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CHARTHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30 P.M. ON TUESDAY 12th OCTOBER 2010 AT THE VILLAGE HALL, STATION ROAD, CHARTHAM, NR CANTERBURY, KENT, CT4 7JA.

Present:

Cllr. A. Dawes – Chairman Cllr. S Dungay Cllr. P. Graveson Cllr. M. Goff. Cllr. C. Manning Cllr. G. Hoare Cllr. J. Jeffries, Vice-Chairman Cllr. A. Frost Cllr. D. Butcher Mr. P. Hornibrook – Clerk

(1) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr. R. Doyle CCC (Meeting), Cllr. D. Weatherall (Other Commitments), Cllr. D. Thompson (Work Commitments).

(2) CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Resolution: To confirm minutes of meeting held on 14th September 2010 (previously circulated).

Proposed by: Cllr. Manning and Seconded by: Cllr. Jeffries.

All members voted in favour.

(3) COUNCIL: a) Declaration of any member’s interest in agenda items.

None were noted.

b) Any change in declaration of member’s interest.

No changes in member’s interests were noted.

(4) MATTERS ARISING

The Clerk noted an e-mail from J P Campbell & Partners Ltd stating that they are ceasing trading at Christmas this year. It was noted that they have been excellent and reliable contractors to work with and they have worked on various Parish Council projects such as the fencing of the village hall and a number of play areas. The Clerk has thanked them for their services over the past years and wished all members of staff well in the future.

The Clerk read out a letter from the Canterbury & District Early Years Project asking the Parish Council to thank the Village Fete Committee for their generous contribution of £1,000 towards their funds.

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(5) TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER CORRESPONDENCE

(A folder of correspondence was available for all Councillors to view the correspondence and to make comment on)

The following issues were raised for discussion:

 Item 1: KCC – Local Transparency – Letter from Group Managing Director. The letter was read out to all members and Cllr. Dawes confirmed that all parishes had met earlier this year to consider joining together to bulk buy such items as stationery and to provide services for grass cutting and play area inspections.

 CCC – Agenda – Joint Meeting of the Rural Area (North) Member Panel and the Rural Area (South) Member Panel – Monday 27th September 2010. Details were available for all members to read.

 CCC – Agenda Supplement – Joint Meeting of the Rural Area (North) Member Panel and the Rural Area (South) Member Panel – Monday 27th September 2010. A copy was available for all members to read.

 KCC – Formal Notice of the Preparation of Kent County Council’s Minerals and Waste Core Strategy: Regulation 25 ‘Issues’ Consultation – commencing 24th Sept 2010. Details were noted to all members.

 CCC – Development Control Committee – Agenda – Tuesday 12th October 2010. A copy was available for all members to read.

(6) TO RECEIVE AND CONSIDER REPORTS & MINUTES OF COMMITTEES

(a) Finance and General Purposes Committee:

The Clerk noted that the Parish Council Accounts for the 2009/2010 have now been formally ‘signed-off’ by the Audit Commission. It was noted that we should thank Brian Wood for his hard work in compiling and reconciling the accounts throughout the year.

The Clerk noted that the ‘Concurrent Funding’ application for the 2011/2012 year had recently been considered by the Finance & General Purposes Committee and an application for £33,547.94 has been submitted to CCC. A resolution to formally submit the Concurrent Funding application was proposed by Cllr. Graveson and seconded by Cllr. Dawes.

The Clerk noted that the VAT return for the second quarter will be sent off to HM Revenue & Customs later this week.

A resolution that orders for payment as shown in attached schedules was agreed unanimously. They were signed by Cllr. Dawes and Cllr. Butcher.

(b) Planning:

The Clerk reported that there were three new ‘Planning Applications’ to be dealt with at the meeting:

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CA/10/01541/LUE – Proposal: Certificate of Lawful Use of Caravan for residential occupation (Re-submission): Location: Caravan Unit 1, Land adjacent Royal Oak, Chartham Hatch, CT4 7LP: PC Comments: A site visit is to be arranged.

CA/10/01542/FUL – Proposal: Extension to barn to provide staff accommodation: Location: Three Acres Nursery, Primrose Hill, Chartham Hatch, CT4 7NR: PC Comments: A site visit is to be arranged.

CA/10/01637/FUL – Proposal: Residential and holiday accommodation development: Location: Land adjacent to the Royal Oak, Chartham Hatch, CT4 7LP: PC Comments: A site visit is to be arranged.

