200 Present: Mr Whitburn (Chairman), Prof Swingland, Miss Bennetts,
Mr Foat, Mr King, Mrs Chandler, Mrs Ovenden, Mr Potts and Mr Pratt
Dist Cllr Anne Willshaw was also in attendance.

201 Apologies for absence Mr Gregory (Mr Darvell was absent)

202 Nominate a Publicity Officer Mr Potts agreed to write a report for the Parish Magazine.
Prof Swingland and Mr Whitburn asked for their names to be removed from the rota.

203 Minutes of the meeting held 5 September 2005
The minutes were approved and were signed as a true record.

204 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.

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

205 Matters Arising from the minutes of the last meeting
Playscheme - Vista Leisure reports that take-up was not high this year, but that it may be due to the late arrangements. Unfortunately Ash had no takers for the free transport.

206 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council:
i) The Grange, Weddington – erection of a single storey rear conservatory extension (DOV/05/01111) – 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 garages and annex to be demolished) (amended location plan submitted0 (DOV/05/00996) – there were no objections to the proposals
iii) Plot 7 Lay Lane – erection of a detached dwelling and detached garage with 1st floor games room over (DOV/05/00923) – there were no objections to the proposals

Granted by DDC:
i) Paramour Farmhouse, Paramour Street – internal and external alterations to facilitate barn conversion to ancillary accommodation to the main dwelling house and alterations to existing garage (DOV/05/00894 LISTED
ii) Brooke House Barn, Brooke Street – conversion of garage to living accommodation, erection of a single storey rear extension, extension to existing balcony and erection of new balcony and erection of detached garage (DOV/05/00943)
iii) Corner of Sandwich Road & Chequer Lane – installation of radio base station comprising a 15m high telecommunications slimline monopole, one antenna, one 300mm diameter dish antenna, radio equipment housing (DOV/05/00930A)

Refused by DDC:
None notified

Wimpey site phasing – a copy of letter from DDC to Wimpeys was read out.

Trinity House, Ware – acknowledgement received of the council’s notification about the porch that may need planning permission.

207 To consider a resolution in support of the Sustainable Communities Bill
Copies of the resolution had been distributed to the members prior to the meeting and on a proposal by Mrs Chandler, seconded by Prof Swingland, it was approved on a majority.

208 Parish Plan
There has been no response to calls for interested parties to come forward.

209 Recreation Ground Report
Including the report from the Recreation Ground Committee Meeting held prior to this meeting.
i) Risk Assessment of play equipment – quotes for replacement nets and the alterations to the roundabout are still awaited.
ii) New gate and path into play area for disabled access – the contractor has been called back to make adjustments to the spring closer.
iii) The new Play Area sign was received.
iv) Pavilion insurance – the Rugby Club, having made further enquiries, now find that it is not financially viable for them to take over responsibility for the insurance.
v) Tennis court resurfacing – further information is awaited from the Tennis Club.
vi) Football posts – Mr Ralph will follow up on attempts to get the repairs carried out.
vii) Playdale Playgrounds – Mr Foat is to meet with their representative on 31st October.
viii) Report from Environment Assistant:
• Various incidents of graffiti and some vandalism to the toilet block
• One swing has been removed due to vandalism.
• The basketball hoop has been taken for repair following vandalism.
• The stopcock cover by the pavilion is still not repaired.
• Persons playing golf and using remote controlled aircraft have been told that neither is permissible on the recreation ground
• The chain barrier has now been fitted and the landscape contractors have been supplied with keys to the central padlock, to allow them access.
• The aerial slide is currently out of use awaiting repair.
ix) Identification – it was agreed that the Environment Assistant, the Clerk , the Chairman and the Recreation Ground Committee Chairman, should all be provided with identity badges.
x) Repairs to the fence posts near the toilet block were approved in accordance with an estimate of the cost from the Environment Assistant.

210 Parish Council Property and Environment
i) The Parish Council owned bin on the school gate was demolished in error. The price of a new one is to be passed to Mrs Chandler, as the School Governors will claim the cost from the building contractors.
ii) Report from Environment Assistant:
• Graffiti had to be cleaned off the bus shelter in the village centre.
• Clothing bags left by the recycling bin were ripped open and the contents strewn around.
• Drug paraphernalia was found on the footpath near the school.

