HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH DARENTH PARISH COUNCIL

 

 

MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on 5 September 2005 in the Village Hall, South Darenth at 7.30 pm.

 

Present: Cllr P Bradley (Chairman),

              Cllrs A Burchmore,  D Payne, M Powsey, D Snape, I Wescombe

 

T Searles, District Councillor

P McGarvey, District Councillor

In attendance: C Allart, Parish Clerk

 

Apologies for absence: Cllrs G Piller and R Valentine

R Gough, County Councillor,

 

Declarations of Interest: None

 

                                                                                                           

59             POLICE MATTERS

 

The PCSO was not present but his written report of his duties carried out between 2 July and 25 August were discussed.

 

 

60          MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS

 

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meetings held on 2 and 22 August 2005 be approved and signed as correct records.

 

 

61         MINUTES OF THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE

 

The Minutes of the last meeting were received for information.

 

 

62          NEW BUILDING FOR COMMUNITY PROVISION

 

To consider what provision is needed to cater for the influx of residents on the Paper Mill site.

 

Following the informal meeting with SDC officers on 23 August, Members gave consideration to how to move forward on this matter.

 

The preferred options for Community Space proposals were: 

 

  • The extension of the village hall and its facilities for use by the whole community.
  • The provision of a facility for young people such as a skate park on the area of land behind the village hall currently being purchased by the Parish Council.
  • Keep access to the Paper Mill green adjoining the Gatehouse.

 

The problems associated with access to parking facilities via the existing access to Heathside were appreciated and vehicular entrance to rear parking was considered to be better provided at the south of the village hall.

 

The Parish Council agreed:

 

  • To provide evidence of need and be able to clearly demonstrate that the village hall cannot meet additional demands for community space.
  • To consult the local community about the options at an exhibition at the village hall.  The Parish Council would consider including residents from Sutton-at-Hone in any community consultation.
  • To keep the District Council informed of any discussions with developers.
  • To apply for an Awards For All lottery grant  to pay for a feasibility study

 

There was a great deal of discussion on what was needed in an extension and how to approach the consultation exhibition ie whether to put forward views and ask for comments on those suggestions or to give the public a blank canvas.  Cllr Wescombe offered to organise the public exhibition.

 

RESOLVED that this Parish Council wishes to extend the village hall in order to provide additional public facilities and develop play facilities on Heathside in accordance with the above discussion points.

 

 

63          PHONE BOX

 

To consider the response to the item in the last newsletter which asked for comments on the possible removal of the facility.

 

Members were informed that 5 objections to the removal of the public phone box in The Street were received.

 

RESOLVED that British Telecommunications be informed that, following consultation with the community, this Parish Council can no longer support the removal of this facility.

 

 

64          LITTER PICKING – SAXON PLACE

 

To consider how to deal with a complaint received about the amount of litter inside the play area in Saxon Place.

 

RESOLVED that the Saxon Place Residents Association be invited to take on this litter clearance as a way to show civic pride in its environment.

 

 

65          CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU AGM

 

To consider whether a representative should go to the AGM on Friday 14 October at

1 pm.

 

No one present was able to attend.

 

 

66          PLAY AREA SAFETY INSPECTION REPORTS

 

To receive the reports of the inspections carried out by ROSPA in July.

 

RESOLVED that estimates be obtained for carrying out the whole of the repair work included in the report.

 

 

67          NEW LICENSING REGIME

 

To consider what action to take, if any, in respect of applications for establishments in the parish which are currently taking place. 

 

There was considerable discussion on the new licensing regulations and the problems for residents from village pubs being allowed to apply for licences into the early hours 7 days a week.  Members were informed that most pubs’ licences in the parish had already been considered but the closing date for objections to The Fighting Cocks’ licence was Friday 9 September.  Councillors wished to make it clear that comments made on the Fighting Cocks licence application applied equally to other pubs in the parish.

