Lenham Parish Council

Mr. Llong reported that consideration was being given to replacing the broken seat on the enclosed area at The Cross along the Pilgrims Way and asked if the Parish Council would consider making a donation towards the replacement. Cllr. Barr replied that he still had a seat at East Lenham which had been removed from The Square and following discussion it was agreed that Mr. Llong would liaise with Cllr. Barr. Mr. Llong thanked C.Cllr Whittle for her help with the Pilgrims Way project.

Don Bacon, the support Community Warden introduced himself and informed Cllrs that he was covering whilst Colin Davey was absent from duty. He mentioned problems with fly-tipping along the Pilgrims Way which he had reported to MBC who would clear in the next few days. The Chairman thanked him for taking on the role.

REPORT BY C.CLLR. JENNY WHITTLE

The C.Cllr reported that she had contacted Parish Councils regarding locations for salt bins and would fund these from her budget and updated Cllrs on KHS’s blitz on potholes and said that she was chasing KHS on the matters discussed with Cllr Davison in December. She had also received a letter from a High Street resident concerned at traffic speed in this area a copy of which was passed to the Clerk. The C.Cllr. would follow this up with KHS at a forthcoming meeting she was attending with Cllr Davison.

Cllr. Whittle also informed the Council that she was now a Governor of Swadelands School and was pleased to report that the School was making good progress.

Mr. Larkin agreed with what the C.Cllr had said about salt bin allocations and reported a large pothole requiring attention at the junction of Boughton Rd/Headcorn Rd. He also reported a street light in Maidstone Rd that was not working.

Cllr. Barr reported that the salt bin on Hubbards Hill had new salt on the top but the salt underneath was solid.

The Chairman declared the Meeting open at 7.50 p.m.

09/108

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

The Council accepted the reason for apology for absence from Cllr Bate, B. Cllr. D. Marshall and Cllr. Finch from Harrietsham PC

09/109

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Cllr Barr declared an interest in Item 5Ba relating to KIG and was not present during discussion.

09/110

MINUTES

The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 12^th January, 2010, were confirmed as a true record and it was RESOLVED that they be approved and adopted.

09/111

MATTERS ARISING

Vacancy on Parish Council’s South Ward (09/98A) It was agreed that Cllrs would publicise the vacancy at the market on Sunday.

Speedwatch (09/98B) Cllr. Davison reported that the meeting arranged for 13^th January had been postponed due to the weather. A meeting would now take place on the 10^th February, weather permitting, and he would update Cllrs at the next Meeting.

Soccer School Proposal at Pitt Field (09/98C) The Chairman reported that he was still waiting for a response from the Football Club. Following discussion it was agreed that he inform the Organiser that the PC had no objection to their use of the field but dates should be discussed with the Club.

Update on Public Conveniences (09/99A) Details of costs obtained from MBC were given, together with details of the transfer. Cllr. Greenwood was still trying to arrange a meeting with Mr. Robinson and the caretaker to ascertain the work involved. The RFO was concerned about the amount of costs and reminded Cllrs that nothing had been included in the budget as the F & GP Committee considered that this could be obtained elsewhere. Cllrs were reminded that in order to take on the toilets, responsibility for street sweeping would be passed to MBC. Following discussion it was RESOLVED that Mr. Goulette be asked to attend a further meeting with Cllrs to clarify various matters from the information recently received and the F & GP Committee would then give this matter further consideration

Annual Parish Meeting (09/103) It was reported that Mr. Thornton had agreed to attend the APM on the 21^st April.

09/112

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES/SPOKESPERSONS

Finance & General Purposes The report of the Meeting held on the 18^th January, 2010, was received and it was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained therein be approved and adopted.

Planning Cllr. Osborne reported on the meetings held on the 18^th January and 1^st February, 2010 copies of which had been circulated to all Cllrs. The following was referred to:-

Planning Officers’ Fees to attend Meetings with Cllrs. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact MBC’s Chief Executive with copies to Mr. Jarman and the Chairman and Secretary of KALC Area Committee.

Updating of Parish Plan It was agreed that the Planning Committee would take this on. Cllr Barr had found a copy of the previous survey and the minutes of a meeting with Mr. Thornton detailing what the PC wanted to go forward to the Local Development Framework.

KIG Cllr. Goodwin reported on her attendance at the JPG meeting. There was no further news of the Public Inquiry and it was felt that it could be April before the Planning Inspector reported to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of the JPG would be sending minutes of their meetings to Parishes which they could put on their website.

She also reported that there had been some comments about whether the consultants hired by the JPG had given value for money. The Chairman of the JPG had explained the work undertaken by the consultants and felt they had got value for money.

Planning Committee It was agreed that Cllr. Huggens would join the Committee.

Parish Plan Steering Group Cllr. Barr referred to the following:-

Refurbishment of the Noticeboards Work to the boards in The Square and Honywood was completed. Cllr. Barr had looked through the rules for use of the Board in The Square and after discussion the following was agreed:-

a. The village map required attention and Mrs Appleton who had made the original would be asked if she was interested in helping.

b. Village Organisations needed to be contacted to ascertain who had keys and how the notices would now be placed.

c. The contractor would be asked to place batons to divide three of the sections.

