WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 6th March 2018
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr R Tripp (Chairman)
Cllr M Wells (Vice Chairman)
Cllr D Marks
Cllr L Simons
Cllr M Daly
Cllr S Tickner
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr S Jessel – Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councillor
Mrs C Byron & Mrs T Bailey – Rostrum Correspondents
1 member 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
17/116 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr M Balfour and Cllr Fielding who was away on holiday.
17/117 CO-OPTION OF NEW MEMBER ON TO THE PARISH COUNCIL
One candidate – David Michelmore
Following a secret ballot, counted by Cllr Jessel, it was declared that David Michelmore was duly elected on to the Parish Council.
17/118 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
17/119 ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
17/120 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour was not present
17/121 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel reported the Borough Council were struggling to meet statutory duties due to funding cuts from central Government and a further cut of 30% in future. The Borough Council had set a 3% increase in Council tax which was the maximum allowed before triggering a referendum. This represented a £5.91 increase on Band D properties. Some staff had been laid off and other means of reducing costs were being considered. The possible leasing of the Kings Hill Council offices to be used as a Magistrates Court, charging at all borough owned car parks, including Wateringbury. The possible of selling the Council offices and leasing them back.
17/123 CRIME REPORT
Crime report attached – taken from Kent Police website and e-watch website
17/124 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD On 6th FEBRUARY 2018 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
With some minor spelling adjustments the Minutes were approved by Cllr Simons, seconded by Cllr Daly and signed as a correct record
17/125 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 9th JANUARY 2018
17/112 – Data Protection – Further information had been received from the National Association of Local Councils and the Chairman stated it would be necessary to go through this.
17/126 WATERINGBURY CAR PARK
The Chairman said the meeting arranged with Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council on 2nd March had been postponed due to the weather. A new date had been arranged for Friday 16th March at 2.00pm at the village hall
17/127 POLLUTION MONITORING EQUIPMENT
The Chairman said the contact at Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, Chris Luche, had recently left and he would contact the Borough Council to establish when the equipment would be installed.
17/128 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No meeting The Chairman referred to two quotes received for four new village signs. Fitzpatrick Woolmer and Maidstone Signs. After discussion all Councillors agreed to accept the quote from Maidstone Signs to replace the signs, including posts, at a cost of £3420 plus VAT.
Planning – meeting to follow
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – Cllr Tickner reported he had met with John Ibbs and the next meeting of the Committee would be sometime in April. Cllr Tickner said he would establish who were signatories on the Fete bank account.
Village Hall – nothing to report
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_- Cllr Wells said the next meeting was scheduled for May.
Parish Partnership Panel -report attached
Joint Parish Council Transport Consultative Group – no meeting
Kent Community Rail Partnership – nothing to report Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – No meeting. Cross Roads The Chairman reported that successful discussions had been held with KCC on draft plans to ease the congestion at the traffic lights. The scheme would be funded by accessing monies from a Government Scheme designed to improve quality of life. To create a new third lane for the A26 extending both sides of the cross roads. Traffic from Maidstone turning left into Bow Road or going straight ahead to Tonbridge will use the new lane which will start just after the Shell garage and continue over the crossroads to just beyond the Village Hall. This will give space to create right turn filter lanes for traffic turning into Red Hill and Bow Road. Similarly, Bow Road will also have a new third lane starting from the Car Park for ahead and left turn traffic creating space for a new right turn lane. The land to be used for the new lanes is already owned by the Parish Council and KCC. There may also be a new light controlled pedestrian crossing for Red Hill if funds allowed. If the draft plan is approved by the Joint Transportation Board monies will be released for an in depth study of traffic, etc with further work starting on 5 April. Any monies must be used within the next financial year. These more detailed plans will then be the subject of public consultations and be on the Parish Council agenda for its June meeting.
If the scheme is approved by all relevant authorities work could start about August. All Councillors felt the plan was well worth pursuing since it should ease traffic congestion and therefore lower pollution levels
A proposal to accept the draft plan in principle was put by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Simons and all Councillors voted in favour of the draft proposal in principle.
Speedwatch report attached.
Allotments – All invoices for the year had gone out. There are 3 vacant plots available.
Cemetery – nothing to report
Village Warden – Final report from John Ibbs attached
Joint Flood Group – nothing to report
17/129 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Wells and seconded by Cllr Simons All cheques were signed.
17/130 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
A member of public reported problems of dog fouling on the track leading from Fields Lane to the playing fields. The provision of dog poo bags was suggested.
PART TWO
PRIVATE DICUSSION – Members of the public and press were asked to leave.
Councillors discussed the issue of John Ibbs, Village Warden, who was leaving his post on the 30th March. It was suggested that Council think about not replacing the position of Village Warden. After discussion it was agreed to have a 3 month break to see if there was any demand for a village warden. In the meantime, the PCSO would be asked to visit the playing fields during the 3 months.
The Chairman closed the meeting at approximately 10.30pm