241 Present: Mr Whitburn (Chairman), Miss Bennetts, Mr Foat, Mr King, Mrs Ovenden,
Mr Potts, Mr Darvell, Mr Pratt and Mr Gregory

Dist Anne Willshaw was in attendance and Sgt Guy Thompson from Kent Police and Yvonne Holder from Dover Anti-Social Behaviour Unit were present for part of the meeting.

242 Apologies for absence Prof Swingland
Mrs Chandler was absent

243 Nominate a Publicity Officer Mr King agreed to write a report for the Parish Magazine.

244 Minutes of the meeting held 7 November 2005
The minutes were approved and were signed as a true record.

245 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.

At this point the meeting was adjourned to allow Yvonne Holder to introduce herself to the council and to explain her role within the DASBU, followed by Sgt Thompson who talked about Police Community Support Officers and then Dist Cllr Willshaw to address the meeting.

246 Matters Arising from the minutes of the last meeting
i) Mr Whitburn gave a report from the Towns and Parishes Meeting held on 1st December at DDC.
ii) The Council was notified that Bryan Curtis has been elected as Parish Rep on the Standards Committee.

247 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council:
i) Land at Sheerwater Farm, Sheerwater – change of use to domestic garden (DOV/05/01100) – there were no objections to the proposals.
Granted by DDC:
i) Land between Oak Lodge and Hope Cottages, Poulton Lane – erection of a detached dwelling with single garage (DOV/0501132)
ii) The Grange, Weddington – erection of a detached annex (to provide auxiliary accommodation to main dwelling) and garage (existing garages and annex to be demolished) (DOV/05/00996)
iii) The Grange, Weddington – erection of a single storey rear conservatory extension (DOV/05/01111)
iv) Anchor House, Ship Yard – removal of one Silver Birch (TC/05/00063TC)
Refused by DDC:
None notified

248 Parish Plan
Possible sources of funding were discussed, but it was noted that applications need to be in by 17th February for those currently available. Advertising for committee members to come forward is to continue.

249 Recreation Ground Report
i) Mr Foat gave a report from the Recreation Ground Committee Meeting held immediately prior to this meeting:

Loose stopcock near pavilion – this has not yet been fixed, but is thought to constitute a trip hazard. Mr Dunn is to arrange a repair.

Play Equipment - the new gate and path into play area for disabled access has now been installed satisfactorily.

The Council’s Finance Committee has recommended:
• Works to repair see-saw - £600 – in current budget
• Purchase of new nets - £850 – yr 06/07
• Purchase of a new ‘springy’ toy – approx £700 - yr 06/07
• Do nothing about the roundabout at this stage, as the cost is prohibitive.

A Saunders House worker accidentally damaged a gate post, which has now been repaired by the Environment Assistant.

Courts and pitches
• Football posts – Mr Potts is to ask Warners again to repair and install the one that is currently stored behind the pavilion. The Environment Assistant is to be asked to wedge the other one to prevent it leaning.
• Tennis court resurfacing – the council has the necessary information and is to make a decision about a contribution. Dr Humphrey agreed to find out about the logistics of the getting the job done, in relation to traffic movements across the field, dates etc. Three grants have been applied for.
• Cricket Nets – proposed alterations to accommodate the nets are to be considered by the Council. A site meeting will take place to clarify the details. Although enquiries have been made, it is not thought that grants will be available for this project.

Toilet block - The toilets are now closed for the winter.

Environment Assistant’s Report
• Attempts were made to set fire to the teen shelter on two occasions, by unknown persons.
• The aerial slide is still awaiting repairs – Mr Foat is to check whether parts need to be ordered.

The hedging has now been cut.

ii) It was agreed that repairs to the see-saw should be put in hand immediately
iii) The full cost of repairing the gate is to be forwarded to Saunders House Landscapes.
iv) A message of complaint, about dog mess in the play area and the ‘walkway leading to it’, had been investigated, but none was found.

250 Parish Council Property and Environment
i) An old bike dumped in Chequer Lane has been reported to DDC.
ii) It was reported that a Silver Birch by the bus shelter in the car park needs attention and this
will be reported to DDC.

