Lenham Parish Council

Mr. B. Llong informed the Council that the seat had been refurbished and placed on the Pilgrims Way and the Chairman thanked those involved for their work.

REPORT BY C.CLLR. JENNY WHITTLE

Cllr. Whittle reported the action now being taken regarding the problems with repair of potholes. There was still a problem with the flooding in Ham Lane outside the entrance to Lenham Storage and the C.Cllr was writing to Network Rail who were in dispute with KCC regarding access to Network Rail’s land. The C.Cllr. was also writing to the Planning Inspector regarding the Appeal on land adjacent to Norham Farm at Lenham Heath. Cllr. Whittle also referred to LPC’s letter to KHS and informed Cllrs that a bid for funding had been submitted for improvements to the A20/Faversham Rd junction and Ben Hilden would inspect the Ham Lane junction to consider improvements there. Consideration was also being given to making improvement to the crossroads in The Square as this had been discussed at a recent PACT meeting.

The Chairman declared the Meeting open at 7.55 p.m.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

The Council accepted the reason for apology for absence from Cllrs. Barr, Bate, Davison, Osborne and B. Cllr D Marshall who had informed the Clerk that he would not be standing for re-election and thanked the PC for their support over the past five years.

09/131

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

None.

09/132

MINUTES

The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 3^rd March, 2010, were confirmed as a true record and it was RESOLVED that they be approved and adopted.

09/133

MATTERS ARISING

Vacancies on Parish Council’s South Ward (09/124C) There was still no interest in filling the vacancies.

Update on Public Conveniences (09/124C) The Chairman reported that he and the RFO had had several meetings with MBC and apart from MBC undertaking steam cleaning of the toilets MBC had agreed all of the other Parish Council concerns. A copy of the fourth version of the Lease had been received today. There was still nothing included in the Lease stating that the Parish Council could use their Insurance Company, the term of the Lease and the period for redecoration. The RFO detailed the cost to the Parish Council if they were allowed to opt out of the MBC insurance. Following discussion it was RESOLVED that subject to the anomalies mentioned above being agreed the Lease should be signed.

The RFO had explored the cost of electricity supplies and detailed the prices from EDF and Scottish Power. It was RESOLVED that a contract be taken out with Scottish Power and the amount of the monthly direct debits be shown in the monthly accounts. He also pointed out that there was no mention in the Lease of an Inspection Service and it was agreed that this be discussed with MBC.

Cllr. Goodwin queried if it would be possible to explore the possibility of rainwater harvesting. The RFO replied that there should not be a problem but MBC’s authority would be needed before any alterations were made.

Update on Sewers at Robins Ave. (09/125F) The Clerk reported the reply from Southern Water and that Hugh Robertson, MP had also taken the problem up with the Chief Executive of Southern Water.

09/134

REPORTS OF COMMITEES/SPOKESPERSONS

Finance & General Purposes The report of the Meeting held on the 17^th March, 2010, together with the confidential report relating to salaries, was received and it was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained therein be approved and adopted.

Planning The report of the Meeting held on the 17^th March, 2010 had been circulated to all Cllrs and the following was referred to:

Appeal: Land adj. Norham Farm The Parish Council’s written representation prepared by Cllr. Osborne had been submitted. The date for the Hearing had been arranged for 10^th June, the venue to be confirmed.

The Clerk explained that due to the Bank Holiday there had not been a Planning Committee Meeting on the first Monday of the month. As there was only one application it was agreed that this be considered by the Parish Council.

MA/10/0396: 28 Robins Ave. , Lenham – Single storey front extension.

We wish to see the application approved but do not request the application is reported to Planning Committee.

KIG Cllr. Goodwin reported that the Planning Inspector’s decision should have been reported to the Secretary of State but there was no news at present.

Parish Plan Steering Group Nothing to report.

Highways & Transport The Clerk reported Cllr. Davison’s updates relating to funding for highway improvements, KHS online/reporting system and flooding in Ham Lane . The Highways Committee had agreed at their last meeting to carry out a street by street survey and Cllr. Davison hoped to implement this in May/June. Cllr. Sams reported that Harrietsham were also undertaking a street survey.

Law & Order The following was reported:-

Police/Eastern Parishes Forum The Chairman had attended and a copy of his report had been circulated to Cllrs.

Environment The following was reported:-

Trees at Groom Way Cllr Greenwood reported that he had submitted another planning application.

Recycling Cllr Goodwin reported:-

i. a drawing of the current site had been done and would be passed to MBC.

ii. she would send a reminder to MBC to ascertain what was happening about the Texaco site.

She also informed Cllrs. that MBC will have some new recruits in the Recycling Division in April so hopefully there would be more manpower.

Sustainable Communities Act Cllr. Goodwin informed Cllrs that there would be a meeting on the 19^th April in Maidstone Town Hall but was unsure if it was a public meeting and would inform the Clerk if of interest.

