HORTON KIRBY AND
MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on
Present: Cllr P Bradley (Chairman)
Cllrs A Burchmore, D Payne, G Piller, M Powsey, D Snape, G Tripp,
R
Valentine and I Wescombe
In attendance: C Allart, Parish Clerk
P McGarvey & T Searles, Sevenoaks District
Councillors
R Gough, Kent County Councillor
PCSO Peter Hylands
4 members of the public
Apologies for Absence: None
Declarations of Interests: Cllr D Payne declared a
personal and prejudicial interest in Minutes 110 and 115.
90
POLICE MATTERS
PCSO Peter Hylands was present and spoke about the rise in crime in response to a question from Cllr Valentine. He was aware of the increase in graffiti and he and PC Laidlow knew who was doing it. There was also information about on the spot fines.
91 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED that the Minutes of
the meeting held on
The clerk reported that still no response had been
received from Mr Fisher.
RESOLVED that a further
letter be sent.
93
RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES
COMMITTEE
The Minutes of the last meeting were received for
information.
94 CONSORTIUM
Members were asked to consider who will attend on 29
November.
Members were also made aware that a joint purchase
of a speed indicator device (SID) is on the agenda. However, both Crockenhill
and Eynsford Parish Councils have rejected the idea
even with the possibility of secondhand equipment at
a cost of £800 rather than £3-4,000.
Cllr McGarvey informed the
meeting that Farningham Parish Council was interested
in the purchase of this equipment in the next financial year.
Cllrs Bradley and Tripp indicated
that they would represent this parish council at the next consortium meeting
and Cllrs Payne and Valentine said that they would
try and attend.
Cllr Snape gave a detailed
report concerning the problems caused by the number of coaches in the village
and the way they are badly parked. She realised that there is little that can
be done but hoped that perhaps the Police could look in to the matter. The preferred parking space for the coaches
was the layby on the A225 but dropping off at the
entrance to Westminster Field would still have to take place. She felt that the
village could not cope with the number of schools now coming to Horton Kirby
and the river in particular. Members
felt that there was not much that could be done about the situation but hoped
that it would not get worse.
The Parish Council was asked to consider making an
interest-free loan of £500 to the Society which is publishing a new book on the
Paper Mill. The cost of publication
is £1500, an amount of money that they
do not have in their funds to pay up front, but which is soon realised when
they sell the book.
RESOLVED that an interest-free loan of £500,
repayable within 9 months, be made available to the Horton Kirby and South Darenth Local History Society.
97 ENVIRONMENT AGENCY STAKEHOLDER STRATEGY
Philip McGarvey reported that as part of
this strategy, he wanted to know of any specific concerns or issues, now or in
the future, on anything to do with the river levels, flow and floods so that he
could take them up with CAMS a strategic partnership within the Environment
Agency.
He said that he would be taking up the matter of the loss of the
eastern arm of the river under the Fairview proposals as insisted upon by the
Environment Agency. Roger Gough, county
councillor also said that he would follow this up.
1
Withdrawal for the time being of West Kent Housing Proposal
It
was reported that West Kent had withdrawn its planning application to build 9
houses and is waiting for the results of a survey of all open spaces in the Sevenoaks District before reconsidering its position. West Kent still wanted to build family homes
with gardens in this area because of the need that has been shown to exist.
The
Chairman advised the Parish Council that the above had been received from West
Kent at a recent meeting and the information was received.
2
Cleaning Up and Development of Area
Members considered what should be done to improve
the area which needs tidying up. Cllr Wescombe reported on some ideas for providing some
play/sports provision if security of tenure could be obtained. The play equipment could be funded by the
insurance claim money and the general tidying of the site could be put forward
to Roger Gough as a good use for his available grant money.
RESOLVED that
an application for a contribution towards the costs
of clearing up the area be put to the county councillor for grant aid; and
investigations be made into what equipment is
available together with costs.
Cllr Wescombe agreed to look into these matters.
The clerk asked members to consider the purchase of broadband for the parish office.
