152 Present:
Mr Whitburn (Chairman), Mr Foat, Mr Darvell, Mr Potts,
Mr Pratt, Mrs Ovenden and Mr Swingland
Also present District Cllr Anne Willshaw
153 Apologies
for absence Mr King and Miss Bennetts
Mrs Chandler and Mr Gregory were absent
154 Nominate a Publicity Officer Mr Whitburn agreed
to write a report for the Parish Magazine.
155 Minutes
of the meeting held on 5 July 2004
Following an amendment to item 134 i) the minutes of the meeting were
agreed and signed as a true record.
156 Declarations
of Interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have
a prejudicial personal interest,
but none were declared.
Code of Conduct – Guidelines to Members on Prejudicial Interests
– a response to this circulated document was not considered to
be necessary and an offer of additional training on the Code of Conduct,
from the Head of Legal Services at DDC, was declined.
The meeting was
adjourned to allow District Cllr Willshaw to address the meeting
157 Matters
arising from the minutes of the last meeting
i) DDC District Youth Strategy – to be deferred till next month
in the absence of
Mrs Chandler.
ii) East Kent Mental Health Review and Redesign of Inpatient Services
in East Kent – consultation document – a response formulated
by Mr Darvell is to be forwarded to the PCT.
158 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council:
i) 90 The Street – alterations to provide French doors in rear
elevation (DOV/04/00809LISTED) – there were no objections to the
proposals.
ii) Toyland, Paramour Street – erection of detached double garage
with store over (DOV/04/00857) – there were no objections to the
proposals.
iii) Rose Hill, 8 The Street – cut out top 6m of Sycamore tree
(TREEWORKS DOV/04/00918) – there were no objections to the proposals.
Granted by Dover
DC:
i) Little Nash Farmhouse, Nash – retrospective application for
the siting of a mobile home (DOV/04/00676) – limited to 2 years.
ii) Plots 33,58,81 Sandwich Road, Ash – changes of Sandford house
type from 4 to 6 beds (DOV/04/00728)
Granted by KCC:
i) Former Brown and Mason Yard, Ramsgate Road, Richborough – use
of land and erection of buildings as integrated waste management centre
including separation and transfer of category A materials with provision
new access and landscaping. (DO/03/477)
Refused by Dover
DC:
i) Plough House, Hoaden – erection of extensions and alterations
to ground levels to facilitate the work (DOV/04/00636)
ii) East Street Farm, East Street – removal of agricultural occupancy
condition (3) of DOV/96/0170 (DOV/04/00590)
Housing Needs
Survey:
The Draft document was approved by the Council for publication.
Cost Plan report that they consider there is a need for the type of
housing they provide and it is possible that terms may be revised so
as to make the housing fit the criteria required for a Rural Exception
Scheme.
Mr Whitburn reported that the 10 shared ownership homes, administered
by Hyde Housing, are to be allocated to people with a local connection.
The 8 rented properties are to be administered by Town and Country and
DDC are currently working with them to ensure that they are also allocated
to local people.
Statement of
Community Involvement:
Mr Whitburn attended the Workshop held on 27 July and gave a short report
in which he said that the purpose of the workshop was to get some indication
of how parish councils can influence the local planning framework.
Enforcement re
mobile homes on field adjacent to Recreation Ground
The Enforcement Officer emailed to say that a Planning Contravention
Notice was served on 15 July. There is a legal requirement for the landowner
to respond to this within 21 days after which it will be decided whether
it is expedient to serve an Enforcement Notice, seeking removal of the
mobile homes, or if they are to be removed voluntarily.
159 Recreation
Ground Report
i) Mr Foat gave a report from the Recreation Ground Committee Meeting.
ii) Pavilion
Extension
A Finance Report was presented and discussed. It was resolved on a motion
proposed by Mr Foat, seconded by Mr Pratt to increase the grant to the
Pavilion Management Committee by £10,000 to a total of £20,000.
It was noted that the £50,000 from Jack Foat Trust has now been
received by the Pavilion Management Committee and that a cheque for
this amount is awaited from them.
