SHADOXHURST
PARISH COUNCIL
Page 668
MINUTES
297
Minutes
of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held at The Village
Hall, Shadoxhurst
on
PRESENT: Mr W Hollands (Chair), Miss M Smith, Mr R Buss,
Mr B Howe and Mr A Pilton
PARISH CLERK:
BOROUGH COUNCILLORS: Mr P Davison
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: There was one Member of the Public present.
1.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for Absence have been received from Mrs Hawkes (family commitment),
Mr Clark (holiday), and Borough Councillor Hicks.
2.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr Howe and Mr Pilton both declared an interest in matters pertaining to the
Recreation Committee.
i)
Updating of Declarations of Interest for the
Code of Conduct
The Clerk reminded Councillors that they should update their Declarations of Interest
with the Monitoring Officer if necessary.
3.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
Minutes 296 of the previous meeting were accepted and it was unanimously agreed that
Proposed Mr Buss Seconded Mr Howe
4.
MATTERS ARISING
There were no
Matters Arising.
PUBLIC
INTERVAL
It
was agreed that the Public Interval should be brought forward to this point.
The meeting was opened to members of the Public for questions and comments from
PLANNING
It was agreed to discuss the Planning Applications at this point. Please see attached list.
SPC
MINS 297
Page 669
5.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Mr Hollands reported that he had received a
complaint from a resident of
help alleviate the problem.
Mr
Hollands reported that a van had been left in the Village Hall car park during
the month.
When
he investigated the situation, he discovered that it had been parked there by a
local Company who had gone into liquidation. He rang the Police who were able to contact
the company it was leased from and they came and collected
it.
The
contractors who are working at Tally Ho Corner asked whether they could leave
some of their equipment in the Village Hall car park. Mr Hollands gave them permission,
but told them that in no circumstances must they store any spoil there.
6. CORRESPONDENCE, FINANCE AND OTHER COUNCIL
BUSINESS
Correspondence
Agenda for Standards Committee 06.02.08
Hyde Housing
Audit Commission
KCC Draft Permit Scheme
Communities and Local Government
KCC Love Food Hate Waste
Southern Water
Bailey International
Wicksteed
Playworld systems
KAPC Agenda for meeting 06.01.08
Ashford Rural Trust
Kent Air Ambulance Trust
AwCRK Youth Forum Workshop
We had a request from Future Scholars to
knock down the existing shed at the Village Hall
and replace it with a similar one of the same size. After discussion councillors unanimously agreed to their replacing the shed, provided the following conditions are complied with:-
They are solely
responsible for ensuring that all planning requirements are met with.
Once erected the shed
becomes the sole property of Shadoxhurst Parish Council.
PC MINS 297
Page 670
They do not store any
equipment in the Village Hall during the week in which the
shed is replaced.
Once the
new shed has been erected, all equipment belonging to Future Scholars,
both indoor and outdoor, is to
be stored in the shed at all times when not in use.
Bank Balance
The balance stands at £5861.14 in the Treasurers Account and £13382.61in the Current.
Accounts to be Paid
|
PAYEE |
DETAILS |
NET £ |
VAT |
GROSS £ |
|
KCC (KCS) |
Grass Cutting |
425.22 |
74.41 |
499.63 |
|
|
Insurance Premium |
1967.19 |
|
1967.19 |
|
Open Spaces |
Subscription |
30.00 |
|
30.00 |
|
Mr B Howe |
Litter Picking |
300.00 |
|
300.00 |
|
Mr W Hollands |
Removal of Poplar Tree |
470.00 |
|
470.00 |
|
Mr T Wenham |
Clearing drains on field |
420.00 |
73.50 |
493.50 |
Proposed Mr Pilton Seconded Miss Smith
Resolution: Councillors unanimously agreed to pay the
above accounts.
Insurance
Following the recent Standards Board Meeting, Parish Councils have been advised of the need to indemnify themselves against any legal costs that they may incur, as a result of any defence of a legal action against one of their members. In the future it may well be the case that, should a councillor be unsuccessful in their defence of an action, some part of the expenses incurred by the Borough may be sought. Councils should check their policies, as ABC insures Borough but not Parish Councillors, against legal action.
The Clerk reported that she had contacted
Zurich Municipal regarding legal cover and was
informed that this would require a separate
policy. The premium for which would be
£750.
The Chairman instructed Councillors that they
should not participate in any unauthorised activity, verbal or otherwise, on
behalf of the Parish Council. In the
event of a legal action being taken against a Councillor for an unauthorised
action, it may be the case that the Parish Council’s Insurance will not cover
them if they lose the case and Ashford Borough Council may seek to reclaim
costs.
If a councillor is approached by a member of
the public outside of a Parish Council meeting, they should make it clear that
they are speaking to them as a private individual, but that they are prepared
to bring their question or comment to the attention of the
SPC
MINS 297 Page 671
Parish Council at their next meeting. They should also invite them to attend the
meeting and speak during the Public Interval.
