Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held in Ash Village Hall on
Monday 2 October 2006 at 7.45pm

182 Present: Mr Foat (Chairman), Miss Bennetts, Mrs Chandler (Parish and District Councillor), Mr Darvell, Mr Gregory, Mr King, Mr Pratt, Mr Whitburn.
Mrs Sheridan (District Councillor) and Community Warden, Mr Priestly were in attendance for part of the meeting.

183 Apologies for absence: Mr Potts, Mrs Ovenden, Prof Swingland

184 Nominate a Publicity Officer: Mr Darvell agreed to write the report for the Parish Magazine.

185 Minutes of the meeting held 4 September 2006
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.

186 Declarations of Interest
Councillors were invited to declare items on the agenda in which they have a personal or prejudicial interest; no such interests were declared.

187 Public Question Time
There were no parishioners in attendance.

188 District Councillor’s Report
The meeting was adjourned for the report from the District Councillor, Mrs Jane Sheridan.
Mrs Sheridan, a civil engineer, was introduced and it was explained that the three district councillors would attend the meetings in rotation. Mrs Sheridan’s responsibilities at district level include being a member of the Governance Ctte, the Dover Joint Transportation Board and on the Scrutiny Committee for Community & Regeneration. Mrs Sheridan’s report covered the introduction of the new contact number, 101, for the police, fire and ambulance services. The objective was to try and keep the 999 number solely for emergencies. Information was given on the importance of the carrying out a water audit, in the light of the proposed numbers of new homes for the county and that a street light has a standard charge and not an actual charge for power used.

Mrs Chandler reported in her district councillor capacity that the car park at the rear of Lagaan’s did not have planning permission for vehicle access off Queens Road and that the matter was with the DDC Planning Department. Mrs Chandler’s responsibilities at district level included being a member of the Governance Ctte and on the Scrutiny Committee for Policy and Performance.

189 Police Report
The meeting was updated by Community Warden, Mr Priestly who gave PC Wright’s apologies as

he was required for operational duties. Issues such as local crime figures, abandoned vehicles and various nuisance issues were covered. CUBIT would continue in the area and a new initiative to improve conduct on buses was being introduced. It was important to report incidents to the police as unless this was done it was not possible to take action. The control room can refer a caller to the appropriate agency if it is not a police matter.

The meeting was reconvened.

Police Community Support Officer. Mr Trevor Pankhurst, Project Manager, Partnership & Crime Reduction, had written to say that the first intake of new PCSO’s are to be employed in November and following a period of training will be deployed operationally in January 2007. Although he could not guarantee a PCSO would be available for allocation to Ash at the beginning of the programme, he will keep the Parish Council updated.

The Parish Council confirmed that the PCSO would be funded by the Parish.

190 Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
i) Item 162 x) The area behind Mill Field, belonging to the Jack Foat Trust had been cleared.
ii) Item 181 i) Local re-cycling bins for plastic. Mrs Chandler reported that DDC had said that until sites for the final re-cycling of plastics are local, transporting the light but comparatively bulky items is neither economically nor environmentally justified.

191 Planning
To consider:
i) 383 – Little Hoaden Farm, Hoaden, Ash. (DOV/06/01035). Erection of pitched rood, detached, double garage. There were no objections to the proposal.
ii) 384 – Hills Court, Hills Court Road, Ash. (DOV/06/01123). Erection of two storey side extension. There were no objections to the proposal.
iii) 378 – Little Nash Farmhouse, Nash, Ash. (DOV/06/00703). Change of use of land for the keeping and grazing of horses, together with erection of detached stable block with tack room (amended details). There were no objections to the amendment.

Granted by DDC:
372 – The Grange, Weddington, Ash. (DOV/06/00684). Planning Permission granted with following conditions: - begun before three years expired; building samples will be required; no business use; additional agreed planting required on southern boundary; space allocated for parking and access only to be used for this purpose; vehicular turning space to be provided prior to start of use.

Refused by DDC:
381 – Land East of Paramour Street, Ash. (DOV/06/00718). Proposal incongruous and obtrusive. Proposed agricultural development not justified.

Granted by KCC:
Proposal TH/05/964 Provision of New Strategic Dual Carriageway (East Kent Access Phase 2)

Local Development Framework
Letter of 12 Sept 06 from DDC noting that the process of consultation has been delayed.

Partial Review of South East Plan – Provision for Gypsy and Traveller Caravan Sites
There were no comments on the process to be used by the SE England Regional Assembly for the consultation on the above review, taking place late in 2007.

