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Minutes of Parish Council meeting 8th January 2019

Minutes Uploaded on February 8, 2019

WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 8th January 2019

7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall

 

Present

Cllr M Wells (Chairman)

Cllr L Simons (Vice Chairman)                                                          

Cllr D Marks          

Cllr R Tripp

Cllr D Stones

Cllr F Fielding

Cllr J Roe

                                                                                                                      

In attendance:

Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council

Mrs C Byron – Rostrum Correspondent

PCSO Wendy Stanley & colleague

4 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

18/095       APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies received from Cllr Balfour.  Cllr Daly had resigned from the Council due to work commitments.  The Chairman had thanked Cllr Daly on behalf of the Council for her support to members during her time on the Council.

18/096       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS

                   None

18/097       ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman stated that John Ibbs had now moved to Mereworth and had indicated he would be interested in taking the position of Village Warden once again.  He has a new job which requires a probation period after which he will be working from home and is able to work round this to carry out warden duties.

The probation period finishes on 15th April.  A meeting would be arranged for the Chairman and Clerk with John Ibbs to discuss this further.

The Chairman said that the Speedwatch team now totalled 8.  This was good news.

18/098       REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Cllr Balfour was not present and had sent his apologies.

18/099       REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR

Cllr Jessel was not present

18/100       CRIME REPORT

PCSO Wendy Stanley referred to her report – attached.

Members queried the crime reports on the police website (which were two

months in arrears) saying ‘violent crime’ was worrying, PCSO Stanley

said some of these could include domestic incidents.  PSCO Stanley was

aware of an accident that evening near Fields Lane when someone had

stepped out in front of a car.

It was said the number crimes reported in the village had gone up over

recent years

Other crime reports attached – taken from Kent Police website and the

e-watch website

18/101       BUDGET 2019-2020

Councillors had a copy of the draft Budget   Possible additions were discussed

Village Warden salary

Playing Field track repairs or

Speed Sign at Canon Lane

After discussion it was agreed all three be included in the Budget

Village Warden – a salary of £4,500 be included

Playing Fields Track – It was agreed the track was in need of repair and it was agreed to put £10,000 in the budget towards repairs.

Speed Sign Canon Lane – After discussion it was agreed to put £7000 in the budget to cover a replacement sign.

The Clerk would let Councillors have a final figure for the Precept

18/102       MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4th DECEMBER 2018 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY

There were two amendments. Cllr Roe’s initial was incorrect and should read ‘J’’    At the top of page 27 should read 17th November not January

The amended Minutes were proposed by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Stones and signed as a correct record.

18/103       MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 4th DECEMBER 2018

                   18/091 – Still awaiting reply from War Graves Commission

                   18/089 – Overflow Car Park – Jenners had secured parking in the field  adjacent to the
The Orpines

                   18/092 – Pavilion – Fields in Trust had been advised of possible new pavilion and asked to be
kept informed

                   18/094 – Playing Field Gate Locks – Cllr Roe advised that following enquiries Council would
have to look at replacing these and possibly look at an alternative.  It was agreed to contact
Jacksons Fencing who originally installed the locks

 

18/104       REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND REPRESENTATIVES ON OTHER BODIES

Finance & General Purposes No meeting.  Cllr Stones referred to a report that a Parish Council was found liable after part of a tree fell in front of a bus.  The judge in the case stated that checks every three years was considered insufficient.  It was agreed the Clerk would check with the Council’s insurers for advice.

Planning – No meeting to follow as no plans had been received.

Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – Cllr Stones said a meeting was due in the next month. The upgraded CCTV at the pavilion had been installed.

Village Hall – Cllr Marks read out part of the Lease with the village hall that stated ‘keep all fixtures and additions in good an substantial repair’ and this was intended for the new hall only’  After discussion it was agreed to ask the village hall trust if they would take on the responsibility for the repairs and maintenance of two CCTV cameras they had stated they wanted – one in the foyer and one on the ramp at the back of the hall.

Cllr Stones said that the Parish Council decided to have the car park covered and therefore should cover those repairs. It was agreed to leave the car park cameras as they were.

Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_– Minutes of last meeting attached.  Cllr Marks thanked the Chairman for raising issues at the meeting

Parish Partnership Panel –  no meeting

Joint Parish Council Transport Consultative Group – Next meeting 5th March

Kent Community Rail Partnership –  no representative

Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch  – The Chairman stated a Highways Committee needed to be formed. Cllr Stones, Cllr Marks, Cllr Simons and Cllr Roe agreed to form a committee.

Council had received an email from David Merry that showed he had been asked by the police if the Speedwatch team could carry out a watch just over the parish border in Nettlestead. Councillors agreed there was no problem with this if the Speedwatch team were happy to do it.  It was confirmed that Nettlestead Parish Council had been consulted on this and they were happy with it.

Speedwatch report attached.

Concerns on the dangerous overhang from the building or the corner of Red Hill were raised. Barriers had been put up around the site.

Allotments – nothing to report

Cemetery –  Work on the Lime Trees and cutting back the privet had been completed.

Joint Flood Group – nothing to report

18/105       FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Tripp and seconded by Cllr Marks   All cheques were signed

Mrs Christine Byron – Rostrum correspondent left the meeting at 9.05pm

18/106       PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Pollution, which is high on Tonbridge Road, was raised and it was suggested the Parish Council should put pressure on TMBC to address this. Potholes at the crossroads still had not been filled.

Mrs Sarah Hudson said she had spoken with Matthew Scott, Police & Crime Commissioner, on a possible visit to the village and give a talk.

The problem of the overflowing sewer at the entrance to Boorman’s Mews was raised.  Cllr Marks said this problem had been going on for around three months. Southern Water had been contacted on a number of occasions

There being no further business the Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting at 9.38pm