HORTON KIRBY AND SOUTH
DARENTH PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the MEETING of the PARISH COUNCIL held on 20 March 2002 in the Parish Room, Village Hall, South Darenth at 7 pm.
Present: Clr P Bradley
(Chairman),
Clrs A Burchmore, M
Busfield (apologised for lateness train problems),
M Cockrill, H Goody,
D Payne, D Snape and G Tripp
D Brazier, County
Councillor,
2 members of the public
In attendance: C Allart,
Parish Clerk
Apologies for absence:
Clr E Hughes, Clr T Searles, District Councillor (another meeting)
Declarations of Interest:
None
RESOLVED that the Minutes of
the meeting held on 20 February 2002 be approved and signed as a correct
record.
Playground Repairs
The clerk reported that the
contractors had expressed doubts about the stability of the multi-play unit on
the Shrubbery Road site. They suggested
it was taken away. Following this
comment, Sevenoaks District Council officers inspected the site and, in view of
the fact that the RoSPA report last Summer did not highlight any major
problems, advised that the unit had perhaps 3 years useable life left in it.
It was suggested that the
Sevenoaks District Council officers should be asked to put their comments in
writing.
RESOLVED that the Minutes of
the Village Hall Advisory Committee held on 13 March 2002 be approved and
adopted.
144 FIREMANS RUN
Report
After only 7 years (!!) our
application to get this path (by Leeraj) put on the definitive map has come to
the top of KCCs pile for formal investigation. Notices will be put up on the path giving 42 days for objections
to be received. If objections are
received, a public inquiry is held but if there are none the path can be added
to the definitive map.
The origins of this request
were that, in 1995, Sevenoaks District Council said they could only help with
cash to tarmac the path if it was an official footpath. Unfortunately, since then the District
Council has tightened its belt and it is now very unlikely that there would be
any money for this path even if it is a public right of way.
Reported for information.
Report
Farningham parish
councillors have asked for a meeting between a small number of members from
each council to discuss road safety along the A225. I have sent them a copy of the plans by Dartford Borough Council
showing the works to be carried out at the station crossroads but they may well
be interested in the stretch towards Farningham. Are Members interested in meeting them?
All Members expressed an
interest and would go depending on the date chosen.
Report
The signs should be ready by
April which is good news. The bad news
is that the suggested 6 x 6 box metal posts suggested by the signmakers cost
500 each. Dianne Payne is making
enquiries locally to see if she can get any better quotes and will have some
information at the meeting.
Discussion
Clr Payne reported that a
local firm had offered to supply the posts at cost which could save as much as
700 on both signs. It was agreed that
the company could attach a small plaque stating that they had supplied the
posts if they wished.
It was considered that the
signs should be about 12 feet from the ground.
1
Emptying
Charges
Report
Sevenoaks District Council
have informed us of a 17% increase in emptying charges from 1 April which has
not been budgetted for. Swanley Town
Council and Crockenhill Parish Council were also unhappy with the large
increase and have been pursuing cheaper options which we may be able to take
advantage of. Another option is to
decrease the number of bins (the 2 in the Top Paddock are going to be reduced
to one anyway and it may be that 4 are not needed in Westminster Field). Would you like to authorise me to try and
sort out the best deal or just leave things as they are?
RESOLVED that the number of
bins be retained and Sevenoaks District Council continue to empty them.
2
New
Bin Holmesdale Road
Report
Sevenoaks District Council
put in a new bin near the Devon Road bridge to replace the one that had been
missing for a couple of years. It is
being well-used and, although it wasnt at first, should now be emptied weekly. It is a round bin and had a lid that is
easily removed by those who find fun in throwing such things in rivers. Along with several others in the parish, the
lid is missing.
Sevenoaks District Council
officers have told me that these round bins are some 200 cheaper than the much
more solid bins and they still have about 50 in store (though no lids!). It is therefore unlikely that we would get a
different one unless a special case could be made or our District Councillor
has any ideas.
The information was
received.
Report
Enclosed are copies of those
grant applications received by 28 February.
I did get enquiries from residents of Rashleigh Way but they decided
against a street party when they found out they would have to have public liability
insurance for the day which would cost 100 - 120.
Discussion
The clerk informed Members
that the New Road street party would not now be taking place.
The chairman circulated a
suggested scheme for allocating the 2000 based on the numbers of children
attending and the entertainment envisaged.
RESOLVED that the following
grants be made:
Darent Valley Friends of
Guiding - 180;
Horton Kirby Village Society
- 540; and
South Darenth Village
Society - 1070.
Report
The next Consortium meeting
will be held on 8 April here in the village hall.
Please decide tonight
whether there are any items which we want to put on the agenda and who will be
attending.
We usually provide tea and
biscuits at 7.30 before the meeting starts at 8 pm. Could those attending please volunteer to make the drinks as last
time I found it difficult to prepare for the meeting and make the refreshments.
No items for the agenda were
suggested but Clr Goody offered to help with the teas.
150 TOP PADDOCK
1
Fencing
Report
Part of the fencing in the
Top paddock has been damaged and needs replacing. A quote to remove the damaged fencing and plant growth, install
new straining bars, erect new galvanised chain link and leave site tidy has
been received in the sum of 340 plus VAT from Lothlorien Landscape Services.
RESOLVED that the fencing
work be carried out by Lothlorien in the sum of 340 plus VAT.
2
Area
between field and Holmesdale Road.
Report
Members were asked to
consider whether anything should be done to tidy up this area. To give an idea of what it might cost, I had
a quote 2 years ago to clear all the dead trees and re-seed in the sum of 640
plus VAT. For information.
RESOLVED that no action be
taken to clear this area.
Report
Enclosed is a letter for
information re Sevenoaks District Councils performance and Government
response. Noted.
152 RISELEY HALL
Report
Enclosed is a copy of a
letter from Barry Morgan sent to Jean Morgan expressing his dissatisfaction
with Sevenoaks District Councils inaction.
Discussion
Council Members were equally
unhappy that Sevenoaks District Council appeared to have done nothing to get
the entrance walls removed since November 2001 and the clerk was asked to write
again asking for an explanation.
Date