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

District Cllr Mrs Anne Willshaw also attended the meeting.

42 Apologies for absence Prof Swingland and Kent County Cllr Mr L Ridings

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

44 Minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2005
The minutes of the meeting were agreed and signed as a true record.

45 Declarations of interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a prejudicial personal interest. Mrs Chandler declared an interest in item 47 iii) (Considered) and left the room whilst it was discussed.

At this point the meeting was adjourned to allow Mrs Willshaw to address the Council.

46 Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
None that were not covered by the agenda.

47 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council
i) 35 Collar Makers Green – formation of hard standing (DOV/05/00059) – there were no objections to the proposals
ii) Salts end, Goshall Lane – erection of a two-storey extension to (north-east) elevation (DOV/05/00171) – there were no objections to the proposals
iii) Site at Little Weddington Farm, Weddington – construction of winter storage reservoir for irrigation purposes (DOV/04/01263A) – the application was positively supported, as it was thought it would improve local flooding
iv) The Cottage, Cop Street – erection of a replacement dwelling, formation of vehicular access and parking/turning area (DOV/05/00230) – there were no objections to the proposals
Granted by DDC:
i) 10A The Street – bay window extension to rear and erection of summerhouse ()DOV/04/01476)
ii) Yeoman Thatch, 27 The Street – retrospective application for the erection of a satellite dish (DOV/04/01329)
iii) Athelstan Green, Sandwich Rod – retention and continued display of advertisements (DOV/04/00917)
Refused by DDC:
i) Farm House, Overland Farm, Hoaden – erection of a two storey front extension
ii) Springtime, 71 New Street – erection of front dormer window extension and rear dormer window extension and balcony (DOV/05/00038)

Building works taking place at land near Holly House, Moat Lane:
The Enforcement Officer from DDC Planning Dept has investigated and reports that:
• Consent was granted in 1986 for a new garage with ancillary accommodation for aging parents.
• In 1991 the foundations were laid
• Work is now continuing under the supervision of the Building Inspectors
• There were conditions for the original Consent, in that the ancillary accommodation must only be used for the purpose stated
• He will continue to investigate.

Wimpey site at Sandwich Road – the council is to continue with correspondence to establish whether the building of phase 2 has begun prematurely and the status of the dwellings deemed as social housing on the plans.

Miss Bennetts gave a short report from the Planning Focus Group meeting held on 10 Feb – notes circulated.

48 Recreation Ground Report
i) The current position regarding the pavilion extension was reported and an
invitation to Grand Opening on Friday 18th March was received.

ii) To consider installation of existing or purchase of new football posts – it was noted that an offer to repair the old posts free of charge has been received and agreed that once repaired they will be permanently installed on the field and ownership transferred to the Parish Council, in order for them to be insured.

iii) Annual Safety Inspection – Wicksteeds are due to carry out the Annual Inspection and Risk Assessment in March and will include a DDA Inspection

iv) Allotments – a request from holder of an allotment to erect a shed was agreed, but access will not be possible until the bollards come down for the summer.

v) Mr Foat reported from the recent inspection, including some maintenance issues that have been passed to the Environment Assistant.

vi) Andy Chapman reports that he will soon be planting the two new trees.

vii) The Environment Assistant reported on recent incidents of vandalism and maintenance required. Painting the toilet block has commenced and it was agreed that minimal supplies will be provided.

49 Parish Council Property and Environment
i) Ash War Memorial – Information regarding how the entry should be written is still awaited.

ii) Footpath lighting column at the end of Chilton Square – responses from residents were mixed. It was agreed that during the next Lighting Walkabout, cllrs will assess the need.

iii) Southern Water responded to a letter regarding the capacity of the main sewer in The Street with information about how foul and surface water is discharged.

iv) The following were reported to DDC
• A washing machine dumped in Queen’s Rd car park
• The fence between the other car park and the Chinese Restaurant, breaking down and bits, complete with nails, dropping into the car park.
• Human faeces found around the bus shelter and bike stand area on more than one occasion.
• Litter bin in The Street – more regular emptying requested again

v) Details of graffiti daubed on a fence at Chilton Place were passed on to the cleansing dept at DDC. It was also reported to the ASB Unit at DDC along with graffiti on the climbing frame in the rec, where there was also drug and solvent abuse paraphernalia found.

vi) The report from the Environment Assistant included those items above and a report of increased dog waste around the village pavements and in the recreation ground and information about litter bins. It was agreed that the tyres on his barrow should be replaced, as the existing ones have had several punctures. Holiday dates were confirmed.

