WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 7th February 2017
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present:
Cllr R Tripp (Chairman)
Cllr M Wells (Vice Chairman)
Cllr C Talbert
Cllr C M Cayzer
Cllr D Stones
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
16/104 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Simons
16/105 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
16/106 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman confirmed the resignation of John Evans at the last Parish Council meeting. The Chairman announced the resignation of Catherine Moreland
16/107 CO-OPTION OF MEMBER/S ON THE PARISH COUNCIL
The Chairman stated there were two vacancies on the Parish Council and each Councillor had two votes. Councillors each had a ballot paper and were asked to complete these and then hand to the Clerk. These were checked by the Clerk and doubled checked by Cllr Jessel.
The Chairman announced that Mr Keith Fisher and Mr David Marks were duly co-opted on to the Parish Council. (Neither of the new members was present and both “would be asked to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office at the next full meeting of the Parish Council.)
16/108 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour congratulated the new Councillors.
Cllr Balfour stated there were to be changes to the Arriva bus services on which Kent County Council had no power. It was possible there would be changes to the number 6 bus that came through Wateringbury.
Cllr Balfour stated that Kent County Council found the interim report from Maidstone Borough Council on their Local Plan to be unsatisfactory. The report paid no attention to the comments/representations from parishes or even the highway authority
The traffic lights at the northern end of Hermitage were to be re organised.
Education – it was hopeful that all choices of secondary school places would be accommodated. It was also hoped that central Government would do what they say they will do to build new schools.
Permission had been given by central Government to increase council tax by 6% spread over 3 years. Kent County Council would put 2% on next year and 2% the following year.
Hospital capacity was reaching 95%. Mr Michael Williams said that working in Maidstone Hospital all wards are being blocked mainly by elderly patients that should be moved to care homes. Cllr Balfour urged Mr Williams to write to his MP Tom Tugendhat. Councillors stated Wateringbury had lost its care home which was due to be converted into 51 flats for sale. It was suggested the present building was empty and could be used to house people in the interim.
Cllr Balfour referred to consultations about to proceed on the forthcoming franchise for the railways and stressed it was important for Parish Councils to take part. Kent County Council would respond to the consultation in May.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Balfour who left the meeting at 7.50pm
16/109 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel stated the Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has a cash flow of £12m and their audit committee were looking at buying gilts, Government bonds or property.
Planning decisions were going to go through easier.
Cllr Wells referred to report on planning Site Meetings which stated a representative from a Parish Council could attend and may observe proceedings but should not take part or engage in any discussions. Cllr Wells asked what was the point of Parish Councillors attending these meeting if they cannot speak. Cllr Jessel felt it would be difficult to stop a Parish Councillor speaking but he would look into this further.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Jessel who let the meeting at 8.00pm
16/110 CRIME REPORT
Crime report attached which had been taken from Kent Police website.
16/111 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 10th JANUARY 2017 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Cayzer and seconded by Cllr Talbert
16/112 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10th JANUARY 2017
Matters Arising attached.
16/089 Insurance Cover – it was agreed to close this item
Play Equipment inspection – it was agreed to see if ROSPA would carry out inspections in conjunction with adjoining parishes.
16/113 MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 31ST JANUARY 2017 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Wells and seconded by Cllr Talbert
16/114 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 31ST JANUARY 2017
The Chairman stated there would be no Private Session following the meeting. Cllr Tripp stated that following the meeting he commenced negotiations on the terms as agreed at the meeting. The outcome was positive and Councillors were happy with negotiations so far. The name of the successful applicant would not be announced until a lease had been agreed.
16/115 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No meeting
Planning – meeting to follow
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – nothing to report
Village Hall – Cllr Stones announced the forthcoming Quiz Night at the hall. Parking still remained a problem
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_– Cllr Wells stated he attended the last meeting on the 12th January but when arrived there was no one present, and as it was assumed the meeting may have been cancelled due to the weather he left. Later it was confirmed the Chairman of the meeting did arrive later
Parish Partnership Panel – It was agreed that discussions at the T&M Area Committee of KALC and the PPP were linked and as Council did not have a representative now it was agreed someone should attend future meetings. Cllr Wells and Cllr Talbert agreed to discuss this.
Kent Community Rail Partnership – no report Next meeting 14th March
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – Speedwatch report attached.
Allotments – nothing to report
Cemetery – It was reported that a number of wreaths & flowers were being dumped by the south wall and not in the bin provided at the lych gate. It was agreed a notice should be put up asking visitors to use the bin.
Village Warden – John Ibbs report attached. John said he does look at the play equipment regularly and if there is a problem this would be reported to the Clerk. The problem with dog fouling was still present but it had been slightly better recently. He asked that residents contact him if they see anything untoward and/or if they come across a lot of litter.
Michael Williams asked if the Council could consider seeking a volunteer litter warden. John Ibbs said the sports association arrange organised litter picks with equipment supplied by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council
The Chairman thanked John for his work on behalf of the village. John left the meeting at 8.25pm
16/116 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Cayzer and seconded by Cllr Stones All cheques were signed
16/117 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
It was reported that litter picking was being carried out along Tonbridge Road up to Danns Lane but not further along to the cemetery.
Councillors were asked about the notice that had been erected at the corner of Fields Lane by Croudace Homes. The notice registered the owner’s statement that there was no intention of dedicating a public right of way or village green. Council was asked to establish if an application for a village green could still be made.
The question of possible road markings at the traffic lights was raised and it was confirmed this had been passed to Matthew Balfour.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at approximately 8.30pm