WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 4th December 2018
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr M Wells (Chairman)
Cllr D Marks
Cllr R Tripp
Cllr D Stones
Cllr F Fielding
Cllr J Roe
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Mrs C Byron & Mrs T Bailey – Rostrum Correspondents
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 any person present intends to make a video or audio recording of the proceedings. None
18/082 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Simons, Cllr Daly, Cllr Balfour & PCSO Wendy Stanley
18/083 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
18/084 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman announced the Public Consultation on alterations to the crossroads had been postponed due to issues with utility companies.
Chairman reported on an exhibition at Kings Hill by Liberty putting forward areas outside the Kings Hill boundary suitable for development. A total of 505 houses. One area put forward was Heath Farm on Wateringbury Road (approx. 40 houses), the same area designated in the TMBC Local Plan as part of a proposed extension to the Green Belt
The Chairman and Cllr Stones attended the KALC AGM on 17th November – report attached
Due to the holidays the next Parish Council Meeting would be on 8th January 2019
18/085 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour was not present and had sent his apologies.
18/086 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel was not present
18/087 CRIME REPORT
PCSO Wendy Stanley sent her apologies and had sent her crime report
Other crime reports attached – taken from Kent Police website and the
e-watch website Cllr Tripp reported keys to equipment on the building site
in The Orpines had been taken
18/088 SPEED INDICATOR SIGN – CANON LANE
The sign had been removed by KCC and cannot be repaired. The cost to replace sign would be in the region of £6000, and a traffic survey would need to be done at a cost of approximately £250. KCC would not cover any of the cost. The Parish Council could consider covering the cost. The Speedwatch team felt the sign was important as the site was not suitable for a SID. Questions were raised regarding the SID and it was agreed the Chairman would contact Matthew Balfour for more information
18/089 OVERFLOW CAR PARK – PLAYNG FIELDS
A request had been received from Jenner Contractors to use the overflow car park for around 30 vehicles during the construction work in The Orpines For a period of around 22 months. A payment of £30 per week and repairs to the track when construction was completed. It had originally been stated that parking facilities would be available on a field adjoining the site but this had not been agreed
There was no parking allowed in The Orpines and cars were using Fields Lane and causing some problems for residents
There was an in depth discussion which included the question of the suitability of the car park due to the natural spring that floods part of the area, consideration for the tenant at Drayhorse Meadow, security, comments from the Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association. Taking all comments into consideration a vote was taken. In favour of rejecting the request 4 – Against 0 – Abstentions 2
It was Resolved the overflow car park could not be used by Jenner Contractors
The Clerk would write to Jenner Contractors advising them of Councils decision
18/090 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 6TH NOVEMBER 2018 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
There was one amendment. The Minutes did not show that Cllr Marks & Cllr Tripp left the meeting before Public Discussion. Approval of
the amended Minutes was proposed by Cllr Stones and seconded by Cllr Fielding and signed as a correct record
18/091 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 6th NOVEMBER 2018
18/077 – TMBC Bullet Points – dealt with under F&GP
18/077– War Graves Plaque- awaiting reply from War Graves Commission
18/092 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No meeting. Council discussed whether or not to proceed with ‘Pay & Display’ in the car park. A vote was taken. Those in favour of not proceeding 5 – Against 1 – Abstentions 0. It was resolved not to proceed. TMBC would be informed
Slide Repairs – A quote had been received for repairs to the slide in the lower play area, as raised by ROSPA, at a cost of £340. All Councillors voted in favour of accepting the quote.
Cllr Tripp reported that both locks on the top play area gates were broken. One had previously been broken and the cost to replace it was in the region of £100.
Village Warden – if a Warden was to be employed there should be provision in the budget for 2019/20. It was agreed to contact John Ibbs to see if he would be interested in taking up the post again.
Planning – meeting to follow
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – Cllr Stones said the Parish Council must be kept informed of any progress on a new pavilion. Cllr Tripp reminded members the field was registered with Fields in Trust.
Village Hall – An email from Mike Hoiles stated the village hall felt only two cameras ,one in the foyer and one at the back were needed. The camera on the Tonbridge Road side was not needed. It was agreed a further meeting should be arranged with Chroma Vision to discuss all cameras.
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_– no further report
Parish Partnership Panel – There was a meeting on 15th November but due to the Extraordinary Planning Meeting the same night the Chairman was unable to attend. The Extraordinary Planning had subsequently been cancelled due to a lack of a quorum
Joint Parish Council Transport Consultative Group – No meeting
Kent Community Rail Partnership – Santa Train 15th December from Maidstone West Station
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – No meeting.
Speedwatch report attached. There was a possibility of two further volunteers for the team
Allotments – nothing to report
Cemetery – The pollarding of the Lime Trees and cutting back the privet was due to start on the 19th November
Joint Flood Group – nothing to report
18/093 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Stones and seconded by Cllr Marks All cheques were signed
18/094 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Mr Martin from The Orpines expressed great concern over the effect the building works was having on his adjoining property. Jenner Contractors were due to carry out a structural survey the following week.
Further concern was shown over the dangerous state of No 1 Tonbridge Road where the overhang was breaking away from the building.
Mrs Sarah Hudson referred to the broken locks on the play area gates and stated a previous Councillor, John Evans, had arranged for a replacement at no cost. Cllr Roe agreed to speak to Mr Evans.
Mrs Hudson asked the Council if they wished to meet with SECAMB to discuss ambulance sirens etc., It was felt this was not necessary
Referring to the overflow car park it was confirmed there was no condition in the planning permission that stated the number of days the car park could be used.
Mrs Christine Byron suggested the Parish Council put some pressure on Jenners Construction to use the adjoining field for parking
Mrs Christine Byron wished Council a Happy Christmas and New Year and thanked Councillors for all they did for the parish. Councillors thanked Mrs Byron
There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at 9.25pm