WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 3rd October 2017
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr R Tripp (Chairman) Cllr M Daly
Cllr D Marks Cllr F Fielding
Cllr C Talbert
Cllr M Wells
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr M Balfour – Kent County Councillor
Cllr S Jessel – Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councillor
Mrs C Byron & Mrs T Bailey – Rostrum Correspondents
7 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
17/050 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr M Cayzer, Cllr L Simons & Cllr S Jessel
17/051 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
17/052 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman gave a vote of thanks to Christine Byron and those involved in the very successful Blue Plaque unveiling walk which was attended by around 80 – 100 people.
The Chairman announced the resignation of Keith Fisher due to increased work commitments.
The Chairman reminded the meeting of the Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting on Tuesday 17th October 7.30pm and of the Remembrance Day Service at the church on the 12th November 10.00am
17/053 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour referred to an invoice received by the Council for the refurbishment of the fingerpost sign which included additional work not agreed. When questioned the contractor said he had spoken to a Parish Council member about the extra work. No Councillor present was aware of this. After discussion Cllr Balfour indicated he would be happy to cover this.
Cllr Balfour said that Kent County Council had to look at budget savings of £10m on this year’s budget and around £40m-50m next year. This could
include cuts to local services and subsidies to bus services but Kent County Council were adverse to reducing funds for roads and drainage.
The subject of the management of vulnerable adults who resided in Pelican Court was raised by a member of the public. After discussion Cllr Balfour asked the Clerk to forward details.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Balfour who left the meeting at 8.05pm
17/054 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel was not present. Report attached.
17/055 CRIME REPORT
Crime report attached – taken from Kent Police website
17/056 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 5th SEPTEMBER 2017 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Talbert, seconded by Cllr Wells and signed as a correct record
17/057 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 5th SEPTEMBER 2017
Matters Arising attached.
17/046 – iCloud/Drop Box – a meeting had been arranged but there was still work to be done. Cllr Daly was thanked for her help
17/046 – Possible Survey on Roads – Cllr Marks would contact Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council for their comments.
17/046 – CCTV village hall – Cllr Simons was not present. This would go forward to the next meeting.
17/046- Car Park letter to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council – Contact had been made through Cllr Wells and a meeting with the Borough Council had been arranged for the next day 4th October.
17/046 – The Village signs had been cleaned by Friends of Wateringbury
17/047 – Play equipment repairs were in hand
17/047 – Drayhorse Meadow stables leaking roof – So far there had been two meetings with contractors and one quote received. All quotes would go forward to the Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting on the 17th October
17/047 – Insurance on pavilion – The Chairman agreed to contact the Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association.
17/058 PARISH CHARTER – REVIEW & UPDATE
Cllr Wells reported the Parish Charter drawn up by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council & the Parish Partnership Panel was considered to be bland. Cllr Wells asked Councillors to review this Charter and let him have comments to take to the next meeting of the Parish Partnership Panel on 12th October.
17/059 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – Meeting 17th October. The Chairman asked Councillors to confirm Section 3 Budgetary Control item 3.3 of the Council’s Financial Regulations which stated the Clerk may incur expenditure on behalf of the Council for repair or replacement which was of extreme urgency to the limit of £250. Also the Clerk may incur minor expenditure on behalf of the Council which is necessary for repair or replacement to the limit of £100. In both instances the Clerk will report any expenditure as soon as practicable thereafter. Agreement was proposed by Cllr Talbert and seconded by Cllr Fielding. All Councillors voted in favour
Planning – meeting to follow
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – Nothing to report.
Village Hall – Cllr Simons was not present
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_– Nothing to report
Parish Partnership Panel – Next meeting 12th October. Cllr Wells stated that at the meeting Matthew Scott, Police & Crime Commissioner would report on the powers of PCSO’s. A free app to report crime was currently on trial. An additional three hundred Police and Special officers will be recruited. Advice and assistance had been given to local shop owners to guard against crime
Kent Community Rail Partnership – report of Stakeholders Meeting attached
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – No report from Committee
Speedwatch report attached. It was suggested to raise the profile of Speedwatch and the need for more volunteers to place a notice on the notice board.
Councillors had seen an email from Teresa Jones stating her husband has a garden & property maintenance business and was prepared to maintain the gardens at no cost but be able to display advertising boards. It was agreed to ask for a bit more information i.e. how often the gardens would be done and the number and size of any signs.
Allotments – nothing to report
Cemetery – nothing further to report
Joint Parishes Flood Group – Cllr Fielding reported there was no evidence of flooding at number 130 and 132 Bow Road. Evidence was needed of flooding over the last 20yrs. There would be a meeting of the Joint Flood Group the following week.
17/060 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Wells and seconded by Cllr Daly. It was pointed out the expenses paid to Cllr Marks was reimbursement for title copies obtained from the Land Registry as requested by the Chairman. All cheques were signed.
17/062 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Mrs Pat Jolly referred to the advertising signs previously mentioned and pointed out the number outside the Shell garage in the Conservation Area.
Mrs Rachael Webster referred to the recent demonstration at the crossroads on the high pollution levels. Children from the school were involved and Chris Luche, Environmental Protection Officer at Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council was present. He had suggested possible signs requesting drivers not to let their engines ‘idle’ while in a queue of traffic.
Mrs Sarah Hudson referred to the Lime trees at the cemetery needing attention. It was confirmed this was in hand
Mrs Hudson asked if the meeting with Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council was for the parish to take the car park on. The Chairman stated the meeting was to discuss all issues on the use of the car park.
Mrs Hudson referred to the CCTV at the village hall and stated the Parish Council had originally agreed to pay for the cameras and there was no question the Parish Council should not deal with any repairs.
Mrs Hudson felt local business should be approached about their use of the car park, and that the Parish Council should take ownership.
Mrs Hudson said the Parish Council did not care about being involved in these issues. This suggestion was rejected by Councillors.
Mr Dennis Stones stated the car park was a ‘public’ car park and could be used by everyone.
Mr Peter Bailey said seven cars from the adjoining garage had used the car park and asked how the Parish Council felt about it. The Chairman said that all issues would be raised at the meeting with Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council
Mrs Christine Byron suggested cameras take pictures of vehicles entering and leaving the car park
Mrs Byron said the refurbishment of the fingerpost sign was first class.
Congratulations to Cllr Marks and his wife Yvonne for being awarded the Kent Life Magazine Amateur Garden of the Year Award. All present showed their support
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at 9.25pm
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