WATERINGBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 14th May 2019
7.30pm Wateringbury Village Hall
Present
Cllr M Wells (Chairman)
Cllr L Simons (Vice Chairman)
Cllr D Marks
Cllr D Stones
Cllr R Tripp
Cllr F Fielding
In attendance:
Mrs S Cockburn – Clerk to the Council
Cllr M Balfour – Kent County Councillor
Cllr S Hudson – Tonbridge & Malling Borough Councillor
Mrs T Bailey – Rostrum Correspondent
11 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
19/001 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
It was proposed that Cllr Wells be re-elected Chairman. All councillors voted in favour. Cllr Wells was duly elected and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office
19/002 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
It was proposed that Cllr Simons be elected Vice Chairman. All Councillors voted in favour. Cllr Simons was duly elected.
19/003 APOLOGIES FOR ABSCENCE
Apologies received from PCSO Wendy Stanley
19/004 ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chairman congratulated all Councillors on their election for another term.
The Chairman announced the resignation of Jessica Roe for personal reasons
The Chairman congratulated the Friends of Wateringbury who had collected 24 bags of rubbish during a litter pick
The Chairman read out information of rogue traders from Sergeant Sarah Alvey, Community Safety Unit of Tonbridge & Malling Kent Police. It concerned damage caused to people’s homes and in some instances people claiming to be builders had visited addresses after the incident and offered to fix the damage for cash. Residents are warned not to deal with people who knock on their door offering work. Genuine companies will not expect cash in advance or tell you to go to the bank to withdraw money.
The Chairman reminded the meeting of the Annual Parish Meeting on the 21st May
19/005 REPORT FROM COUNTY COUNCILLOR
Cllr Balfour congratulated Cllrs Wells on his re-election
Cllr Balfour commented on the lengthy tailbacks of traffic he had encountered on the A26 Bow Road. This raised the question of the proposed alterations to the crossroads. Cllr Balfour stated the proposed alterations had been given a further year to come up with a plan for consultation. The budget for the alterations is £350,000 but the cost from BT of relocating the fibre optic cables was £670,000. KCC were in discussions with BT and it was hoped agreement could be reached within the next 8 to 10 weeks. Cllr Balfour stated whatever the outcome the cost would be high.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Balfour who left the meeting at 7.50pm
19/006 REPORT FROM BOROUGH COUNCILLOR
Cllr Hudson thanked everyone who had supported her in the recent
local elections
Cllr Hudson has been appointed to the Audit Committee, Communities &
Housing Advisory Board, Planning & Transportation Advisory Board
Parish Partnership Panel and Area 2 Planning Committee. Cllr Hudson
referred to the changes in waste collection from September, to the
Tonbridge & Malling in Bloom competition and the doctor’s surgery
offering ‘Couch to 5km’ with free training to all residents.
9/007 MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 2nd APRIL 2019 TO BE APPROVED FOR ACCURACY
The Minutes having been read approval was proposed by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Simons and signed as a correct record.
19/008 CRIME REPORT Reports from Kent Police, Kent Police website and e-watch – attached
19/009 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
18/131 – Vacancy for Village Warden – 3 interviews had been held on the 17th, 18th & 23rd April. Reports would be discussed in Part 2 of the Agenda under Private Session
18/136 – Tree inspections deferred to next meeting
18/136 – Tom Smith Memorial – The Chairman stated he had tried to find further information on an ancestry site but could not find anything beyond 1911.
18/137 – Repairs to track – deferred to next m/eeting
18/137 – Fields Lane gate and post had been replaced.
19/010 VILLAGE FETE – STATEMENT ON FUNDS
The Chairman stated ‘Following comments on social media the Parish Council would like to make it clear the funds raised from the village fete are held in an account with The Clydesdale Bank and ringfenced for any future fete. The signatories for the account are outside the Parish Council’
19/011 REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES
Finance & General Purposes – No meeting Annual Return for 2018/2019 Councillors had a copy of the Annual return and were asked to agree on Section 1 Annual Governance Statement – all answers were ‘yes’ with the exception of question 7 which covered an error in last year’s return when a figure had one digit missing. This was agreed and the Chairman signed Section 1
Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2018/19 – This was agreed, and the Chairman signed Section 2.
Section 3 Internal Audit – Colin Hanley had agreed to conduct an internal audit and a date was being arranged
A quote received from Andrew French Fencing for £630 for repairs to the chestnut fencing around the playing fields which needed 35 posts replacing
This was agreed
A quote received from Playdale Playgrounds for £373 for repairs to the basket swing in the play area. This was agreed
Planning – Meeting to follow. Committee members were confirmed as Cllr Wells, Cllr Marks, Cllr Tripp, Cllr Simons & Cllr Fielding
Wateringbury Sports & Recreational Association – Representative to be agreed
Village Hall – Cllr Fielding agreed to be representative. There are 4 meetings a year
Tonbridge & Malling Area Committee of KALC_– Cllr Wells would continue as representative. The AGM is on the 23rd May, when the present Chair, Patrick Thomas, would be standing down
Parish Partnership Panel – Cllr Wells would continue as representative.
Joint Parish Council Transport Consultative Group – Cllr Wells would continue to be representative.
Kent Community Rail Partnership – no representative
Highways & Transportation-Speedwatch – Committee members confirmed – Cllr Wells, Cllr Marks, Cllr Simons & Cllr Tripp. Speedwatch report attached.
Allotments – Mrs Cathie Wallis would continue as representative.
Cemetery – No Committee – waiting repairs to water tap
Joint Flood Group – Cllr Fielding would continue as representative.
19/012 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
Agreement of the Financial Statement was proposed by Cllr Marks and seconded by Cllr Tripp following an amendment which should show the Clerks salary as £861.74 All cheques were signed
19/013 PUBLIC DISCUSSION
Cllr Hudson asked if the PC would have a recruitment drive to attract more Parish Councillors. This was agreed
Cllr Hudson referred to the village hall having a community library in the foyer as previously suggested. It was felt the village hall did not entirely support the idea, but it would go to the next Parish Council meeting for discussion
It was reported that after a report of a sewage leak from near the development in The Orpines it had been attended to within a couple of hours.
Mr Mike Witts referred to the recent Wateringbuy Football Club tournament when 18 clubs and 54 teams took part. This had been a great success and perhaps the Council would like to congratulate those involved. This was agreed, but it was pointed out that not all councillors were aware it had taken place.
It was confirmed there would be a fete in 2020. Nicola Plane was present and confirmed a Village Fete Committee would be set up and Nicola was reminded that funds were available as previously stated.
Mr Marks Burrows reported the road markings at the junction of Pizien Well Road and Old Road had faded. The pavement along Red Hill was uneven and causing problems for pedestrians. There was an indent in the road in Phoenix Drive and it was confirmed this had already been reported. The dog bins in the playing fields were overflowing. There had been some shoplifting at The Handy Stores. Some residents had felt uncomfortable when a group of people had congregated at the pavilion. It was stated they met by one of the dedicated seats to celebrate an anniversary
19/014 PART 2
Private Session – members of public and press were asked to leave
Vacancy for Village Warden
There were three candidates interviewed for the post pf part time Village Warden and John Ibbs was appointed
final Contract of Employment would be drawn up.
Resignation of Jessica Roe
Councillors expressed their disappointment and sadness that Jessica had felt she had to resign from the Parish council
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.50pm