Environment Agency Flood Risk Planning – Stour CMP Main Stage Report
Stour CFMP Main Stage report is now out for public consultation. It is available at the Environment Agency website (search using 'Stour CFMP') and also in some local libraries. Comments on the report should be sent to Nicola Smith, Stour CFMP Project Manager, by 8 December to nicola.eastley@environment-agency.gov.uk. There is a presentation on the report at Canterbury - 26th October 2pm to 4pm at Westgate Hall.

Kent Waste Development Framework
The report from Mrs Ovenden was noted on the KAPC KCC meeting on Wed 13 Sept on the Waste Development Framework Consultation. It was to advise Parish Councils on how the process of consultation was being organised rather than on the content of the WDF. Mrs Ovenden had put up notices in the parish informing parishioners of the consultation.

The letter from KCC of 22 Sept 06 on the meeting was noted and the next stage of the consultation will be in January 2007 on Preferred Options and Proposals.

The Parish Council agreed to endorse their previous position on support for waste treatment and waste to power facilities.

192 Parish Plan
No matters to report.

193 Development of Local Boards
The clerk reported on the proposals to replace the KCC Local Boards with five Neighbourhood Forums bringing together the three tiers of local government – County, District and Parish on a quarterly basis and making decisions on grant applications. It was agreed that a volunteer from the Parish Council would go to each meeting.

194 Recreation Ground
i) Play equipment. Parks Leisure will repair or remove the roundabout on Monday 9 October. The Environment Assistant will make good the ground. The quotes for replacement of the equipment will be given to the November Finance Meeting. Assault Ladder – the photos and information have been sent to Wicksteed for a quote.
ii) The contact details on the play area sign had been updated.
iii) Actions arising from the Recreation Ground Committee Meeting – there were no high risk items identified in the Annual Inspection of the Play Equipment. The medium and low risk items were being actioned as appropriate. It had been agreed that as a temporary solution the Rugby Club on a Tuesday evening would take any rubbish from the Sports Pavilion to the road for collection. It had been agreed that a company would be hired to deal with the mole problem. The toilets and Recreation Ground will be closed to vehicles from November.
Mr Darvell reported that the VHC also had problems with rubbish removal. Different halls had different policies but most tried to encourage hirers to remove their own rubbish.
iv) Report from Environment Assistant noted continuing problems with graffiti, tape and drinks bottles on the pitches and some damage to the guttering on the toilets. Anti-climb paint would be used. The aerial slide had been repaired with heavier washers and one of the seats needs repair. Fly tipping had been reported 11 Sept 06
v) Safety information and referral details for Saunders Landscapes had been sent to a parishioner in reply to an enquiry about the safety of the herbicide application to the Recreation.

195 Parish Council Property & Environment
i) Bus Shelters and Bus Stop Notices
- the letter had been sent to KCC re ownership and installation of shelter at New Street
- there had been a reply from David Eaton, KCH. It was agreed that the Parish would be able to part fund the shelters and that Mr Whitburn would speak with Mr Jeremy Cooper from Stagecoach about the removal of the suggested stops.
ii) A reply had been sent to the DDC Waste Services Officer, Chris Brown, asking to meet in October.
iii) Notice board. The two panels for the Parish Council notice board had been ordered from WD Signs at £180 plus vat per sign. There was an approximate 5 week delivery time.
iv) Queens Road. It was agreed to request KCC Highways to provide a new street light at Queens Road on the existing telegraph pole. After a request from the emergency services, KCC had approved double yellow lines along Queens Road from The Street upto the corner by the Village Hall.
v) The Parish Council would meet on Monday 30 October at 7.30pm at the Village Hall to walk around Ash to check the state of the street lighting.
vi) The report from Environmental Assistant noted the damage to the silver birch at Pound Corner, damaged bicycles and a tyre on the toilet roof and that the street light on the footpath EE113 between School Road and Glebelands was loose. Repairs to the bearings on the trolley were needed.
vii) Allotments. Two new names were added to the Allotment Waiting List, with nine parishioners now on the list. One holder has indicated that they will be giving up their half plot this year.

196 Highways
i) New Street. Mrs Chandler confirmed that she had referred the matters relating to New Street to the appropriate agencies.
ii) The tree at Molland Lane had been referred to KCC; the parishioner that had raised speeding along School Road had been asked to seek the views of other residents concerning a 20mph Home Zone and the street lights at New St and Queens Road had been reported (Ref: 93306).
iii) Mr Pratt reported that the white lines at Paramour Street and Knell Road had not been painted and now were barely visible.
iv) Mrs Chandler had reported street lights and pavement problems to KCC Highways.

