194 Present: Mr Whitburn (Chairman), Miss Bennetts, Mr Foat, Mr Gregory,
Mr King, Mrs Ovenden, Mr Potts, Mr Pratt and Mr Swingland
Also present - District Cllr Trevor Bartlett and one member of the public

195 Apologies for absence Mrs Chandler

196 Nominate a Publicity Officer Mrs Ovenden agreed to write a report for the Parish Magazine. It was noted that ‘Onlooker’ need not be a member of the Parish Council and should not be attributed to one in the Magazine.

197 Minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2004
The minutes of the meeting were agreed and signed as a true record.

198 Declarations of interest
Cllrs were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a prejudicial personal interest, but none was declared.

199 Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
It was reported that the bungalow at Mill Field had now been offered to an elderly man moving to be near his daughter at Glebelands.

The meeting was adjourned to allow District Cllr Bartlett to address the meeting

200 Planning Report
Considered by the Parish Council:
i) 3, First and Last Cottages, Sandwich Road - internal and external alterations associated with proposed conversion of 3 bedroom cottage to 2 no. 2 bedroom cottages (DOV/04/01075 and DOV/04/01073 LISTED) - there were no objections to the proposals.
ii) Loughboro Cottage, Ware - erection of replacement garden/utility room and extension (DOV/04/01014) - there were no objections to the proposals.
iii) 109 New Street - replacement of existing flat with pitched roof (DOV/04/01084) - there were no objections to the proposals.
iv) 53 Chequer Lane - erection of first floor extension to rear (DOV/04/01090) - there were no objections to the proposals.
v) Land rear of 85-99 (Revised site), Sandwich Road, variation of phasing condition no.5 to application no. DOV/00/0356 (permitted on appeal) to remove phasing restriction on unit numbers 35-63 (DOV/04/01134) - the Council wished the phasing restriction to be retained. It was pointed out that a house had been demolished in New Street and it was agreed that the only access to the site should be from the Sandwich Road for the completion of Phase 1 and for Phase 2. vi) vi) East Street Farm, East Street - change of use to provide 2 holiday let units (DOV/04/01165) - the Council objected to the granting of planning consent on highway grounds - East Street was considered to be unsuitable for additional traffic.

Granted by DDC:
i) Rose Hill, 8 The Street - cut out top 6m of Sycamore tree (DOV/04/00918)
ii) 57A The Street - internal alterations and external alterations, including installation of and a replacement rooflight, replacement brickwork to chimney stack, enlarged basement window and erection of wall (DOV/04/00970 LISTED)
iii) 57A The Street - removal of tree (TC/04/00069/TC)
iv) 21 Guilton - erection of 2 storey rear, side and first floor front extensions (existing garage to be demolished) (DOV/04/00885)
v) 20 Sandwich Road - erection of a single storey front extension (DOV/04/00995)
vi) Mount Ephraim Cottage, Coombe Lane - erection of a single storey rear extension (DOV/04/00996)

Refused by DDC:
i) Toyland, Paramour Street - erection of detached double garage with store over (DOV/04/00857)
ii) 99 Sandwich Road - outline application for demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 5 detached dwellings (DOV/04/00973)

Re the Wimpey Site, replies had been received from Wimpeys as follows:-
i) The first occupation would take place on 24th September - 27 properties had been sold and 9 were on release for sale.
ii) Town and Country Housing will manage the shared ownership properties. The Parish Council would confirm the local connection of those on the waiting list.
iii) It was not known when the adjoining footpath would be reopened.
iv) The road names had been registered as Collar Makers Green, Russet Close, Bramley Close and Pippin Close.
v) The water discharge was resulting from the installation of the storm water system which stores water on site and releases it at a restricted rate and which picked up ground water from the site. This in turn needed to be discharged from the site in a controlled manner. The water was screened to remove any silt before being pumped out into Sandwich Road as a temporary measure until the permanent off-site outfall was available to the Gosshall Stream. The water did not come from a spring on site.

