1 Present: Mr Whitburn (Chairman), Mr Gregory, Mr Potts, Mr Darvell,
Mrs Chandler, Mr Pratt, Mr King and Mrs Ovenden

District Cllr Trevor Bartlett attended for part of the meeting.

2 Apologies for absence Miss Bennetts, Mr Foat, Prof Swingland

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

4 Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2004
The minutes of the meeting were agreed and signed as a true record.

5 Declarations of interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a prejudicial personal interest. Mr Gregory declared an interest in item 7 iv) (Considered) and left the room whilst it was discussed.

6 Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting

None that were not covered by the agenda.

7 Planning Report
Considered at Planning Meeting 18.12.04:
i) Site at Park Farm, Queen’s Road – Retrospective application for a change of use of land to a caravan site for six caravans (mobile homes) for occupation by Seasonal Agricultural workers (DOV/04/01448) – response sent:-
There appears to be no difference to application ref. DOV/03/01523 which was refused by DDC, and the current application and there is still no supporting evidence to demonstrate a need for agricultural workers at this site.
Local residents are strongly in opposition to the caravans in this location, because
• the site not only houses workers at that site, but has been used as accommodation for workers who are hired out to farms all around the district
• workers were in occupancy throughout the year prior to the caravans being removed from the site as ordered by the Enforcement Officer
• the occupants of the caravans have created a noise nuisance (loud music etc)
• it is considered to be unsuitable for a residential area
• to access the site lorries have to traverse the private layby opposite the gates and owners of this layby who have parked there (with every right to do so) have been asked on several occasions to move their vehicles to allow a lorry access onto the site.
In conclusion, the Parish Council objects to the proposals.

ii) Farm House, Overland farm – erection of a two storey front extension (DOV/04/01469) – there were no objections to the proposals

iii) Overland Cottage, Overland – erection of a two-storey extension (DOV/04/01457) – there were no objections to the proposals

iv) Pembroke House, Westmarsh – erection of single storey front, side and rear extension (DOV/04/01496) – there were no objections to the proposals

v) 1 Langdon Avenue – erection of a rear conservatory extension (DOV/04/01498) – there were no objections to the proposals

Considered by the Parish Council:
i) Yeoman Thatch, 27 The Street – retrospective application for the erection of a satellite disk (DOV/04/01329 LISTED AND CONSERVATION) - The Council is of the opinion that the erection should be permitted, but only on condition that the cabling to the satellite dish is installed to a better standard and made neater.
ii) Athelstan Green, Sandwich Road – display of advertising signs (DOV/0400917) – there were no objections to the proposals.
iii) 10A The Street, bay window extension to rear and erection of summerhouse (DOV/04/01476) – there were no objections to the proposals.
iv) 74 The Street – change of use to A2 (Financial and Professional services – Estate Agents) (DOV/04/01530) – there were no objections to the proposals.

Notice re: Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 Agricultural and Forestry Buildings and Roads:
i) Little Weddington Farm, Weddington – construction of winter storage reservoir for irrigation purposes (DOV/04/01263) – The applicant is notified that the District Council’s prior approval will be required for these proposals and the required details are stated.

Granted by DDC:
i) Brickfield Cottage, Richborough – erection of a single storey side extension (existing conservatory to be demolished) (DOV/04/01336)
ii) 16 Chequer Lane – amendments to scheme approved, to provide small infill lounge extension and pitched roof (DOV?04/00282B)
iii) Jasmine Cottage, Saunders Lane – erection of single storey rear extension (DOV/04/01289)
iv) Diamond Cottage, 80 The Street – replacement of existing windows with sash windows, erection of front dormer and internal alterations (LISTED DOV/04/01281)

Refused by DDC:
None notified

Draft Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) – circulated since last meeting:
It was agreed that comments were not necessary.

Town and Parish Councils Focus Group on Planning:
It was noted that Miss Bennetts has been selected to represent the KCC Sandwich Ward, along with Jeff Sneller from Sandwich with Derek Wanstall from Sholden as reserve. A meeting is scheduled for 10th February at 6pm. There were no specific items that the council wanted her to raise at the meeting.

To consider a formal response to the proposals to establish a new Nursery Unit at Cartwright and Kelsey CE Primary School:
It was agreed that the Council will write to support the scheme formally.

8 Recreation Ground Report
i) Pavilion – the clerk updated the council on the current financial situation. It was noted that the Pavilion Management Committee has been asked to refund the sum of £3,107.88 which was included in the most recent invoice, as this relates to the trench and supply of services.
ii) Lighting column – it was reported that this is on order and will be erected quite soon.
iii) The new Byelaws notice has been passed to the environment Assistant for him to put up on the pavilion wall. The vandalised notice board in the field is to be dismantled and disposed of.
iv) Repairs to the aerial slide have now been completed, but it was noted that the seat is beginning to show signs of wear. This is to be monitored and reviewed at the annual Recreation Ground inspection.
v) It was agreed that the toilet block should be repainted before opening up again in the Spring.
vi) The Environment Assistant reported that he continues to apply Renardine on an almost daily basis and that the amount of mole activity has diminished. He provided a sketch showing where moles still remain. It was noted that the cricket square is currently being kept free of them. Mr Wilkinson also reported that refuse sacks continue to be left behind by pavilion users and that broken glass has been found around the teen shelter and basketball court on more than one occasion.

