Lenham Parish Council

The Clerk detailed the six crimes reported since the last Meeting. It was noted that it was intended to hold a road safety event at Lenham Primary School in association with the Kent Road Safety Team. A bike safety evening had been held at Lenham Youth Centre where bike light kits had been handed out to local youths and the Police thanked local businesses for their donations to this event.

REPORT BY C.CLLR. JENNY WHITTLE

The Clerk reported that the C.Cllr was looking into funding three salt bins (two in The Square and one for Groom Way) and that the dropped kerbs should be in place by April. Cllr. Barr reported that all gullies on Hubbards Hill were blocked. Cllr. Davison would contact KHS.

The Chairman declared the Meeting open at 7.40 p.m. and welcomed Cllr. Huggens attending his first PC Meeting. The Clerk confirmed that Cllr Huggens had signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

09/95

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

The Council accepted the reason for apology for absence from Cllr Younger, C.Cllr. Jenny Whittle,

B. Cllr. Sams and Mrs. J. Sams from Harrietsham PC.

09/96

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

None.

09/97

MINUTES

The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 2^nd December, 2009, were confirmed as a true record and it was RESOLVED that they be approved and adopted.

09/98

MATTERS ARISING

Vacancy on Parish Council’s South Ward (09/86A) Cllrs undertook to consider people to fill the vacancy.

Speedwatch (09/86B) Cllr. Davison reported that a meeting of volunteers and the Police had been arranged for the 13^th January.

Soccer School Proposal at Pitt Field (09/94A) The Chairman reported that the Football Club would contact LPC with their comments following their meeting at the end of January.

09/99

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES/SPOKESPERSONS

Finance & General Purposes The report of the Meeting held on the 16^th December, 2009, was received and the Chairman referred to the following:-

Grass Cutting Quotations It was proposed by Cllr. Bate, seconded by Cllr. Osborne and RESOLVED that the entire quotation from Complete Landscapes be accepted for a two year period, subject to satisfactory performance. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr. Waring and thank him for his work over past years.

Administration of Website It was RESOLVED that Cllr Bate would take on this work.

Churchyard Floodlights Cllr. Greenwood would check the work before the invoice was paid.

Future of Public Conveniences in Lenham Following a lengthy discussion it was RESOLVED that MBC be informed that the Parish Council would take over responsibility for the toilets subject to MBC’s confirmation in writing that they would undertake a structural survey of the building and carry out any minor repairs that might be required. The following was also agreed:-

a) LPC would ascertain the cost of rates and insurance.

b) Cllr. Greenwood would investigate the locking system.

c) Cllr. Greenwood would speak to the Road Sweeper to see if he was willing to combine this role with that of Caretaker for the toilets. If not the PC would advertise to fill the position.

Planning Cllr. Osborne referred to the meetings held on the 16^th December, 2009, and 4^th January, 2010.

Land adj. to Norham Farm, Lenham Heath Cllr. Barr reported that he had been contacted by a Parishioner regarding an application that had been submitted to increase the number of caravans on this site. The Clerk confirmed that the application had been received by the PC and would be considered at LPC’s Planning Committee Meeting on the 20^th January. Cllr. Osborne and B. Cllr Marshall undertook to speak to the Planning Officer.

KIG Cllr. Goodwin reported that the Public Inquiry had closed and the Planning Inspector’s report was awaited.

Parish Plan Steering Group Cllr. Barr had nothing further to report.

Highways & Transport Cllr. Davison reported that he had met with KHS Officers on the 9^th December and detailed the items discussed. He stressed to Cllrs that although work was reported in and allocated a reference number very few jobs were being completed. He also referred to a list received from the C.Cllr asking that the PC decide on which two items the PC wished her to pursue with KHS. Cllr. Davison undertook to contact the C.Cllr.

Law & Order The Chairman reported that the Community Warden would be out of the area for a short period. The Clerk was asked to chase up when he would return and what was happening in the meantime.

Environment Cllr. Greenwood reported the following:-

Trees at Groom Way Cllr. Greenwood reported that he was awaiting permission to undertake the work. When this was given he would obtain two quotations for the work. Cllr. Greenwood was also seeking advice from KCC on ownership of a tree in Ham Lane .

Glebe Pond Work to the filtration system would be discussed at the next PC Meeting. Cllr. Barr reported there was a need to undertake some work to the Pond area and he asked that the Clerk write to Sibley Pares, who dealt with matters on behalf of the landowner, requesting permission of the family to coppice trees to the south of the Pond.

Recycling The untidy state of the recycling site at Old Ashford Road was discussed and Cllr Goodwin undertook to contact MBC about this and ascertain what was happening about the Texaco site.

