HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH DARENTH PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on 3 July 2006 in the Village Hall, South Darenth at 7.30 pm

Present: Cllr P Bradley (Chairman)

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

and I Wescombe

In attendance: C Allart, Parish Clerk

T Searles, District councillor

R Gough, County councillor

3 members of the public

Apologies for Absence: Clrs G Piller and R Valentine

P McGarvey District councillor

Declarations of Interests:

Cllr D Payne declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute 52.

39 POLICE MATTERS

Neither beat officer nor PCSO were present but the following matters were discussed in their absence:

Infra Red Detectors on Street Lights in School Lane

Matter referred from last meeting. No further information was available.

Compensation for criminal damage

Cllr Burchmore was pleased to report that all four offenders had now paid. The final payment was received after the court documents had been sent out so the £30 court fee would have to be written off. However, it was felt that the action of taking the matter further had been necessary and showed to the public that the Parish Council was serious in its intentions to pursue such matters as far as necessary including pursuing other offenders in the future. Cllr Burchmore was thanked for his hard work.

Introduction to West Kent Police

Cllr Burchmore presented his report on the recent Police meeting. The funding of PCSOs after 2007 was an unknown. Tony Searles suggested asking Howard Stoate MP to raise a question in the House about it so that the matter was brought to public attention.

Shrubbery Road

Lyn Tatnall attended the meeting to raise the issue of the anti social behaviour behind her house in Shrubbery Road. Her garage is un-usable due to it being used as a goal by a group of youths known to the Police.

There was a great deal of discussion on this subject. Ms Tatnall explained that the problem had died down in recent days because, she understood, West Kent had visited and warned some households. However there were still problems that were outlined and it was agreed that it would be helpful if the Parish council wrote a strong letter to West Kent asking for positive action from them. Lyn Tatnall was asked to compile a written list of issues with the help of neighbours that the Parish Council could bring to West Kent’s attention when writing. One issue was the re-instatement of a “No Ball Games” sign by the garages which used to be there. Cllr Burchmore said that West Kent could be taken to court if they don’t sort things out under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act and he agreed to look out the relevant paragraphs. He also agreed to get the names of the offenders from the PCSO. Our county and district councillors also agreed to put their weight behind the issue by writing to West Kent.

40 REPORTS OF DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

Paper Mill Redevelopment Planning Application

Cllr Searles reported back from the Development Control meeting at Sevenoaks which consider this application on 28 June. Detailed planning permission has been given subject to 70+ conditions which will be discussed with consultees including the parish council before final decisions are made on them. The question of improvements to Station Road A225 junction was raised with highways but as it is not part of the planning application and highways officers do not believe there are problems, it is unlikely that anything will come of it although Roger Gough did agree to put what pressure he could to get some improvements. Tony Searles reported that officers think that even it the application is called in by Government it should get the go ahead without delay and, assuming Fairview do not sell the land on, a start could be made in January 2007.

Cllr Wescombe, who had been at the Development Control Committee meeting asked the Parish Council to record its thanks for the great deal of work that Cllr Searles had put in particularly for insisting that the community be consulted again before the final details are agreed.

RESOLVED that the Parish Council’s thanks be duly recorded for all the hard work put in by Cllr Searles.

41 REPORT OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR

Special KCC Local Board

Roger Gough informed members that a special meeting would be held on 19 July on the subject of the new KCC document “Towards 2010”.

42 MINUTES

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2006 be approved and signed as a correct record.

43 MATTERS ARISING

Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

The clerk reported that PCSO Peter Hylands was very keen to issue fixed penalties on behalf of the Parish Council for litter and graffiti offences. He already had the powers to issue spot fines for dog fouling on behalf of Sevenoaks District Council. It was agreed to consider the matter further at the next meeting.

44 RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEE

The Minutes of the last meeting were received for information.

