41 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 and Richard Chawney and Sarah Handley were present to request permission to use the recreation ground for football coaching and a club.

42 Apologies for absence Prof Swingland , Mrs Chandler

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

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

45 Declarations of Interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a personal or prejudicial interest; Mr Foat declared a prejudicial interest in item 47 iv), as a neighbour of the property, and left the room whilst it was under discussion.

46 Matters Arising from the minutes of the last meeting
i) A letter about buses stopping outside 85 New Street was read out and the complaint was forwarded to KCC. They have responded to say that they will add this to the list of bus stops that need to be looked at although cannot at this stage make any promises as to any work that might be done on it.

ii) Mr Whitburn apologised for not having sent the press releases stated in the minutes and he has still to organise bus timetables.

At this point the meeting was adjourned to allow Mr Chawney and Ms Handley to address the Council.    It was further adjourned to allow Dist Cllr Willshaw to address the Council.

47 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council:
i) 1 Molland Close – erection of a detached garage (DOV/06/00136) – there were no objections to the proposals
ii) The Grange, Weddington – erection of a detached annex (to provide ancillary accommodation to main dwelling) and garage (existing garage and annex to be demolished) (DOV/06/00199) – there were no objections to the proposals
iii) The Byre, Brooke Street – renewal of planning application DOV/00/01332 for the erection of a single storey extension (DOV/06/00119) – there were no objections to the proposals
iv) West View Farm, Cop Street Road – change of use of land and buildings to light industrial/office use (Class B1); external alterations to existing farm building; erection of a detached garage, together with formation of associated parking and turning areas and new access (existing farm building to be demolished). (DOV/06/00137) – the Council positively supports the proposals.

Granted by DDC:
i) 1 Chapel Cottages, Cooper Street – erection of a single storey side extension (DOV/05/01346)
ii) 74 New Street – erection of a two storey side and single storey front extensions and rear dormer in roof (DOV/05/01449)1
iii) Guilton Farm, Guilton – erection of a two storey rear extension (existing extension to be demolished) (DOV/05/01363 and DOV/05/01364 LISTED)

Refused by DDC:
i) Land adjoining 41 New Street – outline application for the erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings, the erection of a double garage and construction of vehicular access (DOV/05/01424)

School Slide – A copy of a letter from Mr Mc Ewan to KCC was read out.

The house, retained when the Puma site was developed, is deteriorating and the Planning Department at DDC was notified of concerns. DDC have no recent information regarding the owners plans for the house.

The Planning Focus Group – the next meeting will be on 20th April and the Council agreed to providing the venue.

LDF -Whitfield Action Group – a letter asking for support for their view was read out, but no response is to be sent.

48 Parish Plan
Nothing to report.

49 Recreation Ground Report
i) It was resolved that following the April meeting, Committee Meetings will be held only three times per year, namely February, June and October. The Sports Clubs are to be sent notification of the change with their April Agendas.

ii) Football:
• Mr Potts informed the Council about plans to restart the Senior Football Club, with the help of a volunteer who has come forward.
• The Council gave permission for Sarah Handley and Richard Chawner to use the Recreation Ground as they want to start a Soccer School and Football Club. They are liaising with the PMC regarding use of the pavilion. They are to provide the clerk with a copy of their Public Liability Insurance certificate.
• Goal post – it was agreed that repairs are put on hold as regulations now require round posts and the Football Club hopes to purchase some.

iii) Play Equipment
• A new seat and fittings have been fitted to the aerial slide and 2 new swing seats/chains have been fitted.
• The see-saw has now been refixed to the ground at an additional, but as compensation for not doing this when they did the other work, the contractors provided a new back board and hoop for the kickwall.

iv) Enviroscape plastic surfacing from Glasdons – The Environment Assistant confirmed that he would be able to install the surfacing and the Council agreed that in traffic areas a hardcore sub-base would be necessary.

v) Allotments – the holder no. 3 was asked to relinquish his allotment and this has been reallocated to the next person on the list. There are currently seven people on the waiting list.

vi) Tennis Club
• Their lease is not due for renewal till 2008.
• Mr Foat reported on his meeting with the contractors on site. Work is provisionally booked to commence during the first week of April. The Council was informed that the new gate into the courts will be near the hut and that the position of the proposed wall has been changed.

vii) Andy Chapman has replaced Oak tree, as the one lost was the tree that he planted in memory of his uncle.

viii) Report from Environment Assistant:
Various incidents of vandalism, including discharge of fire extinguishers from the hall, were reported. An increase in dog waste, particularly around the adventure playground area was noted and black rubbish sacks are still be left behind by pavilion users. Painting of the toilet block is continuing as weather permits. It was agreed that supplies should be reintroduced slowly once the toilets are open, and vandalism monitored.

