WOODCHURCH PARISH COUNCIL
Page 1
MINUTES 43 - DRAFT
Minutes of the meeting held in the Memorial Hall, Woodchurch
on Wednesday 16 December 2009 at 7.30 pm
PRESENT:Mr J Robinson (chair), Miss R Dewar, Mrs J Haynes, Mrs J Robinson
Mr I McGrath, Mr A Mobbs, Mr C Steer and Mr J West
Mr J Cridge joined the Council following his co-option
PARISH CLERK: Mrs J Batt
BOROUGH COUNCILLORS:
COUNTY COUNCILLOR:
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: There were 6 Members of the Public present
- APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
An Apology for Absence has been received from Borough Councillor Hicks,
Borough Councillor Davison and County Councillor Angell.
- DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Miss Dewar declared an interest in Planning Application No 09/01407/AS as she is a
family friend of a near neighbour.
Mr McGrath declared an interest in Planning Application No 09/01345/AS as he is a
near neighbour
i)Updating of Declarations of Interest for the Code of Conduct
Councillors are reminded that they should update their Declarations of Interest
with the Monitoring Officer if necessary.
3.CO-OPTION OF PARISH COUNCILLOR
One application has been received for the vacant position of Parish Councillor from
Mr John Cridge.
Copies of Mr Cridge’s application were circulated to councillors prior to the meeting
Mr Robinson proposed Mr Cridge for the position of Parish Councillor, seconded by
Mr Mobbs Unanimous
Mr Cridge signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office and the Clerk gave him
a Register of Members Interest form to return to ABC with a photocopy for our records.
WPC MINS 16.12.09 Page 2
4. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted and it was unanimously agreed that
Mr Robinson should sign them.
Proposed Mrs Haynes Seconded Mr Mobbs
5.MEETING ADJOURNED FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND RECONVENED
The meeting was opened to Members of the Public from 7.35 – 7.50 for questions and
comments.
- PLANNING
Please see attached list.
7. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
Mr Robinson is still waiting for sufficient light to enable him to take suitable photos to send
to the Planning Inspector.
Councillors Mobbs, Haynes and Robinson delivered our statement to the Planning Inspector
at the Cobtree Meadow Hearing on 3 December.
A safety fence has been erected around the Stonebridge Inn.
Mr Robinson will take a photograph of our remaining brown tourist sign to send to Highways.
The Landscape Planning Officer asked for details in order that she can follow up our
enquiry regarding the Holly tree in the Churchyard.
The Rural Housing Enabler is to attend the February meeting.
A lot of rubbish is being left on The Green after football matches. Mr Robinson will speak
to Mr Davy and ask him to make sure that the team clear up after each match.
Mr Robinson will look at the notice board at the bottom of Front Road with a view to
repairing or replacing it.
- CORRESPONDENCE
ABC re Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
Audit Commission
Jacobs
KCC re Consultation Draft: Community Infrastructure Provision Service Strategies in
Kent 2009
Explore Kent
HSBC
ABC re Precept request
English Rural
ABC Housing News
ABC Report of the Chairman of the Parish Forum
ABC Notice of Standards Committee Meeting 18.12.09
WPC MINS 16.12.09 Page 3
Received from Chris Banyard, Rural Warden
There has been a recent spell of lead thefts and thefts from motor vehicles in the area so please be vigilant to any suspect looking vehicles or people in the area and report them to the police or myself.
I am still available to give presentations on home security and scams to groups in the village so if anybody knows of any group or club that would benefit from this please get them to contact me and I shall be more than happy to come along.
I am in the village most days spending a lot of my time checking on the elderly and vulnerable, though it may be just a natter over a cup of tea, I may be the only person they see all week so if you know of anybody who may like me to pay them a visit please let me know.
I would like also to thank all those responsible for the fantastic Christmas meal put on at the Community hall to which myself and wife were invited. It was a fine example of community spirit which was enjoyed by all.
Lastly I would just like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas and a healthy New Year.
- ACCOUNTS AND OTHER GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS
Account Balance
The account balance stands at £28960.96, £5,000 of which is earmarked for election
expenses should the need arise.
Accounts to be paid
PAYEE / NET£ / VAT
£ / GROSS
£ / DETAILS
Mrs J Stone / 145.00 / 145.00 / Litter Picking
Mrs J Batt / 500.52 / 3.53 / 504.05 / Salary and Expenses
KCC (KCS) / 470.00 / 70.50 / 540.50 / Grounds Maintenance
Woodchurch Memorial Hall / 180.00 / 180.00 / Rent for 2010
Woodchurch Memorial Hall / 12.00 / 12.00 / Heating Tokens
Resolution
Councillors unanimously resolved to pass the above for payment.
Budget and Precept for 2010-2011
Please see attached.
Resolution: Councillors unanimously agreed to leave the precept for 2010-2011
at £20,000.
Archiving of Minutes
The Clerk reported that she had contacted the Centre for Kentish Studies who told her
that they are unable to take any minutes in for at least 2 years. Councillors are satisfied
that the minutes will be safe in the filing cabinet for the foreseeable future
WPC MINS 16.12.09 Page 4
Clerks Salary
Following receipt of the NALC Pay Award, the following was agreed upon:-
Resolution: It was unanimously agreed to increase the Clerk’s Salary to SPC 24-£10.841
per hour.
Insurance
Nothing to report.
Charities
Nothing to report.
Website
Miss Dewar asked for diary events.
Community Exercise Equipment
We are still awaiting quotes.
Village Youth Forum
Nothing to report.
Public Toilets
We are still waiting to hear from Ashford Borough Council regarding the future
arrangements for the management of the toilets.
Valuation of Fixed Assets
The Clerk will forward a copy to Mrs Robinson to be reviewed.
10.SIX MONTHLY RISK ASSESSMENT AND REVIEW OF FIXED ASSETS
Mr Steer apologised that this has not yet been completed.
One set of goal posts have been removed from The Green as they have been vandalised.
It was suggested that we should ask for quotes to replace them.
11. VILLAGE ROADSWEEPER/LITTER PICKER
We have not yet received any applications.
12.ALLOTMENT PROPOSAL
Mr McGrath is in still looking for a suitable piece of land.
13.COMMITTEE REPORTS
Village Hall
The work on the kitchen and toilets in the annexe is well underway.
The Committee have employed a new cleaner.
WPC MINS 16.12.09 Page 5
14.ITEMS TO BE REPORTED TO THE COUNTY LENGTHSMEN/PROW OFFICER
For Highways
Pot hole adjacent to the play area – Front Road
Pot holes in Hyland Row
2-3 potholes outside Wisteria Cottage, The Green
Frights Bridge, Shadoxhurst Road
Subsidence outside 4 The Green
Missing bend sign at Fullwood
The Clerk was asked to contact Highways and report that the occupiers of Treasures
1 – 3 The Green and Rocks 1 – 3 Front Road are pumping water onto The Green.
15. FORUM FOR EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN COUNCILLORS
It was reported that the Primary School is looking for people to form a
Management Committee to run the pre school.
It was suggested that we should find out who owns and has right of way over the piece of
land in front of the gate between Drayson House and the Village Hall. Mr Robinson will
look into this.
.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30 pm.
Signed …………………………………………………………. Dated ………………………
Chairman
WOODCHURCH PARISH COUNCIL
PLANNING APPLICATION RECORD
24 November 2009 – 16 December 2009
Full Planning Permission requested – Delegated to Officers unless otherwise stated:-
09/01169/ASMr G Blakeston, Luckhurst, Brook Street, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent TN26 3SX
Demolition of existing chalet style bungalow and replacement dwelling
Parish Council: Support
09/01345/ASMr D Darlison, Coldblow Oast, Coldblow, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent TN26 3PJ
Proposed storage building
Parish Council: Support
09/01407/ASMr J Hacker, Land ADJ 16 Cherry Orchard, Woodchurch
Erection of two semi-detached dwellings with parking and the creation of a
New vehicular access – revised scheme to previously refused application
09/00754/AS
Parish Council: No Comment 6: Object 1: Abstain 2
09/00203/TCMr W Joss, 5 Bournes Place, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent TN26 3PD
T1 – Oak, T2 – Field Ash, T3 – Field Ash, in rear garden, Pollard and remove dead wood to improve shape
Parish Council: Support
The following applications have been granted:-
09/00198/TCMr M Thurley, Drayson House, 2 The Green, Woodchurch,
Ashford, Kent TN26 3PB
T1 – Oak – Thin Crown and reduce by 25%
T2 – Oak – Reduce by 25%
T3 – Corsican Pine – Trim out dead wood
09/01258/ASMr J McIntosh, Vermont, 8 Stonebridge, Brook Street, Woodchurch,
Ashford, Kent TN26 3TG
Erection of a side extension, including new garage and a conservatory
The following appeal has been dismissed:-
APP/E2205/C/09/2104746Land at Boldshaves Oast, Frogs Hole Lane, Woodchurch,
Ashford, Kent TN26 3RAK