63 Present: Mr Whitburn (Chairman), Mr Gregory, Mr Potts, Mrs Ovenden
Mrs Chandler, Mr Pratt, Miss Bennetts, Mr Foat, Mr King and Prof Swingland

64 Apologies for absence Mr Darvell,

65 Nominate a Publicity Officer Prof Swingland agreed to write a report for the Parish Magazine. Mrs Ovenden agreed to write a report of the Annual Parish Meeting.

66 Minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2005
The minutes of the meeting were agreed and signed as a true record following two alterations:
i) Minute 48 vi) - the word ‘Saunders’ was deleted and replaced with ‘Chapman’.
ii) Minute 57 - the words ‘sign up to’ were deleted.

67 Declarations of interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a prejudicial personal interest. None were declared.

68 Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
i) Pfizer Employee Volunteering Programme - it was reported that the form to be completed was not at all straightforward and that the council needs to be more specific about requirements than was anticipated. It was agreed that help should be sought with producing a Parish Plan, but that a wider participation would be required than just Parish Council. With this in mind it is hoped that an application can be made at a later date and in the meantime Miss Bennetts is to speak to the contact at Pfizer to clarify requirements.
ii) It was reported that ‘no objections’ were recorded to the proposed footpath diversion at Ware (EE79a part), although the Parish Council did in fact object. The Clerk is to investigate.

69 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council
i) 130 The Street – erection of a single storey side conservatory extension (DOV/05/00248) – there were no objections to the proposals

Granted by DDC:
i) 74 The Street – change of use to A2 (Financial and Professional services – Estate Agents)(DOV/05/01530)
ii) Salts End, Gosshall Lane – erection of a 2 storey extension to NE elevation (DOV/05/00171)
iii) Spindle Farm, Westmarsh – erection of 3 no dormer windows to West facing roof plane (DOV/05/00070)
iv) 35 Collar Makers Green – formation of hardstanding (DOV/05/00059)
v) Barn at Saunders house, Saunders Lane – conversion of barn for holiday accommodation (DOV/05/00053)
vi) Cooks Farmhouse, Westmarsh – replacement of concrete tiles on main roof with thatch, together with side roof extension and replacement of concrete tiles with Kent peg tiles (DOV/05/00063)

Refused by DDC:
i) West View Farm, Cop Street Road, Upper Goldstone – change of use of land and buildings to a mixed light industrial (B1) and storage and distribution (B8) use, erection of light industrial unit (demolition of 3 no existing buildings and refurbishment of existing Atcost building), formation of car parking and turning area and new access into site (DOV/05/01350)

Wimpey site at Sandwich Road:
The council is still trying to establish whether the building of phase 2 has begun prematurely. District Cllr Mrs Willshaw notified the council that Town and Country Housing will be responsible for the social housing and that this will consist of properties to rent to people on DDC’s housing list, with no preference given to those with a local connection. The local connection issue is to be queried with DDC, as it was previously understood this would be a criteria.

Hyde Housing:
Mrs Willshaw also reported that the shared equity properties at the Puma site are being marketed as ‘Key Worker’ homes. This is contrary to earlier advertising and is to be queried with Hyde Housing. It is believed that none have been sold to date.

Apple Store at Chandler and Dunn:
A copy of an approval for the works has been received from DDC. It would seem that the works did not require a planning application, merely a ‘notification form’.

70 Recreation Ground Report
Mr Foat gave a report from the Recreation Ground Committee Meeting:
i) Pavilion – the final invoice has been received from the building contractor. The Opening Evening had been a success. The gas installation will be completed this week.
ii) Football posts insurance – the posts are automatically covered for public liability and material cover for all risks has been added to the policy. One post is already in situ and the other due to be erected in a day or so. It was noted that Youth Club members, under the supervison of Mrs Hands, have volunteered to rub down and paint the posts.
iii) The Annual Safety Inspection by Wicksteeds, including DDA inspection, is believed to have taken place in March but the report is not in yet.
iv) Tennis Club – the Club appears to have cut their beech hedging and burnt the cuttings on the grass, which has caused an area approx. 25sq ft to be scorched. A letter is to be sent instructing them to rectify it.
The Club have consulted with other clubs regarding their practice wall and report no objections.
v) It was suggested that the clubs now need to clear their equipment from the container now that the building works have been completed.
vi) Cricket nets on Laslett’s field – the question of access was discussed and agreed that the cheapest option would be to remove the fencing between two posts. The cost of any gate, if required, would have to been borne by the Cricket Club.
vii) Toilet Block - most of the painting has been completed, but the gents walls need considerable preparation before being painted, so are being left till later in the year.
The gents and ladies signs on the doors have been vandalised and the Environment Assistant is to replace them with painted signs. The toilets are now open till 5pm daily. Seeboard will be reading the electricity meter on 12th April, following receipt of an over-estimated bill.
viii) It was reported that a person was seen on two occasions playing golf in the recreation ground, which is forbidden in the Byelaws. The clerk is to research notices indicating this and will also write to the person concerned.
ix) There was a request for a litter bin to be moved near the teen shelter and it was agreed that the Environment Assistant should check if this is possible.
Environment Assistant’s Report:
x) Two new wooden bollards have been erected in the space where the tree was removed.
xi) The locking bollards have been damaged and have been found to be ineffective in keeping vehicles off the field. An alternative method, using a chain, was suggested by the Environment Assistant and this is to be given due consideration for the autumn.
xii) Repairs to seats and benches are being systematically scheduled and a plan showing the condition and placing of each was provided.
xiii) Human faeces has been found on more than one occasion behind the toilet block and the pavilion.
The Council wished to record its appreciation of the work carried out by the Environment Assistant and his communications with the Council.

