WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 3rd July 2018
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr M Wells (Chairman)
Cllr L Simons (Vice Chairman)
Cllr D Marks
Cllr F Fielding
Cllr D Mitchelmore
Cllr D Stones
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr M Balfour – Kent County Councillor
Mrs C Byron – Rostrum Correspondent
9 members of the public
The Chairman opened the meeting by reminding everyone in attendance the meeting may be filmed, recorded, photographed or otherwise reported and asked if any person present intends to make a video or audio recording of the proceedings. None
18/030 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Daly and PCSO Wendy Stanley
18/031 CO-OPTION OF NEW MEMBER ON TO THE PARISH COUNCIL
One applicant – Mr Stephen Tickner A secret ballot was held. 5 voted in favour 0 against 1 abstentions Mr Stephen Tickner was duly co-opted on to Council, took his seat with Councillors and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office
18/032 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
18/033 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman reminded everyone there would be no Parish Council meeting in August, the next meeting 4th September
The Chairman also confirmed the new ‘Welcome to Wateringbury’ signs were now in place
18/034 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour referred to the proposed alterations to the crossroads. Some members of the public were concerned the proposals would allow vehicles to travel faster. A new group ‘Wateringbury Traffic Group’ had been formed in the village with 214 members communicating via Facebook
Cllr Balfour was asked about speed cameras and he stated they would only be installed according to the accident record for the area. The Chairman stated the last accident recorded at the traffic lights was in 2011. Cllr Balfour said traffic calming measures could not be used on A roads. Cllr Stones referred to Hadlow village that has traffic calming on the A26
Cllr Balfour said you could not stop people speeding and with the number of new houses being built the number of vehicles would increase
Cllr Balfour asked the Traffic Group to send details of what they would like to see to the Clerk and this can then be forwarded to him.
Cllr Marks referred to the static speed indicator signs using solar panels
Cllr Balfour agreed to send details of options i.e. mobile speed indicator device to the Parish Council
Mrs Sarah Hudson requested the use of the Speedwatch equipment to record the number of speeding vehicles over a longer period than the Speedwatch teams did at present. Mr David Merry, Speedwatch Co-ordinator, stated anyone using the equipment other than his team would not be covered by the Police insurance. Police speed vans had been seen in the village.
The Chairman felt the Speedwatch team adequately covered the number of speeding vehicles
18/035 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel was not present
18/036 CRIME REPORT
Crime reports attached – taken from Kent Police website and e-watch website. PCSO Wendy Stanley was unable to attend the meeting but had sent another report. – attached
18/037 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 5th JUNE 2018 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Simons and seconded by Cllr Mitchelmore and signed as a correct record
18/038 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 5th JUNE 2018
18/024 – No update on bullet points sent to TMBC relating to the car park
18/024 – Pollution monitoring Equipment – to be installed 19th June
18/024 – Data Protection – await update on possible amendment to GDPR bill
18/029 – water leak Bow Road – no update
18/029 – Drug problem at playing fields. I member of the public had called the police when suspects were on playing field. Police said they would send a squad car – no one arrived. This would be reported to the PCSO.
18/039 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No meeting. An estimate had been received from Safeplay to replace one of the cradle swings in the top play area with a swing suitable for all abilities, at a cost of £485 inclusive of chains and straps. Cllr Mitchelmore proposed acceptance and Cllr Simons seconded this. All Councillors vote in favour of acceptance
Cllr Fielding had reported on the condition of the bench outside the school entrance, which needed repairs. It was agreed to see if a local tradesman could do the necessary work.
Planning – meeting to follow
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – Councillors had a copy of a report on a meeting with John Ibbs, Chairman of the Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association, to discuss the insurance on the pavilion at the playing fields. After discussion it was agreed the Council would continue to cover the insurance and to put to John Ibbs the Association pay 50% of the premium due in September.
Village Hall – Next meeting August
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_– Next meeting September
Parish Partnership Panel – The Chairman reported that Tonbridge & Malling borough Council would have to revisit their Local plan as an extra 630 houses were needed. The final Local Plan was due to be with The Secretary of State by the end of the year. The Chairman stated that Broadwater Farm had been sold for 1100 homes
Joint Parish Council Transport Consultative Group – Next meeting September
Kent Community Rail Partnership – no representative
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – No meeting. The Chairman said a Highways Committee was needed. Cllrs Tickner, Stones, Marks & Simons agreed to form a committee.
The Chairman thanked the Friends of Wateringbury for their efforts in clearing litter, weeds and rubbish in the village.
Speedwatch report attached.
Allotments – Nothing to report – inspection to be arranged.
Cemetery – nothing to report
Joint Flood Group – Nothing to report. Cllr Fielding said KCC had agreed to visit a resident on Tonbridge Road regarding flooding of their property.
18/040 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Simons and seconded by Cllr Fielding All cheques were signed
18/041 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
It was reported the waste bins at the playing fields were overflowing. A member of the public, who was walking the dog, referred to the speed at which cars went down the track to the playing fields and felt children could be exposed to danger.
A member of the public referred to reports that the signal box at the station would be boarded up, and it was stated this was not the case.
Vegetation was growing over the top of the Lock-up
There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at 9.20pm