Minutes 2016/17 page 1

C09/2016/1-17

CUXTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON THURSDAY8 SEPTEMBER 2016INTHE SCOUT HALL, BUSH ROAD, CUXTON AT 7.30 pm

PRESENT: / Cllr Gordon Chitty / Vice-chairman
Cllr Ged Chalker
Cllr Mrs Sheila Chamberlain
Cllr Matt Fearn / From item 5
Cllr Mrs Tracy Thorley
Mrs Roxana Brammer / Clerk
Mrs Daniela Baylis / Assistant Clerk
Item No
Minute No 2016/17/ / Action Point
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132 / APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from:
Cllr Mrs Kay Hutchfield / On holiday
Cllr Mrs Elizabeth Maisey / indisposed
Cllr Mrs Julie Porter / On holiday
Cllr Colin Sacre / Family commitment
It was proposed by Cllr Chitty, seconded by Cllr Mrs Thorley and agreed that these apologies be accepted by the Council. An apology for late arrival was received from Cllr Matt Fearn.
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133 / DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST (DPI, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND PERSONAL) AND ALTERATIONS TO THE REGISTER
None.
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134 / MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 JULY 2016
It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Thorley, seconded by Cllr Mrs Chamberlain and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 14th July 2016 be signed as a true record, subject to the following amendments:
C/07/16/1 minute 2016/17/98: Substitute “Cllr Chitty” for “Cllr Chalker”. Add “Cllr Mrs Chamberlain asked how long the Council was prepared to accept apologies from Cllrs Monck and Miss Sayer”.
C/07/16/5d minute 2016/17/102:Final sentence: amend to “2 abstentions” and delete “one not voting.”
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135 / MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NOT OTHERWISE ON THE AGENDA
None.

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MEDWAY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT AND PUBLIC SESSION

The chairman suspended the meeting to allow Cllr Fearn to speak.

Cllr Fearn said he had nothing extra to report.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Fearn and reconvened the meeting.

5 / FINANCE
136 / a / Bank Balances
The bank balances set out in Appendix A were noted. The Clerk reported that she had opened a new account for the Pavilion and Recreation Ground development reserve, which now held £50,000. Cllr Chalker suggested the Finance Committee look into alternative accounts with greater interest.
137 / b / Cheques signed since last meeting
It was proposed by Cllr Chitty, seconded by Cllr Fearn and agreed the payments made since the last meeting as listed on Appendix A be ratified (cheques 100162 - 100173).
138 / c / Insurance Renewal
The insurance renewal was discussed. The Clerk explained there were really only 3 companies that could be considered as local authority insurance was a specialist item. One of these was a broker who used an insurance company that was not necessarily a specialist. She also stated that Zurich Mutual had a dedicated section for parish councils and understood the parameters of parish councils. It was proposed by Cllr Chalker, seconded by Cllr Fearn and agreed to continue with Zurich Municipal. Zurich Municipal had quoted for a fixed term of 3 or 5 years in addition to one year. It was proposed by Cllr Chalker, seconded by CllrChitty and agreed to accept the 3 year option.
139 / d / Accounts for payment
It was proposed by Cllr Chitty, seconded by Cllr Fearn and agreed that the accounts listed in Appendix A be paid, (cheques 100174-100179), with the addition of £3,225.95, Zurich Mutual (cheque 100180)
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140 / GRANT APPLICATIONS
None.
7 / MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S LAND AND PROPERTY
141 / a / CCTV
Cllr Chitty said he had been contacted by the company who had taken over the contract with Medway Council. Now the school had returned after the holidays, it would be necessary to establish what their plans were and to move forward.

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142 / b / Alarm System
This had been now been repaired.
c / Any Other Matters
143 / i / Church Hill
Cllr Chalker asked that the Land Management Committee were proactive and had a careful brief on what was happening on Church Hill.
144 / c / Next Meeting of the Land Management Committee
The next meeting of the Land Management Committee would be held on 22nd September. Cllr Chalker asked that those councillors not on any committee be sent copies of the agenda and minutes.
8 / HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT
a / Public Rights of Way
145 / i / RS207
It was noted that there had been complaints about dangerous horses in the field. This had been reported to the Public Rights of Way officer at Medway Council and to the Health & Safety Executive.
146 / ii / Riverside Walk
It was noted that the Chairman was being represented by Ian Gray.
147 / b / Proposed Traffic Light Scheme, Rochester Road
Cllr Fearn reported that surveys of the ground would be undertaken in October/November and that costings would be produced for a decision in December.
c / Street Cleaning
148 / i / General Matters
Nothing to report.
149 / ii / Storage Bins
The Assistant Clerk reported that only 2 quotations had been received for the concrete base for the bins, one for £850and the other for £1,500. Together with the cost of the bins, this came to more than the amount previously agreed. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Chamberlain, seconded by Cllr Mrs Thorley and agreed to waive financial regulations. It was then proposed by Cllr Chitty, seconded by Cllr Mrs Thorley and agreed to proceed with the purchase of the bins from British Bins as previously agreed and construction of base for them from Baylis Landscape Contractors.

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d / Parking
150 / i / Bush Road and Mobility Scooters
Cllr Mrs Chamberlain outlined difficulties experienced in Bush Road by those using mobility scooters. A neighbour had been knocked off his. She was asked to write an article for Cuxton Noticeboard. / SC
151 / ii / Social Club
Cllr Mrs Thorley reported that the Social Club had decided to install bollards but would still allow parking at school drop off and pick up times.
152 / e / Bush Road Partnership
Cllr Mrs Thorley said that the next meeting was on 29th September. She and the Chairman had had a meeting with the Academy Trust.
153 / f / Bus Shelter
A complaint had been received about lack of consultation. Cllr Fearn said he had spoken to the complainant and was disappointed about the lack of consultation.
154 / g / Medway Valley Community Rail Trust
In Cllr Mrs Hutchfield’s absence, there was no report.
155 / g / Other Highways or Transport Issues
No matters were raised.
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156 / WEBSITE
Cllr Fearn declared a personal interest as he was acquainted with one of the contractors and said he would not take part in any vote.
The various options were tabled. After discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Chitty and seconded by Cllr Mrs Thorley that Steve Sinyard be invited to set up a stand-alone website. The motion was carried by 3 votes in favour, none against and 1 abstention with one member not voting.
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157 / DEFIBRILLATOR
The item wasdeferred in the absence of Cllr Monck. The Clerk said that High Halstow Parish Council had purchased a defibrillator with the assistance of the senior First Responder on the Hoo Peninsula and she would obtain details.
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158 / GRANTS POLICY
The amended grants policy had been circulated. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Thorley, seconded by Cllr Fearn and agreed unanimously that the policy be adopted.

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159 / CONSULTATION
No documents received.
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160 / CORRESPONDENCE
None.
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161 / REPORTS ON EVENTS
None.
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162 / MEMBERS’ REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No requests were made.
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163 / ANY OTHER BUSINESS AT THE CHAIRMANS DISCRETION (MEMBERS’ INFORMATION EXCHANGE)
None.

The Chairman thanked councillors for attending and closed the meeting at 8.55pm.

Signed ………………………………………………………..Chairman

On the ……………..day of ………………………………..2016

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