HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH DARENTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on 2 April 2007 in the Village Hall, South Darenth at 7.30 pm

 

Present: Cllr P Bradley (Chairman)

              Cllrs A Burchmore, G Piller, M Powsey, D Snape, G Tripp,

              R Valentine and I Wescombe

 

 

In attendance: C Allart, Parish Clerk

P McGarvey District councillor

R Gough, County councillor

9 members of the public

 

Apologies for Absence: T Searles, District councillor

Declarations of Interests: None.

 

 

 

169        POLICE MATTERS

Cllr Burchmore gave a report on behalf of PCSO Peter Hylands.  He reported that apart from himself and Cllr Valentine, only one member of the public had attended the mobile police station during the 3 hours it was parked at the village hall on 24 March.  It was suggested that a better time and location for it would be at the village fetes and Peter Hylands would be told of the dates for the Lions fete at Heathside and the Horton Kirby Village Society fayre in Westminster Field.

 

 

170        REPORTS OF DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

The District Councillor reported again on fly tipping in the lane off Rabbits Road (Dean Bottom).  He reported that it would cost £5,000 to clear it all away.  The Parish Council Chairman took the opportunity to read a letter of thanks from Sevenoaks Chairman Alison Cook following her recent visit to the parish.

 

 

171        REPORT OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR

The District Councillor reported on healthcare and commented on the ongoing concern about South Darenth post office closure.  He felt there was no imminent threat and that the planned petition was premature.

A resident raised the question of hedges narrowing the roads, in particular Horton Road between the hopfields, and Roger Gough took details so that he could make enquiries with KCC highways officers.

 

 

172        MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2007 be approved and signed as a correct record.

 

 

173        VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE

 

The Minutes of the last meeting were received for information.

 

 

174        PLANNING

 

SE/07/00776/FUL

14 Russell Terrace, Lombard Street

Single storey rear extension

The Parish Council has no objections to this application.

 

SE/07/00794/FUL

Bayhams Cottage, Rays Hill

Single storey front and rear extension

The Parish Council has no comments on this application.

 

SE/07/00167/FUL

Land east of Horton Kirby Cricket Club, Franks Lane

Change of Use from agriculture to leisure

The Parish Council has no objections to this application.

 

SE/07/00212/FUL

Ash Tree House, The Street

Small single storey extensions to side and rear

(resubmission of SE/06/02988)

The Parish Council has no comments on this application.

 

 

07/00958/WTCA

103 Shrubbery Road

Remove 1 ash tree

 

07/00968/WTCA

Millen Court, The Street

Works to 1 black poplar

 

The Parish Council has no comments on these 2 applications and leaves both matters to the expertise of the District Council’s tree officer.

 

The following decision notice was received:

 

SE/06/03143/FUL

5 Horton Road, South Darenth

Loft extension with half gable and rear dormer. GRANTED

 

 

 

 

Pre-Planning Consultation – New Dwelling in South Darenth

 

Members considered whether to meet Malcolm Green in pre-planning application consultation.

 

RESOLVED that, in view of the guidance from planning authorities and the Government that applicants should engage in pre-planning consultation with parish councils where possible, a meeting be arranged with him.

 

 

175        VILLAGE HALL EXTENSION

 

Consultant architect Bob Owston presented his first thoughts on layouts for the building and car parking to the meeting.  It was agreed that parish councillors would give a more detailed look at the drawings before meeting again with the consultants on 16 April and then arranging a joint meeting with the planners. 

 

176      SOUTH DARENTH IS LOOSING OUT’.

Four members spoke of their disquiet at the offensive and divisive comments made in the above document circulating in South Darenth published by Councillors Ian Wescombe and Bob Valentine.  The Chairman asked the two councillors concerned to apologise and withdraw comments made in paragraphs 2 and 3 and the reference to the parish clerk in paragraph 1 but this was declined by Cllr Wescombe who said that he stood by the factual content of the document.  In response the Chairman stated that he had a duty to put the matter in writing to the Standards Board and would be doing this as soon as practicable.

 

177        SHRUBBERY ROAD PLAY AREA SURVEY

 

Cllr Wescombe presented his report on the results of the survey which, amongst other things,  gave an overwhelming support for the play area to be reinstated.  It was agreed that the new parish councillors should give this report in-depth consideration so the matter will be put on the June agenda.

 

 

178        STREET LIGHTING HORTON ROAD AND HOLMESDALE ROAD

PROPOSED ADOPTION BY HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY

 

RESOLVED that the request by Fairview New Homes for permission for the adoption of 4 street lights by Kent County Council be agreed.

 

 

179        HIGHWAYS HEDGE ALONG HORTON ROAD

 

Members received the survey report and agreed that option B which proposed that the entire hedge be grubbed out and replaced with a mix of field maple, dog rose, may, wayfaring tree and privet was preferred.  However, a hedge similar to a new hedge seen recently at Pinden could be appropriate and it was suggested that the farmer there be asked for information on prices as well as getting estimates for option B.

 

 

180      ANTHONY ROPER CHARITY

 

RESOLVED that the clerk to this charity be informed that this parish council has no objections to Malcolm Green being co-opted to serve on the Horton Kirby & South Darenth section of the Anthony Roper Charity.

 

 

181        SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS

 

RESOLVED that the schedule of accounts, as submitted, be approved and payments made accordingly.

 

 

182        NEXT MEETING

 

Members were reminded that the May meeting will be held on Tuesday 8 May and the start time will be at 8 pm because the hall is booked by a regular user until 7.30pm.

 

 

183        ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

Local History

Cllr McGarvey stated that he and Barbara Cannell had been able to visit the Paper Mill buildings on 31 March and take away various ledgers and other items which would be stored for Horton Kirby and South Darenth Local History Society.

 

Glebe Place

A resident asked if anything could be done to widen the road because damage to the green and the posts was happening on a regular basis particularly by the refuse lorry. Cllr McGarvey said he would take up the matter with Sevenoaks officers.

 

 

184        EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

 

RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be conducted.

 

 

185        REVIEW OF WAGES RATES

 

Staff wages were reviewed.

 

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED that the wages from 1 April 2007 be as follows:

 

 

Rate

 

 

 

 

Office Assistant

8.00

per hour

Westminster - litter

39.00

per month

Website

50.00

per month

Cleaner / Caretaker Hall

7.00

per hour

Keyholding

10.00

per week

School Playground

15.20

per month

Westminster - gate locking

6.00

Per day

School Playground

45.20

per month

 

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting ended at 9.42pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

Date