201 Recreation Ground Report
i) Pavilion Extension. No further details were available. It was believed that the Charity Commission had satisfied the Jack Foat Trustees as to the legality of the grant and loan. Lease - still awaited from the Land Registry.
ii) Kick Wall and Teen Shelter. It was reported that both had been installed and were being used. The contractors had started to install the base to the teen shelter in the wrong position. The turf from the correct site was used to patch that removed erroneously and, although rough at present, the surface would improve with rolling. Climbing had been observed on the teen shelter.
iii) Toilet block. Yet more vandalism had been reported.
iv) Trees. The tree work had been completed including the removal of the diseased tree at a cost of £125. The two new trees were being monitored - the one donated by Miss Bennetts was being replaced with the preferred variety. It was questioned whether the large tree opposite houses in Queen’s Road needed
pollarding. The judges from the Kent Men of the Trees had carried out their inspection for the Trees in Your Village Competition.
v) Anti-social behaviour. A complaint had been received about youths congregating in the Recreation Ground drinking alcohol, being abusive to people using the tennis courts and urinating. P.C. Wright was aware of the situation and the District Council Anti-Social Behaviour Unit was working together with some of the problem families. It was questioned whether the Kent County Council had the funding to employ more Rural Wardens.
vi) Items resulting from the report from the Environmental Assistant:
a) Vandalism had taken place to the aerial slide, toilet block, seat and teen shelter.
b) Mole problem - The sonic mole repellers had proved to be ineffective. It had been agreed that an alternative method should be tried.
c) Bollards - One locking bollard had been repaired but the other needed to be replaced and would be supplied by Warners at a cost of approximately £60 plus carriage.
d) Trees - The removal of the trees had left large gaps between the posts lining
the road. Temporary posts would be installed prior to the planting of new
trees.
e) Play equipment - A safety tile under the swings had been replaced due to wear. Unfortunately the spare tiles were of a different size entailing excessive cutting in order to fit. Investigations were being made as to how the damaged surfacing should be repaired in future. It had been agreed to check with Park Leisure to ensure that the bolts to the teen shelter had been installed to the necessary standard as some projected more than others.
f) Allotments - Notices informing allotment holders that vehicle access would be stopped from the end of October had been placed on the allotment gates.
g) A speeding vehicle had recently been observed on the Ground.

202 Parish Council Property and Environment
i) Village sign at The Street - It was reported that the post was in place and the sign was awaiting painting.
ii) It was reported that the Village Notice Board had been vandalised and the bench at Mill Field had suffered from graffiti. It was disturbing to note that human faeces had been found at various points in the village.
iii) Report from Environmental Assistant:
a) The broken panel on footpath EE112A’s barrier had been removed.
b) Repairs had been carried on all broken litter bins and a start had been made on preparing seats for varnishing.
c) The soffit board on the Sandwich Road bus shelter was partially rotten. It was agreed to renew the board in the Spring.
d) It was reported that cans of lighter gas and a cannabis pipe had been found in the village.
e) The footpath behind the village hall was reported as being overgrown.
A large number of broken bottles had been found outside the Village Hall and
surrounding car parks following a private party held in the Hall on 2nd
October. It was agreed that a letter of complaint should be forwarded to the
Village Hall Committee as the Hall had obviously been let for a private party
that had not been properly supervised.
iv) Lighting walkabout - The date was set at 20th October at 6.30 p.m., meeting at the Village Hall car park.

203 Highway Report
i) Layby at New Street - No response had been received from Alan Blackburn, despite reminders.
ii) The District Councillor had reported that Highways had been taken back by the County Council.
iii) A Kent Transport Board was to be set up to discuss strategic matters - the Parish Council Representatives on the Board would have a vote. The Representatives were likely to be nominated by the KRCC.
iv) It was reported that there was a lot of flora on the banks which needed careful nurturing and the KCC should be urged to cut the banks at the correct time.

204 Police Report and anti-social behaviour strategy Report
i) Public Drinking Byelaw - Nothing further to report.
ii) P.C. Wright had agreed to talk to local shop owners about the problems with solvent abuse and the sale of lighter fuel.
iii) An incidence of drug abuse had been reported to the police control room whilst the incident was in progress.
iv) Report from P.C. Wright:
a) There was a new scheme to get policemen onto mountain bikes to enable them to get to places impassable by car and to give them greater visibility on the streets. The Council had been asked to consider giving a small grant towards the cost but the members of the Council required further information as to how it was proposed to use the bikes and the purpose of them as mountain bikes were only good on rough terrain.
b) It was hoped to get extra patrols out to Ash as the level of drug-dealing was unacceptable.
c) P.C. Wright was unable to attend meetings unless specifically requested by the Council as he was needed out on the streets.

The meeting was adjourned to allow a member of the public to address the meeting.

v) It was obvious from the discussion that parishioners were really frightened that they could be attacked at any time and there was a great fear of retribution if they reported incidents. Answers should be obtained from P.C. Wright but it was agreed that Supt Brandon, Bouverie Road, Folkestone, should be requested to attend the next meeting of the Council. Supt Brandon should be given a list of recent occurrences in the village - the level of fear was palpable. Incidents included damage to the telephone box outside the Village Hall, damage to cars and cutting a parishioner who spoke to an offender with a Stanley knife. It was questioned whether a Public Meeting should be organised.