Councillors were referred them to Standing
Order No 63.
UNAUTHORISED
ACTIVITIES
No member of the Council or of any committee or sub-committee shall in the name of
or on behalf of the Council
(i) Inspect any lands or premises which the
council has a right or duty to inspect; or
(ii) Issue orders, instructions or directions unless authorised to do so by the Council
or the relevant
committee or sub-committee.
It was suggested that Councillors should
check their personal Insurance Policies to see if
they have legal cover.
Litter
Picker
The Clerk reminded the Litter Picker that he
should undertake a visual Risk Inspection
Prior to starting work and monitor his
situation carefully while working to ensure
that he does not put himself or anyone else
at risk. He must wear a high visibility
jacket,
or safety tabard, heavy duty gloves and stout
footwear and ensure that he uses a litter
picker and does not allow his bag to become too heavy.
Clerks Allowances
It was agreed to pay the Clerk £2 per week
towards the cost of office machinery, heat etc.
Tenders
for Grass Cutting
Three tenders have been received as follows:-
KCC Landscape Services £73.35 per cut + VAT
Heber Horticultural Services £71.56 per cut + VAT
After discussion it was unanimously agreed to award the tender to KCC Landscape Services.
Bus
Shelters
Mr Hollands took the brochures and will take
the measurements and work out the cost of
replacing the shelters, and meet Queensbury
regarding the site.
New Play
Equipment
Mr Pilton has obtained 4 quotes and will
liaise with the Clerk to apply for grant funding.
Draining
the Recreation Field
Mr Wenham has cleared the drains and we will
now have to wait and see whether it has
solved the problem on the field.
Risk
Assessment/Risk Inspection
Mr Hollands handed the Clerk the completed Risk Assessment sheets. All items will be
dealt with immediately or reviewed in a few months as necessary.
SPC MINS 297 Page 672
Concern was expressed that a local dog fouls on The Village Green. The Clerk was asked to look into the cost of obtaining some signs.
Newsletter
It was agreed to ask Mrs Brady whether future newsletters can be prepared for February,
May, August and November.
Crime and Disorder
The outbuildings of a property in
The workings for the electric fence on the Scout’s field have been stolen.
Registration
of Land in the Village
The first step is to send a map to the Land Registry to see if the areas of land in question
is already registered in someone else’s name.
Village
Pump
Nothing to report.
7. PUBLIC
INTERVAL
This item was taken after item 3.
8. PLANNING
Also taken after item 3.
9. AFFORDABLE RURAL HOUSING/DEVELOPMENT IN
SHADOXHURST
The questionnaires should be delivered to Mr Howe within the next few days. He will
deliver one to every household in the Parish.
10. OUTSIDE REPORTS
Recreation Committee
Nothing to report.
Tree Warden
We have been issued with a TPO on the Ash tree in the hedge that borders the church path,
as owners of an adjoining property.
Borough Councillors Report
Mr
Hollands read out a report from Mrs Hicks.
Attached to file copy of minutes.
Mr
Davison apologised for not attending many meetings recently. Unfortunately our
Meetings
clash with those of the Planning Committee.
Mr
Davison informed Councillors that the market is being moved to the lower end of
SPC
MINS 285
Page 673
He is still talking to the police in an attempt to arrange for us to have
a Warranted Police
Officer
responsible for the village.
The
way the potholes are repaired is false economy as the repairs do not last.
We
are unlikely to get the inspector’s decision on the Core Strategy until March.
Lorry
parking continues to be a problem across the Borough.
Councillor Angell was not present.
Footpaths
Nothing
to report.
11. VILLAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
Matters Arising from the Round
Robin
There were no Matters Arising.
Items to be reported to the
Nothing new to report.
12. FORUM FOR EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN COUNCILLORS
It was noted that
Biffa had been to Shadoxhurst and cleared litter from some of the village
roads, verges etc. It was disappointing that they did not cover
the whole Parish.
A resident has complained to a Councillor
that his dog cut his paw on the clippings from a thorn hedge along by the Dukes
Head and wanted to know if it was possible to claim
compensation.
Mr Hollands said it was not possible to answer the question as we do
not know who cuts the hedge.
There being no other business the meeting closed at
Signed…………………………………………………… Dated …………………………………
Mr W Hollands, Chairman
SHADOXHURST PARISH COUNCIL 1
Planning Applications Received
Full Planning
Permission requested – Delegated to Officers unless otherwise stated:-
08/00057/AS Mr A Porter, Oak Tree House,
Erection of conservatory
Parish
Council: Support
08/00186/AS Mr E Simmonds,
Wychwood,
Replacement
dwelling after fire due to loss of 80% of the house
Parish
Council: Support
Councillors requested that this application
should be
Referred to the Planning Committee if the
Officer is
minded to refuse
The following application has been granted:-
07/01411/AS E Tech Enterprises, re Orlestone Mill,
Steel
frame extension to industrial building
07/02099/AS Mr and Mrs Simmonds, Wychwood,
Erection of a detached double garage with
store above