251 Highway Report
i) A request has been submitted for the 30mph sign at Sandwich Road to be moved further along towards the bypass junction and this was acknowledged. KCC Highways are to assess the site to see if the location meets with the required criteria for extending the 30mph zone.
ii) County Lengthsman Scheme – the following were submitted:
• Cutting back needed at the 30mph sign on the left entering from Woodnesborough – Highways report back that this is regularly trimmed back and is visible.
• A trip hazard in the pavement outside 41 Sandwich Road – this has now been filled.
• Cutting back needed at the Playground sign on the north end of Queens Road – If the council would like it re-sited away from the hedge, a new position needs to be suggested.
• Ineffective road drainage at Sandhills to the west of Ivy House – this is due to the farmers not cleaning out their ditches – they have been asked to do so many times.
• Cutting back needed around lights on footpaths from Chequer Lane and The Street – being dealt with by the Lighting Dept.
iii) Molland Lane – complaint about Silver Birches – KCC offered to reduce the size of the trees, but say the complainant insists that they want them removed completely. It appears to be stalemate – KCC do not want to remove what they say are healthy trees that are not causing any hazard or serious problem.
iv) The Dover District Bids for Integrated Transport measures that KCC will submit to the Gov for permission to fund include A257 Ash Roundabout – carriageway widening (£9,000 + £20,000 Pfizer) priority 4; Ash Village Gateways – entry treatments (£18,500) priority 14.
v) The School crossing sign on The Street above the junction with Molland Lane is partially obscured by foliage – this will be reported to Highways.

252 Police Report and Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Report
i) Community Warden – a joint application with Wingham is in progress.. A copy of a letter from Marilyn Howell to Mr Aziz at DDC asks for his comments about a proposal for Ash and Wingham to share the services of the Community Wardens for Eastry and/or Eythorne/Elvington.
ii) Speedwatch – still no response from PC Foster regarding suitability of roads.
iii) A mobile police station is to be based in the car park opposite Pound Corner one day a week, every six weeks,, manned by PC Wright and one other. Dates to be confirmed.
iv) Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) – It was agreed that a proposal for Ash to apply for a PCSO, either jointly with Wingham or alone if Wingham is not prepared to go ahead, should be added to the January agenda.

253 KAPC Report
Nothing to report.

254 Footpaths Report
i) EE112A – vandalism to the barrier at the Queen’s Rd end was reported to the Footpaths Officer who has scheduled repairs.

255 Website Report
Nothing to report.

256 Finance Report and Payments to be approved
Cllrs were provided with a copy of the Finance Committee Meeting minutes and a draft budget prior to the meeting. The budget was ratified and the Precept set at £53,000 for 2006/07.

The following payments were approved:
Employment expenses 1,581.04
Administration 188.43
Maintenance 210.57
Grants 900.00
VAT 41.08

Receipts:
PMC – pavilion insurance/rent (less grant) 472.87

Outstanding Invoices:
Ash Post Office – walk cards 12.00

Balances:
Current account 5,482.64
Capital Reserve account 31,109.49

257 Annual Risk Assessment – A tick form was completed. It was agreed to provide Manual Handling training to the Environment Assistant and to establish the extent of his Health and Safety training in previous employment.

258 Correspondence
i) DDC - Nash Road, Staple/Ash Parish - query re road name. The council agreed with the suggestion for a nameplate.
ii) DDC – Info about the proposal to create Designated Public Places, where the consumption of alcohol is restricted.
iii) DDC – Play Area Review.
iv) The Rural Housing Trust – invitation to a seminar on Affordable Village Housing, which will be attended by HRH The Princess Royal
v) New Local Government Network – invitation to a conference about ‘Building Stronger Communities’ on Thurs 2nd Feb in London
vi) Mrs P Stocks – email about parking in Queen’s Road and New Street – the Council agreed.
vii) Graham Foat – notice that he is resigning from the Cartwright, Godfrey and Kelsey Charity in Feb 2006 (to be added to January’s agenda).
viii) Jean Ryan –thanks for the cheques and confirmation that the heating was due to be installed 30/11/05 – 1/12/05, during the daytime.
Circulated
i) Standards Board for England – info leaflet
ii) ACRK – Rural News no 70 etc
iii) Kent Police – info about reorganisation and Relay Newsletter

259 Parish Council Newsletter – a draft was approved.

260 Press release - none

261 Any other business
i) The Clerk reported that she has now obtained her Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA), which is necessary should the council wish to apply for Quality Parish Council status.
ii) Miss A Hume – asked if the parish council could influence the bus providers to start a service from Ash to the hospital in Thanet. Mr Whitburn reported that this was very unlikely to happen as there would be insufficient resources, even given the new funding.
iii) The December collection from recycling boxes will be on Wed 14th; January will be 11th and 25th.
iv) The Chairman has carried out a survey of all bus stops in the area and forwarded it to KCC.