71 Parish Council Property and Environment, including Report from Environment Assistant
i) Ash War Memorial – an order for the work has been placed:
‘2LT W.J. Godfrey Black Watch’ (or if not enough room, then B.Watch)
ii) Grafitti at Chilton Place – DDC removed it as much as possible. They say the fence is maintained by the tenant.
iii) Deposits of human waste continue to be left behind the bus shelter at The Street. The ASBU has been informed and they are looking into how to prevent it.
iv) The signpost at Pound Corner was reported to DDC as having been damaged by vandals, but it has been repaired now.
v) It was agreed to ask Neil Ledbrooke to do the summer planters as before.

72 Highway Report
i) Layby at New Street – it has been confirmed that the council would have to fence off the land for a period of 12 years to claim ‘adverse ownership’. DDC have confirmed that planning permission would have to be sought and Wards will only help if planning permission is obtained. It was agreed that it would seem to be fruitless to continue with plans under the circumstances.
ii) Management of Bypass verges – an attempt was made to rake the verges and Gill Tysoe of KWT has said she will keep in touch about surveying progress.
Mrs Chandler agreed to monitor the appearance of wild flowers, including orchids.
iii) Bollards at Cop Street (removed by BT) – DDC notified that the Highway Unit will build up the bank with some top-soil and put back some new verge posts. The works will be carried out within the month in conjunction with the road closure works.
iv) Mr Whitburn reported that the draft Transport Strategy
Includes in the proposed 5 year Integrated Transport package for the district the following - ‘Year 1 (2006-07) : Ash Village Gateways’.

73 Police Report and anti-social behaviour strategy Report
i) The Police parish Forum meeting is on Thursday 14th April 7pm at Dover Police Station – Mr Foat and Prof Swingland hope to attend.
ii) Kent Community Warden – the council has been notified that the application for a warden will join a waiting list until such a time the County Council increases the number of deployments or policy is changed.

74 KAPC Report
i) Parish News 307 Circulated
ii) Dover Area Meeting and AGM on Thursday 28th April 7.30pm at Sandwich – copies of agenda passed to reps. Mr Whitburn and Mr Potts will be attending.
iii) Forthcoming Training Days
9th May New Legislation Information Day
17th May Clerk’s information day
16th July Councillors’ information day
15th October Finance information day
18th March 06 Planning information day

75 Footpaths Report
i) Report from the Public Rights of Way Annual Liaison Meeting held on 16th March – there was no report as Cllrs Foat and Chandler were unable to go.
ii) A request for the removal of stinging nettles on the footpath from Sandwich Road to New Street (Collar Makers Hole) is to be passed to the Footpaths Officer at KCC.
iii) A report of a garage building projecting onto the same footpath is to be investigated by Cllrs.

76 Website Report
The Newsletter /Agenda for APM is to be put on the website.

77 Finance Report and Payments to be approved

Audit: the Audit date is set for 6th June and in the meantime Pat Hume will be performing the internal audit.

The following payments were approved:
Employment expenses 3,139.72
Administration 709.90
Maintenance 380.62
Pavilion extension – final invoice 3,350.74
VAT 158.94

Receipts:
The precept will be paid into the account on 6.4.05
Interest on Capital Reserve 60.49

Balances – after Precept paid in :
Current account 45,482.00 Capital Reserve account 12,641.84

78 Development Plan and STARR Initiative
Nothing to report on the STARR initiative. It was agreed that Development Plan should be excluded from the next agenda, but Parish Plan should be included as an item.

79 Correspondence
i) Notice of application for Transfer of Licence for The Volunteer
ii) Kent Highways – info about the reshaping of the Highway Service
Circulated:
i) Councils Direct Mag
ii) Oast to Coast
iii) DDC ‘Your Home Your Future’
iv) Actions with Communities in Rural Kent - Rural News
v) Green Gang and Volunteers Newsletters
vi) DTI – PC Rom about Broadband
vii) Guided Walks leaflet
viii) DEFRA – leaflet about Quality Parish Councils and Parish Planning (£1M will be available from April for Parish Plans via the rural community councils).
ix) SERPA Newsletter

80 Arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting
i) Confirmed as attending:
Trevor Bartlett
Leyland Ridings (needs to be on early)
PC Wayne Wright
Anne Willshaw

ii) Refreshments – it was agreed that Maxpax coffee and tea with biscuits would be provided.

81 Parish Council Newsletter
The current issue includes the Agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting and is being distributed by cllrs to every household in the parish.

82 Press Release
None

83 Any other business
i) Excessively bright security lights at Lawson Park are to be reported to DDC.
ii) Serious hoarding of rubbish at a property in The Street is to be reported to
Environmental Health Officers.
iii) A noisy bird scarer is to be investigated by cllrs, as the exact location is not known.