Chiddingstone Parish Council Minutes
 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF CHIDDINGSTONE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON
WEDNESDAY 15TH NOVEMBER 2006 AT 8.00 PM IN CHIDDINGSTONE VILLAGE HALL

Present: Cllr P. Cooke (Chairman), Cllr Mrs J. Butler, Cllr M. Cottrell, Cllr I. Durrant, Cllr Mrs D. James
Apologies: Cllr P. Barratt (Vice-Chairman), Cllr H. Williams and Cllr Mrs M. Ward
Absent: Cllr W. Coulstock
In attendance: District Cllr Mrs A. Cook, District Cllr D. Spence, County Cllr P. Lake, Mrs L. Kleinschmidt (Clerk) and Public

  1. Apologies for Absence were received from Cllr Barratt, Cllr Williams and Cllr Mrs Ward and their reasons for absence were accepted by members.
     

  2. Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interest in respect of matters to be discussed – none.
     

  3. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 18th October 2006 – Cllr Mrs James proposed that the Minutes be approved and duly signed. This was seconded by Cllr Durrant and all were in favour.
     

  4. To Report on Matters Arising from the Parish Council Meeting held on 18th October 2006

    Item 63(v) – the Clerk reported that a new handrail has been put on the bridge over the river at Somerden, but advised that, although the safety on the bridge has now improved, KCC has erected the new handrail without removing the old concrete posts and the handrail on the other side also has broken concrete posts. Members agreed that the Council’s dissatisfaction should be expressed to KCC.
     

  5. Open Session
  1. District Cllr Alison Cook apologised for not attending the last Parish Council meeting, and reported on the following: (i) the District Council had been developing the Interim Housing Policy, however the Government (GOSE) has decided to ignore the wishes of the local electorate and has told SDC that all development land must be developed to keep up with demand. It is very difficult for the council to provide balanced sustainable communities and there will not now be a landbank at the end of the period. There will be more density in our towns, which will have an impact on the infrastructure and traffic flows. (ii) The Government White Paper is disappointing and includes a lot of devolution to Town and Parish Councils, with the District Councils being squeezed out. District Cllr Mrs Cook added that she does not think that SDC will want to go down the unitary route and thinks that it will be hard for a large county like Kent to retain the ‘local’ element. Pathfinder councils are another option instead of Unitary councils. (iii) The Standards Committee has reported that SDC received 91 complaints last year, of which 19 were sent to the Ombudsman, who found that there were no cases to answer. SDC is providing two-hour training workshops which are well worth attending, and when the workshops were held previously only 10 out of the 29 parishes sent representatives. (iv) District Cllr Mrs Cook advised that she attended a SEERA meeting at which there was a presentation by the S-E Coastal Health Authority. It is extremely worrying that the community hospitals are threatened with closure due to the thought that patients should be cared for in the community, as this has an impact on Social Services and voluntary carers who will have to care for them. (v) Cllr Durrant asked if the Green Belt is still protected. District Cllr Mrs Cook advised that yes it is although there are now a limited number of brownfield sites.
    ii. District Cllr Donald Spence reported that he is pleased that the application for the affordable housing development in Chiddingstone Causeway was successful, and SDC Cabinet has also given their approval for the land to be sold to West Kent. SDC is still awaiting to hear whether approval has been received from the Secretary of State for the development in the Green Belt.
    iii. County Cllr Peter Lake reported that (i) he thinks that the Highways schedule of works is great, although there is a lot of catching up for KCC to do. (ii) He is extremely worried about Edenbridge Hospital, and we need to wait until the end of January to see if Pembury Hospital will go ahead, but it will depend on getting the money for the bypass of the A21. Tonbridge, Hawkhurst, Edenbridge and part of Sevenoaks Cottage Hospitals are under threat. Dr Andrew Russell needs support for his campaign. (iii) It is KCC’s budget time until the end of February and it is anticipated that there will be a 5% rise in Council Tax. Services will suffer due to lack of funding.  

The money from the Government diminishes each year and, this year, KCC only got a 0.3% increase for the year. (iv) Cllr Cooke asked whether the grant from KCC to the Parish Council for the bus shelter in Bough Beech is still available. County Cllr Lake advised that there are some funds in the budget for Chiddingstone and Clerk to apply. (v) County Cllr Lake reported that he has received a letter of complaint from Nigel Lucas about the 237 bus route. Fares have increased, the bus is in poor condition with an unworkable timetable and the driver smokes in the cab. Any complaints of this nature should be addressed to County Cllr Lake.

  1. Planning
  1. To consider planning applications received:
    SE/06/02802/FUL – The Gardens House, Hever Castle Private Road, Hever – two storey rear extension, conservatory at rear and cart lodge. Members had no objection to this application.
    SE/06/02340/FUL – Stable Cottage, Stonewall Park, Chiddingstone Hoath – change of use of stables range to provide single dwelling and erection of new garden/tractor store. Members had no objection to this application but questioned whether a Listed Building application is necessary due to the proximity of Stonewall Park and Woodgates.
    SE/06/02809/LBCALT – 3 Somerden Green, Chiddingstone – modifications to existing chimney stack. Members had no objection to this application
    SE/06/02855/FUL – 12 Chequers Hill Cottage, Bough Beech – single storey conservatory to front of building. Members had no objection to this application subject to comments from neighbours.
  2. A list of planning decisions had been circulated to members.