An email from the contractor, dated 13 July, informed the council that
the floors would be screeded on 20th, after which the building areas
would be closed off for Health & Safety reasons. This has now been
confirmed as having been carried out.
The Solicitor has been instructed to proceed with registering the lease.
iii) The Dover
District Play Areas Strategy and Risk Assessment of the play equipment
by Playing Field by National Playing Fields Association was considered.
The clerk reported that she and the Environment Assistant attended a
subsequent seminar held on 30th July, presented by the Inspector who
carried out the Risk Assessment.
It was explained that the play equipment is assessed against current
EU standards and therefore older pieces of equipment installed prior
to these standards (1999) may not comply. However, Standards are not
applied retrospectively and although current standards may consider
a piece of equipment high risk, it does not mean it is inherently unsafe.
The Inspector said that ‘high risk’ items can be tolerated
if it is not practicable to change them yet. It was suggested that the
owners should use the Risk Assessment as guidance to then make their
own judgement as to what action to take. It was noted that the council
now needs to consider for each item ‘Is the non-compliance significant
enough to prevent it being safe play equipment?’ and to be able
to say ‘ We follow as far as we can all standards and advice/recommendations’.
A meeting at the Recreation Ground was arranged for 9th August when
Cllrs will inspect and assess the priority of any alterations or repairs.
The Environment Assistant has produced a report to assist with the process.
iv) Kick Wall
and Teen Shelter - still awaited.
v) Mole treatment
– sonic repellers have been purchased and are about to be deployed.
Holes caused by moles etc. have been filled.
vi) Toilet block
– many incidents of vandalism were reported to the police during
the past month. Also, evidence of drug and substance abuse found.
vii) Trees –
A Tree Survey has been received which details nine trees requiring work
amounting to £1,000.00 + VAT. It was agreed on a proposal by Mr
Foat, seconded by Mrs Ovenden to proceed with the work on condition
that it is completed by the end of October.
Two small trees have been damaged and part of the fencing behind the
container.
viii) Dog fouling
– an increase in fouling has been reported especially near the
wooden adventure play equipment, so a request was made to the Dog Warden
to spend more time there during rounds. She has since erected a sign
and the Environment Assistant has added more.
160 Report
from Environment Assistant
Mr Wilkinson’s report was read out. It was noted that cover would
be needed for his holiday.
Mr Foat will water the planters and attend to the toilet block in the
Recreation Ground and
Mr Whitburn and Mrs Ovenden are to attend to Pound Corner and the bus
shelter.
161 Parish Council Property and Environment Report
i) A new post has been obtained for the village sign at Street Field.
ii) A new DDC contact for abandoned and untaxed vehicle reporting is
Mrs Denise Axford 872286 and abandoned.vehicles@dover.gov.uk.
iii) Southern Water operatives have attended to two broken stopcock
covers reported to them.
iv) The fly-tipped rubbish sacks have not yet been removed. Mrs Willshaw
agreed to follow this up.
162 Report
from Property Walkabout
A report of the Property Walkabout was presented. The Environment Assistant
is to tackle the jobs that need to be done in due course
163 Highways Report
i) 1 Barton Manor Farm Cottage, Westmarsh – DDC previously objected
to an application for an operating centre for two commercial vehicles,
but have notified that they are prepared to withdraw the objection with
certain conditions.
ii) MJS Engineering
– details of new solar powered speed limit reminder signs was
provided. It was agreed that the opinion of KCC Highways would be sought.
iii) Bypass verge
mowing – DDC have agreed to limit the mowing to once a year, in
the late summer to protect the wild flowers. Kent Wildlife Trust have
agreed to carry out a survey of the verges next spring.
iv) Church retaining
wall – A letter from Babtie is being delivered to residents of
The Street, informing them that parking will not be possible for the
duration of the works, which commence on 9th August.
v) Layby at New
Street – A site meeting with a Highways representative is to be
requested to establish whether the layby can be extended.
vi) A resident
of The Street is applying to have white lines painted on the road in
front of his driveway to restrict parking across it. A letter from him,
in which he states that he is doing this reluctantly due to his entrance
regularly being blocked and some drivers having been abusive when asked
to move, was read out and will be passed on to DDC.
vii) DDC are
to be notified that the white lines at Goldstone crossroads have become
obliterated and need redoing.
