WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Tuesday 5th April 2016
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present:
Cllr M Cayzer (Chairman) Cllr D Marks
Cllr R Tripp Cllr Mrs L Simons
Cllr D Stones Cllr J Evans
Cllr C Talbert Cllr Mrs C Moreland
Cllr M Wells
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr Matt Balfour – Kent County Councillor
PCSO Callum Harkness – Kent Police
John Ibbs – Village Warden
Mrs Christine Byron – KM Reporter
4 members of the public
15/124 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Simon Jessel
15/125 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
15/126 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The chairman told the meeting the Parish Council has a new email address clerk@wateringburypc.org.uk
15/127 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour stated he was to have a meeting with residents concerned about the speed of traffic and recent accidents on Tonbridge Road at Pizien Well Road, and their request for lower speed limits. PCSO Harkness said lower speed limits did make a difference, but some drivers would take notice
A Flood report was due fairly soon from The Environment Agency. Cllr Balfour stated it would cost £95m to dredge the River Medway
The Chairman thanked Cllr Balfour who left the meeting at 7.50pm
15/128 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel was not present
15/129 STANDING ORDERS – DISPENSATION
Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Monitoring Officer had stated that under the Localism Act 2011 a Councillor may request dispensation to allow him/her to speak and vote on an Agenda item in which they had a Pecuniary Interest. Councillors were asked to vote on an addition to Standing Orders covering Dispensation. 6 votes for 2 Against 1 abstention. This was carried and resolved that an addition on Dispensation be added to the Standing Orders.
15/130 VILLAGE WARDEN
John Ibbs told the meeting that things were generally good although dog fouling remained a massive problem. If owners were identified he could report to the Borough Coucil Dog Warden or he would be happy to make contact initially. It was stated the turnout for the Clean for The Queen was not great but they did fill 10 bags of rubbish in a few hours. No reports on anti social behaviour recently.
The Chairman than John Ibbs who left the meeting at 7.55pm
15/131 CRIME REPORT
PCSO Harkness read his reports. Reports for February & March attached. The –
Chairman thanked PCSO Harkness who left the meeting at 8.05pm
15/132 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 1st MARCH TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
There were a number of adjustments. Cllr Michael Wells was not present at the last meeting. Page 46 15/119 (15/110) replace ‘gifted to the parish – with left as open space. Page 47 15/120 -omit ‘All Councillors agreed’ replace with 5 voted in favour 0 against 1 abstention
15/133 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 1ST MARCH 2016
Page 41 15/119 Playdale had carried out repairs to the timbers. Abacus had been informed and a start date for laying the new wet pour was awaited.
Page 42 15/120 – The GrassProtecta had been delivered to Cllr Evans and James Woolley had been asked to contact Cllr Evans when the grass had been cut and was ready for delivery. The Chairman thanked Cllr Evans for taking delivery
Page 42 15/121 – The Chairman and Clerk had a meeting with David Thornewell, Chairman of East Malling & Larkfield Parish Council, Peter Couling Chairman of Teston Parish Council and Clerks Val Severn & Michelle Tatton. Discussion were on the Call for Sites and planning in general. It was agreed that the boundary with Kings Hill would have to be watched carefully and that Parish Council’s should work together on planning issues.
Page 43 15/123 – Maidstone Borough Council’s Integrated Transport Strategy included a cycle way from Upper Fant Road Maidstone to Kings Hill via Barming Road, Red Hill & Teston Road. A letter had gone to Maidstone Borough Council expressing annoyance that Wateringbury had not been consulted on this plan, pointing out assurances there would be no access to Kings Hill from Wateringbury and strongly objecting to the cycle plan
Page 46 15/115 – There had been a mix up on the dates of a meeting arranged by Trudy Dean on planning issues who originally gave the date as 4th March but should have been the 11th. Councillors were unable to attend on the 11th
15/134 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No Meeting. The Chairman stated the present lease on the photocopier machine runs out on 19th April. Councils had copies of quotes from Konica Minolta to lease black & white or a colour machine for 4 years. After discussion it was agreed to lease the colour machine
Planning – No Meeting to follow . The Chairman discussed the possibility of an extraordinary Parish Council meeting to discuss the revised plans for Greensted. Councillors agreed to this and the 11th April 7.00pm in the village hall was agreed.
Councillors had been sent an email dated 29th February from KALC giving details of a link to an online petition to give Parish Council and town councils the right to appeal planning decisions. Closing date 19th April.
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association Nothing further to report
Village Hall – Nothing to report
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_- Nothing to report Next meeting 12th may
Parish Partnership Panel – nothing to report
Kent Community Rail Partnership – nothing to report
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – Speedwatch report attached
Volunteer Support Warden – The Clerk had been advised by KALC that Steve Dixon had been selected as a Volunteer Support Warden for Wateringbury. All Wardens will be trained and once completed Steve and a Community Warden will arrange a meeting with the Clerk.
Allotments – There are 4 vacant plots
Cemetery – nothing to report
Village Warden – John Ibbs already given report.
15/135 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Mrs Moreland and seconded by Cllr Talbert. Cllr Mrs Moreland expressed that she had decided not to be a signatory to the council’s bank account. All cheques were signed.
15/136 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
A member of the public expressed concern over the revised plans for Greensted about his water main that went across the car park and other issues.
Mrs Christine Byron asked if the aims and objectives of Abbeyfield Kent which were to provide quality home for low income families, would not the new plans be a breach of what they were set up for.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.35pm