A Meeting of the Parish Council was held in Ash Village Hall on
Monday 9 May 2005 at 7.30pm

Annual Meeting

84 Present: Mr Whitburn (Chairman), Mr Gregory, Mr Potts, Mrs Ovenden
Mr Pratt, Mr Foat, Mr King and Prof Swingland, Mr Darvell

85 Apologies for absence: Mrs Chandler and Miss Bennetts

86 Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman
Mr Whitburn was re-elected as Chairman and Mr Foat as Vice-Chairman.

87 Nominate a Publicity Officer Mr King agreed to write a report for the Parish Magazine, but it was noted that deadlines are now too early in the month for the report to be current.
Prof Swingland’s article in the April issue discussed. Some cllrs thought it did not reflect what had been discussed at the meeting.

88 Minutes of the meeting held 4 April 2005
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.

89 Declarations of Interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a prejudicial personal interest. No such interests were declared.

90 Appointment of Standing Committees
Recreation Ground - all cllrs except Mrs Chandler and Mr King
Chairman to be elected at Rec Meeting on 6th June
Footpaths – Mrs Chandler, Mr Foat, Miss Bennetts, Mrs Ovenden, Mr Gregory
Finance – all cllrs
Planning – all cllrs

91 Appointment of Representatives on Independent Committees
Ash Village Hall - Mr Darvell
Westmarsh Village Hall – Mr Pratt
Ash Sports Pavilion – Miss Bennetts
Village Transport Rep – Mr Whitburn

92 Appointment of Representatives to the Kent Association of Parish Councils
Mr Whitburn and Mr Potts

93 Representation on Other Bodies
Cartwright and Kelsey Charity Trustee – Mr Foat was re-appointed Feb 02
Cartwright and Kelsey School Governor – Mrs Chandler since 2001
Ash United Charities – Mr Darvell since Dec 04 and Susan Johnson re-app Nov 04

94 Forthcoming Meeting dates
Monday 6th June – including Rec
Monday 4th July
Monday 1st August – including Rec
Monday 5th September
Monday 3rd October – including Rec
Monday 7th November
Monday 21st November – Finance Committee
Monday 5th December – including Rec
Monday 9th January 05
Monday 6th February – including Rec
Monday 6th March
Monday 3rd April – including Rec
Tuesday 25th April – Annual Parish Meeting
Monday 8th May

95 Supervision of Environmental Assistant
Mr Foat will continue to supervise Mr Wilkinson

96 Matters Arising from the minutes of the last meeting
i) Footpath Diversion at Ware – it was queried with KCC whether the councils objections were received and on 6th April they responded that the objections were received but a decision is still awaited.
ii) Miss Bennetts is liaising with the Pfizer Volunteering scheme in the hope that the parish may be able to enlist their help with either a Parish Plan or the Youth Club.

97 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council:
i) East Street Farmnhouse, East Street – removal of agricultural occupancy condition (3) of DPOV/96/170 (DOV/05/00435) – the original application in 1996 had been opposed, and as there does not appear to be a change in circumstances, the council is still opposed to the proposals.
ii) United Reform Church, The Street – erection of a single storey side extension to provide disabled WC facilities (following demolition of existing) (DOV/05/00517) – there were no objections to the proposals
iii) Former Brown & Mason Yard, Ramsgate Road – details of Archaeological programme of work pursuant to condition 22 of planning permission ref DO/03/477 0 – the Council is encouraged to note the extent of these works, but does not have the expertise to comment on the finer details.

