HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH
DARENTH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the
MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on 26 June 2003 in the Parish Room, Village
Hall, South Darenth at 7 pm.
Present: Cllr P Bradley
(Chairman),
Cllrs A
Burchmore, D Payne, G Piller, M Powsey,
D Snape, G Tripp,
R Valentine and
I Wescombe
T Searles, District Councillor,
P McGarvey, District
Councillor
D Brazier, County
Councillor,
PC Laidlow
4 members of the press and
public
In attendance: C Allart,
Parish Clerk
Apologies for absence: None
Declarations of Interest:
None
RESOLVED that the Minutes of
the meetings held on 13 and 29 May 2003 be approved and signed as correct
records.
The Chairman reported that
he had spoken recently to former Action Group Chairman, Mike Medlen who had
suggested putting the remaining funds into this charity. Cllr Valentine suggested that the funds
might be better used for saving the chimney.
It was agreed to consider this at a future meeting.
Cllr Brazier said that he
had made enquiries and would be able to report back at a future meeting.
Malcolm Dunn was able to
allay fears and said that no water from this new pipeline would be used to
supply water to Thames Gateway houses.
Cllr Powsey said that the
Environment Agency had visited but had said the diesel wasn’t from oil storage
tanks but was from trains passing by.
The clerk reported that the
NatWest resolution that was passed last time was an out of date one and the new
wording, as shown in appendix A to these Minutes, was approved.
The new mandate for the Bank
of Ireland was also discussed.
RESOLVED that the NatWest
mandate as shown in Appendix A and the Bank of Ireland mandate as shown in
Appendix B be approved.
Clerk’s Report
I’m sad to report that
former parish councillor, Mac Cockrill died last Tuesday, 17 June after a long
illness. Mac was a parish councillor
for 4 years until May 2003. Typically,
although gravely ill, he had announced his intention to stand for re-election,
but stood down shortly before the day.
Mac was interested in all aspects of village life. He was a planning inspector, on the village
hall and westminster field committees, as well as being active in the Darent
Valley Lions and the Valley Players (his great achievement was to get thicker
curtain pulls on the village hall stage curtains). He kept an assiduous eye on the Westminster Mill redevelopment,
ensuring that the builders toed the line.
He will be sadly missed.
Condolences from the Parish Council have been sent to his wife, Anita.
Adoption & Tendering
Process
Report
Members received a copy of
new model standing orders which need to be gone through clause by clause to
decide which ones will be adopted. This
can either be done by all members at this or a future parish council meeting or
a small group of Members could be appointed to make recommendations back to
full council. Setting limits and procedures for contracts is part of Standing
Orders and Cllr Wescombe would like to discuss this matter fully.
RESOLVED that a special
meeting of 5 Members (Cllrs Bradley, Burchmore, Tripp, Valentine and Wescombe)
be held at Forge House to recommend a set of Standing Orders to be agreed by
the Parish Council.
Report
A video and workbook has
been received form the Standards Board to help introduce new members to the
code of conduct. This can either be
viewed individually or in a group.
RESOLVED that all Members be
invited to attend a group session before the Standing Orders meeting referred
to above.
Report
Cllr Payne has suggested
that a brick base would improve the village signs. Is this something the Parish Council wants to consider? There was no money allocated for this in the
budget. Perhaps it is something the
Village Societies might want to pay for?
Or there might be lottery money
available from Awards for All. However,
as she says, it would have to be tapered to prevent a good foothold for
would-be vandals. Wouldn’t any
brickwork make it easier for vandals to climb up? The planting of prickly shrubs round the base of the signs was
also suggested at one time and this would seem more useful in preventing
possible damage.
Discussion
There was some concern about
providing anything that might enable vandals to climb up and get nearer to the
sign. Prickly plants were not wanted at
the bottom of the South Darenth sign because they would obstruct watering of
the hanging basket.
The matter was left in
abeyance for the time being.
Clerk’s Report
A letter (on white) is
attached from a member of the bowling club next door which complains about the unacceptable behaviour
of youths on Wednesday evenings. I have
also had a visit from the landlords of The Bridges who are not happy about
behaviour of youngsters on a Wednesday evening and a phone call from the Paper
Mill Property Manager commenting on the fact that the 2 recent occasions when
security guards were assaulted were both Wednesday nights.
Discussion
Cllr Wescombe reported that
at the recent Community Plan meeting he attended, a way forward in these
situations was one of engaging youth to be more responsible by having meetings
with other groups in the community which were suffering problems. He suggested therefore that the bowling club
should invite members of the youth club to see their premises and explain what
they do, so that there was more involvement between the two sides.
PC Laidlow said that he
visited the youth club regularly and he noticed that there were no local
volunteers involved. If there were, he
felt that this would help supervision.
