WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Tuesday 7th September 2021 7.30pm
Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr P Gregson (Vice Chairman)
Cllr R Tripp
Cllr L Simons
Cllr G Owen
In attendance
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr S Hudson – Kent County Councillor & Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councillor
Mrs C Byron – Rostrum Correspondent
1 Member of the Public
21/018 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Fielding, Cllr Wells, Cllr Ball & Cllr Marks
21/019 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
21/020 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Finance & General Purposes Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 16th November at 7.30pm.
21/021 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
KCC were seeking the general public’s opinion on maintaining a booking system for Tovil and recycling tips. Cllr Hudson said there had been a rise in illegal tipping since the booking system was in place.
Cllr Hudson asked residents to be aware when employing contractors to remove rubbish as some contractors were not legitimately registered. Check their permit, take a photo and make a note of their vehicle registration. If fly tipping can be traced it is not the contractor who pays the fine but the person who employed them.
The proposal to reduce the speed limit on the A26 to 40mph from Pizienwell Road to the 30mph Limit at Bijou Nursery would be going out for public consultation shortly.
21/022 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
In July Cllr Matt Boughton had been elected as leader of the Council.
Due to reduced revenue and to maintain services Tonbridge Castle may be hired out as a wedding venue.
Cllr Hudson had organised a farewell gift for the Vyvas family who were leaving Wateringbury after 16 years of running The Handy Stores
A painting of the Mill Pond by Thomas Best-Shaw, £400 of John Lewis vouchers and farewell card were presented on the 29th August when well-wishers showed their appreciation.
The Borough Local Plan has to start again which will include a Call for Sites
Garden Waste collections continue to be suspended due to a lack of crews available.
21/023 CRIME REPORT
Saturday 7th August between 21.00 and 21.22 Somebody said a group of people set fire to a bin in a public field. Due to the exact date and time John Ibbs was able to look up the CCTV A bright light was seen at a distance. This was the new bin by the football area. On inspection John couldn’t find any damage to the bin.
21/024 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4th MAY 2021 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Tripp and seconded by Cllr Simons – all Councillors voted in favour. The Minutes were signed as a correct record.
21/025 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4TH MAY 2021
Nothing arising
21/026 MINUTES OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 4TH MAY 2021 TO BE PPROVED FOR ACCURCY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Tripp and seconded by Cllr Simons – all Councillors voted in favour. The Minutes were signed as a correct record
21/027 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 4TH MAY 2021
Nothing raised
21/028 PLAY EQUIPMENT
Councillors had received a report from Cllr Fielding, Cllr Tripp and Cllr Owen on possible changes to the lower play area and moving it up to join the top play area. After discussion it was agreed more information is obtained including costs and possible grants available.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Frances, Cllr Tripp and Cllr Owen for their work on the repor
21/029 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – James Woolley had reported to the council all the trees along the track to the playing fields and the those in the lower area needed their canopies lifted as it was proving difficult to get the mowing equipment under the trees. Also, there is a dead cherry tree that needs attention. James could carry out the necessary work at a cost of £1200 plus VAT for two days work. Cllrs agreed this work should be done
Councillors agreed Cllr Owen be added as a signatory to the bank account. The necessary forms were signed.
Highways & Speedwatch – Speedwatch report attached. Nettlestead Parish Council had requested to borrow the Speedwatch equipment before they purchased their own. David Merry had reported that Teston parish had the same equipment that was not being used and there was a hand held speed camera that could be purchased for around £500. It was agreed to suggest Nettlestead contact Teston direct.
Parish Partnership Panel – Cllr Gregson attended the meeting on 2nd September and followed the Agenda.
Cemetery – The grounds were looking good. John Ibbs continued to keep the car park clear of litter.
Allotments – There were ongoing problems with the water tap. One of the allotment holders, James Southwell, was helping in dealing with SE Water and on behalf of the Parish Council had put in a claim to Castle Water, our billing supplier, under the Ofwat Guaranteed Standards Scheme as there had not been a satisfactory water supply since 5th July.
Village Warden – Report attached.
21/030 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT
The Financial Statement was approved by Cllr Simons and seconded by Cllr Owen and all cheques were signed. It was agreed that Cllr Owen be added as a signatory to the Council bank account.
21/031 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Cllr Hudson referred to the repairs to the wall outside the village hall that still had not been done
Cllr Hudson also asked the Parish Council to look again at the lease for the cemetery car park and so it could become Parish council property before the end of the lease term in 2022.
Cllr Hudson had arranged for the cigarette box at the bus stop which was full to be emptied.
The road markings to the Zebra crossing outside The Wateringbury needed refreshing. The beacon on the zebra Crossing on Bow Road was being obscured by vegetation.
Mrs Christine Byron suggested if the play equipment was to be moved suggested the land could be used as a community orchard. It was pointed out Wateringbury Pear Orchard was already a community orchard.
Mrs Byron asked if all ability play equipment could be considered if any new play equipment was to be installed.
If the play equipment was to be moved there were other suggestions for the use of the vacated land like a wild flower meadow, or a tennis court.
It was reported the vegetation at the gate from Fields Lane to the playing fields was overgrown and needed attention.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.52pm