WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 6th November 2018
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr M Wells (Chairman)
Cllr D Marks
Cllr R Tripp
Cllr D Stones
Cllr F Fielding
Cllr M Daly
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr Matthew Balfour – Kent County Councillor
Mrs C Byron – Rostrum Correspondent
14 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
18/067 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Simons, PCSO Wendy Stanley
18/068 CO-OPTION OF NEW MEMBER ON TO THE PARISH COUNCIL
1 Candidate– Jessica Roe. There was a secret ballot and ballot papers were counted by Cllr Balfour. It was announced that Jessica Roe had been co-opted on and Ms Roe took her seat with other Councillors. The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed.
18/069 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
18/070 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman reported the resignation of Stephen Tickner due to other commitments.
The Chairman stated he and the Clerk had attended a Local Plan Meeting at TMBC Kings Hill on 3rd October. This was an interesting meeting and there were a lot of issues and concerns raised by other parishes, particularly by Borough Green who had a number of issues on development.
The Chairman, Cllr Simons and Cllr Fielding attended a Local Plan Workshop on 17th October, and the Chairman stated Inspectors could look again at all objections from developers, and the 3 sites in Wateringbury not at present in the Local Plan could be recalled. The Council needs to write to TMBC confirming their objections to the sites should they be recalled.
The Chairman reported on a meeting held with KCC on the proposed crossroad alterations. There was an objection to one of the extra lanes. Public Consultation dates were announced – Wednesday 12th December 4pm – 8pm and Wednesday 19th December 4pm – 7pm in the village hall.
At the Remembrance Day Service at the church on the 11th November, Cllr Marks would lay the wreath on behalf of the Council. The Chairman thanked Cllr Marks
18/071 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour stated it was not true to say that just KCC make the decision on the crossroad alterations, but they would take representations into account from the public and Parish Council and referred to the public consultation dates as stated by the Chairman. He said this was not a done deal
Cllr Balfour stated he had offered to cover the expense of a Speed Indicator Device for the village. Cllr Balfour was sorry to learn the permanent speed sign at Canon Lane was unrepairable and stated new regulations mean these signs could no longer source their power from nearby lamp posts but this had to be from an independent source.
There was better news of extra funding for KCC from the National Budget
Most of which would go on the Social Care Budget and a little for roads.
Cllr Balfour said social isolation and loneliness was a cause for concern. He felt part of the solution could be having Community Wardens but it also needed a change of attitude so that we all look after our neighbours
Cllr Stones raised the concern of red light jumping at the traffic lights, and suggested maybe photos could be taken of offenders to establish a pattern. Cllr Balfour said legislation stated that pictures from cameras could not be used, at present, to fine drivers outside London, but believes this will change
The Chairman said the PC had tried to get cameras on the traffic lights but this had been turned down as it was not a recorded blackspot.
The Chairman also said the Council had tried for years to get a reduction in the speed limit from Pizien Well Road to Canon Lane, but it had been refused.
The Chairman thank Cllr Balfour who left the meeting at 8.05pm
18/072 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel was not present
18/073 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
18/074 SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE
Councillors had copies of emails from Toby Donlon of KCC and from the Speedwatch Team. The Speedwatch team had indicated they would be happy to manage the new device but there were also other questions to answer. After discussion no decision was made to proceed
18/075 CCTV – VILLAGE HALL & PAVILION
Quotes had been received from Chroma Vision for repairs to the CCTV at the village hall and the pavilion. Cllr Tripp stated he felt the CCTV at the village hall was nothing to do with the Parish Council
Cllr Stones stated a few years ago damage was done to vehicles in the car park and it was then the Parish Council decided to buy and install CCTV equipment. There was no service agreement taken out on the equipment which is why the system had broken down
It was agreed this would go forward to the next Parish Council meeting in December
Councillors then discussed the quote from Chroma Vision for repairs to the pavilion CCTV. This cost would be £2754.05 excl of VAT The cost of an annual Gold Service Agreement was £170pa. Cllr Tripp proposed accepting the quote and this was seconded by Cllr Stones. All Councillors voted in favour. It was agreed to accept the Gold Service Agreement
It was agreed the equipment at the pavilion should be checked regularly
Cllr Roe gave her apologies and left the meeting at approx. 8.30pm
18/076 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 2nd OCTOBER 2018 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were proposed by Cllr Stones and seconded by Cllr Tripp and signed as a correct record
18/077 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 2nd OCTOBER 2018
18/063 – TMBC bullet points for pay & display at car park. Comments had been received from the Village Hall Committee which were not in favour of Pay & Display.
18/063 – water leak Bow Road – It was stated there appeared to be no leak at present.
18/063 – Drug problem at playing fields. No further update
18/066 – War Graves Plaque – The War Graves Commission had been contacted and a reply was awaited.
18/078 MINUTES OF FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD ON 16TH OCTOBER 2018 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
Approval of the Minutes was proposed by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Stones, and signed as a correct record.
18/079 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No meeting.
Planning – meeting to follow
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – Cllr Stones stated he and John Ibbs had sealed up the gap in the fencing between the overflow car park and Drayhorse Meadow where dogs had got through. Cllr Stones referred to the old play ‘tunnel’ which was part of a piece of play equipment that was removed and not replaced. John Ibbs had said he could dispose of this. It was suggested it could be reinstated or sold.
Village Hall – No report
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_- Report attached
Parish Partnership Panel – next meeting 15th November
Joint Parish Council Transport Consultative Group – No meeting
Kent Community Rail Partnership – no representative
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – No meeting.
Speedwatch report attached
Allotments – nothing to report
Cemetery – nothing to report
Joint Flood Group – nothing to report
18/080 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Stones All cheques were signed
Cllrs Marks & Tripp gave their apologies and left the meeting
18/081 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Mrs Sarah Hudson referred to the ‘tunnel’ and suggested it could be offered to the school
There was a broken manhole cover at the crossroads
Mrs Hudson felt that the SID equipment would not make any difference to speeding in the village.
Mrs Hudson referred to the village hall CCTV stating the equipment belonged to the Parish Council. The Chairman handed Chroma’s quote to Sarah Hudson and asked this be passed to the Village Hall Committee for their comments.
There was discussion by members of the public over the crossroad alterations. The Council was asked if there were any other suggestions to the cross roads other than were at present on the table. Could the public consultation in December be filmed.
Cllr Stones said he had a graph showing the pollution readings taken from the monitor in the foyer of the village hall. This showed the average reading was over 40
Mr Witts asked if the new CCTV at the pavilion would cover the cricket and football club containers situated in the lower part of the field. The Chairman said he would have a look
Mrs Christine Byron said on Remembrance Sunday at 6.00am at the War Memorial Jenny Barrow would play the pipes. This was a national event, and would last for 2 minutes. The church bells would be rung at 4pm
The Chairman pointed out that the Friends of Wateringbury were seen working at the crossroads but were not wearing their high viz jackets.
Mrs Hudson said a planter, which had been sponsored, would be placed at the crossroads
It was also reported leaves and part of the underside of the hedge opposite Bow Stores needed attention
It was stated that many years ago the village had a ‘village sweeper’.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at 9.35pm