HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH DARENTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES of the ANNUAL MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on 8 May 2007 in the Village Hall, South Darenth at 8.45 pm.

 

Present: Cllr P Bradley (Chairman)

              Cllrs R Eagles, D Mitchell, M Oram, C Page, J Stevenson,

              G Tripp, R Valentine and E Wilson

 

P McGarvey, District Councillor

R Gough, County Councillor

12 members of the public

In attendance: C Allart, Parish Clerk

 

Apologies for absence: S Arnold, District Councillor

 

Declarations of Interest: None

                                               

 

1                         APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN FOR 2007/8

 

RESOLVED that Cllr P Bradley be appointed Chairman for 2007/8

His declaration of acceptance of office as Chairman was signed.

 

2            DECLARATIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

 

Signed declarations of acceptance of office from all councillors were received.

 

3            APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR 2007/8

 

RESOLVED that Cllr R Valentine be appointed Vice-Chairman for 2007/8

 

4            MINUTES

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2006 be approved and signed as a correct record.            

 

 

5            STANDING ORDERS

 

RESOLVED that a separate meeting of Cllrs Bradley, Eagles, Oram, Tripp and Valentine be held to consider and make recommendations back to the Parish Council on which Standing Orders to adopt.

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6            FINANCIAL REGULATIONS

 

RESOLVED that a separate meeting of Cllrs Bradley, Eagles, Oram, Tripp and Valentine be held to consider and make recommendations back to the Parish Council on revised Financial Regulations to be adopted.

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7          ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

 

Members received a review of the regular internal audit process and its effectiveness

which is a requirement of the annual accounts procedure. 

 

RESOLVED that the report be received and approved.

 

 

8            REPORT OF DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

 

Cllr McGarvey gave a brief report of District Council matters.  He confirmed that Sevenoaks District Council had no intention of changing to a fortnightly household refuse collection.                                                                

 

 

9            REPORT OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR

 

Roger Gough reported on recent matters including the South Darenth village sign and potholes.  He also said that forms were once again available for applications to his £10,000 grant fund for 2007/8.

 

 

10          RECREATION & OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

 

The Minutes of the last meeting of the committee were received for information.

 

 

11          MEMBERSHIP OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND OTHER BODIES

 

RESOLVED that membership to committees and other bodies be as shown below:

 

Village Hall Committee

Chairman and Vice Chairman

Cllrs Mitchell, Page and Tripp

Ms Blendell, Mrs Cockrill, and Mrs Meggitt

 

Recreation and Open Spaces Committee

Chairman and Vice Chairman

Cllrs Eagles, Mitchell, Oram and Stevenson

Mr Chambers and Mr Blackamore

 

Welfare Working Group

Chairman and Vice Chairman

Cllr Wilson

 

DRIPS

Mr Dunn

 

Planning Inspectors

Cllrs Valentine and Wilson, with deputies Cllrs Eagles and Tripp

 

Footpaths

Mr Tripp

 

Darent Valley Rural Age Concern

Cllr Eagles

 

Swanley Volunteer Bureau

Cllr Eagles

 

Internal Auditor

Cllr Bradley

 

Deputy Internal Auditor

Cllr Wilson

 

Paper Mill Re-Development Steering Group

Cllrs Stevenson, Valentine and Wilson

Mr Wescombe

 

Village Hall Extension

No sub-committee needed. Any parish councillors that are available will attend each meeting.

 

Temporary Priority Neighbourhood

Cllrs Valentine and Wilson

 

South Darenth Noticeboard

Consider at next meeting

 

NHS / Health Matters

Cllrs Eagles and Valentine

 

 

12          CALENDAR OF MEETINGS

 

RESOLVED that the calendar of meetings for 2007/8 be as follows:

 

Parish Council meetings to be held on the first Monday at 7.30 pm except where this falls on bank holidays when alternative arrangements will be made.  In August there will normally be no meeting.

 

The Village Hall Committee to meet bi-monthly (January, March, May, July, September and November) on the second Thursday at 8 pm.

 

The Recreation and Open Spaces Committee to meet bi-monthly (February, April, June, August, October and December) on the second Thursday at 8 pm. 

 

13          THOMAS TERRY CHARITY

 

The annual report on this charity was received.

