A Meeting of the Parish Council was held in Ash Village Hall on
Monday 3 April 2006 at 7.30pm

(draft only - to be approved at meeting on 8th May 2006)

61 Present: Mr Whitburn (Chairman), Miss Bennetts, Mr Foat, Mr King, Mrs Ovenden,
Mr Potts, Mr Darvell, Mr Pratt, and Mr Gregory
Dist Cllr Anne Willshaw was present for the early part of the meeting.

62 Apologies for absence Prof Swingland , Mrs Chandler

63 Nominate a Publicity Officer Mr Protts agreed to write a report for the Parish Magazine.

64 Minutes of the meeting held 6 March 2006
The minutes were approved and were signed as a true record.

65 Declarations of Interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a personal or prejudicial interest; no such interests were declared.

66 Matters Arising from the minutes of the last meeting
None that were not covered in the Agenda.

67 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council:
i) Belvoir Cottage, Overland – outline application for the erection of a replacement two-storey dwelling (existing bungalow to be demolished) (DOV/06/00189) – there were no objections to the proposals, as long as the new build does not exceed existing footprint.
ii) 72 New Street – erection of a replacement garage (existing garage to be demolished) (DOV/06/00085) – there were no objections to the proposals.
iii) Ash Coombe Vineyard, Coombe Lane – Change of use and conversion of winery into 2no. holiday lets, together with erection of first floor extensions to increase height of building (DOV/06/00351) – there were no objections to the proposals.
iv) Goss Hall Farmhouse, Goss Hall Lane – internal and external alterations including alterations to fenestration and formation of raised terrace together with demolition of adjoining timber structure (DOV/06/00347 LISTED) – there were no objections to the proposals.
v) Old Radar Station, Saunders Lane – renewal of planning permission DOV/03/472 for the installation of a mobile unit to be used as a canteen (DOV/06/00327) – there were no objections to the proposals
vi) 61-63 The Street – conversion to 3no. dwellings together with erection of first floor rear extension and alterations to fenestration arrangement (DOV/06/00313) – objections are to be forwarded on the grounds that the proposed flat roof would be very prominent from the church and road in the conservation area and there is no provision for parking.
vii) Guston Court, Guston – internal and external alterations to facilitate conversion to a holiday let unit (DOV/06/00305) – there were no objections to the proposals.

Granted by DDC:
i) The Byre, Brooke Street – renewal of application DOV/00/01332, for the erection of a single storey extension.

Refused by DDC:
None notified

Withdrawn by the applicant:
Land at Sheerwater Farm – erection of shed and greenhouse on land outside the domestic curtilege (DOV/05/01100)

Chequer Lane – Two residents are applying to KCC to purchase a piece of the verge to put garages on. The Council looked at the submitted plan and members expressed concerns about the proposals. Should a planning application be submitted in due course, the Council is likely to object.

At this point the meeting was adjourned to allow Dist Cllr Willshaw to address the Council.

68 Parish Plan - Nothing to report.

69 Recreation Ground Report
i) Mr Foat gave a report from the Recreation Ground Meeting:
• It was agreed to ask the Softball Club to nominate a representative on the committee.
• Repairs have been carried out to the swings, aerial slide and seesaw.
• New nets are to be scheduled for the climbing frame and a bouncy toy this new financial year. The nets are to be ordered as quoted and designs for the bouncy toy will be considered at the May Council meeting.
• The teen shelter was destroyed by fire (minute 72 iii refers)
• Football posts – the Football Club are hoping to obtain new regulation round posts. The old post in situ can stay for the time being, but the other will not be replaced.
• The tennis court resurfacing work is due to start on 18th April.
• Toilet block – no paper supplies are currently being provided due to vandalism.
• Mr Foat is to measure up for the plastic ‘grasscrete’ so that an order can be placed.
• The Rugby Club continues to leave rubbish sacks outside after functions. The Clerk will write to them.
• A chair was found outside on the morning of 17 March, following a Youth Club session the night before
• The fire door was found to be swinging open on the morning of 22 March by a passing member of the public and it was subsequently discovered that some trophies were missing.
• The new Football Club was reported to be successful. They have requested a key to the toilet block, but it was noted that they have a key to the pavilion so should not need one to the toilets as well.
• The vehicle barrier is to be removed now that the weather is improving.
• The next meeting of the committee will be on Monday 5 June 2006, preceded by the Annual Inspection at 6.30pm.
ii) Saunders House Landscapes have confirmed their charges for 2006-2007, which remain at the same rate as for 2005-2006.

70 Parish Council Property and Environment
i) Two complaints, one verbal and one written, about the new dog bin at Langdon Avenue were considered, however it was still agreed that the bin is in the most suitable place.
ii) DDC contractors are attending regularly to clear up human faeces deposited behind the bus shelter and this has resulted in a cctv camera being set up in Pound Corner.
iii) The public toilets were reported to have been locked some days during the previous week or two due to them being blocked with paper etc.
iv) The litter bins in the Queens Road car park have been replaced by DDC.

