LENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON THE 2ND MARCH 2011 IN THE COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 7.30pm |
| PRESENT |
Cllr. N Godfrey, Chairman presiding
Cllrs. A Barr, J Bate, J Bone, C Gillett, R Greenwood,
C Huggens, M Osborne, I Younger.
Mrs. M. McFarlane (Clerk)
Cllr. D Oversby - Harrietsham Parish Council representative
6 members of the public. |
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| PUBLIC PARTICIPATION |
Mr. Llong suggested a joint initiative between village groups to organize a clean up of the cross and a general litter picking spring clean. An article in the Focus, posters and invitations to advertise the Litter Pick on Saturday April 9th and the cross cleaning event on Saturday 16th April will be produced. Cllr. Godfrey thanked Mr. Llong for helping to clean out the Lock Up and for the Enhancement Association providing the planter at Cherry Close. Cllr. Barr suggested donating an unused police bicycle, which was in storage, to the village Harvest Auction, all Cllrs. were in agreement.
Mr. George reported several faulty street lights and pointed out broken glass outside the primary school had not been cleared by MBC. He was also concerned about sections of the A20 where flooding occurred and the footpath was overgrown and muddy. Tree cuttings have not been cleared from the A20 junction along Ham Lane. Clerk will report to MBC.
Community Warden Martin Sherwood read out the crime report. Extra patrols were being organized to deal with reports of nuisance youths. Twenty five smart water kits were being offered to victims of crime. Mr. Sherwood reminded all that to avoid distraction burglaries, it was vital to check identification of callers, particularly following the Census. Cllr. Bone had provided Fridge Capsules, which held vital emergency details and were available from the Community Warden. Cllr. Godfrey thanked Cllr. Bone and Mr. Sherwood for their help and support. |
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REPORT BY C. CLLR. JENNY WHITTLE
Apologies were accepted from Cllr. Whittle, who now has a new job, but confirmed that funding for highways and Community Wardens remain in place.
Cllr. Godfrey read out a brief report from Cllr. Sams, who sent his apologies.
The Chairman declared the meeting open at 8.05pm and welcomed Cllr. Oversby.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The Council accepted the reason for apology for absence from
Cllr. S Goodwin, B.Cllrs. J Barned, T. Sams. C.Cllr. Whittle and PCSO Rowley. |
| 10/98 |
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
No declarations or confidential items |
| 10/99 |
MINUTES
The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 2nd February 2011 were confirmed as a true record and it was RESOLVED that they be approved and adopted. |
| 10/100 |
MATTERS ARISING
a. Cherry Close Funding Application (10/92a)
Application to Lottery funds applied for and funding from KCC Member Community Grant for £500 is being processed.
b. Concurrent Functions update (10/92b)
Further negotiations are taking place between MBC and the Parishes. A report will be produced by the 5th April, after which feedback will be considered to decide the way forward. |
| 10/101 |
Reports & Committees/Spokespersons |
| A |
Finance & General Purposes. Report by Cllr. Godfrey
a. Budget recommendations Cllr. Osborne produced a spreadsheet which itemized all expected income and expenditure for the next financial year. It was proposed by Cllr. Huggens, seconded by Cllr. Gillett, and RESOLVED to accept the budget.
The report of the meeting on 16th February 2011 were received and it was
RESOLVED that the recommendations contained therein be approved and adopted. |
| B |
Planning Report by Cllr.Osborne
Cllr. Osborne read out a brief report of the applications received and stated there had been no up date on development at Ivy Farm. Cllrs. await an application for change of use of land at Runham Lane. A report from Cllr. Goodwin following a meeting of the JPG outlined the LDF consultation period and the costs associated with putting the Parishes point of view forward. It was RESOLVED Cllr. Osborne would seek more information and present his findings at the F & GP meeting.
Following a discussion concerning the Woodside Farm enforcement notice it was agreed the Clerk write to Mr. Jarman at MBC to ask for an update of the situation with regard to the removal of the caravans on site.
Cllr. Barr reported excessive storage of pallets and boxes on the A20/Old Ashford Road site to the rear of the Little Chest Café. Clerk will report to MBC.
The report of the meetings held on February 16th & 28th 2011 were received and it was RESOLVED that the recommendations contained therein be approved and adopted.
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| C |
Parish Plan Steering Group Report by Cllr. Barr
The first draft agreement from KCC has been received. Cllr. Barr recommended purchasing the Cherry Downs Picnic Site, providing the tree works are undertaken before the transfer.
