163 Present: Mr Foat (Chairman), Mr Potts, Miss Bennetts, Mrs Chandler (Parish and District Councillor), Mr Darvell, Mr Gregory, Mr King, Mrs Ovenden, Mr Pratt, Mr Whitburn.
Ms Golden, DDC Community Development Officer, Community Warden Mr Priestly, PC Wright and three parishioners were in attendance for part of the meeting.

164 Apologies for absence: Prof Swingland.

165 Nominate a Publicity Officer: Mrs Chandler agreed to write the report for the Parish Magazine.

166 Minutes of the meeting held 7 August 2006
The minutes were approved and signed as a true record.

167 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.

The meeting was then adjourned to allow contributions from the floor.

Ms Heidi Golden explained her role as a Community Development Officer, working for the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. The projects she would be involved in aimed to help people re-enter the workplace. She could also give advice to local groups on applying for funds, such as Bridging the Gap and sharing best practice. Ms Golden can be contacted at Dover District Council 01304 872 293.

Two parishioners raised the problem with overgrown footpaths especially around Chequer Lane, Molland Lane and Burfords Lane. Mrs Chandler offered to be present at an on-site meeting with parishioners and the Dover District Council Footpaths Officer and the DDC department would be contacted again about the matter.

A parishioner raised speeding traffic, parking and obstructing sight lines on New Street. TheCommunity Warden circulated pictures that showed examples of the concerns being raised. Mrs Chandler will contact the relevant agencies to ask for assistance to try and resolve the matter.

Police Report by PC Wright
The meeting was updated by PC Wright on current issues and the successful use of surveillance cameras, the continuation of CUBIT in removing untaxed vehicles, The Kent Police Open Day on Sunday 17 September in Dover and the introduction of a new reporting system. The mobile police unit will continue to be used and options for siting the vehicle should be passed to PC Wright.

The meeting was reconvened.

168 Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
i) Item 161 iv) The Sandwich Clerk / Sec to the Pfizer’s Monks’ Wall Reserve Trust had understood the area was in the Parish of Ash. It had been explained it was not.
ii) Item 162 x) a letter had been sent to Mr Downes of the Jack Foat Trust about clearing the area behind Mill Field. It was agreed to follow this up in time for the next meeting.

169 Planning Report
To consider:
i) 382 – 2 New Cottages, Hoaden, Ash (DOV/06/00916) – formation of sand school and change of use of land for the keeping and grazing of horses. There were no objections to the proposals.
ii) 362 – Former Brown and Mason Yard, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, Kent (PAG/DO/03/477/R) Proposed revisions to the approved method statement in relation to the approved Ecological Management Plan. There were no objections to the proposals as long as English Nature confirmed their acceptance of the proposals.

Granted by DDC:
None received.

Refused by DDC:
i) 379 – Land rear of 52 New Street, Ash (DOV/06/00606). Site lies outside the village confines, application is premature, would be loss of Grade 1 Agricultural land, dissects important visual feature (hawthorn hedge).
ii) 380 – 12 Chequer Land, Ash.(DOV/06/00641). Removal of bank would be detrimental to visual character of the area.

Appeals:
None received.

Planning Focus Group
Information on the next meeting of the PFG on 12 October at 6pm at DDC Offices, Whitfield was passed to the Miss Bennetts, the Ash Parish Council representative. The main item on the agenda would be to discuss aspirations for the future and means of passing information to Parishes about the planning system.

Kent Waste Development Framework
i) It was agreed that Mrs Ovenden would attend the KCC Seminar organised by KAPC, at Sandwich Guildhall on the 13 September, 5.30-8pm.
ii) A background summary on the Framework was tabled.
iii) The consultation ends 4 October 2006 and information is available on the web-site www.kentwaste.dialoguebvdesign.net or by telephoning 0208 683 6817 and requesting a hard copy of the information and questionnaire.

170 Parish Plan
A letter of 21 August 2006 from Action with Communities in Rural Kent, about available funding for parishes from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with deadlines of 30 September and 31 December 2006 was tabled. It was agreed to consider taking the Plan forward after the Council elections in May 2007.