50 Highway Report
i) Layby at New Street:
Wards confirm that they are on site till June or July and if the Planners agree, they are prepared to help by excavating and laying some sort of surface.
DDC Planners are still to let the council know whether planning permission needs to be sought and how the issue of ownership must be dealt with.
Legal advice from KAPC is still awaited.

ii) Management of Bypass verges
Gill Tysoe, for Kent Wildlife Trust has arranged for some volunteers to help with raking and some cllrs volunteered to make a start at the week-end.

iii) Nash Road traffic problems – correspondence between Anne Willshaw and a local resident were discussed. Mrs Willshaw is to respond to the resident.

iv) Cop Street Road – bollards not replaced by BT – this was reported to Highways, who confirm that they will ensure BT rectify the situation or they will be fined. It was reported that the situation is worsening, so a further report to Highways is to be sent.

v) The road surface at The Street was reported to be breaking up following the cold weather and the large street light by Chequer Lane has an intermittent fault. Both are to be reported to Highways.

51 Police Report and anti-social behaviour strategy Report
The Police parish Forum meeting is on Thursday 14th April 7pm at Dover Police Station and Prof Swingland hopes to attend.
District Cllr Mrs Willshaw has agreed to follow up the application for a KCC sponsored Parish Warden.

52 KAPC Report
Minutes of the Area Meeting held on 27 January were passed to reps.

53 Footpaths Report
i) Report from the Footpaths Committee meeting held immediately prior to this meeting
a) Monitoring – the methods that other parishes employ were discussed. It was agreed that an advert for regular walkers of particular footpaths to report faults to the Council would be placed in the Newsletter and mentioned at the Annual Parish Meeting, where a Footpaths Map will be displayed.
b) Community Paths Project – the scheme was explained and a request for a volunteer will be advertised as above.
c) Additional Parish Walks – it was agreed that there do not appear to be any more circular walks, in addition to those published, but it was agreed that walks such as one to Richborough could be published. Cllrs are to do the walks first, starting in May/June this year.
d) It was agreed that Footpaths Committee meetings should be held three times a year, in January, May and September, with the next one this year being September.
iv) Invitation to Public Rights of Way Annual Liaison Meeting 16th March at Eastry Village Hall – Mrs Chandler and Mr Foat hope to attend.
iii) KCC – Consultation on Proposed Diversion of Public Footpath EE79a (part), Ware.
iv) An email from a resident who complains about the dog dirt and mud along EE90A was discussed. It is to be passed on to the Environment Assistant.
v) The footpath alongside the village hall, behind the doctors’ surgery was reported on 9.2.05 to DDC as being very overgrown, but there has been no response to date.

54 Website Report
The Newsletter and an advert for a Tree warden are now on the website

55 To consider the National Agreement on terms and conditions of employment of Clerk
The new salary grade for the Clerk was agreed.

55 Finance Report and Payments to be approved
The following payments were approved:
Employment expenses 1,064.57
Maintenance 94.58
Administration 144.74
Insurance 2,260.40
VAT 15.00

Receipts:
Dover District Council – remainder of grant 1,100.00
Allotment rents 45.00

Balances :
Current account 4,221.92
Capital Reserve account 12,581.35

57 Development Plan and STARR Initiative
The draft Action Plan was discussed. Although it was considered that Ash only benefits peripherally, it was agreed that the Parish Council would support the Plan, but not to commit to any particular involvement which would require expenditure.

58 Correspondence
i) Standards Board for England – ‘A Code for the Future’ – consultation on review of
the Code of Conduct – five copies of a questionnaire were taken by Cllrs.
ii) Lord Lieutenant of Kent – invitation to a Civic Service at Canterbury Cathedral on Friday 29th April at 11am.
iii) CPRE – Invitation to a South East Plan Meeting on Weds 30th March at the Corn Exchange, Maidstone 7.30-9.15pm – taken by Miss Bennetts.
iv) DDC – Invitation to Dover District Youth Strategy Launch on Thurs 17th March at the Dover Discovery Centre – taken by Mr Whitburn.
v) Carwright and Kelsey C.E. (Aided) Primary School – letter requesting assistance for new adventure playground – not approved.
vi) Russell Timpson – info about forthcoming events.
vii) Pfizer Employee Volunteering Programme – email with info about proposed forthcoming scheme – the council is to register for assistance with a Parish Plan and for Youth Workers.
viii) Dover District Voluntary Compact – taken by Mr Whitburn.
ix) DDC SRB Unit – Invitation to their AGM and presentation on 13th April at Elvington Community Centre – Mr Whitburn and Mr Potts hope to attend.
Circulated:
i) ODPM – Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Bill
ii) DDC Standards Committee minutes etc
iii) Notes of Planning Focus Group meeting held on 10 Feb
iv) The Arbour – KMOTT mag
v) Kent Trails – Kent’s Public Rights of Way magazine

59 Arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting
County Cllr Leyland Ridings has confirmed he will be attending. Agendas are to be prepared by Mr Whitburn and the Clerk for distribution to cllrs at the next meeting, for them to be delivered to households.

60 Parish Council Newsletter
The next issue will be April and will include the Agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting.

61 Press Release
None

62 Any other business
The owners of a fish and chip mobile service notified that they will be visiting the village on Thursdays. It is to be suggested to them that they may want to include a visit to Westmarsh.