WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
Tuesday 3rd May 2022 7.30pm
Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr P Gregson (Chairman)
Cllr D Marks
Cllr F Fielding
Cllr G Owen
In attendance
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Mrs E Bird – Rostrum Correspondent
4 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 anyone present intends to make a video or audio recording of the proceeding – None
22/001 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
Cllr Gregson put his name forward for Chairman. No other Councillor had come forward. All Councillors voted in favour of Cllr Gregson. Cllr Gregson was duly elected as Chairman.
22/002 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr R Tripp Cllr L Simons Cllr M Wells Cllr S Hudson
22/003 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
22/004 ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
22/005 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR & BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Hudson was not present
22/006 CRIME REPORT
e-watch website – Redhouse Gardens between 15.30 Wednesday 13th & 14.50 Friday 15th April somebody broke into a residential property and stole various items
Tonbridge Road Friday 15th April around 18.42 somebody broke in a residential property and stole jewellery and cash
Kent Police website – March 3 Assault without injury -2 harassment
22/007 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 5th APRIL 2022 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes were approved by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Owen The Minutes were signed as a correct record
22/008 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 1st MARCH 2022
21/115 – The Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association were looking to appoint more trustees to bolster numbers
22/009 REPORTS ROM COMMITTEES & OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – The Wateringbury Football Club had put forward 3 options (attached) for using part of the car park to store goals. It was agreed Option 2 was the most suitable Cllr Simons had met with Tony Garrett of the football club and agreed they could store goals in the car park. The Chairman suggested a lease agreement which the Council would have drawn up. Agreement to proceed was proposed by Cllr Owen and seconded by Cllr Marks. Options would be posted on the website for comments’
The Chairman reported the track to the pavilion had been completed and passed on Council’s thanks.
It was suggested Council consider budgeting for any future repairs
Highways – The Chairman reported that until KCC had completed a survey nothing could proceed with the Highway Improvement Plan. Speedwatch report attached.
Cemetery – Memorial Garden. Cllr Marks & Cllr Tripp had met with David Walsh who had produced a plan (attached) showing a centrally placed garden 10m x 10m. Some trees would need trimming. Rose bushes and a ragstone feature wall and plaque were suggested. Discussions on the proposal would continue with the church. The plan would go on the website for comments.
Allotments – The water tap was now working properly.
Village Warden – report attached
Cllr Fielding reported on the change to the play area. Safeplay had amended the cost of new play equipment to £59,000. Another quote was awaited from Playdale. A site meeting had been arranged with Wicksteed on 5th May.
22/010 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT
The Financial Statement was approved by Cllr Owen and seconded by Cllr Fielding and all cheques were signed
22/011 VILLAGE WARDEN VACANCY
The Chairman reported successful interviews and had agreed with two applicants, John Ibbs & Mark Little, they be employed on a job share basis. Councillors were happy with this decision.
22/012 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Martin Miller told the Council he had put in a Freedom of Information request to TMBC on who had agreed on the siting of the new mobile phone mast. He also said the Council should lead a manifesto for public opinion on undesirable developments, similar to that on the crossroads proposals.
It was reported cars attending matches on Saturdays in the playing fields were parking in Fields Lane, sometimes on the pavement, making it very difficult for residents.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.25pm