171 Recreation Ground Report
i) Parks Leisure will start work week commencing 4 September on replacing the ball bearings for the roundabout.

ii) A parishioner had reported finding an item of jewellery which had been returned to the owner.

iii) The repair to the Assault Ladder had been referred to Wicksteeds as although they no longer made this particular type of ladder, they will see if they have something comparable.

iv) Report from Environmental Assistant (Aug 06)
- The tree surgeon had to be called out again over damage to a tree on the recreation ground; the lime tree adjacent to tennis courts was also looked at.
- A letter had been sent to Saunders House Landscapes about keys to the Recreation Ground.
- Various items had been damaged: litter bin, toilet door, picnic table
- Parishioner reminded that playing golf was not permitted on the recreation ground.
- The Safety Check Sheet for the Play Equipment had been updated and was approved.

It was agreed that toilet paper and hand towels should be placed in the public toilets.
The Clerk would contact the Environmental Health Department about the removal of human waste at public sites.
The broken Stopcock Cover and BBQ provision should go on the agenda of the next Recreation Committee meeting.

It was agreed that the Environmental Assistant:-
- carry out remedial work on the Environscape lattice and spend £83 on the ballast needed and that the area in front of the kick wall should be re-seeded.
- purchase more mole traps to continue to prevent / stop mole holes on the recreation sports field area.

The Clerk would contact KAPC about whether or not there are any liability issues arising from the use of the grounds.
A new sign for the Play Area would be purchased with updated contact details.

v) It was agreed to accept the quote of £480 plus VAT from Saunders House Landscapes for the selective herbicide application at the Recreation Ground. The accompanying safety information was noted and that there would be 24 hours notice displayed prior to the spraying being carried out.

172 Parish Council Property & Environment
i) Bus Shelters and Bus Stop Notices
The response to Jacobs Babtie on the Transport Forum and the letter to KCC requesting the two shelters had been sent.
It was agreed that Kent County Council should be asked to confirm ownership of the land where the new Bus Stop Notices recently had been installed on New Street and Cherry Garden Lane and that the area at New Street have a shelter sited on it and be properly surfaced and laid out.

ii) A reply should be sent to DDC Waste Services Officer, Chris Brown’s letter of 17 Aug re current and future provision on refuse bins for animal and litter waste confirming the Parish Council required more bins and offering a meeting at a convenient time in October.

iii) It was agreed to ask WDS Signs to supply two new panels to replace the damaged ones on the Parish Council Notice board.

iv) Further to the request from BTCV Kent Pond and Tree Warden Scheme for financial support and confirmation of the wardens for Ash. Both Dr Humphries and Ms Ayres had confirmed that they wished to stay as Pond and Tree Wardens respectively. It was agreed to consider the donation request at the Finance meeting in November and to invite the wardens to the November Parish Council meeting.

v) Further to the matter of bonfires on the allotments raised by a parishioner, it was agreed that when the annual renewal notices were sent to all allotments holders that a reminder would be included about considerate use of the amenity.

vi) It was agreed to change the EDF charges on Public Conveniences from Business /Standard Tariff to a low user, no standing charge tariff as it should be more economical.

173 Kent Wildlife Trust – Maintenance of Orchid site – East Street
The request from Gill Tysoe (Roadside Verge Officer) Kent Wildlife Trust regarding the areas to be cut by East Kent Highways in October to minimise the damage to the orchids while maintaining safety at the junction was discussed and agreed. The Environmental Assistant would be asked to assist with the raking after the cutting had been completed.

174 Highways Report
i) The District Councillor reported that it may be a possibility that all approaches to Ash will be considered this year by Kent County Council for action to improve the situation. The particular concerns with The Street had been looked at and there may be a proposal to extend yellow lines at Queens Road.

ii) A parishioner had raised the matter of speeding traffic along School Road. There had been previous correspondence with Kent County Highways about traffic calming. After discussion it was agreed that it would be useful to have a copy of the petition referred to by the parishioner and to find out whether or not residents along School Road would support a 20mph Home Zone. The Parish Council could only take up this option if it had the support of the local residents.
The letter from the Kent Highways Section – Setting Local Speed Limits – Circular Roads 1/2006 on national guidance from Department of Transport which was under discussion was noted.

iii) The letter from the parishioners about the large silver birch at Molland Lane was discussed and it was agreed to forward the letter to Kent County Council as the tree was on KCC land.

iv) The dead cherry tree at 34-36 Chequer Lane and the dropped inspection plate at 1 New Street had been reported to the Highways Section. It was noted that as Pippin Close was still an unadopted road, the mis-spelling had been referred to the developer.

v) It was reported that the white lines at Knell Lane had not been renewed.

vi) Street lights NAP01 at 12 New Street and OAH01 at Queens Road were to be reported for repair.