197 Footpaths
i) Mrs Chandler reported on the meeting with Ms Denise Roffey, KCC Rights of Way Officer and parishioners. They had inspected footpaths around Chequer Lane, School Road and Quested’s field. DDC is not responsible for such matters as leaf litter making footpaths slippery but do contact landowners who are responsible for trimming back any vegetation on their property that obstructs a footpath. More information would be added to the web-site.
ii) Beating the Bounds – the second boat had been ordered and would leave from Plucks Gutter at 12.30 and alight at Richborough Castle. Food would not be provided and dogs are not permitted on the walk which would leave Pudding Lane at 7am and return there around 5pm. The clerk would scan and copy the maps for the councillors.

198 Website
There were no matters to report.

199 Finance
i) Finance Report
Mr Darvell proposed, Mr King seconded, and it was agreed that the Financial Report be accepted and the following payments approved:
Employment Expenses including IR payment £2,225.64
Administration £156.49
Maintenance £500.77
Annual Play Area Inspection £74.00
VAT £103.62

ii) Innovations
Linwood Youth Centre £30.00

iii) Balances (after £2,000 transferred from Capital Reserves to Current acc)
Current account £2,685.49
Capital Reserve account £51,394.84

200 Correspondence
i) Ash Motorbike Youth Club, Full Throttle: a letter from Daniel Harris explained that the project would not start until November and asked for a contribution towards the £600 shortfall. It was agreed to suggest he approach the Ash Education Trust for assistance.
ii) KAPC Minutes, Dover Area Committee of 27 July 2006 meeting passed to Mr Potts and Mr Whitburn.
iii) KAPC Finance Information Day Sat 14 October £58.75 – it was agreed to send the clerk on the course.
iv) DDC Standards Board Meeting Wed 13 Sept and Wed 11 Oct 9.30am passed to Mrs Chandler.
v) Stripy Landscapes Tim Gallant – letter of introduction from his company re ground care.
vi) DDC Local Government Elections 2007 – Thurs 3 May 2007. Estimate of cost for contested election £1,794.06, uncontested £166.31 was referred to the November Finance meeting.
vii) Action with Communities in Rural Kent Annual Meeting 6 October at 12 noon, Teynham Village Hall. Nominations for Trustees deadline Monday 2 October. Mr Whitburn would be attending.
viii) It was agreed not to subscribe to the Kent & Sussex Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group.
ix) If available, Mr Foat would attend the official opening of Dover, Deal & District Citizens Advice Bureau on Thursday 12 October from 5.30pm to 7pm Maison Dieu Road, Dover.

Circulated:
i) Oast to Coast Autumn 2006
ii) The Relay – Kent Police September 2006
iii) Neighbourhood Watch News Issue No 8 Summer 2006
iv) Rural Services Review 2006 (defra)
v) East Kent Hospitals Annual Report 2005 -2006
vi) Clerks & Councils Direct Issue 47 September 2006
vii) Local Council Review Vol 58 Nos 3 September 2006
viii) Parish News Issue No 319

201 Parish Council Newsletter
There were no matters to report

202 Press Releases
Mr Whitburn would send out a press release after the Beating of the Bounds had taken place.

203 Any Other Business
i) The wooden bowl made by Mr R Anstell of Ash, to be presented to Mrs Potts, was beautiful.
ii) Mrs Chandler reported the Cartwright & Kelsey School was compiling a transport plan for the children and that she had suggested Mr Whitburn as a community representative.
iii) KCC had approached the C&K School to see if they wanted to become one of the Children’s Centres that were being introduced into Kent over the next five years. Prof Swingland had attended the meeting as one of the School Governors. While the concept was positive it was felt that it would be impractical to give up a classroom and so the school would not be included in the first stage.
iv) Mr Gregory raised that some parishioners had complained to him about burning on Mill Field.
v) Mr Gregory noted that lorries were coming into Ash late at night, presumably looking for a place to stop and eat. If signs into to the village were mis-leading, then KCC would be asked to update them.
vi) Following a letter from the Village Hall Committee to the local Youth Groups, and further to a discussion at the last meeting of the VHC, it was suggested that the Parish Council provide indemnity for the youth groups when they hired the Hall. The Parish Council agreed that Mr Darvell report to the VHC that the PC would expect all users to be treated the same and that as long as the Youth Clubs met all the legal requirements, such as supervision levels and CRB checks, they should not be excluded. The terms of the hire agreement should be applied to all hirers in the same manner. (Note: this minute was amended at the November 6 meeting).

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.10pm.