45 SHRUBBERY ROAD GREEN – QUESTIONNAIRE

Colin Smith presented a draft document with suggested questions for circulating to Shrubbery Road and Montgomery Road residents.

RESOLVED that a special meeting be held on 13 July at 7 pm to consider and agree the questions for this consultation process.

46 SHRUBBERY ROAD GLEBE PLACE AND SAXON PLACE GREENS – GRASS CUTTING

There was a great deal of discussion on the state of the District Council’s grassed area and what action should be taken to ensure that they were not left to grow so long and look so untidy in the future.

As a result of intense pressure from the public to the disgraceful state of the greens, Sevenoaks had cut the grass and agreed to re-instate the number of cuts to 6 instead of the 3 cuts that it had been reduced to at budget time in February. There was discussion on whether this Parish Council should take over the cutting of Sevenoaks’ areas and it was agreed to make enquiries about how much cash Sevenoaks would make available to the Parish Council to cut it on their behalf.

The clerk also asked Members to consider whether it wanted to take control of the cutting of the play areas in Shrubbery Road and Saxon Place if these were not being cut, as they used to be, by Sevenoaks.

RESOLVED that the play areas at Saxon Place and Shrubbery Road be cut at a cost of £15 per cut every 4 weeks through the growing season.

47 FIREMAN’S RUN

RESOLVED that the Parish Council should take on responsibility for cutting back weed growth along this path, as necessary.

48 TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME FOR THE PARISH

Cllr Snape expressed her concern about the number of trees that have been cut down recently in the parish. She suggested that the Parish Council discuss the possibility of having a tree planting programme to replace the loss to the environment of those cut down including the replanting of elm trees lost some years ago.

RESOLVED that Members would

encourage local landowners to participate in the Free Trees Scheme; and
start a campaign via the next newsletter and other media to get more trees planted in the parish.

49 EMERGENCY PLANNING

The clerk stated that she received severe weather warnings from Sevenoaks district Council. She had also been asked to update SDC’s review of the Emergency Plan and its associated directory. Members viewed the existing entry for this Parish Council which contained Cllr and Mrs Burchmore’s details as contacts.

RESOLVED that no action be taken on either matter at the present time.

50 BURIAL GROUND

An amended document showing additions to the Policy document was submitted for approval.

RESOLVED that the document as appended to these Minutes be approved.

51 PLANNING

SE/06/00919/REM

Land adj 11 Coopers Close

Detached 3 bedroom house with integral garage and parking space.

Amended application showing dwelling set back at first floor level by 1 metre.

The Parish Council objects to this application on the grounds that it is overdevelopment of the plot and will lead to an increase in parking problems in the area. Parking problems are already acute and additional cars in the road plus the loss of parking in front of the garage and parking space will make things worse. It is noted that the parking for 3 cars specified in the outline application (SE/02/02455) has not been complied with.

06/01625/WTPO

Tree on land adj to 14 The Grange

Advice to remedy what looks like a dying tree

The Parish Council recommends the applicant seeks professional advice on the condition of this tree and, if it is necessary to remove it, plants a young tree of the same species in its place.

52 SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS

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

53 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Overhanging Hedge

Cllr Snape asked when the hop garden hedge was going to be cut as it was an inconvenience to pedestrians. The clerk reported that the farmer had told her that she was not allowed to cut any hedges between May and November. Members were surprised at this and wanted this checked out with defra or the highways authority.

54 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item in view of the confidential nature of some of the business to be transacted concerning personnel.

55 ACCOUNTS

Internal Audit

Members discussed the report from the internal auditor and various matters were agreed including revised annual figures for 2005/6, the need for new accounts software allows close down at financial year end, and the details of the report to be submitted with the Audit form.

New Accounts Software

RESOLVED that

assuming it is compatible with the current version, Quickbooks Pro be purchased; and
provision be made in each year’s estimates for any necessary updates in the accounts package software.

The meeting ended at 9.29 pm

Chairman

Date