14th May, HPC office, 7pm. The public consultation at Dunks Hall needs to be booked for June.
5.5 / Speed Watch. JN offered her congratulations to the Speedwatch group for their hard work.JH requested that the recent letter with prices for equipment from Insp Simon Wilshaw be emailed to Speedwatch. Machinery capturing video images of speeding motorists costs £2950.00.
5.6 / Hawkhurst Community Centre. A meeting of HCT took place on Tuesday May 6th when it was agreed to submit a New Governing Document to the Charities Commission. This has now been duly signed and sent to Michael Crookes, lawyer for submission.
A motion was proposed by JH and seconded by PD to move to S.10 Planning and was supported unanimously.
6. / Reports of Committee Chairmen
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5 / Buildings. BF
The Post Office is now running at the Sports Hall on The Moor. There had been good footfall today. BT are booked to provide a phone line. JH believes it needs better signage. The next meeting is on Tuesday 27th May.
Land.CW
Meeting took place on 30.04.14. members asked if they remembered what they had voted for in June 2013 with regard to benches paid for from the windfall receipt. It was agreed to provide a picnic table at Heartenoak Playground and also one at The Moor, with JN against.It was agreed to change the next meeting date to Wednesday June 11th ahead of the first F&GP Meeting. Minutes of the Land Committee were noted.
F&GP. Nothing to report. Next meeting is Monday 16th June.
Personnel.MB. Nothing to report.
Fete. CW. Classic cars will now be included at the fete, followed by an evening of music. Minutes of the Fete Committee were noted.The Members voted unanimously in favour of allowing the Fete Committee to use The Moor, KGV Field and the Sports Hall for the Fete on August 2nd 2014.
7.
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5 / Matters for further discussion
MA expressed concern about the hold-up on the project to develop All Saints Church. Some Members felt it would be appropriate to allow the recent planning application to be processed before HPC should intervene in any way. CW believed it was a commercial transaction and inappropriate for HPC to involve itself. JH, supported by BF proposed HPC write to the developers offering what support they can to assist the project in moving forward. 7 Members voted in favour, with SF and JN against and PJ and CW abstaining.
BW gave the view that following advice from KALC, it seems that the Village Magazine ought to have had a separate bank account after HPC took a resolution in September 2012 in relation to it. JN, supported by PJ agreed that it should have but proposed that the matter should now wait until HPC reviewed the position of the Village Magazine in 2 months, when it would be clear if the Magazine was inside or outside HPC.8 voted in favour and BW, BF and MB voted against.
MB, supported by PJ proposed that HPC support Sevenoaks Town Council’s proposal :"That the government take the necessary action to allow a percentage of Business Rates to be paid direct to Parish and Town Councils for the benefit of local economic growth." This was unanimously agreed.
SF referred 2 matters raised by residents at the Annual Parish Meeting to Members. Firstly traders on Cranbrook Road would like signage promoting their presence close to The Colonnade and possibly a village listing of traders. Locations discussed for such a list were the library wall (permission from KCC required)or village noticeboard or Harry Roffey if permission were possible. Clerk to approach proprietor of Winifred’s Daughter for a list. Concern at speeding on Ockley Road approaching Cranbrook Road was also expressed. The clerk will mention this to Speedwatch.Finally at the APM, SF suggested to Mark Leader of West Kent Housing that the Bowles Lodge redevelopment be started in the summer school holidays when the impact on local traffic would be less.
BF alerted Members to the imminent TWBC Planning Committee meeting which will determine both the Highgate Hill and Birchfield developments. Members agreed that a coordinated plan will be needed to marshalMembers arguments and to submit them to the clerk who will coordinate with MB and PD, both of whom, offered to speak.
8. / Correspondence
Date Received / From / Subject
1 / 16/04/14 / Fete Committee / Permission to use KGV and The Moor for the Summer Fete 02/08/14 / See 6.5
2 / 25/04/14 / Speedwatch Group / Report of the meeting with Insp Simon Wilshaw 24.04.14.
3 / 28/04/14 / Post Office / Confirmation of PO acceptance of The Sports Hall, The Moor as a Hosted Outreach branch and opening of a 6 week public consultation for it.
4 / 28/04/14 / Resident / Enquiry ref: DCLG guidance on allotment sites; and vacant allotment plots at Hensill and Ockley. / A reply be sent by the Chairman.
5 / 03/05/14 / Speedwatch Group / CC of reply 29/04/14 to Speedwatch letter of 30/03/2014 to John Burr, KHT at KCC.. / Letter to be sent to JB re accidents on A229 North of Hawkhurst
6 / 06/05/14 / Rachel Godfrey / Greg Clarke MP has written to PO in support of the Hosted Outreach branch at The Sports Hall, The Moor.
7 / 06/05/14 / Insp Simon Wilshaw / Summary of action points following the Speedwatch Meeting 24.04.014.
8 / 06/05/14 / Hawkhurst Bonfire Society / Request: HPC support for road closure application; permission for pedestrian use of the Moor; permission to light the Beacon at the Moor; permission to launch fireworks on the Moor. / .*
*CW explained that the road closure is expected to be 1 hour only, with the procession turning on the Moor. There is a volunteer this year to stand by the Beacon until it burns out. Some concern was expressed by Members about the security of wooden houses and dogs in gardens in relation to fireworks. CW explained shells are used which do not leave behind parts to fall back down again. JH suggested KGV for the fireworks instead. PJ, supported by MB proposed the Members accept the request to support the road closure application; permission for pedestrian use of the Moor; permission to light the Beacon at the Moor. 8 Members voted forMB and BF voted against and SF abstained.
