Lenham Parish Council

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON THE 1st JUNE 2011 IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 7.30pm

PRESENT Cllr. N Godfrey, Chairman presiding
Cllrs. A Barr, J Bate, J Bone & I Younger.
Mrs. M. McFarlane (Clerk)
3 members of the public.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. George commended the Parish Council for a well-attended and enjoyable Annual Assembly Meeting. He also pointed out the irregular closing and opening times of the WCs and suggested the times of opening be displayed on a notice. Clerk to ensure the timer on the doors is not faulty.
PCSO Rowley read a report of the crime figures and actions taken. A ‘safer plates’ campaign will be held on July 20th (1-4pm) at the Community Centre. He also suggested lowering the height of the hedge at William Pitt field to aid visibility to the BMX Park. Cllr. Godfrey thanked PCSO Rowley for his continued support.

The Community Warden, Martin Sherwood outlined three recent trading standard alerts. He was pleased with the progress of the community hub and stressed the need for more volunteers. Cllr. Godfrey thanked Mr. Sherwood for his continued support and congratulated him on being given the position of Community Warden for the parish on a permanent basis.

REPORT BY C. CLLR. JENNY WHITTLE
Cllr. Whittle sent her apologies. Cllr. Whittle is liaising with Cllr. Sams and Cllr. Bate on outstanding highway matters.
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 7.53pm

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Council accepted the reason for apology for absence from Cllrs. Gillett, Goodwin, Greenwood, Huggens, Cllrs. Barned and Sams.

11/18

DECLARATION OF INTEREST AND CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

No declarations or confidential items

11/19

MINUTES

The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 4th May 2011 and the Annual Meeting held on the 10th May were confirmed as a true record and it was RESOLVED that they be approved and adopted

11/20

MATTERS ARISING

a. Concurrent Functions update (11/03a)
Meetings with MBC are being organized to discuss the calculations and reasons behind the 30% cut to the Concurrent Functions budget.
b. Playground inspections/fence repairs (11/03b)
The annual safety inspection to the three play areas did not raise any major issues. The repair to the fence at Ham Lane play area is temporary; a replacement post will be erected once the ground is workable.
c. Hedge cutting at the recycling site (11/04c)
Cllr. Barr reported that hedge cutting would be best carried out during the autumn, after the bird nesting season. A quote for works will be sought from contractors.

11/21

REPORTS OF COMMITEES/SPOKESPERSONS

Finance & General Purposes. Report by Cllr. Godfrey
It was RESOLVED to accept the quote for £118.00 to repair the internal doors at the WCs,
Also to remove graffiti from the sign at the Ham Lane play area for £10.00
It was recommended that the barrier at the Maidstone Road car park be removed rather than repaired, quotes for the work to be sought.

a. Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
A meeting will be held on the 16th June to organize the day of celebrations which will be June 4th 2012 at the tithe barn.

b. WCs costs and new equipment
The running costs of the WCs are in line with the budget forecast. It was RESOLVED to purchase new equipment.

The report of the meeting on 18th May 2011 were received and it was
RESOLVED that the recommendations contained therein be approved and adopted.

Planning Report by Cllr.Huggens

No report from Cllr. Huggens. Cllr. Barr suggested more in depth detail be sought from MBC concerning the application at Woodside Farm. Clerk to contact planning department

Joint Parish Group Report by Cllr. Goodwin
No report from Cllr. Goodwin. An e-mail has been circulated to Cllrs. outlining the latest developments.

The report of the meeting held on May 24th 2011 were received and it was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained therein be approved and adopted.

Highways & Transportation Report by Cllr. Bate
All highway matters have been logged onto the KCC site. Cllr. Bate and Sams are working on an up to date list of highway issues, which includes recent street lighting problems.
a. Parking review
There has been no response from MBC with reference to the recently undertaken parking review. Cllr. Barr pointed out the restricted sight lines on the A20 at the Texaco garage due to overgrown vegetation.
b. Cycle rack provision
A site meeting will be organized with MBC to decide position and size of a cycle rack within the Square. Clerk to contact C. Reynolds the parking officer at MBC.

Cllr. Bate made his apologies and left the meeting 8.30pm

Law & Order Report by Cllr. Godfrey
It has been suggested the Police Forum meetings are held separately from the KALC meetings, Cllrs. agreed this would be advantageous.
Cllr. Younger pointed out recent incidents in the village could have been dealt with expediently if a dedicated PC was available.

Emergency Plan Report by Cllr. Goodwin No report

Environment Reports
a. Water supply to the cemetery
Cllrs agreed to a survey (possibly funded by Cllr. Sams) should be undertaken to investigate the provision of a water supply to the cemetery.
b. Removal of white stones from the ashes section of the cemetery
Cllrs. agreed the quote for £50.00 be accepted and the works carried out. Cllr. Younger suggested that parishioners purchasing a plot should sign a declaration that they understand the rules of the cemetery. Clerk to seek advice from funeral directors.
c. Meeting with Complete Landscapes
Cllr. Barr & Godfrey outlined the expected level of ground maintenance within the parish and insisted on regular cuts being made throughout the season.
Weeds in the High Street need spraying immediately. Clerk to contact KCC highways.

11/22

REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE MEETINGS
Age Concern Community Hub Report by Cllr. Bone
A social event on June 2nd will include musical entertainment 2-4pm. A games afternoon of scrabble, cards, etc. is planned for July at the Social Club. Cllr. Godfrey thanked Cllr. Bone for his hard work in helping to make the hub a success.

11/23

KALC/RURAL KENT
Cllr. Godfrey has circulated a report of recent meetings. Cllr. Bone is looking into the broadband availability and speed in the parish. Parish clusters who share resources and expertise benefit the most.

11/24

ACCOUNTS
Cheques for consideration and payment 1st JUNE 2011
Complete Landscapes grounds maintenance May 850.00
Digley Associates – playground inspections 144.00
OSG Group – duty of care WCs 68.21
Lenham Village Stores – Annual Assembly buffet 98.36
Mr. K Funnell – internal audit fee 140.00
Salaries and expenses detailed as Appendix A and filed with the signed copy of these minutes

11/25

CORRESPONDENCE
A letter requesting the placing of a memorial bench in the Square. Cllrs. to decide the position of the bench where a space is available, possibly outside the Square.
Local voluntary transport facility to be advertised on the parish notice boards.
Nick and Gill Osborne thanked the Parish Council for a pleasant evening on the 18th May and for all the cards and gifts they received.
Cllr. Godfrey had correspondence relating to future funding facilities and suggested a LPC funding meeting would be advantageous.
Cllr. Barr had an email from MBC with reference to the recycling site. More information awaited concerning contracts for waste removal/recycling.