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WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
Held on Tuesday 3rd May 2016
7.00pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present:
Cllr M Cayzer (Chairman) Cllr D Marks
Cllr R Tripp Cllr Mrs L Simons
Cllr J Evans
Cllr C Talbert Cllr Mrs C Moreland (arr.7.20pm)
Cllr M Wells
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr M Balfour – Kent County Councillor
Cllr S Jessel – Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councillor
Cllr D Stones
PCSO Callum Harkness – Kent Police
Ms Trudy Bailey – KM Reporter
4 members of the public
16/001 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Cllr Cayzer announced he would not be standing for Chairman. There was one nomination, Cllr R Tripp, for Chairman. Councillors were asked to vote in favour of appointing Cllr Tripp – In favour 4 against 0 abstentions 2 Cllr Tripp was duly elected and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Cllr Tripp thanked Cllr Cayzer on behalf of the Council for his 32 years service. This was supported by members of the public
Election of a Vice Chairman would be decided at a future date. It was felt that it was essential to have a Vice Chairman. The Chairman asked Councillors to let the Clerk know if they would be interested.
Councillors were asked if they were happy to remain on committees or represent the Parish Council on outside bodies.
Finance & General Purposes – remain all Councillors
Planning – agreed – Cllr Tripp, Cllr Cayzer, Cllr Marks, Cllr Wells, Cllr Talbert,
Cllr Mrs Simons, Cllr Mrs Moreland and Cllr Evans
All other representatives to remain as present
The Chairman stated that if business was not completed by 8.30pm the meeting would be adjourned for the Planning Committee Meeting in the main hall
16/002 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
16/003 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
16/004 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Presentation of Defibrillator – The Chairman thanked David for meeting and delivering a short speech to the Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling and his wife when they made the presentation on 25th April
Work to refurbish the War Memorial had been completed
The Annual Parish Meeting would be on Thursday 12th May
16/005 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour congratulated Cllr Tripp on his election as Chairman and thanked Cllr Cayzer for all his work as Chairman
Cllr Balfour said he continued to have discussions on the problem of speeding on the A26 especial at the junction of Pizien Well Road.
No further news on Operation Stack or the Lower Thames Crossing
Cllr Balfour referred to the increase in cost of bus passes which would be passed on to users and not to the tax payer. He also confirmed these were not available to those in adult education.
Cllr Evans said the public do not see accounts of the bus companies
The Chairman thanked Cllr Balfour who left the meeting at 7.15pm
16/006 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel expressed good wishes to Cllr Tripp on his election as Chairman and thanked Cllr Cayzer for everything he had done during his time as Chairman. Cllr Jessel said that Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Audit Committee were looking at ways to raise income.
Cllr Jessel referred to the planning application for Greensted and confirmed any comments should be sent to Maria Brown at the Borough Council. A date for the Area 2 Planning Committee had yet to be agreed.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Jessel
16/007 CRIME REPORT
PCSO Harkness read his report. Report Attached. Cllrs asked for more information on reports
16/008 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 5th APRIL 2016 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Cayzer and seconded by Cllr Talbert
16/009 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 5th APRIL 2016
See separate sheet.
16/010 MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 11TH APRIL 2016 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
Cllr Mrs Moreland felt a number of amendments were needed. It was agreed to put these Minutes forward to the next meeting for approval
16/011 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No Meeting. The Chairman gave details of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s recommendation to Cabinet that from 2017/18 the Financial Arrangements monies and the Council Tax Base Reduction Grant should cease. This would represent around £12,333 the Parish Council would lose. This would mean an increase on tax band D of approximately £13.92 per year.
Councillors had seen an email from Wateringbury Pear Orchards regarding maintenance of the new woodland trees planted last year requesting the cost of weedkiller at £125 and two grass cuts around the trees per year. It was requested that a total figure be available for Councillors to consider and this should be available at the next Parish Council meeting
Community Pay back Scheme – Request from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council for suggestions/nominations for project. The scheme uses people who have been sentenced in court to unpaid work which includes landscaping, forestry, building & maintenance, painting and decoration. Cllr Mrs Simons agreed to take this forward.
Copy letter received from East Malling & Larkfield Parish Council supporting no change to the boundary changes as requested by Kings Hill Parish Council. Thanks to be given for their support
Internal Audit – Colin Hanley had said he would be happy to carry out an internal audit again this year. All Councillors agreed
Planning – Meeting to follow at 8.30pm in main hall
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association Nothing further to report
Village Hall – Nothing to report
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_- Nothing to report Next meeting 12th may
Parish Partnership Panel – nothing to report
Kent Community Rail Partnership – nothing to report
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – Speedwatch report attached
Volunteer Support Warden – The Clerk had been advised by KALC that Steve Dixon had been selected as a Volunteer Support Warden for Wateringbury. All Wardens will be trained and once completed Steve and a Community Warden will arrange a meeting with the Clerk.
Allotments – There are 4 vacant plots
Cemetery – nothing to report
Village Warden – nothing to report
16/012 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Cayzer and seconded by Cllr Talbert. All cheques were signed
16/013 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Mrs Sara Hudson felt the meeting on the 11th April could have been better advertised so more people could have attended.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm