Minutes of the Meeting of the Ash Parish Council held in Ash Village Hall on Monday 3rd September, 2007 at 7.30pm.

443. Present: Mr Foat (Chairman), Mr Cooper, Mr Darvell, Mr Gregory, Mr Lambie, Mr Palmer, Mr Pratt, PCSO Mrs White, PC Wright, two parishioners.

444. Apologies for absence - Mr Whitburn, Prof Swingland, District Cllr Bartlett (Stourmarsh AGM), District Cllr Chandler (ill), County Cllr Ridings.

445. Nominate a Publicity Officer - Mr Pratt agreed to write the report for the Parish Magazine.

446. Declarations of Interest – Councillors were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a personal or prejudicial interest.
- Cllrs Cooper and Gregory declared a prejudicial interest on Item 457 i) and Cllr Gregory after making a contribution left the room for that item

447. Minutes of the 6 Aug 2007 Meeting
The minutes were proposed by Mr Lambie, seconded Mr Gregory, agreed and signed as a true record.

448. Matters Arising from the minutes of the last meeting not listed on the agenda – none.

449. Public Question Time
A parishioner raised the matter of traffic speeding along New Street and The Street. He suggested that the Parish Council look at reducing speed limits, putting up signs asking drivers to slow down as used in Wingham, and for the police to carry out speed checks. PC Wright explained the procedure and that an application can be made for a speed check. Other suggestions were the signs that flashed when the speed limit was broken. The Chairman noted that the Parish Council had requested traffic calming measures from Kent County Council. It was agreed to put the item on the next agenda.

450. Resignation of Cllr Potts
Following the resignation of Cllr Potts, the notices informing the Parish of the vacancy will be displayed on Wed 5 September. There is a 14 day period when electors may call for an election. If this does not happen, then the Parish Council is able to co-opt and will advertise to this effect and any applications can go on the agenda of the next meeting.

451. Election of a new Vice Chairman
Mr Pratt was nominated for Vice-Chairman by Mr Foat, seconded by Mr Darvell and agreed.
It was agreed that the line management of the PCSO would be done by the Clerk.

452. Applications for the Vacancy of Parish Councillor – two applicants Mrs Margot Bilham and Mr Ken King.  Mrs Margot Bilham was elected by ballot to fill the vacant position of Parish Councillor.

453. Police Report
The Clerk had reported to the police the recent fires of the newspapers from Alldays at Pound Corner. Ref: 29-0379.
The meeting was adjourned so that PC Wright could give his report.
The police had continued with approaching the parents of young people involved in anti-social behaviour. CUBIT, the collection of untaxed vehicles had resulted in a decline of untaxed vehicles on the road. Local farms employing migrant workers had responded positively to Information Packs that the police had been distributing. Stop, check and search and regular patrols were taking place. The new dates for the Mobile Police Unit would be available soon. Information on a number of recent incidents had been passed to the police. It was noted that the local shops were not involved with any supply of alcohol to under-age drinkers.

454. Introduction of PCSO – Lisa White
Mrs White had completed her training and had started full-time in Ash, two weeks ago. At present, she is using a police vehicle and has an office base in Deal and a local base in Ash Village Hall. She is first aid trained and registered and is providing invaluable support for the policing of the village.

The meeting was reconvened.

455. District Councillors Report – apologies were received from the District Councillors, due to illness and attendance at another Parish Council meeting respectively.

456. Affordable Housing Needs Survey
The draft covering letters from Mr Hall were discussed and it was agreed to follow the format used by Swingfield Parish Council, amended as appropriate.

457. Planning
a) Applications – comments categorized as no comment (ambivalent), positively supports, objects:
i) 438: DOV/07/00737. Erection of rear extension and detached wc outbuilding to the rear. The Old Forge, 72 The Street, Ash. Cllr Gregory left the room after explained that a neighbour had raised the question of windows. It was noted that the windows were in situ and not part of the extension covered by the application. There were no objections.
ii) 439: DOV/07/00879. Erection of a 3 bay garage / carport, a 1.2 metre high wall and railings and alteration to existing vehicular access. Owl Oast, Westmarsh, Ash. A query was raised on the plans for the loft conversion. Apart from this there were no objections.
iii) 440: DOV/07/00978. Erection of two storey and single storey side extensions (existing single storey side store to be demolished). Great Knell Farm Cottage, Knell Lane, Ash. The Council objected on the grounds that the extension was too large in relation to the over-all size of the dwelling.

