A Meeting of the Parish Council was held in Ash Village Hall on
Monday 8 May 2006 at 7.30pm

82 Present: Mr Whitburn , Miss Bennetts, Mr Foat, Mr King, Mrs Ovenden,
Mr Potts, Mr Darvell, Mr Pratt, Prof Swingland , Mrs Chandler and Mr Gregory

Dist Cllr Trevor Bartlett was present for the early part of the meeting.

83 Apologies for absence None

84 Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman
Mr Foat was elected as Chairman and signed his Declaration of Acceptance and Mr Potts was elected as Vice Chairman. Mr Foat took the Chair and thanked Mr Whitburn for his work over the past five years.

85 Nominate a Publicity Officer Mrs Ovenden agreed to write a report for the Parish Magazine.

86 Minutes of the meeting held 3 April 2006
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.

87 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 98 ii) and left the room whilst it was under discussion.

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

89 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

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

91 Representation on Other Bodies
Cartwright and Kelsey Charity Trustee – Mrs Ovenden
Cartwright and Kelsey School Governor – Prof Swingland
Ash United Charities – Mr Darvell and Mrs Johnson

92 Forthcoming Meeting dates
Monday 5th June – including Rec
Monday 3rd July
Monday 7th August
Monday 4th September – including F/ps
Monday 2nd October – including Rec
Monday 6th November
Monday 13th November – Finance Committee
Monday 4th December
Monday 8th January 07– including F/ps
Monday 5th February – including Rec
Monday 5th March
Monday 2nd April
Tuesday 24th April – Annual Parish Meeting
Monday 14th May – including F/ps

93 Supervision of Environmental Assistant
It was agreed that Mr Foat will continue to supervise the Environment Assistant.

94 Matters Arising from the minutes of the last meeting
None that were not covered in the Agenda.

At this point the meeting was adjourned to allow Dist Cllr Bartlett to address the Council.

95 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council:
i) The Reed Ponds, Richborough Road – change of use of land to car park, together with fenestration of vehicular access and laying of hard surface (DOV/06/00424) – there were no objections to the proposals.
ii) 41 Chequer Lane – erection of single storey side and rear extensions (DOV/06/00412) – there were no objections to the proposals.
iii) The School House, Ware – erection of a single storey side extension (DOV/06/00356) – there were no objections to the proposals.
iv) 2 Chapel Cottages, Cooper Street – erection of a first floor side extension (DOV/06/00290)
– there were no objections to the proposals.
v) 42 Glebelands – erection of rear conservatory extension and extension to existing garage (DOV/06/00388) – there were no objections to the proposals.
vi) KCC – Former Brown and Mason Yard Proposed Waster Recycling Facility – details submitted pursant to conditions (2), (8), (13) and (19) in respect of final site layout, external finished and surface water/foul water drainage (PAU/MC/DO/03/477) – there were no objections to the proposals.
vii) KCC – Linear location primarily in the District of Thanet between Richborough Power Station, Minster Roundabout and Lord of the Manor Junction – amendments to the provision of a new strategic dual carriageway, to included new roads, earthworks, drainage, lighting, structures at two railway crossings, utility diversions and improvements to cycleways and footpaths (East Kent Phase 2) (PAG/TH/05/964) – there were no objections to the proposals.
viii) Cape House, The Street – tree works – removal of one Catalpa tree (TC/06/00024/TC) – there were no objections to the proposals.
ix) Molland House, Molland Lane – tree works – proposed works to one tree as branches are affecting phone lines (DOV/06/00481) – there were no objections to the proposals.
x) Brickfield Cottage, Richborough Rd – erection of a single storey extension (DOV/06/00511) – there were no objections to the proposals.

Granted by DDC:
i) 1 Molland Close – erection of a detached garage (DOV/06/00136)
ii) West View Farm, Cop Street Road – change of use of land and buildings to light industrial use (Class B1); external alterations to existing farm building; erection of detached garage, together with associated parking and turning areas and new access (existing farm building to be demolished) (DOV/06/00137)
iii) 72 New Street – erection of replacement garage (existing garage to be demolished) (DOV/06/00085)

Refused by DDC:
i) Belvoir Cottage – outline application of the erection of a replacement two-storey dwelling (existing bungalow to be demolished) (DOV/06/00189)
ii) The Grange, Weddington – erection of a detached annex (to provide ancillary accommodation to main dwelling) and garage (existing garages and annex to be demolished) (DOV/06/00199)

Clampits Farm/Westmarsh Farm Camp Site – Files have been passed by the Enforcement Officer to DDC Legal Department for them to initiate enforcement action regarding breaches of planning controls.

