WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 6th February 2018
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr R Tripp (Chairman)
Cllr M Wells (Vice Chairman)
Cllr D Marks
Cllr F Fielding
Cllr L Simons
Cllr M Daly
Cllr S Tickner
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr M Balfour – Kent County Councillor
Mrs C Byron – Rostrum Correspondent
3 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
17/102 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Jessel
17/103 CO-OPTION OF NEW MEMBER ON TO THE PARISH COUNCIL
There were two candidates. Dave Evans and David Michelmore
Following a secret ballot, counted by Cllr Balfour, it was declared that neither candidate secured enough votes for co-option. It was agreed to ask both for a bit more information about themselves.
17/104 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
17/105 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman announced the resignation of Chris Talbert. All Councillors agreed a letter should go thanking him for his support and hard work during his time on the Council
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has written regarding a Keep Clean Weekend from 2nd – 4th March and details had been passed to Mike Williams of The Friends of Wateringbury. Also, a letter headed ‘Can you help a Toad across the Road’ the letter was handed to Mrs Byron for possible inclusion in the Rostrum magazine
17/106 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour said it was disappointing that not more people came forward to join the Parish Council. Cllr Balfour felt that Parish Council’s were undervalued for the responsibilities they had.
It was difficult times for the County Council trying to keep the budget under control. Cuts of £75m this year and more next.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Balfour for his support in trying to solve the traffic problems at the crossroads, and stated Councillors would be meeting with Kent County Council to discuss proposed plans.
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Local plan was raised and that the Borough Council had not met the targets for building and there was shortfall of 134. Cllr Balfour said felt the Borough Council was within the boundaries of planning requirements.
Cllr Balfour was asked about Kent County Council McIntyre Care in the village and what were the plans for the main house as there appeared to be people living in it. Cllr Balfour asked to be emailed details.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Balfour who left the meeting at 7.58pm
17/107 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel was not present
17/108 CRIME REPORT
Crime report attached – taken from Kent Police website and e-watch website
17/109 PCSO WENDY STANLEY
The Chairman welcomed PCSO Wendy Stanley to the meeting. PCSO Stanley said she had been a PCSO for 14yrs, at present covering Kings Hill and Wateringbury, and did not divide her time between parishes but went where and when she was needed.
PCSO Stanley was asked about the crime reports on the Police website where they referred to ‘violent crime’ which caused concern. She said this covered a number of things some of which could be a domestic dispute.
PCSO Stanley said that two people had been arrested in relation to cars being damaged. Thieves were also targeting tools from vehicles, sheds and the theft of vehicle number plates. PCSO left some special screws for fixing on number plates. The Chairman thanked PCSO Stanley who left the meeting at 8.20pm
17/110 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD On 9TH JANUARY 2018 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Daly, seconded by Cllr Tickner and signed as a correct record
17/111 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 9th JANUARY 2018
17/098 – Insurance on pavilion – The Chairman referred to the lease with the Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association (WSRA) which stated they were responsible for insurance buildings on the playing fields, which the Parish Council had covered for a number of years. After discussion it was agreed to write to the WSRA stating that as from September the Parish Council would no longer insure the pavilion and this would be down to the sports association.
The Chairman also said the Parish Council should have a representative on the WSRA Committee. Cllr Tickner said he would be happy to do this and Councillors agreed he be appointed as their representative.
17/098 – Cllr Wells reported the final draft would go forward to the Parish Partnership Panel meeting on 7th February to be validated. This item was now closed.
17/098 – Car Park – This would be dealt with under Highways & Transportation
17/112 DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS
The Chairman referred to a meeting he and the Clerk attended about the new Data Protection Regulations that come into force on the 25th May. The final legislation has yet to be passed by Central Government. The Parish Council has to appoint a Data Protection Officer, and the Chairman stated that Clerks cannot take on the role. The Clerk had contacted Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council to see if they could assist the Council in any way. The Borough Council had stated they were looking into it.
The Council could take on someone from outside and there were contractors that could do this and the cost would be in the region of £150pa. It was suggested that Parish Councils could group together to take someone on. The Chairman said this would be continued to be covered at future meetings.
17/113 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No meeting The Chairman said the Council had received a request from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council to have a meeting to discuss a proposal for a potential charging structure under ‘Pay & Display’ After discussion it was agreed to arrange a meeting
Councillors had two quotes for 4 new village signs. Maidstone Signs for new tops only and Fitzpatrick Woolmer for tops and posts. After discussion it was agreed to ask Maidstone Signs to quote for replacing the posts as well in order to compare the two quotes.
Planning – meeting to follow
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – The Chairman said it was disappointing that there would not be a fete this year but it was hoped there would be in 2019. The Fete Committee was completely separate from the sports association and hold any surplus funds in their own bank account. The Chairman said it would be beneficial to have sight of the Fete Committee’s constitution. Cllr Tickner said he would raise this when he attends the next Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association Committee meeting.
Village Hall – Cllr Simons said the question of the CCTV was delayed until any outcome on the future of the car park.
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_– Cllr Wells said the next meeting was scheduled for May.
Parish Partnership Panel – Next meeting was 15th February
Joint Parish Council Transport Consultative Group – Cllrs Wells report attached. Cllr Wells also reported that Arriva had agreed to reinstate the no 6 bus on the 11th March.
Kent Community Rail Partnership – nothing to report
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – No meeting. The Chairman referred to the Pollution Monitoring equipment and thanked the Village Hall Committee for agreeing to site the equipment in the foyer of the village hall. Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has found a second hand box to house the unit and the cost was around £1500. When fitted the equipment would be in place for 1 year.
It was reported water was still running out from Waterside Mews on to Bow Road. The light in Old Road was still burning all the time and three lights in Canon Lane had not been repaired. Speedwatch report attached.
Allotments – nothing to report
Cemetery – nothing to report
Village Warden – To be dealt with under Part two of the Agenda – Private Discussion.
Joint Flood Group – Cllr Fielding said two properties in the village had taken up the offer of property surveys. Cllr Fielding said 77% of all parishes had taken up the offer. There was training available for Flood Wardens.
17/114 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Simons All cheques were signed.
17/115 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
It was reported that a street light needed attention opposite number 15 The Orpines
Concerns were reiterated about the problems experienced by a resident with the construction site in The Orpines
PART TWO
PRIVATE DICUSSION – Members of the public and press were asked to leave.
Councillors discussed the issue of John Ibbs, Village Warden, having left the village and now living in Hadlow, that continuing the job of Warden Village had proved difficult for him, and he had suggested leaving his post.
After discussion it was agreed that although according to his contract 3 months notice was required it was felt this was too long considering his present circumstances and he should be allowed to resign earlier. Before Council could proceed it was necessary to establish from John a date when he intends to resign.
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at approximately 10.20pm