Withdrawn: None
Granted by DDC: None Refused by DDC: None
Granted by KCC: None Refused by KCC: None

b) Pegwell Bay to Kingsdown Coastal Strategy – two public exhibitions 10 Sept Sandwich Guild Hall, 11 Sept Deal Town Hall. Mr Cooper, Mr Lambie and Mr Palmer would look at report to see if a response was required.

c) Regional Spatial Strategy for the SE. CD available and hard copy ordered. The report is being considered by the Secretary of State and any proposed changes will be published at the end of the year when a 12 week consultation will take place. Circulated.

d) Cutting down of trees in a conservation area - following concerns raised, it had been confirmed by Dover District Council that permission is required to cut down trees in a conservation area even if they had been planted by the person wishing to carry out the work and in the opinion of the land owner constituted a danger to the property.

e) Follow ups:-
i) Flooding at Nash – letter sent to Mr Harrison-Mee, Kent Highways Services
ii) 12 Chequer Lane – Enforcement Officer visited, awaiting further information from Highways Department
iii) Application from Mansfields was sent back by Dover District Council due to insufficient documentation.

458. Parish Plan
The advert had been placed by Mr Whitburn in the Parish Magazine and the hall was booked. Information to go on the notice boards. The invites are to be sent this week.

459. Recreation Ground
i) The quote had been received from the tree surgeon of £1,950 plus VAT:- silver beeches in The Street Car park and at Pound Corner; Rec Ground: Black poplar pollard to 10m; Norway Maple crown thin 20% and crown raise; Oak Tree removal of two limbs over the road; Norway Maple by the picket fence, fell to ground level. Rec Ground not in conservation Area but awaiting DDC confirmation on the work on the black poplar etc. It would be necessary to apply for permission for the Pound Corner beech trees.
Proposed by Mr Darvell, seconded by Mr Palmer and agreed that this quote is accepted.
ii) The Annual Inspection of Play Equipment was noted and that there were no high risk items; Mr Wilkinson was working through the medium risk items It was agreed to purchase a trial rubber mat for £18 to see if it would help in reducing the wear in front of the basketball net. If this was successful then it would need at least 6 more for that area.
iii) Mrs Hume raised problems over the drainage at the Pavilion with sinks backing up when showers were in use; also there were problems with storing the roller indoors as it was causing damage to the floating floor. It was agreed to pass these concerns on to the Pavilion Committee.
iv) It had been reported to two councillors, that over the Bank Holiday Saturday, inappropriate language had been used on the pitch during a football match. This concern would be passed to the Football Club.
v) Report from the Environment Assistant noted the high level of anti-social behaviour on the Ground.
vi) Councillors were pleased that there was extensive use of the Recreation Ground by different clubs and parishioners especially over the week-end.

460. Parish Council Property & Environment
i) Mr Whitburn had submitted a thorough report on his site meeting with John Pugh of Stagecoach to discuss various bus stop issues:
Bus Stop opposite Havelock Place – outlined issues and details of the proposed shelter and that KCC are due to do raised kerbs and road markings. Proposing removal of concrete post and fix flag to the wall of the new shelter.
Rationalise Bus Stops
Heading east along The Street, replace the concrete post at the first stop and with a higher, metal post
Sandwich Road, coming west off the bypass, move the first stop which is just off the bypass to a site to the west of the junction with Collar Makers Green.
Move the next stop, currently outside Bates, to a position closer to Cherry Garden Lane – precise location to be determined.
Do not accept Parish Council proposed site for a bus stop to the east of Collar Makers Green as it is on a curve.