50 Parish Council Property and Environment
i) A complaint regarding the siting of the new dog waste bin at Langdon Avenue was considered but, following inspections by DDC and Parish representatives, it was agreed that the bin should stay where it is.

ii) It was agreed that the planters in the village centre should be removed due to the increasing vandalism and probable water shortage in the summer.

iii) Report from Environment Assistant:
Incidents of vandalism were reported and it was noted that repairs to a litter bin are in hand.

51 Highway Report
i) Traffic calming – Kent Highways have responded to say that they will arrange for a site inspection to be undertaken and will assess the need for any further investigation regarding extension of the existing speed limit and will contact the police and raise the councils concerns with them. They also fully support the idea put forward by parishioners for additional long term parking for residents of The Street, by constructing a rear access to numbers 72-80.

ii) The 30mph sign at the junction of Saunders Lane and New Street will be reported to KCC Highways as it has been lifted out of the ground and is laying on the verge.

52 Police Report and Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Report
i) Community Warden – Ash now has the services of two Wardens shared with Wingham. They are Bob Priestley on 07811 271299 and Dave Bish on 07977 982183.

ii) Police Community Support Officer – The Police have notified that:
• Realistically we are looking at 2007/08
• They hope to have more information about funding by the end of the year
• A letter expressing an interest needs to be sent now.

iii) Speedwatch – Guilton Road, Sandwich Road and New Street have now been assessed as to their suitability for the scheme.

iv) A letter from the Village Hall Chairman, regarding vandalism and theft of fire extinguishers from the hall was read out. It was agreed that although the Parish Council is paying for use of the hall, the hirers are actually the organisers of the Youth Group. Whilst the Council expressed a disinclination to withdraw support from the Group, it was agreed that should it happen again there would need to be a re-think. Mr Whitburn agreed to discuss the way forward with Mrs Ryan.

53 KAPC Report
i) A copy of the Dover Area Committee Meeting minutes from 26th Jan was distributed to reps and Parish News no. 314 to all cllrs.
ii) Forthcoming Training Days:
• Chairmanship – Weds 29th March at Lenham
• Planning Information Day – Sat 18th March at Lenham

54 Footpaths Report
i) EE112A (Queen’s Rd end) – repairs to the vandalised barrier have now been completed.
ii) The Council’s request for a barrier at the exit of EE130 s still being considered but due to the narrowness of the path there is no easy option.
iii) To set a date for Beating the Bounds - It was agreed that the event should take place on Saturday 7th October and that Colin Carr ‘s Riverboat will be booked to ferry walkers from Plucks Gutter between 12 and 1pm at a cost of £120 for up to 24 people .

55 Website Report
A complaint that there was out of date information on the site was received, relating to:
• That there are three pubs in the village
• That the stated population was not correct
• That the picture of the Red Lion still showed it as a pub.
The first two were amended, but it was decided to leave the pub on the site.

56 Finance Report and Payments to be approved
The following payments were approved:
Employment expenses 1,498.86
Administration 84.81
Maintenance 847.50
VAT 149.51

Receipts:
Allotment rent s 23.50
PMC – ¼ ly payment of loan 2,000.00

Balances
Current account 2,686.52
Capital Reserve account 26,271.54

57 Correspondence
i) Walmer Parish Council – offer of a copy of their Design Statement for £6. The Council did not wish to purchase a copy.
ii) Thanet District Council – Public Consultation – Statement of Community Involvement. The Council did not wish to respond.
iii) Email from Mrs Anne Wickham – running a course starting 11th May entitled ‘More than a name’, about war memorials.
Circulate Circulated:
i) DDC - Standards Board minutes and agenda
ii) Kent Police – The Relay mag
iii) Playing Field mag
iv) NHS Trust – ‘Improving Health, Modernising Health Services’ report
v) ACRK – Rural News

58 Parish Council Newsletter
The next issue will be available at the April Council meeting and will include the Agenda and Accounts for the Annual Parish Meeting for delivery to all households as well as information about the Community Wardens with their phone numbers; Speedwatch – to recruit volunteers and the new football coaching opportunity.

59 Press release
Traffic Calming petition, as agreed last month.

60 Any other business
i) A reminder was given about the Annual Parish Meeting – Tuesday 25th April and arrangements for provision of teas etc. were made. It was suggested that displays of the new School and the Pavilion could be put up. Mrs Chandler is to be asked to provide Footpaths Report.

ii) Mr Gregory expressed concern about the amount of dog mess around the village and suggested that more bins are provided. It was agreed to canvass suggestions for the location of additional bins at the Annual Parish Meeting.