HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH DARENTH PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on 5 February 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

T Searles, District councillor

Peter Hylands, PCSO

4 members of the public

Apologies for Absence: R Gough, County councillor

Declarations of Interests: Cllrs P Bradley, A Burchmore, G Piller, M Powsey,

D Snape and G Tripp declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute 150 in view of their association with the applicant of SE/06/03164 & 5

141 POLICE MATTERS

Members received the information that the mobile police station will be at the village hall layby on Saturday 24 March (10.30 am – 1 pm) and Saturday 17 April (afternoon) which will be advertised by posters and the website. PCSO Hylands reported that the mobile unit would be at New Ash Green on the same days and that the 3 PCSOs would be at both locations.

In response to the recent spate of tyre slashings, PCSO Hylands reported that there would be a special Operation in half term week when there would be 6 police officers in the villages every day.

PCSO Hylands and PC Laidlow would be visiting the youth club on 7 February and staying for the whole session as a result of recent verbal abuse of the youth leader.

142 REPORTS OF DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Darent and Cray CAMS Group

Philip McGarvey agreed to take parish councillors concerns about the repeated washing of a large number of horses in the river to the next meeting on 7 Feb.

143 REPORTS OF COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES

Darent River Preservation Society

An annual report from Malcolm Dunn was received with thanks.

144 MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 January 2007 be approved and signed as a correct record.

145 MATTERS ARISING

Allotment Policy

RESOLVED that the policy relating to fires as at Appendix A be adopted.

Forge Lane Carriageway Surface Repairs

RESOLVED that a meeting be held with the highways inspector to find out what is planned for these repairs.

146 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2007 be approved and signed as a correct record.

147 MATTERS ARISING

Clerk’s Contract of Employment

RESOLVED that the start date for the alteration to the clerk’s contract to take account of the increase in hours from 25 to 27.5 hours per week agreed at the meeting on 24 January to cover the work of the previous finance officer be 1 January 2007.

148 VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the last meeting held on 11 January 2007 were received for information.

149 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the special meeting held on 24 January 2007 were received for information.

150 PLANNING

The following applications have been received for comments:

SE/06/03164/FUL

SE/06/03165/LBCALT

Old School Cottage, School Lane

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

As 6 out of the 8 parish councillors present had declared an interest in this item, there were insufficient members left to form a quorum and make a decision. However, opinions were expressed that the proposed fence had a significant adverse impact on the street scene from Lombard Street which was a great concern. The proposal would also harm the character and appearance of the listed building because of its height and obtrusiveness.

SE/07/00097/FUL

Four Winds, Dartford Road

Amendments to previous approved plans (SE/06/00095/FUL) for internal alterations to detached garage to form bedroom, kitchen/diner/lounge, garage. To also provide 4 velux windows to roof void.

It was noted that this was a retrospective application as the velux windows are in place and causing a nuisance to neighbours.

The Parish Council had concerns when the original application was made that the intention was to form a new dwelling contrary to Green Belt regulations. This has been borne out by the inclusion of velux windows and the increased height of the roof. The neighbour states that the garage was originally flat-roofed so the proposal conflicts with rural settlement policies that do not allow extensions to buildings not originally constructed for residential use.

The Parish Council urges that this application is refused in order to safeguard the privacy of neighbouring residents and the existing spaciousness of the street scene.

SE/07/00142/FUL

Bayham Cottage, Rays Hill

Front and rear single storey extensions

The Parish Council objects to this application as it is a massive overdevelopment of the plot and is contrary to Green Belt policies.

SE/06/03143/FUL

5 Horton Road, South Darenth

Loft extension with half gable and rear dormer window

The Parish Council has no comments on this application

SE/07/00214/LBCALT

Ash Tree House, The Street

Small single storey extensions to rear and side, removal of part of existing flat roof and replacement with pitched roof in tiles to match existing

The Parish Council has no comments on this application

The following decision notices have been received for information:

SE/06/02911/FUL

2 The Grange

Replacement of existing fencing GRANTED

SE/06/03058/FUL

97 New Road

Side and rear extensions at ground and first floor levels REFUSED

151 GUN CLUB – SCHOOL LANE

A resident and owner of a boarding kennels in Canada Farm Road attended the meeting to give the Parish Council details of his complaint about the noise from the gun club and other activities which are causing problems to residents and businesses in Canada Farm Road. He explained that over the weekend of 20/21 January there was shooting from 9 am to 8 pm and 9 am to 6 pm on those days. This was not an isolated incident and shooting was taking place on more than 28 days a year. He thought that the mobile home on site was being used overnight and was also concerned about the bollards that had been placed across the byway and a concrete base that had been put down without permission. He had reported all this to the appropriate authorities and wanted to give the Parish Council the information as a matter of courtesy.

Members thanked Mr Stoyles for his information and were concerned to hear about these problems.

RESOLVED that a letter be written to the gun club, telling them that significant complaints had been received and asking for comments.

152 TEMPORARY PRIORITY NEIGHBOURHOODS

It was reported that Sevenoaks District Council is proposing Horton Kirby and South Darenth as a temporary priority neighbourhood a status which lasts for 6 months and involves 3 meetings with representatives of relevant agencies to try and improve crime and antisocial behaviour.

RESOLVED that Cllrs Bradley, Burchmore and Valentine attend the first meeting on 12 February.

153 INSURANCE

RESOLVED that an application be made to Allianz Cornhill for an increase in fidelity insurance to £189,000.

154 GRANTS

RESOLVED that grants be made for 2006/7 as follows:

Swanley and District CAB £50

Over 60s Social Club £175

St Mary’s Church (towards fence) £100

Local History Society £50

G Ladley nil

155 SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS

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

The meeting ended at 8.45 pm

Chairman

Date