164 Police
and anti-social behaviour strategy Report
A report from PC Wayne Wright regarding recent vandalism and measures
being taken was given.
It was noted that three crime reports were submitted online during July,
all relating to vandalism .
165 KAPC
Report
Cllr gave a short report of the Dover Area Meeting held on 29th July,
at which the speaker from Southern Water had talked about connecting
to mains drainage. The October meeting is to include a discussion about
how the various parishes deal with planning matters.
Parish News 302 circulated.
166 Footpaths
Report
EE112A (The Quicks) Queens Road and Chequer Lane safety barriers have
been vandalised. Also the EE107 boundary with Griffin Cottage is overgrown.
All have been reported to the Footpaths Officer who confirms that they
will be dealt with as soon as possible.
167 Website
Report
Nothing to report
168 Report
from KCC Local Boards Meeting – in the absence of Mrs
Chandler, there was no report.
169 Finance
Report
The Audit for 2003-2004 has now been completed, with nothing queried
by the Auditor. The Notice of Conclusion of Audit has been posted on
the notice board and website.
The following payments were approved on a motion proposed by Mr Potts,
seconded by
Mr Darvell:
Employment costs
1,061.06 Administration 165.88
Audit Commission 350.00
Maintenance 120.32
Dog warden 28.92 Pavilion Extension (11.8.04) 17,428.00
VAT 3,137.72
Receipts:
Interest on Capital Reserve 108.54
VAT reclaimed 214.80
Phillimore & Co – Royalties 56.12
Balances (After transferring £20,000 from Cap to Curr and payment
11.8.04)
Current account 4,609.76 Capital Reserve account 5,214.93
It was agreed
to purchase a new Minute Book price £65.99.
170 Consider Adopting the KCC Policy Decisions for the Local
Government Pension Scheme
In the absence of Mrs Chandler, it was agreed that the clerk would liaise
with her and respond to KCC accordingly.
171 Development
Plan and STARR Initiative
Cllr Whitburn gave a short report on progress to date.
172 Correspondence
i) DDC Towns and Parishes mid-year meeting being held on Thurs 23 Sept.
ii) Email from a parishioner living at Glebelands asked if the council
would consider trimming the silver birches on the triangle opposite
Glebelands. It was noted that work to the lower branches is already
in hand for when time permits, and consideration will be given to further
work once cllrs have had a chance to look at the trees.
iii) Jean Ryan – notifying the council that Wind in the Willows
was a success, with 93 tickets sold, making £80 for the PMC. The
Parish Council is thanked for the support given.
iv) Gov Office for the South East – Proposed Changes to Regional
Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9) – Energy Efficiency
and Renewal Energy and Tourism Related Sports and Recreation. A consultation
document requiring response by 3 September taken by
Mr Whitburn.
v) Environment Agency – invitation for Ash PC to be an exhibitor
at the Kent Flood Fair – 19th September at Maidstone Leisure Centre.
vi) DDC – the toilet cleaning contract has again been awarded
to Connaught Cleaners and DDC have provided a specification to which
they must work. Opening times 8am – 6pm daily.
vii) Email from Mick Garton (Guilton NW) – various matters, roads
and footpaths, which are to be passed on as appropriate.
Circulated:
i) KCC Annual Plan 2004/05
ii) Kent Fire and Rescue Service – Performance Plan 2004/05
iii) Kent Youth and Community – info re a Conference about Young
People Living in Rural Areas being held on 25 September at Bluebell
Hill, Kent.
iv) Kent Trails Magazine
v) Clerk and Councils Direct Mag
vi) Documents relating to the Kent and Medway Structure Plan: Mapping
out the Future Examination in Progress
vii) KCC - Unauthorised Encampments info and advice
173 Press
release
None
174 Any
Other Business
It was noted that Mrs Talbot had volunteered to deliver Village Directories
to the new houses at the Puma site, along with Parish Magazines. She
was thanked on behalf of the council and given a supply of the Directories.
She has also offered to do the same for the other site once people start
moving in.
The next meeting
will be on Monday 6 September 2004.
