WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Tuesday 5th October 2021 7.30pm
Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr M Wells (Chairman)
Cllr P Gregson (Vice Chairman)
Cllr R Tripp
Cllr F Fielding
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
3 Member of the Public
21/032 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Marks & Cllr Simons
21/033 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
21/034 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Presentation of the KALC Community Award to Michael Williams of The Friends of Wateringbury. This had been delayed from 2020 due to the pandemic. Mr Williams thanked the Council and also thanked all the volunteers.
Cllr Christian Ball had resigned from the Parish Council due to increased work pressures and a possible house move.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Hudson for the £2500 donation toward the Road Survey.
21/035 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR & BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
The first draft from the Boundary Commission had been published which would reduce the total number of Borough Councillors by 10. Proposal – Wateringbury to be merged with Mereworth and East Peckham. Residents have until May 2022 to comment.
The Public consultation is open on the Traffic Regulation to reduce the speed limit on the A26 from Pizien Well Road to Canon Lane to 40mph. Five or more objections and this would go to the Joint Transportation Board. There had been one objection
Cllr Hudson said she had given a total of £2150 to the Parochial Church Council for a defibrillator and accessories.
Cllr Hudson had given £500 to Hadlow Parish Council towards a Community Interest Group on Youth Engagement.
The Woodland Trust were offering free trees to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Community Payback Scheme – refers to any work done as part of an Unpaid Work requirement of a Court Order
Covid 19 Back Grants – New grants available from KCC for Community Halls
The Chairman asked Cllr Hudson about the flooding on the A26 at The Orpines. It was stated this was from the runoff from Meadow Court. Cllr Hudson said tree roots were causing obstructions and the drains needed to be replaced.
21/036 CRIME REPORT
From e-watch website – Tuesday 7th September Barming Road – somebody stole a car which was later found by police. 3rd October Bow Road – someone set fire to a Vauxhall Vivaro
21/037 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 7th SEPTEMBER 2021 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Owen and seconded by Cllr Gregson – all Councillors voted in favour. The Minutes were signed as a correct record.
21/038 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 7th SEPTEMBER 2021
Nothing arising
21/039 PLAY EQUIPMENT – TIMBER INSPECTION REPORT
Councillors had received a report from ROSPA following a resistograph test on all timbers. Some timbers showed significant decay. Councillors agreed to ask Safeplay about replacements.
21/040 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – A quote had been received from Safeplay for £6546 plus VAT, to replace the swing scales that had to be removed for safety. Councillors voted in favour of accepting the quote with one councilor abstaining.
A quote had been received from Safeplay for £320 plus VAT to replace the Magna lock on the gate. It was agreed councillors would inspect the lock before taking any further action
Parking in front of the gate on the track leading down to the pavilion was raised. This was used by a lady leading a fitness group to park her car. It was stated that it was also being used by people attending football matches. After discussion it was agreed to have a ‘No Parking Emergency Vehicle Access’ sign put on the gate
Cllr Owen and Cllr Fielding had met with Andree Leashon-Gerritts who would be prepared to produce an illustrated map of the village to go on the council’s website. Council agreed to paying £100 for expenses on condition the Council could use the map in other forms. Ms Leashon-Gerritts would retain the copyright,.
Highways & Speedwatch – Speedwatch report attached. Cllr Gregson stated the figures produced by the Speedwatch team were of importance to assist the road safety review
Cemetery – The Council had instructed solicitors, Richard Wilson Long to exercise the right to purchase the freehold to the cemetery car park.
Allotments – The water tap was now working. A claim remains in place for the delay caused by SE Water which meant there had been no proper supply from 5th July for a number of weeks.
Village Warden – no report received
21/041 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT
The Financial Statement was approved by Cllr Gregson and seconded by Cllr Owen and all cheques were signed.
21/042 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Michael Williams asked if the Council would consider replacing the three notice boards on the fence outside the village hall with one similar to that in Teston village. Cllr Gregson agreed to measure the size of the board in Teston.
Mr Williams also mentioned that Terry Bird would be producing a history of the village to be shown on a lecturn to be placed at the crossroads and perhaps the council would consider a contribution towards the cost
It4 was reported trees were overhanging the pavement in Fields Lane
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.04pm