Replace all remaining existing concrete posts i.e at both Chequer Lane stops and remove any redundant concrete posts still in situ, i.e. at bottom end of New Street.
Marking Bus Stops as “Clearways”
Bus stops to be marked up as “Clearways”. These must not be parked on and will have a solid yellow line (the width of a double yellow line) painted next to the kerb together with appropriate signing.

i) Updating the Parish Directory was continuing. The quotes from the four companies were presented and it was proposed by Mr Palmer, seconded by Mr Cooper and agreed that RK Graphics was accepted at £446 on 130gsm gloss, and 250gsm gloss cover, for 2,000.
ii) Ash – An East Kent Village. Philimores has confirmed that the Parish Council can sell the books in Ash and can supply to retailers, as long as they do not have an existing account with Philimores. Mr Cooper would approach the new Post Office to see if they wished to take a number of books on a sale or return basis.
iii) Report from Environmental Assistant noted the continuing problems at Pound Corner and the Car Park on The Street. The trip hazard at the Bus Shelter and the broken school crossing sign had been reported to Kent Highway Services. Dog waste was being left in the Chilton Place and Beckett’s Place litter bins. The dog bin at Chequer Lane needed emptying.

461. Highways Report
i) Lights reported Ref: 164140 Molland Lane; 41 New Street Ref: 171792 although this was still on continuously.
ii) Shade on light at Moat Lane by the War Memorial is broken.
iii) Roadside is obstructed by overgrown hedges at Highland Court , along the road to Westmarsh, where Knell Lane at Warehorn Cottages runs to Corner Drove. The hedges have made a narrow lane even more narrow, forcing traffic and cyclists into the middle of the road.

iv) Sunrise Cottage, Cop Street, the hedge has been trimmed back in part. Situation to be monitored for safety.

462. Footpaths Report
i) Follow ups: the overgrown path behind surgery had been reported to DDC Officer, Mr Finch; the Vegetation Maintenance Schedule has been requested. Matching volunteers with footpaths is still to be completed.
ii) The footpath EE113 from Holnesss Road up to the car park, passing the side of No 12 and the flats is overgrown and is to be reported.
iii) EE53 is to be reported, from Cooper Street, northwards, it is blocked by a fallen wire fence and brambles.
iv) Countryside Access Improvement Plan – it was noted that there is no new money for proposed improvements and that the Parish Council is able to suggest new cycle routes and any rationalisation of local paths thought appropriate. Mr Palmer will look at the Plan and Mr Foat & Mr Lambie will prepare a response if necessary.

463. Finance Report including Monthly Accounts / Payments for Approval
Mr Cooper proposed, Mr Pratt seconded and it was agreed that the Finance Report be accepted and the following payments approved:
Employment Expenses £1,540.27
Administration £174.00
Maintenance £683.90
Roundabout £6,071.34
Dog Bins £419.76
Annual Audit £400.00
VAT £1,333.33
Total £10,622.60

Current Account as at 20 September 2007 £1,758.21
Capital Reserve Account as at 20 September 2007 £62,763.00

464. Nomination for Representative on Dover District Council’s Standard Committee – there were no nominations.

465. Review of Polling District & Polling Places (Ash Village Hall)
It was agreed that the Ash Village Hall was a suitable polling place as it was accessible, central and available.
It was agreed to submit a comment on the properties that are not included in the Polling District of Ash: Meadow Cottage at the end of Pudding Lane and the five houses at the end of Poulton Lane.

466. Correspondence
i) KAPC Councillors’ Training Day Sat 22 September 2007, Lenham Community Centre
ii) KAPC Password for Website Update
iii) Post Office re-starting 6th September at 31 The Street – M-Fri 9am -17.30; Sat 9-12.30
iv) DDC Ending of Weekend Bulk Collection Service. It was agreed to write to DDC Waste Services expressing disappointment at the ending of this service and that the problem of being required to recycle any electrical goods collected could have been resolved simply by not collecting them.
v) Joint Sandwich Forum meeting Sept 6 at 6.45pm in Shepherdswell Village Hall on Access to local health care services. Terms of reference for the grant awarding process will be arranged separately

Circulated:
i) LCR
ii) Explore Kent Issue 14, 2007
iii) The Clerk Sept 07
iv) KCC Annual Plan 2007/2008
v) Parish News No 326 august 2007
vi) SE Planned roadworks Info Leaflet
vii) Close to Home July 2007
viii) Ash Parish Magazine Sept 2007
ix) AwRCiK No 84, July 08
x) AwRCiK Rural Opinion Survey 2007
xi) Information Commissioner’s Office CD on Data Protection Act

467. Website Report - there were no matters to report

468. Parish Council Newsletter & Press Releases - there were no matters to report

469. Any Other Business
Ash Bypass additional planting – file from1995, passed to Mr Foat.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.55pm.