43 Apologies
for absence
Mr Pratt, Miss
Bennetts, Mr Gregory
Apologies were also received from District Cllrs Mrs A Willshaw and
Mr P Southgate
44 Nominate a Publicity Officer Mrs Chandler agreed
to write a report for the Parish Magazine.
45 Minutes
of the meeting held on 2 February 2004
The minutes of the meeting were agreed and signed as a true record.
46 Declarations
of Interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have
a prejudicial personal interest, but none were declared.
47 Councillor
Vacancy
An application from Mr Kenneth King was read out and he was co-opted
as a member on a motion proposed by Mrs Chandler, seconded by Mr Potts
and carried unanimously. Mr King made his Declaration of Acceptance
and completed a Declaration of Interests form and was welcomed onto
the council.
48 Matters
arising from the minutes of the last meetings
Mr Foat advised the council that ‘grandfather rights’ apply
to the Environment Assistant’s use of weedkiller, so technically
he could be permitted to use it. However it was agreed that this would
not be desirable generally and he would be permitted to use a small
amount around the milestone only. A metal stake is also to be put in
front of the milestone to protect it from further damage.
Mr Swingland
reported on progress with the Broadband Campaign and the new Karate
Club, which will most likely be taking place in the school building
as permission for use of the URC hall was not granted.
49 Planning
Considered:
i) Treeworks – Remove one beech tree at 92 the Street (TC/04/00008/TC)
– there were no objections to the proposals
ii) 3 Holness Road – erection of a two storey rear extension (DOV/04/00183)
– there were no objections to the proposals
iii) The Lion Hotel – display of illuminated fascia and projecting
sign (DOV/04/00167)
– internal alterations and erection of signs and lighting (CONSERVATION
DOV/04/00168) – there were no objections to the proposals
Granted:
i) 13 New Street – erection of two storey rear extension and porch,
replace flat roof with pitched roof and erection of fence (removal of
Leylandii trees) (DOV/03/01492)
Refused:
i) Mullbrey House, Cooper Street Drove – change of use to residential
garden (DOV/04/00002)
Notice
of Appeal:
i) Land rear of The Willow, Serendipity, Rowan Lodge, 48-54 Guilton
Cottages – change of use of agricultural land to use as garden
land (DOV/04/01231)
Housing
Needs Survey:
The clerk reported that the Housing Needs Survey forms would be ready
for circulation at the next council meeting.
Misc:
i) DDC – Delegation of Planning Decisions – a statement
regarding the system of delegation was added to the circulation wallet.
ii) DDC was notified
that the Wimpey site was being accessed from New Street, but Mr Flisher
confirmed that they were already aware and it had been dealt with.
iii) KCC –
Request for a Scoping Opinion under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental
Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 1999 (Regulation
10(1)) for Margate and Broadstairs Urban Wastewater Treatment Scheme
(PAG/AH/DC29/04/TH/0001) – taken by Mr Swingland who agreed to
respond on the council’s behalf.
50 Recreation
Ground
i) Pavilion Extension – queries raised about the lease are awaiting
legal advice from KAPC.
A draft contract is awaited from the building contractor and a Newsletter
explaining about the extension is being circulated to the sports clubs.
ii) Mowing/trees
etc. - the tree surgery and planting of new trees is completed.
It was agreed that the field needs its first mowing.
iii) Leaking
pipe – a new pipe was installed without the need to remove the
tree, but the electricity cable was damaged during excavation requiring
an emergency repair by Seeboard.
It was reported however that the water supply is not getting through
to the toilet block and Mr Whitburn and Mr Foat are to make further
investigations to establish the problem.
iv) Ash Rhinos
Softball Club – at a meeting on 8 Feb Mr Whitiburn and Mr Potts
agreed a site for the pitch with the club chairman.
v) Dog bin at
the play area end of the rec – DDC are to replace this bin within
the next week or so.
vi) Play equipment
– Quote for spare parts awaited from Park Leisure. Some of the
swings that are awaiting new bushes and part of the aerial slide have
been removed temporarily.
vii) Teen shelter
and a kick-wall –Mr Whitburn suggested sites for these items.
The clerk explained that a grant would be best applied for in April
and should include the base for the shelter and the lighting. An application
form for the grant is in hand. One quote for the base has been received,
but alternatives are to be sourced, and quotes for the lighting need
to be obtained. Mr Whitburn is to find out if the pavilion contractors
can help.
viii) Goal posts – one of the 5-a-side posts was erected with
new fixings, but has already been moved around. The Environment Assistant
in situ. Fixings are still to be obtained for the second one. Cllrs
discussed whether, if the large posts were erected as was suggested
at last month’s meeting, then the 5-a-side posts may not be needed.
ix) Rugby Club
equipment – some is still awaiting collection after having been
removed by the Environment Assistant.
