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Minutes of Parish Council Meeting 2nd March 2021

Minutes Uploaded on March 25, 2021

 

WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
Tuesday 2nd March 2021 7.30pm

Held via Zoom

DRAFT

Present
Cllr M Wells (Chairman)
Cllr Fielding (Vice Chairman)
Cllr R Tripp
Cllr D Marks
Cllr L Simons

In attendance

Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council

Cllr S Hudson – Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councillor

Mrs C Byron & Mrs E Bird – Rostrum Correspondents

4 Members of the Public

The Chairman opened the meeting by stating the meeting would be recorded to assist the Clerk in taking the Minutes.

19/207       APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
                      Cllr M Balfour

19/208       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
                      None

19/209       CO-OPTION OF MR PATRICK GREGSON
                      After a vote Patrick Gregson was co-opted as a member of the Parish Council

19/210       ANNOUNCEMENTS
                     The Chairman announced that Mr Geraint Owen was the new village Flood Warden

19/211       REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
                     Due to an accident Cllr Balfour was not present.

 19/212       REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR

Cllr Hudson said on the 23rd February the Borough Council had set their budget for 2021/2022 which would be a £5 increase on Band D properties

Two street light columns in Bow Road & Tonbridge Road would be repaired by the end of June

The relocation of the soakaway on Tonbridge Road near The Orpines which was causing flooding was under review.

Cllr Hudson would be hosting an online advice centre via Zoom with Matthew Scott, Kent Police & Crime Commissioner, Thursday 4th March 7.30pm-8.30pm. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Cllr Hudson Not a public meeting but confidential between Cllr Hudson, Matthew Scott and attendee.

Cllr Hudson said the PCSO for Wateringbury was Joshua Vincent and she would pass on the contact email address to the Clerk.

Cllr Hudson asked about her request the council prioritise the items as forwarded by Ian Grigor of KCC on highway issues on the Tonbridge Road

The Chairman read out a statement:

Whilst the PC recognises that our local TMBC member has been directly very involved in discussions with the KCC re possible highway improvements for the benefit of the village, these have of course been without the involvement of the PC which has its own statutory responsibilities for highway matters.

Not having been involved with the recent proposals, their costings or the necessary public consultation re the list now with Mrs Hudson from the KCC, the PC are not able to respond to these without more information and consideration as to the effect on its own emerging Highway Improvement Plan, both as to funding availability and consequential delivery. Costed plans were needed to aid any decision.

19/213       CRIME REPORT

Cobbs Close – On Wednesday 10th February around 12.00pm. Two men and a woman were seen entering a property, leaving later with boxes and bags.  The police were not certain a crime had been committed and were continuing their enquiries

19/214       MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 2nd FEBRUARY 2021 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Tripp and seconded by Cllr Fielding – all Councillors voted in favour. The Minutes would be signed as a correct record.

 19/215       MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES HELD ON 2nd FEBRUARY2021

19/204  Fencing and stile in the playing fields.  Repairs to the fencing and a new stile had been completed.
Cllr Marks said he had contacted Dale Birkby regarding the pot holes in  the track and a site meeting would be arranged.

19/216       REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES

 inance & General Purposes  – A quote for £328.64 had been received from Playdale for the spare parts needed for the roller balance beam which was being held by James Woolley.  Acceptance of the quote was agreed by all Councillors.

Highways & Speedwatch – Cllr Fielding said there was no update to report following the Highways & Transportation meeting. Due to the team being grounded there was no Speedwatch report.

Cemetery – A quote had been received from Viner & Sons for £2817.78 to refurbish Tom Smith’s grave and a new memorial tablet.

It was felt this was rather high and two further quotes would be obtained.

Reservation of graves – Some additional rules were discussed.

1 Reservations cannot be transferred to another person.

2 If a plot is not used within 25years there are no continuing rights relating to that plot.

3 At any time, up to the end of the reservation period, the person reserving has the right to purchase the plot, at the then price, for the interment of the named person.

All present reservations would not be affected by these rules.

These rules were proposed by Cllr Tripp and seconded by Cllr Marks. All Councillors voted in favour.

Allotments – The Clerk had met with the allotment representative, Cathie Wallis. and those plots that needed attention were identified. Letters would be sent.

Village Warden – There was no report from John Ibbs due to a family bereavement.

19/217       FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND CHEQUES FOR PAYMENT

The Financial Statement was approved by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Tripp and all cheques would be signed.

19/218       PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Mrs Christine Byron said the cemetery was looking good but ivy was growing on the lych gate and felt this should be removed before it caused any damaged.

One of the 40mph signs near the Pizien Well bend had been knocked back and could no longer be seen, probably due to hedge cutting.

Cllr Hudson raised again the question of the priorities she had requested. This raised comments from either side and after discussion it was agreed this should be put to residents, as it had been with the Highway Improvement Plan.  This would be done by launching a survey Monkey on Facebook.

 

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.33pm