RESOLVED that a letter be
written to the bowls club suggesting that they invite members of the youth club
to their premises.
34 LITTER
A letter from a resident of
Southdowns suggested that individuals might like to adopt certain areas near
their homes and keep them clear of litter.
Discussion
Whilst the Village Societies
do regular litter clearance, and Sevenoaks District Council litter pick the
villages once every 4 weeks, this is not enough to keep the parish clean when
those who drop litter do so on a daily basis.
A litter warden paid for by the parish council had been mentioned
previously and it was suggested that this could possibly be combined with a
community warden. The matter could be
discussed at a future meeting and meanwhile the idea of litter wardens for small areas could be put
forward in the next newsletter.
Clerk’s Report
Affordable housing is a very
hot subject at the moment. The Eynsford
project in Bower Lane has recently been completed and the Rural Housing Trust
which was involved in that project asks whether we need affordable housing and
whether they can help develop a scheme.
It was also the most important housing issue highlighted by a recent
Sevenoaks District Council Citizens’ Panel.
In the past, this Parish Council has not felt that our villages need
affordable houses provided. Is this
still the case?
Sevenoaks DC is also holding
a Housing Needs Survey Information Seminar on Friday 4 July. Details enclosed (on lilac). Does anyone want to go?
Discussion
It was reported for
information that the only scheme that Sevenoaks District Council would support
for the redevelopment of the Paper Mill site would be a mixed development which
included social housing.
Members felt that there was
no need for an affordable housing scheme in this parish at the moment and no
one was able to attend the Housing Needs seminar.
Report
Sevenoaks District Council’s
newly-appointed Empty Property Officer has asked for help in identifying any
property in the parish that has been empty for more than 6 months. The aim is to have these houses available
for renting and particularly to decrease reliance on bed and breakfast
accommodation.
Discussion
Members had no information
on any long term empty houses in the parish.
Clerk’s Report
Items raised on the 12 June
walkabout which may need to be discussed in advance of the next Westminster Field Advisory Committee
meeting were:
·
three
signs asking no balls to be kicked against the building be put up;
·
car
park – investigate extending car park;
·
various
works to the pavilion;
·
football
pitch conditions.
The signs need ordering now
if they are to be of any help to the artists in residence.
I have a quote from Chris
Elliott for various works which needs to be discussed.
I will write to the football
clubs informing them that
·
advice
is being taken about how to improve the levels of the pitches;
·
depending
on the cost of quotes, the work to one pitch will be carried out during the
2004/5 season;
·
the
existing pitches will have to be “put up with” for the 2003/4 season;
·
the
one pitch might be unavailable for part of the 2004/5 season; and
·
an
undertaking to return for the 2005/6 season would have to be made.
Since the meeting Cllr
Valentine has asked whether the gate needs to be locked as early as 7 pm. For discussion.
As a result of chasing up
Sevenoaks District Council, the graffiti machine has been used on the pavilion
(on 18 June).
Discussion
The clerk reported that an
informal approach to the planning department received the response that
planning permission was unlikely for a car park extension on Green Belt
grounds. It was felt that there was no
need to alter the gate closing times.
RESOLVED that
1.
The
3 “No balls to be kicked against the building” signs be purchased;
2.
The
works to the building, in the sum of £1264, as quoted for by Elliott
Construction, be carried out; and
3.
Gate
closing times be painted on the height barrier.
Clerk’s Report
I am pleased to announce
that our website has been commended by kentishvillage.org.uk. It is one of 15 out of the 100 or so parish
websites in Kent to be praised. We can
still make it a lot better with more input from interested parties and we need
local organisations to keep us up to date with their news. If any Members want to get involved with the
site it would be appreciated.
No comments were made.
Report
I have received two quotes for spike fencing. One of them, Egglesdon Fencing suggested that in the Top Paddock, the new fence is sited a short way in to the land and the existing chain link is left because of the land contours. However, the occupier of the adjacent property (93 Montgomery Road) wants the old fence removed, and the new fence erected on that line, which would incur more expense. Please visit the site to understand the situation.
Discussion
Those who visited the Top
Paddock agreed that the existing chain link fence, whilst a bit rusty and in
need of some attention, is still serviceable.
The expense of a new fence in this location could not therefore be
justified. The holes in the fence that
have been made by youngsters to get access to the field could be left or an
official entrance could be made.
The section of missing fence
in the Lower Paddock did need doing and at least 2 quotes from specialist
fencing firms were needed.
RESOLVED that
1.
the
occupier of 93 Montgomery Road be informed that the fence will not be replaced;
and
2.
the
section of the fence in the Lower Paddock be replaced with steel palisade
fencing once further quotes have been received.