175 Footpaths Report
i) Footpaths Report – it was agreed to bring forward the next Footpaths meeting to December 4, 7pm. Miss Bennetts would forward details of a new footpaths volunteer to Mrs Chandler. It was reported that Kent County Council had recently taken action to remind farmers of their obligations to re-instate paths.

ii) The Beating the Bounds letter had been sent to landowners and the neighbouring Parish Councils. Mr Pratt reported on the current numbers and it was clarified that if walkers wanted to leave enroute they would need to make their own arrangements to be collected. Suitable places were at the Dog and Duck at Plucks Gutter, Richborough Castle or East Street. The boat would stop at Richborough Castle for disembarking and the walk would continue once those who had not taken the boat had reached the Castle. The Chairman agreed to lead the walk. Copies of the route maps would be circulated to all councillors.

iii) The overgrown footpaths E113 and EE90A had been reported to Denise Roffey, the new Public Rights of Way Officer.

176 Website Report
The EIS – Website Training Sessions: Saturday 11th November, 9:30 – 13:00, Folkestone AEC is now confirmed and will be held at the Earlscliffe Centre.

177 Finance Report:
i) NatWest Mandate had been completed but without all councillors as signatories. Another mandate will be submitted when completed.

ii) Mr Whitburn proposed, Mrs Chandler seconded, and it was agreed that the Financial Report be accepted and the following payments approved:
Employment Expenses 1,350.96
Administration 60.00
Maintenance 546.20
VAT 84.76

iii) Income
PMC Loan instalment repayment 2,000.00

iv) Balances (after £2,000 transferred from Capital Reserves to Current acc)
Current account £1,894.03
Capital Reserve account £53,394.84

v) It was agreed to purchase a new Minute Book cover at £65.00

vi) It was noted that as at 1 August 2006 there were 2,501 registered electors for the Parish and that the Section 137 multiplier was £5.50

178 Correspondence
i) A subscription to the Local Council Update would be considered at the Finance meeting.
ii) Dover District Council has joined forces with Kent Association for the blind to encourage people to recycle their old mobile phones. During the month of September residents can bring their old mobile phones to any DDC office and either place them in the collection box or hand them into any member of staff and the phone will be reused or recycled. The poster would be displayed on the notice board.
iii) Youth Capital and Opportunities Funds are now available for local groups for 13-19 year olds.

iv) Clean Kent Campaign – Our Space – events would take place throughout October.
v) Kent Volunteers Award 2006 nominations. Closing date Friday 22 September 2006
vi) Thanet District Council – Statement of Community Involvement – comments no later than 13 October 2006.
vii) It was agreed to send a letter of support to Daniel Harris, Ash Motorbike Youth Club – Full Throttle Project due to start in October.

Circulated:
i) Community Land Trusts National Conference 14 Nov 2006 Reading
ii) Action with Communities in Rural Kent No 76
iii) Funding Buddies – project to assist community groups and voluntary groups to access funding opportunities
iv) Preston Parish Plan
v) Inside Track Issue 81 August 2006
vi) The Playing Field Summer 2006
vii) The Relay – Kent Police July / August 2006
viii) Parish News Issue No 318.

179 Parish Council Newsletter
The latest edition has been distributed and is available at the Library, the Post Office and the Trading Post.

180 Press Releases
There were no press releases.

181 Any Other Business
i) The lack of recycling points for plastic was raised. Mrs Chandler would take this up with Dover District Council Waste Services Department.

ii) The lack of street lighting on Queens Road was raised by Mr Gregory on behalf of a parishioner. It was agreed to add this item to the next agenda and inspect the site during the next meeting of the Council.

iii) The road de-restriction speed sign at the top of Guilton Lane by AW Warners had been turned around. This is to be reported to the Highways Department.

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