211 Highway Report
i) Potholes in Knell Lane have been filled; those in Walmestone Lane are to be filled shortly.
ii) Tree obscuring the sign in Chequer Lane – Paul Hubbard of DDC says he will cut it back himself when he has time as the owner is elderly and cannot manage to do anymore.
iii) Highland Court’s hedges – DDC have asked the owners to cut them back.
iv) The signpost with the slipped finger (to Ware) – has been fixed now and the ‘polo’ for the other sign has turned up and been fixed by the Environment Assistant.
v) Two lights in Sandwich Road were reported as being out, following an email from a resident.

212 Police Report and Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy Report
i) A report of the meeting with Mrs Howell of KKC was distributed to all members. The report also included details from the meeting that the Chairman, along with those of Wingham and Preston parish councils, had with Supt Brandon and other police officers. It was agreed that Ash will apply for a Rural Community Warden jointly with Wingham and for a Police Community Support Officer jointly with Wingham and other local parish councils who may wish to be included. It was noted that the budget for 2006-2007 will need to include the estimated cost of the latter.
ii) Speedwatch – forms were completed enabling Guilton, New Street and Sandwich Road to be assessed for suitability. It was reported that Wingham PC are prepared to join forces for the purchase of equipment.

213 KAPC Report
Parish News 311was distributed to all cllrs

214 Footpaths Report
i) The proposed walk to Richborough is to be re-scheduled.
ii) The Environment Assistant has cleared the footpath behind the surgery.

215 Website Report
The Clerk reported on an enquiry from Australia to purchase ‘Ash, an East \Kent Village’.

216 Finance Report and Payments to be approved

To consider making a proposal to make a grant of £2,000 towards the Village Hall’s new heating system - approved unanimously.

The following payments were approved:
Employment expenses 3,551.24
Administration 745.27
Capital expenditure 65.00
Maintenance 1,420.42 VAT 371.91

Receipts:
None

Balances:
Current account 3,481.81
Capital Reserve account 47,878.17

217 Correspondence
i) DDC Standards Committee – nominations for Parish Rep – there were no nominations.
ii) DDC – Open Space, Sports Needs and Recreational Facilities Assessment – an audit is to
be undertaken and they will be in contact to arrange a visit to discuss the needs and concerns of the parish and to carry out an assessment of current facilities.
ii) DDC – Consultation of the Provision of Play Areas – a form was completed at the meeting.
iii) Land Registry – Voluntary first registration of title – the registration of Pound Corner, the allotments and the recreation ground are to be checked as well as costs for registering land.
iv) ARCK – Invitation to AGM Weds 19th Oct 2pm at Harrietsham VH – nominations for Officers and Management Committee invited.
v) Kent and Medway Structure Plan – Consultation on proposed Modifications
vi) Mrs G Ayles – complaining about the new gate in the play area – she is to be informed of the reasons for the installation.
Circulated
i) East Kent Hospitals – Patient Notes mag and Annual Report
ii) Pfizer Community News mag
iii) KMOTT Arbour Mag
iv) The Playing Field Newsletter
v) Clerks and Council Direct mag
vi) ACRK Rural News 68
vii) Neighbourhood Watch News
viii) SEERA – Update on the South East Plan no. 8
ix) English Rural Housing Association – 2005 Report and Review
x) Oast to Coast

218 Parish Council Newsletter – nothing to report.

219 Press Release – none.

220 Any other business
i) From Mr Gregory in his absence:
• The footpath from The Street to Glebelands is overgrown and the lights ineffective. This is to be reported to the Footpaths Officer.
• The footpath from Chequer Lane to the school – one particular garden is encroaching and Mr Gregory said he will talk to the owners.
• Queens Road – suggestion for slowing the cyclists; thick lines painted on the road. Mr Gregory is to be informed that a proposed petition that he is organising must be carried out as a private individual and not infer that it has the backing of the council.
ii) Miss Bennetts reported having attended a recent Focus Planning Group meeting.
iii) Mrs Ovenden reported that the shared ownership apartments at the old Puma site are now on the open market as Hyde Housing have been unable to find local people or key workers who want to take them. She reported that the minimum share is £42,000 which would give monthly outgoings, including mortgage and rent of under £400.
iv) A reminder was given about the Consultation Meeting for the South East Plan, being held on Oct 11th at Canterbury.