The South East Plan – a copy of the full draft for submission to Government has been received
Which includes that Dover District should make provision for an additional 6,100 dwellings 2006- 2026 (annual average of 305)

To be reported to the Enforcement Officer – Overland Farm, where it is thought that a business is being carried on without planning approval.

96 Parish Plan - Nothing to report.

97 Recreation Ground Report
i) It was agreed that a ‘scramble bike’ bouncy toy should be ordered from Wicksteeds at a cost of £570 plus delivery and installation.
ii) 60m2 of the plastic ‘grasscrete’ (Enviroscape) is to be ordered from Glasdons at a cost of £17.75 per m2 for installation by the Environment Assistant.
iii) Nets for the climbing frame are on order
iv) The teen shelter has been repainted and the Clerk is to find out the cost of the metal screens for window replacements once Mr Foat has provided the sizes needed.
v) The aerial slide has been closed due to a damaged link but repairs are in hand. It was thought that a suggested sign saying ‘one person at a time’ would just be ignored.
vi) On 11 April every window in the toilet block was smashed by vandals and this was reported to the Police. The clerk will research materials to replace them once Mr Foat has provided the sizes needed.
vii) Report from Environment Assistant:
Various incidents of vandalism, including damage to the Gents toilet door and graffiti, as well as incidents of people playing golf and causing a hazard.

98 Parish Council Property and Environment
i) Additional dog bins are to be installed at The Street and Guilton, but the Clerk will contact residents living near the proposed sites and research the prices of different types of bins, including those with a foot pedal, prior to progressing.
ii) It was agreed in principle that the Environment Assistant should be provided with a mobile phone, complete with camera. The options are to be researched for a decision next month.
iii) Report from Environment Assistant:
Various incidents of vandalism including arson to the Salvation Army clothing bank and winter salt bins overturned.

99 Highway Report
i) Anne Willshaw has provided a report that shows that the number of visits to Ash by Parking Wardens was 4 in the period 1/1/05 – 21/3/05 and for the period 1/1/06 – 21/3/06 this rose to 24. There is no data about the actual number of tickets issued.
ii) Four volunteers for Speedwatch came forward at the Annual Parish Meeting. The Clerk is to enquire of Wingham PC whether they have purchased the necessary equipment and would be prepared to hire it out.
iii) To be reported to Highways – the white lines at the north end of Knell Lane and south end of Paramour Street need repainting.
iv) Reported to Highways last month:
• Potholes at Warehorn – have been filled
• Water on road near Hadaways – leak repaired by Southern Water.
• Poplars on the boundary of the Nash Road and A257 – KCC say they cannot act unless/until the trees actually cause a problem
• Fly tipping at Cop Street – now removed.
v) Miss Bennetts reported that the signpost at Brooke Street is now back in situ and that she unblocked the drain while she was there! She was thanked and the thanks of the Council were also passed on to her father who helped with the project.

100 Police Report and Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Report
i) The Clerk distributed a report from the Police Parish Forum Meeting.
ii) A resident was reported to have telephoned the Clerk to report that someone had tried to set light to his window. He was informed that this was a police matter.
iii) Dist Cllr Willshaw copied the council into an email to an organisation called ‘Full Throttle’. They have been approached by the URC, regarding motorbike misuse in the village, and Mrs Willshaw wondered if the Council has any thoughts on it. It was agreed that the Council is not aware of any motorbike problems in the village and that unless help is requested by the URC they would not get involved.

101 KAPC Report
i) A copy of Parish News no. 315 was distributed to all cllrs.
ii) Mr Whitburn gave a report from the Dover Area AGM held on 27 April. He continues as Chairman of the Dover Area Committee.