Picnic Site Cllr. Barr reported that fencing had been placed around the Cobnut Platt and Mr. Waring had attended to the brambles. He also reported that sheep had been put on the site.

Work to KH219: Lenham Cross The Clerk reported that KCC had informed her that work had begun to complete the first stage of the surface repair works.

09/100

REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE MEETINGS

MBC Rural Conference The Chairman’s report of the meeting had been circulated to all Cllrs.

KALC Maidstone Area Committee The Chairman’s report had been circulated to all Cllrs.

09/101

LAND AT CHERRY CLOSE, LEASE FOR SIGNATURE

The Counterpart Lease had been received from LPC’s Solicitor for signature by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. It was RESOLVED that prior to signing Maidstone BC should be asked to undertake a health and safety inspection and issue a Certificate to the Parish Council.

09/102

UPGRADING OF THE PARISH PLAN

The Council agreed there was a need to update the document in relation to new housing in the Parish and it was RESOLVED that this be passed to the Planning Committee to consider at its meeting on the 1^st February.

09/103

TO SET A DATE FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

It was RESOLVED that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held on Wednesday, 21^st April, 2010 and the Planning Committee would follow this Meeting. As previously agreed the Clerk would invite Mr Thornton from MBC to attend this Meeting.

09/104

UPGRADING OF CCTV SYSTEM IN LENHAM SQUARE

The Chairman reported that he had contacted Secure Engineering who had expressed willingness to investigate the PC’s proposals. He also informed the Council that the Company leased equipment and this option might be worth considering. Following discussion it was RESOLVED that further discussion take place at the next PC Meeting.

09/105

KALC/KENT RURAL

Copies of Oast to Coast and Parish News No. 344 had been received, together with a Learning and Development Survey for completion. It was agreed that the survey would be completed at the Planning Meeting on the 1^st February.

KALC Annual General Meeting A report of the Chairman’s attendance at the meeting had been circulated to all Cllrs.

09/106

ACCOUNTS

Cheques for consideration & payment

EDF Energy Quarterly standing charge for Lock Up £26.65

C & R Fencing Work to gates at Pitt Field £28.75

MGI Electrical Ltd. Replace broken floodlight in Churchyard £40.00

MBC Copy of Strategic Housing Land Document £29.29

Lenham Ironmongers Bulbs for Xmas Tree in Churchyard £50.00

Mr. A. Barr Children's Playground, Annual rent £1.05

EDF Energy December energy £77.14

Caldera Fire & Security Induction loop at Community Centre £1100.09

C & Fencing Fencing at Picnic Site £712.25

Lenham P.Hall Committee Room hire Oct-Dec 2009 £250.00

Lenham Community Minibus Donation £500.00

Thurnham PC KIG: Professional fees Oct & Nov 2009 £1185.38

Citizens Advice Bureau December Outreach Session £50.00

Cash Petty cash £50.00

Natwest Bank (DD) Bank charges to 4.12.09 £6.00

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

Amounts paid into Acct.

A. W. Court Interment of ashes £30.00

Natwest Bank Liquidity Deposit interest to 30.11.09 £3.17

Natwest Bank Reserve Acct interest to 30.12.09 £1.77

COMMUNITY CENTRE

Natwest Bank (DD) Bank charges to 4.12.09 £6.00

HSBC ACCT.

Amounts paid into Acct

HSBC Money Manager interest to 30.11.09 £2.47

It was RESOLVED that the accounts be approved and the cheques signed, the cheque for MGI Electrical Ltd. to be held until Cllr. Greenwood agrees work completed satisfactorily.

Appointment of External Auditor The PC’s views on the appointment of the District Auditor for the next five years had been sought. The PC had no objection to the proposal.

09/107

CORRESPONDENCE

Kent Downs AONB Statutory Management Plan 2009-2014 Information received was circulated to Cllrs for perusal.

English Rural Housing Assn. Receipt reported of the Annual Report and passed to Cllr. Goodwin.

Kent Top Travel: Coach Hire Details given on private hire service. No action to be taken.

MBC: Code of Conduct Training Details given. Cllr. Bate expressed interest but as the date coincided with the next F &GP Committee Meeting when the budget would be prepared he said that he would rather attend a future training event.

Kent Messenger: Website Questionnaire Passed to Cllr. Bate.

Clever Curves: Safety Inspection The Chairman reported receipt of the report and invoice and said that although he had asked the Company for a quotation for this work he had not realised that the contract that the PC had signed stated that although the PC could cancel the inspections at any time it would be required to carry out at least two inspections under the terms of the contract which was dated 29^th October 2007. It was agreed that the invoice be paid.

The meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.