 

RESOLVED that Cllrs Bradley and Page be appointed as trustees to the Thomas Terry Charity for the coming year.

 

 

14          PLANNING

 

SE/07/01124/FUL

Oakview Stud Farm, Mussenden Lane

Field shelter and access way in Mussenden Field with associated landscaping.

 

The Parish Council objects to this application on the grounds of its intrusive siting in the Green Belt

 

SE/07/01323/FUL

4 Northfield Cottages Lombard Street

Single storey rear extension, double storey side extension and replacement garage (re-submission of SE/06/02371/FUL)

The Parish Council is concerned that this is an over-development of this plot.

 

SE/07/01356/FUL

18 Churchill Road

Two storey side extension and single storey front porch

 

The Parish Council has no comments on this application.

 

SE/07/01317/FUL

36 Holmesdale Hill

Front single storey porch

 

The Parish Council has no comments on this application.

 

The following decision notices were received:

 

SE/07/00367/FUL

46 School Lane

Single storey rear extension and rear canopy GRANTED

 

SE/07/00391/FUL

2 Beeches Farm Cottages, Canada Farm

Installation of a 12m high small wind turbine REFUSED

 

SE/07/00441/DETAIL

Horton Kirby Paper Mills

Details pursuant to condition 66 (revised floor layout for building 9) of application SE/05/02000/FUL

APPROVED

SE/06/03165/LBCALT & SE/06/03164/FUL

Old School Cottage, School Lane

Formation of shower room and other minor alterations, shed and fences, boarding to side of canopy and gates. GRANTED

 

 

15          BANK OF IRELAND

 

RESOLVED that the mandate (as attached at Appendix A) be agreed and all new parish councillors be included as authorised signatories.

 

 

16          NATWEST BANK

 

RESOLVED that the mandate (as attached at Appendix B) be agreed and all new parish councillors be included as authorised signatories.

 

 

17          PARISH COUNCILS CONSORTIUM

 

New members were informed of this group of 5 neighbouring parish councils which meets twice a year to discuss common issues. The Chairman reported that he personally found that the meetings were just talking shops and did not see the point in being a member.  Cllr Tripp agreed that nothing much was ever achieved by the group but thought they were enjoyable and interesting as well as an opportunity to meet representatives of other parish councils.

 

RESOLVED that this Parish Council withdraw from membership of the Consortium.

 

 

18          GAS MAIN WORKS

 

The clerk showed a plan of details of works that are being carried out in Forge Lane starting in approximately 6 weeks time and lasting for 5 – 8 weeks.  It was suggested that the contractor be asked to schedule the works so that there is minimum disruption to the school parking arrangements.

 

 

19          FLY TIPPING DEAN BOTTOM

 

Cllr McGarvey reported the on-going problems from fly tipping in the lanes at Dean Bottom but was pleased to say that most of the tipped rubbish had been removed in recent days. 

 

 

20          SEVENOAKS DISTRICT COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN LAUNCH

 

Members were invited to attend this event on Wednesday 30 May from 12.30 pm at Otford Recreation Ground.

 

 

21          SHRUBBERY ROAD PLAY AREA – REMOVAL OF CONCRETE SLAB

 

Mr Smith of Montgomery Road asked the Parish Council to consider various questions which the Recreation and Open Spaces Committee had not answered despite a specific request from him in April.  As play areas are delegated to the Recreation and Open Spaces Committee the Parish Council declined to get involved and asked that the matter be referred back to the committee.

 

 

22          SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS AND BUDGET COMPARISON

 

A document showing the budget v actual expenditure at year end 31 March 2007 was attached for Members’ information and comments. 

 

RESOLVED that

1.      the schedule of accounts, as submitted, be approved and payments made accordingly; and

2.      the budget comparison with actual expenditure document be received.

 

 

23          PARISH COUNCIL NEWSLETTER

 

Members were asked whether they have any instructions on the content or format of, or wish to write any copy for, the next newsletter which is due to be issued on 1st June.

 

It was agreed that details of the good news given by the Chief Inspector on the subject of local Police officers at the Annual Parish Meeting would be included as well as the local contact phone numbers.

 

 

 

 

The meeting ended at 10.30 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman

 

 

Date