RESOLVED that
best value prices and quality be investigated; and
broadband be installed.
Notice of the Annual Meeting of DriPS
on Thursday 10 November at Anthony Roper School was received.
The clerk reminded Members that they are invited to
the Two Minutes Silence on Friday 11 November at the village hall at 11 am and
also to the church service in Southdowns church on
Sunday 13 November.
A letter written to KCC by a resident of Southdowns objecting to the curtailment on the 414 bus
service after 15.45 was submitted.
Comments from Arriva had been sought and were
awaited. It was noted that there was a
petition going round the village. Roger
Gough said he would look into the matter.
Details were given of this weekend organised by KCC
for young people from Sevenoaks parishes and Members
were asked to consider whether to sponsor a representative to attend at a cost
of £10.
RESOLVED that one young person be sponsored to
attend.
There was much discussion about the number of litter
baskets that have appeared in various locations in this and neighbouring
parishes which it was understood had been installed by a private individual
from Sutton at Hone who was also emptying them.
Members felt that the person involved should be commended for his
efforts.
Members were asked to consider whether this parish
council should be involved with or represented on a new committee that is being
formed by the Horton Kirby Village Society with the aim of investigating how
the community can be ready to purchase the farmland in Rays Hill.
RESOLVED that no action be taken to be represented
on this committee although the Village Society be informed that the Parish
Council is supportive of its aims.
The following applications have been received for
comments:
SE/05/02000/FUL
SE/05/02001/LBCALT
SE/05/02002/CAC
Horton Kirby Paper Mill site, Horton Road, South Darenth
Mixed use
development of 236, 1 & 2 bed residential units (conversion of some
existing buildings & some new build) to include 48 affordable housing
units. Provision of 4 live/work units. Provision of commercial floorspace (part conversion, incl. Listed Building and new
build). Alterations to the existing access off Horton Rd & assoc highway
works. Removal of an existing culvert & re-instatement of an open river
channel & assoc. works. The retention of & works to 2 Listed Buildings.
Provision of 360 car parking spaces, areas of public & private amenity
space & landscape works. All following the demolition of identified
buildings on site.
The
Parish Council has the following comments to make:
Generally
this scheme is welcomed. It has a good
layout with buildings in keeping with those existing and large areas of open
space.
The lack
of improvement to the junction of Station Road with the A225 is of the greatest
concern. The junction is dangerous for
users now in the morning and evening rush hours and with longer waiting times
for drivers wanting to turn right out of Station Road, there will be more risks
taken which will result in a greater likelihood of accidents. The speed of traffic entering and exiting the
30 mph zone of Sutton at Hone needs to be reduced.
The
proposals to allow 100% of the river to flow into the western arm thus allowing
the eastern arm of the river to dry up except in periods of flood is a major
concern to this Council and many residents.
The 70 (western arm):30 (eastern arm) split maintained by the
Environment Agency in the past is considered to be the minimum to allow the
eastern branch of the river to have adequate flow so as to remain a viable
stretch of river. Without this amount of
normal flow, it will not be capable of dealing with the run off from the upper
part of the village without becoming an open drain. The wildlife which has been abundant in this
stretch of the river will be lost and the channel will become a health hazard. There is also much concern locally that, when
this eastern arm is used as an overflow in flood situations, pollutants flushed out will cause ecological
problems downstream. Also, whilst much
of the eastern stretch runs unseen by the public behind houses, just before it
meets the western arm at the Devon Road bridge is in a prominent part of the
village and as such is an important visual amenity for all.
There are
strong objections to the bollards shown at the entrance to the site between
East Hill and New Road. Visually they
are intrusive having an urban look but, practically, they will have the affect
of restricting casual parking which is needed for the viability of the existing
shops in the village centre.
A
number of wall-mounted floodlights are proposed to light mainly parking areas
and some walkways. Highway and footpath
lights appear all to be on 5 metre (15 feet ) high columns. All these lights should be directed downwards
and controlled so as not to cause light pollution, be switched off at midnight
and comply with the provisions of the Villages Design Statement. This should be brought to the attention of
the proposed lighting consultant remembering that this development is in a
rural village, not in a town.
