WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Held on Tuesday 7th June 2016
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present:
Cllr M Cayzer
Cllr D Marks Cllr Mrs L Simons
Cllr J Evans Cllr Mrs C Moreland
Cllr C Talbert Cllr D Stones
Cllr M Wells
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr S Jessel – Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councillor
Ms Trudy Bailey – KM Reporter
15 members of the public
16/014 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
Cllr Cayzer opened the meeting by asking Councillors for nominations for the chair in the absence of the Chairman Cllr Tripp. There was one nomination Cllr Marks. Councillors voted in favour and Cllr Marks took the chair. Cllr Evans did not vote
16/015 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
There were two nominations for Vice Chairman – Cllr Mrs C Moreland and Cllr M Wells. The Chairman asked Councillors to vote, by signed ballot, and ballot papers were distributed. Cllr Jessel collected the papers and announced the result. 5 votes in favour of Cllr Wells and 3 votes in favour of Cllr Mrs Moreland. It was resolved that Cllr M Wells was elected as Vice Chairman
Cllr Wells then took over the chair from Cllr Marks
16/016 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies from Cllr Tripp who was away and Cllr M Balfour
16/017 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Stones declared an interest in discussions on Wateringbury Pear Orchard.
16/018 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Vice Chairman announced the result of the Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Planning Area 2 Committee Meeting on 25th May on the planning application by Abbeyfied Kent for Greensted. 5 to 4 in favour of approval.
16/019 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour was not present
16/020 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel referred to the Abbeyfield application saying the debate at the Area 2 Planning Committee meeting was lively and he was disappointed in the result.
16/021 CRIME REPORT
PCSO Harkness was not present Report Attached. More information was required
16/022 MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 11TH APRIL 2016 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
Cllr Mrs Moreland stated a number of amendments were still not shown.. It was agreed to put these Minutes forward to the next meeting for approval
16/023 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 3RD MAY 2016 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Cayzer and seconded by Cllr Talbert
16/024 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 3RD MAY 2016
See separate sheet.
16/025 MINUTES OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 12TH MAY TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved.
16/026 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No Meeting. Annual Return. Councillors had copy of Annual Return which needed to be completed and be with Auditor by 13th June. Councillors were asked to answer yes to the questions in Section 1 Annual Governance Statement. Cllr Mrs Moreland & Cllr Evans felt they did not know enough about the question on risk assessment and did not vote.
Remaining Councillors agreed to answer yes to the questions and the statement was completed and signed by the Vice Chairman and Clerk. Cllr Mrs Moreland offered to implement a risk assessment for future accounts.
Consultation re introduction of Local Charge. Councillors had copies of papers. Cllr Mrs Moreland pointed out that if Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council should scrap the Financial Arrangement & Council Tax Reduction paid to Parish Councils the effect on Wateringbury Band D properties would be a rise of £4.47
Wateringbury Pear Orchard (WPO) – Councillors were asked to cover the cost of weed killer for the Parish Council trees planted on land leased to WPO. The cost would be £125 per year for four years. After discussion it was agreed Council would pay this year and discuss following year’s payment at the Finance & General Purposed Committee meeting in October.
It was suggested that WPO pen the orchards at certain times of the year to the public. Mr Mike Pursey, Chairman of WPO, was present and stated the saplings were only planted in November and needed to be protected against damage. Mr Pursey said he would be happy to arranged a guided tour of the orchards for any Councillors
WW2 Pill Box – The new owner of the Pill Box was present at the meeting and expressed support and interest in the Pill Box as a village asset and a possible listing. This would take a little time Cllr Wells passed on Councils thanks.
Community Payback Scheme – Cllr Mrs Simons confirmed the scheme uses people having been sentenced in court to unpaid work in the community. Areas that were already under contract did not come under the scheme There would be no risk assessment to the Parish Council – people were supervised. If day work toilets must be provided, but it was pointed out that Wateringbury does not have public toilets
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association Cllr Stones reported the fete was a great success
The latch on the gate to the playing area was broken and Cllr Evans agreed to look into a possible replacement
Village Hall – Cllr Stones said the hall was losing bookings due to the problem of parking
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_- Cllr Wells reported the possible setting up of an environment pollution quality group and this would be raised at the next Parish Partnership Panel meeting. It was suggested that if asked the Parish Council should become a member. Cllr Wells said there had been 1050 deaths in Kent due to pollution.
Parish Partnership Panel – nothing further to report
Kent Community Rail Partnership – Cllr Talbert said there was a meeting that evening but he was unable to attend due to attending the Parish Council meeting.
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – Cllr Mrs Moreland said she was looking to set up a Highways Committee with 5 members. This would be Cllrs Mrs Moreland, John Evans, Mrs Simons and 2 non members Charles Stroud and Alan Moreland.
Speedwatch -Charles Stroud once again stated the number of volunteers for Speedwatch was small and new volunteers were needed.
Volunteer Support Warden – Nothing further to report
Allotments – There was 1 vacant plot
Cemetery – nothing to report
Village Warden – nothing to report
16/027 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Cayzer and seconded by Cllr Stones All cheques were signed
16/028 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Mrs Sara Hudson said a resident that had asked for an allotment plot had not been contacted. The Clerk said it was in hand and she would make contact.
Mrs Hudson also raised the question of emails from a resident in Old Road regarding problems with parking and the Parish Council had not replied. It was confirmed the Parish Council could not get involved in neighbour disputes. Cllr Evans said he would be happy to respond to the resident on a personal basis
Two residents raised the question of the pear orchards with suggestions for fruit picking to offset costs to the parish and about weed killer around the trees. It was confirmed the weed killer was approved by the Environment Agency and the contractor had a licence to carry this out.
It was reported the drain outside the doctors was still blocked although some work had been carried out
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm
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