 

RESOLVED that

·                         the Licensing Authority be informed that this parish council believes that all public houses in an area should have the same closing times;

·                         a specific objection be made to recorded and live music being allowed at The Fighting Cocks after 12 midnight because of the potential nuisance to neighbours; and

·                         an item be included in the next parish newsletter asking residents to keep careful note of any unacceptable incidents which could be used in future objections to licence permission reviews.

 

 

68          ADDITIONAL POST ON HIGHWAYS VERGE AT THE STREET

 

To consider whether an additional post is required to prevent cars being parked on the verge behind the posts.

 

It was suggested that cars are also being parked on the verge further round the bend where there are no posts and that further posts here should be considered at a future meeting after members have had a chance to visit the site.

 

 

69          CAMPAIGN FOR THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES BILL

 

To consider whether to support this Bill.

 

There was a general agreement with the aims of this Bill but it was considered important to find out the details of it before giving further consideration to the matter at the next meeting.

 

 

70          EXTENSION OF HORTON KIRBY CONSERVATION AREA

 

To receive, and comment upon if necessary, the proposed boundary change to the Horton Kirby Conservation Area.

 

The clerk reported that the plan, available in the office, showed three new areas for inclusion: Russell Terrace, half of Westminster Field and the 2 burial grounds opposite the church.

 

RESOLVED that SDC be informed that this Parish Council considers that the stretch of Lombard Street along to and including Reynolds Place Cottages and the fields behind Russell Terrace running down to The Street should also be included.

 

 

71          SOUTH EAST PLAN CONSULTATION

 

To receive and consider consultation documents on employment, housing and infrastructure in Kent.  Also to receive notice of a public meeting on Wednesday 5 October in Sevenoaks at 7 pm.

 

The information was received and it was felt important that someone should try and attend the meeting.

 

 

72          PLANNING

 

SE/05/02108/FUL

Linslade, Kirby Hall, The Street

Dormer window to side.

The Parish Council has no comments on this application.

 

05/02127/WTCA

Removal of 2 laurel bushes

The Parish Council has no comments on this application.

 

SE/05/02076/CIR14

Land East of Skinney Lane, South Darenth

3 new poles for overhead lines, 2b of which will have stays and associated spans of high voltage overhead line to service a Gridcom Tower.

 

The Parish Council objects to this application as these power lines should be situated underground (in accordance with the provisions of the Villages Design Statement).  The Parish Council would also like to know where the powerlines are going to and what they are for.

 

SE/05/02146/FUL

26 New Road

Loft conversion with dormer window to rear

The Parish Council has no comments on this application.

 

 

The following decision notices have been received:

 

SE/05/01416/FUL

143 New Road

Conversion of integral garage to bedroom and convert front lawn to driveway

REFUSED

 

 

SE/05/01524/FUL

Footpath opposite The Bridge pub

Temporary vehicular crossover

GRANTED

 

 

SE/05/01529/TELNOT

Telecomms site Rabbits Farm, Rabbits Road

Change in tower type from approved monopole to lightweight lattice

APPROVED

 

 

SE/05/02020/DETAIL

2 Beeches Farm Cottages

Details pursuant to condition 2 (materials) of SE/03/02114

APPROVED

 

 

SE/05/01624/FUL

Fairhavens, Mussenden Lane

Retention of replacement building to be used as amenity block

REFUSED

 

 

 

73          REPORT OF DISTRICT COUNCILLORS

 

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

Cllr McGarvey reported that nominations for this award closed on 30 September.

 

 

74          SCHEDULE OF ACCOUNTS

 

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

 

 

75                     ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

Swanley Town Centre Redevelopment

 

Cllr Wescombe informed Members of proposals to demolish most of the Swanley shopping centre (apart from the ASDA building) which would cause a major disruption not only to Swanley residents but also those living in the surrounding villages who looked to Swanley as their main local centre. He asked the District Councillors to alert other nearby parishes to the situation.

 

 

The meeting ended at 9.16 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman

 

 

 

 

Date