205 KAPC Report
i) 28th October - How Councils deal with spending issues.
ii) DEFRA Rural Strategy 2004. Will there be increased responsibility for Parish Councils? Do Parish Councils need more power and more money or should they use the powers they have already got? If Councils had too many responsibilities, Councillors would be difficult to find.

206 Footpaths Report
i) PROW - It was reported that there was a new scheme whereby long-term loan of a brush cutter and training for volunteers to use it are available free of charge to enable parishes to tackle some of their own most used paths. Enquiries had been made as to whether this would apply to a Council employee.
ii) Correspondence had been received offering information of Rights of Way Improvement Initiative and Community Paths Project. It was agreed that this should be passed to the Chairman of the Footpaths Committee.

207 Beating the Bounds
It was proposed by Miss Bennetts, seconded by Mr Foat and agreed that the date be set at early in October 2006, depending on the Tide.

208 Report from Towns and Parishes mid year meeting held on 23rd September Mr Whitburn reported that discussions had taken place on the Open Spaces Strategy for the District and the Highways Unit.

209 Tree and Pond Wardens
It was proposed by Mr Whitburn and seconded by Mrs Ovenden and agreed that £100 should be donation to BTCV. It was also agreed that the Pond Warden should be invited to attend the December meeting of the Council.

210 Report from KCC Local Boards Meeting held on 16th September
Mrs Chandler had reported on the contents of the meeting:-
i) Presentation by the Learning and Skills Council on further education for the Dover area, which was focused on Dover Town itself and the fact that there was no Further Education available - South Kent College was not really fulfilling the remit it was given. A further review of education was being carried out but general opinion was that they had to come up with a proper solution.
ii) Presentation by health professionals demonstrating how they were dealing with child related issues as a ‘joined up’ team.

211 Website Report
Nothing to report.

212 Finance Report and Payments to be approved
The following payments were approved on a motion proposed by Mr King, seconded by Mr Pratt:

Employment costs 3,051.37
Administration 71.21
Donation to BTCV (Pond and Tree Warden scheme) 100.00
Tree Surgery 1,125.00
Maintenance 157.80
Base for teen shelter 900.00
VAT 389.51
Receipts
None had been received

Outstanding Invoices
Pavilion Insurance 267.26

Balances:
Current Account 11,638.20
Capital Reserve Account 40,214.93

Members of the Council were reminded that a meeting of the Finance Committee would be held on Monday 8th November at 7.30 p.m.

Mr. Pratt raised the possibility of the Parish Council funding or part-funding the provision of a Community Warden by the Kent County Council - this would be discussed by the Finance Committee. Before then, efforts should be made to establish whether the County Council intended to fund additional Wardens in the County, what powers the Wardens have and the cost of funding a Warden. It was agreed that the problems in Ash were sufficient to warrant the provision of a Warden by the County Council. It was also agreed that the problems should be raised at the Annual Parish Meeting and it was questioned whether a Parish Poll was necessary.

213 Development Plan and STARR Initiative
Mr Whitburn reported that this was progressing nicely. Four working groups had been set up - Economy, Social matters, Environment and Transport. It was proposed to have a Focus Group Meeting in Ash and it was probable that a questionnaire would have to be distributed to householders.

214 Correspondence
i) Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group - information and a request for a subscription of £35.
ii) KRCC Community Transport Information Pack.
iii) KCC - First consultation on ‘Planning for Minerals in Kent’ - responses by 09.11.04
iv) Sanctuary Housing - request for confirmation of local connection for housing applicant. Members of the Council had no knowledge of the applicant.
v) DEFRA - Information about ‘Clean Neighbourhoods’ consultation from Alun Michaels MP. Unfortunately DEFRA had not issued the information in time for comments to be made. It was decided that individual members could dial up the site and respond as they thought necessary.
vi) KRCC - invitation to event to rename to Action with Communities in Rural Kent Friday 22nd October from 12.30 at Lenham. Mr Whitburn would be in attendance but no other member of the Council was able to attend.
Circulated:
i) Statement of Community Involvement - participant feedback
ii) Clerks and Councils Direct Mag
iii) Stour View Mag
iv) Local Council Review - copy to each Cllr
v) Oast to Coast
vi) KRCC Rural News etc.
vii) Pfizer Community Newsletter
viii) White Cliffs Countryside leaflets
ix) NHS - East Kent Hospitals Annual Report
x) KCC - Have your say on Childcare questionnaires - handed to Mrs Ovenden for distribution
xi) Kent Police - Rural Beat Newsletter
xii) KCC - Kent Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership magazine

215 Press Release
It was agreed that the Press should be informed about the new equipment installed on the Recreation Ground. Mr Whitburn agreed to deal with the matter.

216 Any other business
It was noted that the Clerk was on sick leave from 29th September to approximately 20th October. Members of the Council signed a card wishing her a speedy recovery from her operation.