SE/05/02412/FUL
East Hill
Rear external staircase to give access to
accommodation at first floor level via new doorway. Retrospective application.
The Parish Council has no comments on this
application.
SE/05/02580/FUL
16 Rashleigh Way
Conservatory to rear
The Parish Council has no objections on this
application.
SE/05/02726/FUL
64 School Lane
Single storey rear extension, new rear dormer and
new porch
The Parish Council has no comments on this
application.
The following decision notices have been received
for information:
SE/05/02108/FUL
Linslade, The Street
Dormer window to side
GRANTED
SE/05/02146/FUL
26 New Road
Loft conversion with dormer to rear
GRANTED
The following notice of an Appeal to be held by
written representations has been received:
SE/05/00729/FUL
Beeches Farm Cottages
Internal
kennels to be built for housing sick, lame racing greyhounds
107 REPORTS OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
Cllrs Bradley and Piller reported that they would be meeting with the
Woodland Trust representative to discuss maintenance of the Wood on 9 November.
108 REPORTS OF DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
Travellers settlement at Top of Farningham
Hill
Cllr McGarvey reported that the travellers had lost their Appeal to stay on site.
Jolly Millers Pub Licence
Cllr McGarvey reported on
the licensing hours that had been granted following a hearing which included
opening to 1 am (and 2am on bank holidays including Christmas and New
Year). Members wondered whether they
could appeal against these times. Cllr McGarvey said this could be done through the Magistrates’
Court but could cost £1000 in legal fees.
Alternatively he suggested asking the Sevenoaks licensing officer for a Notice of Determination. A licence could be amended if there were
problems so members agreed to keep a watch on this.
109
REPORT OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR
KCC Budget
Cllr Gough reported that money will be fairly tight
next year and will get tougher each year because Kent gets the minimum grant
from the Government. Also, under age asylum seekers which cost KCC are not
completely funded by the Government.
Changes
He said that there are lots of changes in the County
at the moment including the combination of children’s social services with
education which will make things challenging.
110 SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS
RESOLVED that the schedule of accounts, as submitted, be approved and payments made accordingly.
111 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Villages Design Statement
The clerk reported that the Villages Design
Statement was adopted on 1 November 2005 by Sevenoaks
District Council as informal planning guidance.
This now needs to be printed and Cllr Burchmore
agreed to pursue this.
Heathside
A member of the public raised the question of the
development of the Heathside ground and in particular
the possibility of a skate park. He was
informed that the Recreation and Open Spaces committee has been considering
this and would consult with the community before making any decision.
112 EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED that the press and the public be excluded
from the remainder of the meeting due to the confidential nature of the
business to be transacted.
RESOLVED
that the Parish Clerk, Carol Allart’s salary be
increased to £26,157 per annum, adjusted pro-rata for hours employed, being
scale LC2, Point 34 on the newly agreed salary ranges between the Society of
Local Council Clerks and the National Association of Local Councils. This
increase to take effect from 1st October 2005. Six months after the
appointment of a clerical assistant there will be a further review.
RESOLVED
that a Clerical Assistant be appointed to staff the Parish Office from 9.30am
to 11.30am, Monday to Friday and that the salary for this position will be in
the range £5.50 to £7.50 per hour. The situation to be reviewed after a trial
period.
RESOLVED
that
¨ there be no wage increases
in the positions of Westminster Field Litter Picking, Website Manager, School
Playground Key Holder (term time), Westminster Field Key Holder and Village
Hall Key holder;
¨ the wages of the School
Playground Key Holder (weekend and school holidays) be increased to £44 per
calendar month; and
¨ the wages of the Village
Hall cleaners be set at £6.00 per hour with a £0.50 per hour supplement for all
hours worked to take account of unsociable hours and that from 1st
April 2006 the rate be £6.18 per hour with a 10% supplement for all hours
worked to take account of unsociable hours.
The meeting ended at 9.54 pm.
Chairman
Date