Cemetery Cllr. Greenwood reported that extra posts were needed to deter parking on the grass.

The Clerk would contact the Contractor.

09/135

REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE MEETINGS

Meeting with Grass Cutting Contractor The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had met with the Contractor and discussed how the work would be undertaken.

Communities in Control A copy of the Chairman’s report had been circulated to Cllrs.

Parish Liaison Meeting A copy of the Chairman’s report had been circulated to Cllrs.

09/136

SPEEDWATCH

The Chairman referred to the quotations circulated to Cllrs by Cllr. Davison and it was proposed by Cllr. Greenwood, seconded by Cllr Huggens and RESOLVED that the Parish Council accept the quotation from Uniparservices in the sum of £1945 + delivery. The RFO confirmed that all funding was in place except for Harrietsham PC. Cllr Sams suggested that the RFO issue an invoice to Harrietsham PC for the amount due.

09/137

UPGRADING OF CCTV

The Chairman reported that two quotations had been received for the work and it was agreed that a decision would be deferred until Cllrs Osborne and Davison’s return.

09/138

CHERRY ESTATE PLAY AREA

It was reported that the Lease had been signed and the invoice from the Solicitor would be paid later in the meeting.

Insurance of Equipment The RFO referred to the cost of insuring the play equipment on this site. MBC had provided costs of replacing play equipment but these were not specific to Cherry Estate. He had contacted LPC’s insurers and been given details of a Company who would undertake an independent inspection and assessment of the equipment of all three Parish Council sites and value of the equipment of the three sites at a cost of £40 per site. As this cost was below what the PC was currently paying it was RESOLVED that this be accepted.

Grass Cutting It was agreed that this should now be passed to Complete Landscapes.

09/139

LENHAM MILLENNIUM GROUP

Cllr Greenwood reminded Cllrs that at the last PC Meeting the balance of money in the Group’s bank account had been passed to the Parish Council. Following discussion it was RESOLVED that this money be ring-fenced for landscaping work at the Community Centre, Pond and Pilgrims Way .

09/140

KALC/KENT RURAL

Annual Subscription Details of the subscription for 2010/11 were given and it was RESOLVED that the PC would continue membership of the KALC and a cheque to cover this, together with the annual subscription to Parish News in the total sum of £982.15 would be signed at the next PC Meeting. Copies of Local Council Review now had to be ordered separately and it was agreed that the Clerk obtain a subscription form from the Printers.

Parish News No.346 Copies had been received and were circulated.

09/141

ACCOUNTS

The RFO explained the revised amounts of business rates for the toilets and Cemetery and it was agreed that direct debit forms be signed for the monthly payments of these accounts.

Cheques for consideration & payment

Citizens Advice Bureau February & March outreach sessions £100.00

Lenham Millennium Market Market stall, February & March £36.00

T & S Lighting Maintenance for March £30.37

Mr. R. Sutton Reimburse Clerk’s phone calls (Feb) £15.65

Thorneloe & Co. Fee, Lease for Cherry Close Play Area £343.75

Lenham P.Hall Committee Room Hire, January-March £250.00

EDF Energy March energy £77.14

Natwest Bank (DD) Acct. charge to 26.2.10 £6.00

Salaries and expenses detailed as Appendix A and filed with the signed copy of these Minutes.

Amounts paid into Acct.

Cleverley & Spencer Fee, Erection of headstone £35.00

KCC Devolved budget, Speedwatch £500.00

Market Committee Donation Pop-Up-Power energy £25.60

Natwest Bank Liquidity Deposit interest to 26.2.10 £2.86

“ “ Reserve Acct. interest to 31.3.10 £1.99

COMMUNITY CENTRE

PWLB (DD) Repayment 1^st loan £4592.92

Natwest Bank (DD) Acct. charge to 26.2.10 £6.00

It was RESOLVED that the accounts be approved and the cheques signed.

Appointment of External Auditor Information had been received from the Audit Commission.

09/142

CORRESPONDENCE

Notice of Audit The Clerk reported receipt of the notice which would be displayed at the appropriate time.

The Kent Men of the Trees Competition 2010 Details had been received and were passed to Cllr. Greenwood.

Lenham Enhancement Assn. As mentioned in Public Participation the seat had been placed and the Assn. had asked if the PC wished to reimburse the cost of £75.85. The money would be used to provide new high visibility vests for the Assn. It was agreed that the PC would pay from the money ring-fenced from the Lenham Millennium Group.

NALC Conference Cllr. Goodwin was interested in attending and would inform the Clerk if she decided to attend.

Microgeneration Manifesto Cllr Goodwin referred to information received by email querying if the PC wanted to endorse the Manifesto. Cllr. Goodwin explained the benefits of microgeneration and that Parish Councils’ endorsement would give them more power at Government level. It was agreed that the Chairman would respond stating that Lenham PC agreed to endorse the Manifesto.

The meeting closed at 8.50 p.m.