Purchase of site proposed by Cllr. Greenwood, seconded by Cllr. Gillett and RESOLVED by the full Council to instruct the solicitor to proceed.
The pruning of the cherry trees was almost finished and clearing works would be undertaken by Complete Landscapes. Cllrs. Barr and Goodwin are working on upgrading the recycling site at Old Ashford Road and will put suggestions forward to MBC.
Lenham Valley Business Association continues to be supported and the meetings well attended. Suggestions for celebrating the royal wedding were discussed and Cllrs. agreed to wait to see if any official approach is made to the LPC for an organized event. |
| D |
Highways & Transportation Report by Cllr. Bate
M20 noise level Cllr. Bate will keep the pressure on the authorities on behalf of local concerned residents. Budget restrictions curtail progress. Cllr. Cliffton from Harrietsham PC
has documentation which could be useful for a joint effort between LPC & HPC.
Cllr. Barr reported two signs have been knocked over off Lenham Heath Road. Cllr. Bate will report to KCC highways. Cllr. Godfrey outlined a request for extending parking restrictions in The Square to cover Saturday. MBC are reviewing parking at present, Clerk to write to MBC and ask that the views of LPC be part of the review.
Cllr. Greenwood has been offered help by Lenham Storage to paint the parking lines at the Maidstone Road car park. Cllr. Younger pointed out the disabled parking spaces are too small. Cllr. Barr raised concerns about a low loader vehicle being parked at Robins Close.
Clerk to ask PCSO Rowley to investigate. |
| E |
Law & Order Report by Cllr. Godfrey
CCTV update. The Clerk reported that the DVR system should be delivered within the next two weeks. Cllrs. Godfrey & Sams are attending a site meeting at Lenham Primary School to discuss the provision of a pedestrian crossing in conjunction with the 20s plenty campaign.
Cllr. Godfrey gave an update of rural policing initiatives. |
| F |
Emergency Plan Report by Cllr. Goodwin No report |
| G |
Environment Reports
Cllr. Greenwood outlined a request for the area in the churchyard which is for the scattering of ashes to have memorial plaques placed. He proposed to discuss the request at the next F&GP meeting and report back to LPC.
Cllr. Greenwood will deal with a tree replacement request at Groom Way |
| 10/102 |
REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE MEETINGS
Age Concern Community Hub Report by Cllr. Bone
Cllr. Bone attended a meeting on the 14th February at Maidstone with representatives from other parishes and Age Concern staff to discuss the provision of a Community Hub. Several suggestions for activities were discussed. Fund raising has already started with the provision of an Easter egg basket for inclusion in the Harvest Auction at the Red Lion.
Cllr. Godfrey suggested that ideally hubs could be run in the more rural areas such as
Platts Heath and Lenham Heath. Cllr. Osborne agreed there was a need for more facilities as there was already a waiting list to join LenARA.
KCC Training Day Report by Cllr. Godfrey
There were representatives from eighteen parishes at the “Listening to Communities” training day. The Big Society ethos was discussed and concerns about possible outsourcing of work which could lead to job cuts. |
| 10/103 |
KALC/RURAL KENT
Mr. J Wilson is now Chairman of KALC for the next three years. Mr. Wilson confirmed no decision has been taken concerning the change of the provision of CCTV at Maidstone. Cllr. Greenwood attended a Big Society breakfast meeting. Discussions covered planning changes and the Localism bill. The importance of volunteer groups and communication is vital to the implementation of Big Society. Cllr. Gillett suggested a comprehensive listing of local groups and societies which could be easily accessed and updated could prove useful. |
| 10/104 |
Cheques for consideration and payment 2ND MARCH 2011
Rose Joinery - Refurbishment of notice board at Sandway £255.00
Shaw & Sons - Receipts & Payments book 67.78
Lenham PCC - Floodlighting energy costs 94.07
T. Weston - Cemetery works/install bin at Ham Lane play area £700.00
Complete Landscapes - Install four posts Community Centre 65.00
Salaries and expenses detailed as Appendix A and filed with the signed copy of these Minutes.
Cllr. Barr requested the cheque for the cemetery works be held back, until Cllr. Greenwood
had an opportunity to decide if the works were as required. |
| 10/105 |
TO REPORT CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
No correspondence received
The meeting closed 9.55pm |
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