9.
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
10. / Finance
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE APRIL 2014
Accounts for payment / £ 6,498.56
Payment received / £ 442.10
Net Expenditure / -£ 6,056.46
Lloyds High Interest Reserve / £ 60,000.00
Lloyds Current / £ 10,081.00
Lloyds Access Reserve / £ 107,066.42
Petty Cash / £ 234.21
Payments were examined and voted for unanimously.
MB signed off the bank rec and confirmed she had checked petty cash.
The Internal Audit Accountant’s letter and recommendations were noted. Annual Return and Internal Audit 2013/14.
BW, supported by MB, proposed the Annual Return for 2012/13 be accepted and internal audit comments noted and acted upon. All agreed.
Planning
10.1 Planning & Highways Information:
Ref. No. / Proposal / Location / CommentsAPP/M2270/A/13/2198919 / Appeal by Ward Homes, Mr & Mrs J Tyrwhitt & Mr & Mrs AP Towell / Site at Land Rear of Fowlers Park, Rye Road
TWBC Planning Dept / Appeal by Ward Homes, Mr & Mrs J Tyrwhitt & Mr & Mrs AP Towell / Site at Land Rear of Fowlers Park, Rye Road / TWBC digest of Fowlers Park Appeal decision
10.2 Planning TWBC Approved:
Ref. No. / Proposal / Location / Comments/ValidTW/13/3828 / Demolition of existing nursing home and construction of an extra care building of 2 and 3 storeys and 48 flats, communal and community facilities / Bowles Lodge, All Saints Road, Hawkhurst
TW/14/00637/HOUSE / Two storey infill extension between house and garage, new dormer window to south, repositioning of door and new window to north. / Farthings, Horns Road, Hawkhurst
TW/14/00621/HOUSE / Demolition of garage and car port. Build garage and bedroom extensions / Grey Roof, North Hill Road, Hawkhurst
TW/13/00947/FUL / Four Bedroom detached dwelling / Land adjacent Invicta House, Queens Road, Hawkhurst
10.3 Planning TWBC Refused:
Ref. No. / Proposal / Location / Comments/ValidNone
10.4 Planning Applications
No. / Ref / Proposal / Address / Comments / Decision / Agree / Against / Abstain / Planning Committee1 / 14/00956/FULL / Construction of synthetic surfaced multi-use games area with fencing and DDA compliant access / St Ronans School, Water Lane / Agree / All / No
2 / 14/00621/HW1 / Demolition of kitchen and car port, build garage and bedroom extensions / Grey Roof, North Hill Rd / amended proposed first floor plan, PASSED
3 / 14/01114/HOUSE / Conversion of existing conservatory to an orangery / 5 Bokes Farm Cottages, Horns Hill / Agree / All / No
4 / 14/01223/LBC/TA1 / Listed Building Consent: Conversion of church to a tower house, 4 maisonettes and 2 flats plus parking / All Saints Church, Rye Road / Agree / All / No
5 / 14/01314/TPO/DMD / Reduce lime trees by 50% in height / 3 Highgate Mews / 50% reduction is too harsh and could jeopardise the trees. / Against / 5 / JH, PJ, MB / 3 / No
6 / 14/01313/FULL / Erection of a single dwelling following demolition of exisiting dwelling. Rerection of detached 3 bay garage/store / Tubslake Farm, Water Lane / Agree / 10 / JN / No
7 / 14/01302/HOUSE / Two storey side and and single storey rear extensions / 8 Plum Tree Cottages, Horns Road / Overintensive extension that would be out of character with the other properties in the road of that age. Loss of garage likely to cause parking problems on A229 and Avards Close. / Against / All / No
8 / 14/01300/FULL / Two bed detached bungalow / 8 Plum tree Cottages, Horns Road / Over-intensive development in a small space that would impact on the local amenity of neighbours and in particular in terms of garden privacy. Additional traffic on the narrow private road with no visitor parking would create difficulty for current residents as well as awkward vehicular access off Avards Close alongside parking for Springetts Almshouses. Poor layout design with the bathroom opposite the lounge. / Against / All / No
9 / 14/01193/FULL/RH1 / 3 Year temporary permission for mobile home for farm worker in connection with farming enterprise / Buckhurst View Farm, Horns Hill / Agree / All / No
11 Burial and Memorial
Interment Date / Deceased24/04/2014 / David Alan Jones / Burial
06/05/2014 / Violet Maureen Anderson / Burial
12 /
Notes and Information
Date / From / Subject1 / 16/4/2014 / Fete Committee Minutes / Stalls and activities planned for the fete.
2 / 11/4/2014 / Came and Company / Parish Matters – It was agreed that the Land Committee consider a competitive quote for playground inspections from Came & Co.
3 / 17/04/14 / KALC / The Parish News
4 / 16/04/14 / FIT (Fields in Trust) / Have a Field Day
5 / 22/04/2014 / FIT / Impact Report
6 / 25/04/2014 / e-WATCH / Crime Report, Hawkhurst
7 / 29/04/2014 / e-WATCH / Crime Report, Hawkhurst
8 / 29/04/2014 / PIA (Partnership in Action) / Advice Ambassadors Service
13 / Confidential:
None
14 /
Closure
14.1 / The meeting closed at22:0015 /
Future Meetings
15.1 / The next meeting of the Parish Council will be at Copt Hallon Monday 9thJune2014commencing at 19:45.Signed…………………………………………Date………………………………….
Peter Dartnell, Chairman of theParish Council.
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