9 Parish Council Property and Environment
i) Ash War Memorial – to consider the addition of William Godfrey’ name
Mr Darvell reported on research carried out by him which would seem to indicate that the omission of the name may just have been an oversight. Mr Pratt agreed to check the Westmarsh memorial to see if it’s there, but if not the Clerk is to arrange for the necessary work to the Ash one.
ii) The village sign at The Street is now back in place.
iii) DDC toilet block – an internal investigation into the early closing of the toilets is currently being carried out and disciplinary action likely to be taken against the employee(s) responsible.
iv) Mr Gregory asked for consideration to be given to providing a litter bin on the pathway adjacent to the lock-up garages near the surgery and a footpath lighting column at the end of Chilton Square. It was agreed that consideration of the bin should be added to next month’s agenda and that Mr Whitburn is to talk to residents of Chilton Square to establish if a light is required by them.
v) A dumped fridge at the end of School Road and a street light (NCVI) nearby with the cover removed were both reported to DDC. A dumped bath suite at the end of New Street, junction with Coombe Lane is to be reported.
vi) The Environment Assistant reported on incidents of vandalism, in particular broken bottles in various locations.

At this point the meeting was adjourned for District Council Bartlett to address the Council.

10 Highway Report
Layby at New Street – a decision is still awaited from Wards and further legal advice regarding ownership is to be sought.

11 Police Report and anti-social behaviour strategy Report
i) P.C. Wright held his first ‘surgery’ on 6th January, but future dates have yet to be confirmed.
ii) Broken glass and nuisance youths around the garages on a regular basis have been reported to the ASBU and P.C. Wright, who reports that some young people drinking under age have been issued with fixed penalty notices.

12 KAPC Report
i) Parish News no. 305 circulated to all cllrs. Mr Darvell agreed to follow up an
advertisement offering a free teen shelter.
ii) Dover Area Committee Meeting 27 January - agendas to reps.

13 Footpaths Report
i) Miner’s Way Trail – further information has been received along with a map of the route(s) and a request that local walkers try out parts of it and report back, to assist with planning the final route. Mrs Chandler took the details.
ii) Graffiti and broken glass along EE117has been reported to the Footpaths Officer - although the Environment Assistant has cleared the glass.
iii) A meeting of the Footpath’s Committee is to take place immediately prior to the March council meeting.
iv) It was noted that nothing further had been heard from the Footpaths Officer regarding the provision of a handrail at the bottom end of the footpath from Chequer Lane up to the School (EE90A). The Clerk is to follow this up.
v) An overgrown sycamore tree in the garden of Griffin Cottage was said to be causing problems with wet, slippery leaves in Burfords Alley. The Footpaths Officer is to be asked to write to the owners.

14 Website Report
Nothing to report.

15 Finance Report and Payments to be approved
To consider the council’s response to the earthquake tragedy – it was agreed that collections are taking place locally and that it is not the council’s place to donate funds.

The following payments were approved on a motion proposed by Mrs Chandler, seconded by Mr Darvell:

Pavilion Extension 27,858.08
Employment Expenses 1,537.28
Administration 169.43
Donation to Kent Police 200.00
Maintenance 869.77
VAT 142.98

Receipts:
Ash Lawn Tennis Club – rent 2.00
Interest on Capital Reserve 194.59
EDF Energry – wayleave 3.36

Balances :
Current account 6,506.52
Capital Reserve account 12,581.35

16 Development Plan and STARR Initiative
Nothing to report on a Development Plan, but Mr Whitburn gave an update on the STARR household survey. There had been a poor response from Ash, which was not surprising as the questionnaires were not delivered door to door. Key issues to come out of the survey included traffic speeds, cycle routes and extension of the recycling scheme to include plastic and card.

17 Correspondence
i) Kent Design – Creating Environmental Excellence – an overview of the Kent Design Guide
ii) Westmarsh VH – thanks for the annual grant.
iii) Notice of application for transfer in respect of licence for The Way Out Inn at Westmarsh.
iv) KCC – Kent and Medway Funding Fair at the Ramada Hotel, Hollingbourne, Maidstone – taken by Cllr Potts.
v) KCC – Consultation Conference with Parish and Town Councils (topics are the Regional Assembly’s South East Plan and the delivery of Kent’s Highway Service) – taken by Mrs Chandler who hopes to attend.
vi) SEERA – South East Public Plan Consultation – Pre-consultation information leaflets for circulation.
vii) DDC – Council Budget – Consultation document for response before 31.1.05 – taken by Cllr Whitburn
viii) Action with Communities in Rural Kent – Invitation to event ‘Defra’s New Rural Social and Community Programme’
Circulated:
i) Town & Country Housing Strategic Plan
ii) Action with Communities in Rural Kent – Rural News nos. 62 & 63 and Annual Report
iii) Oast to coast mag and leaflets
iv) Policing Kent Newsletter
v) DDC – Compact for Equal Partnership
vi) DDC – THE Dover District Agreement
vii) ACRC - Kent and Medway Rural Tran sport Partnership – Annual Report 2003-04 Summary
viii) Regional Network leaflet
ix) Clerks and Councils Direct Magazine
x) KCC – Newsletter ‘The Road to 2006’
xi) Dover Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership – Public Consultation on Crime and Disorder Audit 2001 -2004

18 Parish Council Newsletter
Mr Whitburn presented a draft to the council, which was approved for printing.

19 Press Release
None

20 Any other business
i) Mr Whitburn informed the council of discussions he has had with Mr Curtis of Wingham Parish Council about the problems young people of the villages have with public transport stopping too early or being too infrequent. They are looking at possible schemes to help.
ii) The council was informed about a gate that was stolen from Jack Foat’s Trust land.
iii) A request for the seat at the corner of New Street with Mill Field to be removed was received and ownership of the seat is to be confirmed before the next meeting.
iv) Problems with the main sewer in The Street were discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk would write to Southern Water to enquire if any improvements are scheduled, bearing in mind the increase in capacity that will be needed with the new developments feeding into it.