51 Police
Report and anti-social behaviour strategy
Public drinking byelaw – nothing further to report.
52 Parish
Council Property
Litter bin near C& K School – A new liner is to be obtained.
53 Highway Matters
i) Traffic Calming – Dist Cllr Mrs Willshaw sent details about
‘village gateways’ for the council to give consideration
to funding. The council agreed that further information would be required
before committing to any particular scheme.
ii) Lighting
walkabout – reported to DDC:
Street light in Moat Lane (MCT2 843) is on 24 hrs a day
Several lights are obstructed by foliage, but one in particular outside
White Post Farmhouse – needs cutting back asap.
DDC confirm that these will be dealt with but that ‘day burners’
such as that at Moat Lane, are not priority.
iii) Road works
in New Street – DDC state that it is not possible to carry out
a consultation on such schemes but that future works can be viewed on
the KCC website.
54 KAPC
Mr Whitburn gave a report from the Dover Area Meeting held on 19 Feb.
Parish News no.298 was circulated.
Strategic Rail Authority Consultation Document – KAPC urges parish
councils to send in responses to the consultation, however as the proposals
do not directly affect Ash, there were no comments to be made.
Cllrs were notified about the Planning Information Day on Sat 13 March
at Hawkinge, but none are able to attend.
55 Footpaths
Public Rights of Way Liaison Meeting – Thursday 18 March 7pm at
Eastry Village Hall – Cllrs Chandler and Swingland are to attend.
Wet leaves on path from Molland Estate to Chequer Lane – the Footpath’s
Officer has stated that they do not have the resources to clear leaves.
Footpath EE114 was reported as being impassable, having been ploughed
up and planted.
56 Correspondence
i) Email complaining about the postal service – asks if PC can
do anything to improve matters. Cllrs agreed that there were problems
recently and Postwatch is to be contacted.
ii) Sandwich Forum – an invitation to a meeting on 24 Feb, was
notified prior to the council meeting
iii) Kent Village of the Year application forms
iv) In response to a complaints about the toilets being lock –
DDC will again instruct the contractors to stick to the correct times.
They state that on occasions the person unlocking has not moved the
bolt, which makes it look as if they are still locked, so they will
also be asked to ensure that they unlock and wedge the doors open.
v) SEERA – Proposed Alterations to Regional Planning Guidance,
South-East – Regional Minerals Strategy – for response by
24 May – taken by Mrs Ovenden
vi) SEERA – Proposed Alterations to Regional Planning Guidance,
South-East – Regional Waste Strategy – for response by 24
May - taken by Mrs Ovenden
vii) ODPM – Standards Board for England – Local Investigation
and Determination of Misconduct Allegations – Consultation by
the ODPM on Regulations Under Section 66 of the Local Government Act
2000 – for response by 18 May – taken by Mrs Chandler
viii) United Nations Association – Invitation to and posters for
event being held on 17 April at Dover Town Hall ‘Global Citizenship’
Circulated:
i) DDC – Delegation of Planning Decisions
ii) KRCC Rural News etc.
57 Finance
The clerk reported on a course she had attended to learn about submitting
PAYE end of year returns on line. This will be compulsory for small
employers by 2010, but incentive payments are available to those that
begin next year.
The clerk also
reported that she had made enquiries of Zurich Insurance Company to
compare rates, but was told that the existing insurers give the best
rates for small councils
Payments approved
on a motion proposed by Mr Swingland, seconded by Mr King:
Employment costs
934.75
Administration
135.50
Insurance 1,723.15
Repairs and maintenance
25.91
VAT 4.53
Receipts:
Allotment rents to date 25.00
Outstanding Invoices:
Allotment rents 5.00
Balances
Current account 2,095.69
Capital Reserve
account 28,986.09
58 Annual Parish Meeting – Tuesday 20 April
Reports/agendas will be ready for delivery at the next council meeting.
It was agreed to try and encourage some input from the young people
of the village
59 Website
Mr King’s photo is to be added.
60 Development Plan
Nothing to report.
61 Press
release
To include details of the new cllr.
None. 62 Any other business
The next meeting will be on
Monday 5 April 2004.