102 Footpaths Report
Mrs Chandler gave a report from the Footpaths Meeting held immediately prior to this meeting:
• Mrs Chandler and Miss Bennetts are to arrange a date for the Richborough walk.
• Mrs Chandler has sent monitoring forms to all the Footpaths volunteers.
• EE130 onto New Street – a suitable barrier has not yet been found. Mrs Ovenden is to take photos and Mrs Chandler will liaise with Melvyn Twycross to try and find a solution.
• Beating the Bounds - Saturday 7 October
a) It was agreed that it is possible to walk the complete route without needing to take the boat, but it would require a leader to be decided for each group.
b) The Clerk is to obtain a price for buying the necessary scaffold boards, as opposed to hiring them, in order for them to be put out in June/July as the harvest will be late this year and there will not be the time to get them out the week before the walk.
c) It was agreed that passengers on the boat will need to dismount at Richborough Castle, as it’s safer there.
d) The Clerk is to check capacity with the boat owner.
e) Mr Pratt agreed to draw up and keep a list of attendees.
• It was noted that some of the footpaths around the parish are not well-maintained by the farmers. It was agreed that the PROW Officer should be notified of this in September, so that they can be monitored better.

103 Website Report - nothing to report.

104 Resignation of the Clerk
The Clerk has given three month’s notice of her intention to leave at the end of July. As she wishes to take some annual leave entitlement at the end of the notice period she will effectively finish work on 7th July.

It was confirmed that there should be no problem transferring the website and email address, providing that the correct software is made available.

Cllrs Foat, Whitburn, Chandler and Potts will form a committee to advertise the post and interview prospective clerks.

105 Finance Report and Payments to be approved
i) Accounts for the year 2005-2006 were approved by the Council.
ii) The Audit date is set for 5th June and in the meantime Pat Hume is performing the internal audit.
iii) A request for a grant from ‘Village Arts and Crafts Initiative’, was considered, but as it is a business the Council is unable to help.

The following payments were approved:
Employment expenses 1,601.21
Administration 345.50
Maintenance 634.59
VAT 121.42

Recipts
Precept 53, 000.00
VAT refund 1,520.60
Interest on Capital Reserve 123.31

Balances after £48,000 transferred to Capital Reserve
Current account 5,769.47
Capital Reserve account 71,394.84

106 Correspondence
i) KCC Local Board Meeting 10th May 5.30 for 6pm at The Library, Walmer Science College, Salisbury Rd, Walmer .
ii) Mr A Beacroft – contact form expressing concern about the number of advertising boards at the junction of Guilton Hill and Ash Bypass. This was forwarded to DDC Planning Dept but there has been no response as yet.
iii) DDC – Statement of Community Involvement has been adopted – can be viewed at www.dover.gov.uk/localplanreview/invcommunity.asp
iv) ODPM – Local Authority Byelaws in England – A Discussion Paper
Circulated:
i) Kent Police ‘Relay’
ii) DDC ‘Close to Home’
iii) Clerks and Councils Direct mag
iv) ACRK Rural News 74

107 Annual Parish Meeting
i) The format for the Agenda and method of reporting is to be reviewed in January 2007, for the next Annual Parish Meeting. It was suggested that in future the Agenda should be on the front cover of the Newsletter delivered to households.
ii) A letter is to be sent to the young man from the Rectory to thank him for his attendance and courage in speaking out.
iii) Further to a query at the meeting, a letter is to be sent to Wimpeys to enquire about responsibility for the play area at the new development. Contact details for any management group are to be requested in order to enable the Council to approach them about provision of a dog waste bin.

108 Parish Council Newsletter
Mr Whitburn is to research producing a higher print quality Newsletter with colour.

109 Press release
The election of a new Chairman and Vice Chairman is to be released.

110 Any other business
i) Concern about the condition of the hatch outside the Indian Restaurant was expressed. The Clerk is to write to the Manager.
ii) Mr Whitburn reported that there is money available from KCC to help provide bus shelters, in conjunction with the new Diamond bus service. He suggested that two possible sites may be the far end of the Street, near Street Field, and Sandwich Road, near the Wimpey site. Prices and designs are to be researched and the item added to the next agenda.
iv) Miss Bennetts reported from the recent Focus Planning Group hosted at Ash. She would like to continue as representative on the committee.
v) Mr Potts confirmed that the adult football club will definitely be re-forming this year and that new regulation goal posts will be obtained.