HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH DARENTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on 3 October 2005 in the Village Hall, South Darenth at 7.30 pm

 

Present: Cllr P Bradley (Chairman)

              Cllrs D Payne, G Piller, M Powsey, G Tripp and R Valentine

 

P McGarvey, Sevenoaks District Councillor

R Gough, Kent County Councillor

1 member of the public

 

In attendance: C Allart, Parish Clerk

Apologies for Absence: Cllrs A Burchmore, D Snape and I Wescombe

T Searles, Sevenoaks District Councillor

 

Declarations of Interests: Cllr D Payne (Minute 86)

 

 

76          POLICE MATTERS

 

In the absence of any Police officers, Members discussed the recent alarming crime figures especially for South Darenth where, in August, there were 26 crimes.  As the rate is rising rather than falling, it was suggested this might be because local people had more confidence in reporting crime as they thought something might be done about it.

 

PCSO Hylands had said he would attend every other parish meeting but he had not attended in September either.  It was also pointed out that the PCSO was not listening to messages on his phone in the office.

 

RESOLVED that Sgt Smith be informed that this parish council is far from happy with the situation and a meeting with him be requested.

 

 

77          MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2005 be approved and signed as a correct record.

 

 

78          MATTERS ARISING

 

Litter Picking Saxon Place

 

The clerk reported that no response had been received from Mr Fisher, the Saxon Place residents’ representative on this matter.

 

 

 

New Licensing Regime

 

Cllr McGarvey reported that The Jolly Miller public house had lodged an Appeal against the restrictions imposed on its new licence.

 

Posts on the Highways Verge, The Street

 

The clerk reported that 4 of the posts (those nearest to Bull Hill and, of course, the bend) had been forced out of the ground by a car which had come to stop against a 5th post.   The posts had come out intact.  It was reported that at the time of installation the contractor had said that you wouldn’t be able to get them out ever.  It was therefore decided to ask JPS to put them back more securely than before.

 

 

79        VILLAGE HALL &  RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES COMMITTEES

 

To receive the Minutes of the last meetings for information.

 

 

80          BURIAL GROUND

 

Members considered whether any action needed to be taken in respect of the many and varied kerbs that have been put round individual graves in view of the rule that only approved kerbs are allowed.

 

It was suggested that members visited the burial ground in advance of the meeting to see the situation for themselves.  The different types of kerbing makes it more difficult for the grass to be cut properly and wider plots make it hard to get the mower between them. The clerk also pointed out that people tend to take different size plots to tend and suggested that a standard (6ft 6in x 2ft 6in) surface area for a plot should be specified.

 

Cllrs Bradley and Piller agreed to have a look on site and report back to the parish council.

 

RESOLVED that standard sized plots be adopted and the question of kerbs be considered at a future meeting.

 

 

81          ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY PROVISION NEEDED AS A RESULT OF THE PAPER MILL DEVELOPMENT

 

The clerk reported that the subject of an extended village hall and more play facilities as a result of the Paper Mill development cuts across both the Village Hall Committee and the Recreation & Open Spaces Committees.  She suggested that to avoid duplicating work the matter could be dealt with by the Parish Council.

 

RESOLVED that the Village Hall Extension and Play Facilities be dealt with by the Parish Council rather than the two committees.

 

The clerk also submitted brief notes of a meeting with Lesley Bowles of Sevenoaks District Council and Jenny Bradbury of Action with Communities in Rural Kent (ACRK).  A letter from Jenny Bradbury listing various appropriate funders was awaited.  The clerk pointed out that the process is going to take a lot of time to do properly.

 

 

82            PARISH COUNCILS CONSORTIUM

 

To consider whether any items should be put forward for the agenda of the next meeting of the Consortium on 29 November.

 

RESOLVED that the subject of PCSOs and Community Wardens be put on the agenda so that those councils with one or the other officer can share their experiences.

 

 

83          PLANNING

 

SE/05/02121/OUT

Garages West of Oakview Stud Farm, Lombard Street

Two semi detached or 2 detached houses

 

The Parish Council objects to this proposed development on the grounds that

¨      the loss of garage space would mean extra cars parked on Lombard Street which would be detrimental to road safety; and

¨      it would be contrary to Green Belt policies to develop this land for housing.

 

 

SE/05/02370/FUL

Boyneswood, Mussenden Lane

Demolish existing bungalow and build new single storey cottage

 

The Parish Council has no comments on this application.

 

 

The following decision notice has been received for information:

 

SE/05/01940/FUL

Land East of School Lane

Use as a clay pigeon shooting ground for up to 208 days a year

REFUSED

 

 

84            REPORT OF DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

 

Water Extraction Booklet

Philip McGarvey suggested that an item be put on the next meeting’s agenda to discuss the River Darent Water Extraction booklet.

 

85            REPORT OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR

 

Roger Gough reminded councillors that he wanted to know what projects they had in mind for funding under the KCC local members scheme.  He said he would liaise with the Chairman and clerk with a view to having a chosen project well under way by the end of the year.

 

 

86          SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS

 

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

 

 

87          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.

 

 

88          CLERK’S SALARY REVIEW

 

RESOLVED that the review be discussed at an informal meeting of parish council members and considered at the next parish council meeting.

 

 

89          STAFF WAGES REVIEW

 

The clerk reported that Neil Bennett had resigned as Financial Officer.

 

RESOLVED that the review be discussed at an informal meeting of parish council members and considered at the next parish council meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting ended at 9.31 pm

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman

 

Date