  1. To Report on Correspondence Received
    2.

The Clerk advised that lists of correspondence received have been circulated, and brought members attention to the following:

i. Item 15: CPRE – invitation to the CPRE AGM and lunch on Friday 24th November from 12.30pm at Harrietsham Village Hall, Church Road. Cost for lunch £5 per person.

ii. Item 27: Kent Trading Standards Service – will shortly be launching the ‘Buy with Confidence’ good trader scheme to traders who wish to join. The scheme will provide consumers with a list of reliable local businesses that have proved their commitment to trading fairly. Every business will undergo a series of detailed checks before being approved as a member of the scheme. Full details can be viewed on www.buywithconfidence.info. The Clerk advised that she will mention this in the parish magazine.

iii. Item 28: SDC – Email on Standards & Ethics – Councillors Code of Conduct workshop. This is a single 2 hour session being offered to Clerks and Members by Christine Nuttall, SDC’s Monitoring Officer. The workshop will give a refresher on the Code of Conduct and information on any recent changes, plus a manual and DVD. Dates: Friday 17th November at 9.30am; Tuesday 21st November at 2pm and Wednesday 13th December at 9.30am. Venue: SDC offices in Sevenoaks.

72. To consider provision of Play Area on Chiddingstone Causeway sports field
Cllr Cooke undertook to speak to Patrick Hills on this matter and item to be added to the next Agenda.

73. Village Car Parking
Cllr Cooke reported that he wants to invite the planning officer, Jackie Ruaux, to meet him on site to discuss the possibility of opening a village car park adjacent to The Castle Inn. There are no TPOs on trees on the site and it is hoped to use the existing gateway, although it might need to be widened.

74. Affordable Housing – to consider site for four additional units in the parish
Cllr Cooke reported that he has received a letter from West Kent asking the Parish Council to recommend a site for a further four units as the scheme at Charcott is not hopeful. Any proposed site must be within close proximity of a village centre. Cllr Cooke undertook to speak to Patrick Hills about the area of land to the rear of the Chiddingstone Causeway shop. Cllr Mrs James suggested the KCC depot area near to the railway station in Chiddingstone Causeway, which also belongs to Patrick Hills but as the site is a brownfield site the purchase price might be too high. Cllr Cooke asked that if anyone has any other ideas to please let him know.

The Clerk advised that she reported to Janet Ranson at West Kent Mrs Luton’s request for the access to be moved slightly nearer to the pub so that she is not disturbed by car headlights shining into her home. Janet replied that it is not possible to move the alignment of the access road but there will be planting and fencing and she does not think Mrs Luton has any need to worry.

75. Finance

Spreadsheets had been circulated and members considered the following:
    1. 2006/07 Accounts: Actual and Year End Forecast
    2. 2007/08 Budget and Precept Requirements

      Members agreed the Budget for 2007/08 and at vote were all in favour of increasing the Precept for next year to £25,500, which is a 5.81% increase on last year.

    3. Proposal to consider Chairman’s Allowance

      The Clerk reported that the Chairman’s Allowance is a power under The Local Government Act 1972, s.15(5), which allows councils to set aside a sum of money for the Chairman to defray the expenses of the office. Members agreed to include a Chairman’s Allowance in the Budget for 2007/08 of £200 per annum.

    4. List of cheques – all were in favour of signing the cheques as set out on the circulated list.
    5. It was agreed that the Clerk should research whether there are any higher interest earning bank accounts.
    6. The Clerk suggested that Earmarked Reserves are considered at the next meeting.

76. Items for Reporting or Inclusion in Future Agenda
  1. The Clerk advised that the next Parish Council Meeting is due on Wednesday 20th December in Chiddingstone Causeway Village Hall at 8pm. Members agreed that, due to the proximity of Christmas, this meeting will be cancelled and the next meeting will therefore be held on 17th January 2007.
  2. Cllr Mrs James reported that she attended the Eden Valley Museum Trust meeting on 17th October, and advised that the Museum is in desperate need for volunteers and funding. There is a sports exhibition running at the moment and Cllr Mrs James advised that she hopes to arrange for some Chiddingstone sporting memorabilia to be included. The Museum has also asked that a link to their website is added from www.chiddingstone.org. Members agreed.
  3. Cllr Cooke advised that he has been contacted by Mr Coleman, the organiser of Speldhurst Cricket Club, who want to use the Chiddingstone Causeway cricket pitch. Cllr Mrs James undertook to contact Cllr Coulstock in this regard.
  4. Cllr Cooke advised that he has received an application for a grant from Chiddingstone School and members agreed that this request should be added to the next Parish Council agenda.

The meeting closed at 9.25pm.

Chiddingstone Parish Council Meeting – 15th November, 2006
List of Cheques (figures inclusive of VAT)

                                                                                                                          VAT

Tree Hoppers – maintenance of St. Mary’s churchyard for October + spraying church wall £411.25 £61.25
Allsigns – purchase of Chiddingstone Parish Council banner £74.03 £11.03
Mrs L. Kleinschmidt – salary: 15 hrs per week £647.84
Post Office Ltd – Income Tax and National Insurance contributions £97.59
Mrs L. Kleinschmidt – expenses £7.68

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