Granted by DDC:
i) The Cottage, Cop Street – erection of a replacement dwelling, formation of vehicular access and parking/turning area (DOV/05/00230)
ii) 130 The Street – erection of a single storey side conservatory extension (DOV/05/00248)

Refused by DDC:
i) Land between Oak Lodge and Hope Cottages, Poulton Lane – erection of a detached dwelling with double garage (DOV/05/00057)

Notice of Appeal:
i) Great Knell Farm Buildings, Molland Lane – conversion and refurbishment of existing buildings to provide workshop units, holiday accommodation and single dwelling (DOV/04/01001)

Puma site:
i) A complaint received at the Annual Parish Meeting was referred to the Contracts Manager who has stated that the necessary work will be carried out including planting of daffodil bulbs

Wimpey site at Sandwich Road:
i) Mr Tim Flisher of DDC responded to a complaint about phase two being already started and about the apparent lack of social housing, that the matter of phase two is being taken up with the Developer and that the Social housing units are nos. 22-29.

ii) Local connection for social housing – the housing association (Town and Country) says that tenants will be allocated from those that DDC forwards to them from the council housing list. DDC state that how it will work is that people with a local connection of ten years or more will get an extra 10 points.

iii) The complaint about the garage impinging on the footpath adjacent to the site was investigated. Mrs Ovenden confirmed that it does overhang a bit, but that it is well above head height, so should not be a problem.

Dover District Local Development Framework (which replaces the Local Plan):
A letter giving information was read out. The Council is to respond to the query about projected housing needs for the next 20 years thus: Because of the recent high level of development, the Council anticipates that there will be no demand for additional housing, other than infilling, in the foreseeable future.

98 Recreation Ground Report, including the Environment Assistant’s Report:
i) Annual Safety Inspection by Wicksteeds including DDA inspection – consideration was given to the report, a copy of which had been passed to the Environment Assistant. It was noted that repairs requiring early attention could be carried out by the Environment Assistant, once parts were obtained from Wicksteeds.
The DDA assessment and other items are to be considered by the Recreation Ground Committee.
ii) Tennis Club – a letter of apology was received and the Club has rectified the burnt area of grass.
iii) A quote for a ‘No Golf’ sign is in hand, but it was deferred to the Recreation Ground Committee.
iv) Teen shelter – the roof has been coated in anti-climb paint and warning signs are displayed. It was noted that if warning signs are vandalised the notice may need to be painted on the shelter in white paint. A litter bin has been affixed to the side of the shelter.
v) Vandalism to the toilet block was reported to the Police. Other incidents of minor vandalism were noted.
vi) The backboard to the basketball on the kick-wall has been badly vandalised. It was agreed that the remainder and the hoop should be permanently removed.
vii) Moles continue to cause problems.

99 Parish Council Property and Environment, including the Environment Assistant’s Report:
i) Ash War Memorial – the work has been completed and a letter of thanks received from Mr Blaxland.
ii) The summer planters are on order.
iii) It is reported that the noisy bird scarer has stopped now.
iv) The owners of Lawson Park told Environmental Health Officers that they will angle the lights down, but this has not been done yet so it is to be reported again.
v) The Environmental Health Officer reports that the refuse outside the property in The Street contains inert items, with no odour or evidence of vermin.
vi) Ash is entered into the Trees in the Village Competition for 2005.
vii) The litter bin near the Herb Garden needs to be replaced.
viii) The Environment Assistant will apply fertiliser to the plants at Pound Corner.
ix) It was noted that the Herb garden at Street Field is looking particularly good and thanks for her work are to be sent to Mrs Vallack.
x) It was reported that bollards have been installed adjacent to Pound Corner, although the council was not notified of any works.

100 Highway Report
i) Management of Bypass verges – arrangements are in hand for the survey. Some concern about the recent grass cutting was expressed, but this was just to preserve sight lines at junctions and the remainder of the verges has been left. The survey, when completed, is to be published on the website.

ii) Highland Court – District Cllr Mrs Willshaw reported that the owners have been asked to cut back the hedges, but this has not been carried out as yet.

iii) Vandalised signpost at Pound Corner – Highways confirm that they will inspect it but cannot give a date for works to be carried out.

iv) Car Parking – DDC are offering to include parish owned car parks in their Parking Places Order , but it was agreed that this is not relevant to Ash.