Business Assn. The new Chairman of the Xmas Lighting Committee had joined and the Business Assn was looking to get involved with the events for the switching on of the lights day. A directory was being prepared and would soon be issued.

Highways & Transport Cllr. Davison reported KHS’s response regarding resurfacing work in Old Ashford Road . He would speak to C.Cllr Whittle regarding work to the A20/Faversham Rd junction and the placing of railings at the High St/Ham Lane junction which LPC wished her to pursue with KHS.

Law & Order Cllr. Barr reported that Insp. Sandwell was under the impression that the Safer Maidstone project was operating in Lenham. Cllrs confirmed that this was not the case and Cllr. Barr undertook to discuss with the Inspector.

Cllr. Osborne said there was a serious problem with gypsies at Lenham Heath that should be addressed by the Police.

Environment The following was reported:-

Trees at Groom Way Cllr. Greenwood reported that the planning application was awaited.

Fallen tree at Ham Lane This had been cleared.

Trees at Napoleon Walk Cllr Greenwood and B.Cllr. Sams were liaising with MBC.

Hedge in Foord Rd Cllr Osborne reported that this was overgrown and almost blocked out the light at the top of the steps. B.Cllr. Sams was aware and would chase for a response.

Work to the filtration system at Glebe Pond Cllr Greenwood had not yet contacted the contractors.

Pilgrims Way B. Cllr. Sams was waiting for a response from KCC regarding this area. It appeared that the work had been undertaken at the wrong time of the year. The B.Cllr and Cllr Greenwood would arrange a meeting.

Recycling Cllr Goodwin had contacted MBC about the site in Old Ashford Rd and ascertained that it was visited on a daily basis by the Hit Squad who were looking out for anyone dumping rubbish. With regard to the A20 site, the Planning Officers may reconsider the site if there was more option for landscaping but it would still have to go through the Planning process.

09/113

REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE MEETINGS

Harrietsham PC Meeting Cllr. Greenwood had attended and reported that the PC were allocating different areas of the Parish to different people to be responsible for footpaths.

09/114

BUDGET FOR 2010/11

The RFO referred to the draft budget prepared by the F & GP Committee. Following discussion on the cost of taking over responsibility for the Public Conveniences it was proposed that, if necessary following the meeting with MBC, money would be taken from reserves. After further discussion it was RESOLVED that the Parish Council approved the Committee’s recommendations and would apply to MBC for a Precept of £54,333. It was noted that Cllr. Crutcher was not in favour of the proposal.

The Chairman and Clerk would sign the Precept form and forward to MBC.

09/115

UPDATE ON GRASS CUTTING FOR THE FORTHCOMING YEAR

The Clerk detailed how Complete Landscapes proposed to undertake the grass cutting work and the invoicing system.

09/116

UPGRADING OF CCTV SYSTEM

The Chairman reported that he and Cllr Greenwood had met with Secure Engineering and discussed the options available and a quotation was awaited.

Cllr Osborne reported a problem with the recording facility. A quotation was awaited and it was RESOLVED that this be passed to the F & GP Committee for consideration.

09/117

CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU: OUTREACH SESSIONS

The Clerk reported that the current sessions would end in March and queried if the Parish Council wished to continue. Following discussion it was RESOLVED that a meeting with CAB be arranged to ascertain if they felt sessions were worthwhile continuing. The RFO reminded Cllrs that nothing had been included in the budget, although money could be allocated for this when the grants were discussed. The B.Cllrs might also be able to assist from their devolved budgets.

09/118

KALC/KENT RURAL

The Chairman had attended the Area Committee Meeting and would circulate a report in due course.

09/119

ACCOUNTS

Cheques for consideration & payment

Thurnham PC KIG: Professional fees December 2009 £592.69

Clever Curves Annual Inspection £345.00

T & S Lighting Ltd. Maintenance charge for December £30.37

R.C. Rose Refurbishment of Notice Boards £778.00

Lenham PCC Churchyard floodlighting £206.36

Paul Waring Grass cutting 3^rd Instalment £1508.14

EDF January energy charge £77.14

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

Amounts paid into Acct.

Lenham P. Hall Committee Contribution to Induction Loop £956.60

Cleverley & Spencer Fee, place tablet £10.00

A. W. Court Fee, Interment of ashes £30.00

Earl & Co. Interment fee (Double) £100.00

Natwest Bank Liquidity deposit interest to 31.12.09 £3.17

COMMUNITY CENTRE

PWLB (DD) 2^nd loan repayment £5262.32

HSBC ACCT.

Amounts paid into Acct

HSBC Money Manager interest to 31.12.09 £2.56

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

February F & GP Committee Meeting The Clerk reported that it was necessary to review the Risk Assessment, Effectiveness of the Internal Audit System and Cemetery Fees. It was RESOLVED that these be discussed at the next Committee Meeting.

09/120

CORRESPONDENCE

MBC: Lease for Cherry Close Play Area MBC had provided an inspection report for the Play Area dated 29^th January 2010 and the Council agreed that the Lease could now be signed by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman on behalf of the Parish Coucil.

The meeting closed at p.m.