40 TOP PADDOCK – TREE ADJACENT TO BACK GARDEN OF 31 COOPERS CLOSE
Report
The request for pollarding
or reducing the height of this tree, which is in the corner of the Top Paddock
near the bottom of the back garden of No 31, has not been resolved. It can’t be decided unless Members look at
the situation. The owner was
complaining of shading to his garden and the fact that youngsters were climbing
the tree and had easy access to his property.
Discussion
Members were aware that the
tree might need attention in the future before it got too large but at the
moment was OK. The question of shading
the back garden was questioned when there was actually a quite large tree
actually in the back garden.
RESOLVED that no action be
taken to carry out works to the tree in the Top Paddock at this time.
Report
The fencing that was taken
to build the youths’ den, which we thought was parish council fencing was in
fact Highways fencing (our land ownership does not extend quite up to the
road). The reply received from Dartford
Highways was that the fence was unlikely to be replaced because it was such a
low priority. In fact, the trees and
shrubs form an adequate barrier so it is a reasonable stance to take. Reported for Information.
Report
Sevenoaks District Council
has invited parishes to purchase an additional 5 cuts above the 10 cuts (on
highway amenity areas) and 15 cuts (on housing estates) that they will be
paying for per year for those grassed areas in the parish. The cost for 5
additional cuts on housing estates would be in the region of £600 - £950.
Discussion
Members were not interested
in paying for further cuts but were interested to know when the cuts were
scheduled.
Report
In the last newsletter, a
small item asked for local views on moving the bus stop from outside 14 East
Hill to the wider part of the road by Turners.
There has been little response other than from the residents living by
the stop. Is this something the parish
council wants to support?
Discussion
It was agreed that there is
a bottleneck by the bus stop at times.
The road by the side wall of 1 New Road was considered to be a possible
suitable alternative location and it was agreed to get views on this suggestion
via the next newsletter.
Report
Last meeting Cllr Powsey
suggested that a Chimney Fund should be started to help with the cost of
maintenance and it was agreed to put an item on this agenda so that the matter
could be discussed.
Cllr Searles and Cllr
McGarvey formally presented the petition of 1000+ signatures, mainly from South
Darenth and Horton Kirby but some also from further afield, to the Parish
Council. This will be passed to English
Heritage.
Discussion
Cllr Wescombe wanted to open
the discussion wider to include the whole site and not just the chimney as he
felt it important to see the site developed in a way that would bwe beneficial
to the community particularly from an employment point of view. He suggested that a Parish Council-led
Steering Group be set up comprising local groups and he agreed to co-ordinate
this and arrange the first meeting.
SE/03/00799/FUL
Riseley Hall, Eglantine Lane
Alteration to Riding Stables
– Additional Information
The Parish Council does not
think that this further information makes a case for allowing this building and
in the strongest possible terms, reiterates its comments made previously.
It is quite clear that in
the Green Belt buildings associated with horses should only be allowed when
genuinely required for the keeping of horses.
There is nowhere for them to be grazed and the applicant states that no horses
have been discussed.
The building can be seen
from the road.
We do not believe that the
building was last used late last year as it was derelict before
renovation. What does the applicant say
it was used for if “no horses have been discussed”.
Please reject this
inappropriate domestic development.
SE/03/01383/FUL
Hillcroft, Dartford Road
Rear Extension
The Parish Council has no
comments.
The following decision
notices have been received:
SE/03/00754/FUL
8 Bexley Cottages, The
Street
Provision of Parapet Wall
and Trellis above Existing Rear Garage
REFUSED
SE/03/00612/FUL
Rabbits Road Sports Ground
Temporary Permission for Use
as Football Pitches for Junior Football
GRANTED FOR 5 YEARS
Cllr Piller reported on his
attendance at the AGM of the Swanley and District Volunteer Bureau. He had asked for a rundown on the bureau’s
activities in this parish and would write an item for the next newsletter.
Cllr Tripp submitted her
notes of the recent Consortium meeting.
David Brazier replied, in answer to a question, that the mobile library
service is not under threat.
On the subject of rubbish
dumping and the inaccessibility of the household refuse sites, it was noted
that Pedham Place site was now open until 7 pm on Wednesdays which is a start
but still needs to be open much longer hours.
The question of the elderly and infirm not being able to get up the
steps was raised Cllr Wescombe stated
that by October 2004 the Disabilities Discrimination Act would not allow there
to be any barriers to the use of these facilities by those disabled.
TPO on Triangle of Land
This has been confirmed and
the suggestion that the Sevenoaks District Council buy back the land is with
officers at the moment.
Devolved Budgets
Each county councillor is to
have a sum of money (perhaps in the region of £10,000 pa) to spend on his/her
own patch.
RESOLVED that
1.
the
schedules of accounts for May and June, as submitted, be approved and payments
made accordingly; and
2.
the
budget update be received.
The meeting ended at 9.35
pm.
Chairman
Date