101 Police Report and Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Report
i) There was no Report from the Police Parish Forum as cllrs were unable to attend.
ii) Some incidents of anti-social and destructive behaviour by youths at New Street and inside the perimeter of the Puma development were reported. Cllr Ovenden requested a supply of ASBU leaflets to distribute.
iii) Quad bikes etc. continue to cause problems at Westmarsh.

102 KAPC Report
i) Parish News 308 was circulated to all cllrs.
ii) The Statement by Audit Commission on the Audit Regime Review was considered, but there were no views for forwarding.
iii) Cllr Whitburn attended the Dover Area Meeting and AGM held on 28th April.

103 Footpaths Report
i) EE108A (New St to Sandwich Rd) – nettles were reported to the Footpaths Officer and these have now been cleared.
ii) Seven volunteers have come forward to help with monitoring footpaths and their details passed to Cllr Chandler.

104 Website Report
Nothing to report.

105 Finance Report and Payments to be approved

Accounts for the year 2004-2005 were approved by the Council. It was agreed that the Risk Assessment should be reviewed at the November Finance Committee Meeting.

The External Audit date is set for 6th June and in the meantime the internal audit is being carried out.

The following payments were approved:
Innovations (East Kent Coalfields Project - to repay their grant from DDC) 1,090.00
Employment costs 1,162.04
Administration 390.10
Maintenance 732.00
Dog Warden 28.92
VAT 151.12

Receipts:
Precept 49,000.00
DDC – grant for Innovations 1,090.00
VAT refund 1,845.51
Ash Post Office (Ash books) 135.20

Outstanding Invoices:
Ash Church for 10 books 84.50

Balances after £35,000 tranferred to Capital Reserve
Current account 9,992.03 Capital Reserve account 47,641.84

It was queried whether the Dog Warden is giving value for money. A schedule and report of any prosecutions/fines is to be obtained in order to assess this effectively.

106 STARR Initiative
Nothing to report.

107 Parish Plan
A volunteer came forward at the Annual parish Meeting. Mr Whitburn is to arrange for Victoria Lawson of ACRK to talk to the council, possibly at the July meeting.

108 Report from Annual Parish Meeting
i) Jean Ryan sent apologies via email for the lack of heat on the evening, which was due to contractors having turned the heaters off.
ii) Jean Hands said that she sent apologies, but this was not recorded at the meeting.
iii) It was agreed that at next year’s meeting the District and County Cllrs should be put nearer the end of the agenda.
iv) The council was disappointed that there was no report from the Pond Warden.

109 Correspondence
i) Mr J Kirtley – requesting permission to have a tool shed on his allotment – agreed.
ii) The Bumble Bee Alliance – request for a grant £150-£200 towards increasing awareness of the major decline in the bumble bee population – declined.
iii) KCC - Minerals and Waste Discussion Pack .
iv) DDC – Standards Board – Review of the Code of Conduct – invitation to a meeting at DDC on 26 May to allow all views to be gathered and forwarded to the Standards Board .
v) Sandwich United Charity – notification of vacancies at St Thomas’s Hospital (almshouses)
vi) DDC Municipal Waste Strategy – invitation to a consultation meeting on 16 June –taken by Mr Whitburn who hopes to attend.
Circulated:
i) Pfizer Community News
ii) DDC – Close to Home Newsletter
iii) Clerks and Councils Direct
iv) Trafalger Weekend booklet
v) ACRK – Annual Report and leaflets
vi) Local Council Review – copy to each cllr
vii) Environment Agency – Changes to Management of Watercourses
viii) Kent Police – Special Constabulary promotion leaflets
ix) DDC Standards Committee Agenda and minutes
x) Kent County Playing Fields Association – Annual Report
xi) DDC – Democracy matters newsletter

110 Parish Council Newsletter
Mr Whitburn canvassed cllrs suggestions for the Newsletter.

111 Press Release
None

112 Any other business
i) A parishioner has notified that he is applying to DDC for the village confines to be moved and has asked for the Council’s support. This is to be added to next month’s agenda.
ii) The subject of speeding cars at Guilton was discussed.