WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 7th March 2017
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present:
Cllr R Tripp (Chairman) Cllr D Stones
Cllr M Wells (Vice Chairman) Cllr L Simons
Cllr C Talbert Cllr D Marks
Cllr C M Cayzer Cllr K Fisher
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Mrs C Byron & Mrs T Bailey – Rostrum Correspondents
12 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
16/118 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllr Matthew Balfour & Cllr Simon Jessel
16/119 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
None
16/120 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman welcomed both Keith Fisher and David Marks on to the Parish Council
On behalf of the Council the Chairman congratulated Cllr Talbert on his recent marriage. This was supported by members of the public.
The Chairman also wished to thank Cllr Wells for his efforts in support for the residents who had asked for alterations to the A26 at the Pizien Well Road junction following a number of accidents on the bend. The alterations included a 40mph limit, new bollards and roadside signs. This had taken around 2 years to get done
16/121 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour was not present
16/122 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Jessel was not present
16/123 CRIME REPORT
Crime report attached which had been taken from Kent Police website.
16/124 MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 7th FEBRUARY 2017 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read were approved by Cllr Wells and seconded by Cllr Talbert. All Councillors voted in favour
16/125 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 7th FEBRUARY 2017
Matters Arising attached.
16/089 – Investigate iCloud – Cllr Fisher agreed to look into this.
16/112 – Play equipment inspections – Councillors had seen the email from ROSPA who stated if inspections were carried out in July at the same time as other inspections in Kent the cost would be £66.50 plus vat per site, this includes up to 5 items, anything over 5 is charged at £3.50 plus VAT. Inspections sooner would be more costly. All Councillors agreed to ROSPA carrying out inspections in July.
16/114 – Drayhorse Meadow – The Chairman stated the roof of the stables needed inspection but this could not be done until the trees, which overhang the stables, were cut back. Inside the stables supports for the roof had been installed. There was a possibility the roof would have to be replaced completely at some future stage. The prospective tenant had cleaned up and painted the stables. The Chairman said photos should be taken before the prospective tenant takes over.
16/117 – Road markings/crossroads – this request was still with Matthew Balfou
16/125 STANDING ORDERS – VOTING PROCEDURE FOR CASUAL VACANCIES
The Chairman put forward an addition to the Standing Orders, a copy of which had been given to all Councillors. This item was adjourned for discussion and voting until the next meeting on the 4th April
16/126 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 stated the recent Quiz Night had raised £600
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_– Next Meeting April. KALC & KFAS Seminar on Delivering Effective Partnership in Kent’s Communities – report attached
Parish Partnership Panel – Cllr Wells attended a meeting on 17th February – report attached.
Kent Community Rail Partnership – no report Cllr Talbert said he was unable to attend the next meeting on the 14th March which would be at The bull Inn East Farleigh if another Councillor would like to go.
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – The Chairman said he had accompanied Mrs Pat Jolly for a walk down Bow Road and all the points raised on various problems had been taken up. Speedwatch report attached. Cllr Stones said the traffic on the A26 seemed to have calmed down.
Cllr Wells raised the new alterations on the A26 at the Pizien Well junction. the 40mph signs seemed to be advisory and not statutory. One of these signs approaching the bend from Mereworth was hidden from view by the trees and if was felt needed to be further back towards Danns Lane so approaching drivers could see it in time to slow down. It was agreed to ask Cllr Matthew Balfour to confirm if signs were in fact advisory or statutory.
The Chairman stated that Michael Williams had kindly offered to clean the village signs but council was forced to investigate insurance cover with Zurich. Council had been informed that a Risk Assessment should be done before allowing a volunteer to carry out work for the Parish Council. An email from Teston Parish Council confirmed they did not use volunteers at all, due to the insurance implications. Cllr Marks asked who would carry out a Risk Assessment and did the Council have to lodge this with our insurers.
The Chairman said that information had been received regarding Arriva Bus Services changes to timetables. The number 6 bus would no longer stop in Wateringbury and run only between Tunbridge Wells and East Peckham, with some school-time buses to and from Maidstone. A new Sunday service 66 would like East Peckham with Maidstone Hospital.
Allotments – nothing to report
Cemetery – Referring to the number of wreaths & flowers that had been dumped by the south wall and not in the bin provided at the lych gate, a sign had been erected. Cllr Simons proposed Terry Smith is asked to move these to the bin. This was seconded by Cllr Marks and all councillors voted in favour
Village Warden – Nothing to report
16/127 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Stones and seconded by Cllr Talbert. All cheques were signed.
16/128 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Cllr Wells reported litter from Pizien Well Road to Danns Lane. Michael Williams said there had been a meeting in Maidstone of volunteer litter pickers. He also referred to the top of the village sign by the school was still missing. Mr Williams raised the question of the rusty iron fencing in Bow Road which it was felt was dangerous. Cllr Stones said this was on Wateringbury Pear Orchards land.
Cllr Wells said the Park Road sign was still missing
Mrs Sarah Hudson said the zebra crossing in Bow Road needed attention as some of the paint was peeling off. She asked the Parish Council to support the schools request to change this to a pelican crossing.
It was raised that crossing the road from Old Road to the church was dangerous for pedestrians and it was suggested there should be a post box in Old Road.
Cllr Wells agreed to look into the Parish Council carrying out its own survey of possible dangerous roads in the village.
Mrs Christine Byron reported overgrown vegetation outside ‘Belmont’ on Tonbridge Road
There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at approximately 9.10pm