71 Highway Report
i) Proposals by DDC to extend the double yellow lines at the end of Queen’s Road were approved by the Council. It was thought that they perhaps need to be extended even further along Queen’s Road as far as the entrance to the car park, but rather than delay the existing proposals, this will be considered at a later date as consultation would need to be carried out with residents.
ii) The light behind the VH (no. QAH202) was reported to Highways as being out and repairs are scheduled.
iii) An Ash tree has been planted in the Queens Rd car park to replace the one lost some time ago. The Environment Assistant is to ensure it is watered.
iv) The damaged road sign at the bypass end of Chequer Lane has been reported to Highways.
v) The following are to be reported:
• Potholes on the Ware Court to Warehorn .
• Fly-tipping at Cop Street Road.
• A possible water leak near Hadaways, Cop Street
• Recent planting of Poplars on the boundary with the verge for at least a mile stretch of the Nash Road and A257, which cllrs fear will in time impinge on the highway.

72 Police Report and Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Report
i) Supt Brandon has confirmed receipt of the Council’s expression of interest in a PCSO.
ii) Some information about funding was received from Inspector Merritt.
iii) The teen shelter was burnt out some time during the night of 23.3.06. A risk assessment is to be carried out prior to the Environment Assistant clearing up the mess, as it was thought that the debris may be toxic. It was agreed that he should eventually re-clad and paint the shelter. Mr Whitburn is to find out about a type of replacement material for the windows, which is used on bus shelters.
iv) A letter from the Village Hall Chairman, regarding use of the hall for the Youth Consultation meetings, was read out and discussed. It was agreed to agree the terms, including indemnifying the Hall Committee against further damage/theft whilst the hall is used by this group, up to the limit of the Hall’s insurance excesses. It was agreed that the Council should refund the £57.22 cost of refilling the fire extinguishers. Mrs Ovenden and Mr Whitburn both agreed to assist by taking turns attending meetings of the Group. Mr Whitburn will liaise with Yvonne Holder.
v) It was noted that the Trustees of the Educational Charities agreed some 'start up funding' for a youth group this information has been passed on to Yvonne Holder at DDC.
vi) Mr Foat will attend the Police Parish Forum Meeting on Thursday 27th April 7pm at Dover Police Station.

73 KAPC Report
i) A copy of Parish News no. 315 was distributed to all cllrs.
ii) The Dover Area AGM is scheduled for 27th April.

74 Footpaths Report
i) Mrs Chandler sent a report from the PROW liaison meeting, which was read out.
ii) The Council’s request for a barrier at the exit of EE130 – it would seem that the path is too narrow for any type of barrier that would keep out motorcycles but still allow disabled and baby buggies.
iii) Beating the Bounds Sat 7th October – the boat booking has been confirmed.
iv) A light, on the footpath between Glebelands and The Street, which was twisted round and shining into someone’s house, was reported

75 Website Report - nothing to report.

76 Finance Report and Payments to be approved
An annual increment along with the cost of living increase which is part of the NALC 3 yr agreement, was approved for the Clerk.

The following payments were approved:
Employment expenses 2,243.40
Administration incl subs 822.44
Capital expenditure – dog bin 259.76
Maintenance 308.10
VAT 202.13

Receipts
Ash Post Office – supply of Ash books and walk cards 115.80

Balances
Current account 1,954.84
Capital Reserve account 26,271.54

77 Correspondence
i) Info re Police Open Day Sat 8th April at Folkestone Police Station
Circulate Circulated:
i) Clerks & Councils Direct Mag
ii) Neighbourhood Watch News
iii) Kent Police – PR Letter about staying as a single strategic force
iv) Oast to Coast mag and ACRK Rural News
v) DDC Standards Committee agenda and minutes
vi) Local Works – Campaign for Sustainable Communities newsletter

78 Annual Parish Meeting
Arrangements for the meeting were confirmed.

79 Parish Council Newsletter – the latest issue includes the agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting and is due for delivery to all addresses in the parish.

80 Press release – none

81 Any other business
i) It was reported that the office photo-copier will no longer be covered by a maintenance contract.
ii) It was noted that the Reconstitution of the Governing Body at Ash Cartwright and Kelsey School will happen on August 1st, and that the Governor appointed by the Parish Council has to discontinue. However there is scope for co-opted Governors (they do not have voting rights). The Council agreed that keeping links with the School is desirable, but no volunteer has currently come forward.
It was reported that the recent OFSTED inspection for the Childcare part of the integrated Nursery project, received a 'good' in all areas.
iii) An accident by the Environment Assistant on the day of the meeting was reported as having been recorded it in the Accident Book.