The Clerk noted that three other ‘Planning Applications’ were dealt with at a planning sub- committee meeting held on the 30th September 2010.

CA/10/01389/FUL – Proposal: First-floor extension to provide first-floor living accommodation converting bungalow to house (Revised Scheme): Location: 177 Shalmsford Street, Chartham, CT4 7QP: PC Views: No Objections.

CA/10/01433/FUL – Proposal: Two-storey extension to side of dwelling: Location: 5 Hatch Lane, Chartham, CT4 7LP: PC Views: No Objections.

CA/10/01399/FUL – Proposal: Erection of pair of semi-detached houses with associated parking: Location: Land at Bakers Lane, Chartham, CT4 7QB: PC Views: The site will be tidied up with the proposed development, as at present it is a dumping site for rubble and rubbish. The site is tight to other local houses and Rentain Farmhouse and parking should be kept to the new proposed spaces and not added to the off road parking.

The Clerk read out two ‘Granted’ Planning Applications.

CA/10/01178/LB – Denstead Manor, Denstead Lane, Chartham, CT4 7NL.

CA/10/01177/FUL – Denstead Manor, Denstead Lane, Chartham, CT4 7NL.

The Clerk read out one ‘Would be Lawful’ Planning Application.

CA/10/01443/LUP – 15 River Court, Chartham, CT4 7JN.

The Clerk noted that the appeal for the ‘Certificate of Lawful Use of caravan for residential occupation’ at Caravan Unit 1, land adjacent to the Royal Oak, Chartham Hatch has now been withdrawn.

The Clerk noted that an appeal has been lodged with the Secretary of State regarding the proposal for the ‘Erection of a detached dwelling with garage’ at land at 52 Shalmsford Street, Chartham, CT4 7RJ.

The Clerk noted an e-mail from the Herne & Broomfield Parish Council Clerk regarding the possibility of Councillors buying into Planning Application training. The e-mail asked if Councillors would be interested in attending a series of three different training courses. Cllr. Dawes and Cllr.Manning along with the Clerk registered an interest and the Clerk will confirm dates and locations of the courses when they are known.

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It was questioned whether the roof which has been covered at Romany View, Chartham Hatch had been lowered as per planning requirements. The Clerk will investigate and contact the CCC Enforcement Team regarding the issue.

Cllr. Goff reported that a trader had been going house to house around river Court asking if residents wanted any trees cut down for £200. The issue will be reported to the KCC Warden and Police. River Court is in a Conservation Area and any pruning to trees has to be authorised by CCC. If anyone is approached like this they should report the matter to the KCC Community Warden and if possible take the registration number of any vehicle used.

(c) Cemetery:

It was reported that Provian have now completed work resurfacing the car park and installing a new roadway and footpath in the cemetery extension. However, it was noted that there had been some minor damage to the fencing and footpath edgings caused by the contractors roller and that we are awaiting a response from Provian as to how they will rectify the damage.

It was reported that the tap in the cemetery grounds has been repaired after the old one was damaged and caused a leak.

It was also noted that some vehicles are still driving up the old footpath to tend graves at the top of the grounds and then are turning around on unmarked graves. This is totally unacceptable and disrespectful. We have now installed some heavy duty wooden bollards near the entrance gate to deter vans and lorries from driving up the footpath.

It was reported that the new cemetery notice-board has been installed near the cemetery gates and the Clerk is due to install new laminated notices within the next week.

The Clerk is due to arrange a training day with all members of the cemetery committee regarding how to manage any requests for interments, memorials and exclusive rights of burial. This will take place in the next couple of weeks.

(d) Countryside:

The Clerk noted an e-mail from a parishioner who was complaining about the poor state of ‘The Slip’ pathway between Shalmsford street and Bolts Hill. It was stated it is currently overgrown with poor fencing and littered with dog mess. The issue was discussed at length but it was noted that the area is not the responsibility of the Parish Council. The pathway is the responsibility of the PROW and Cllr. Dawes will contact them and ask them to investigate the problems at the site. The fencing is the responsibility of the neighbouring landowner and Cllr. Jeffries will approach her. The issue of dog mess is a problem around certain areas of the village especially the football pitches where irresponsible dog owners do not clear up after their dogs.

It was also noted that the footpath along the Parish Road is overgrown in certain places especially near the Doctors surgery where the large detached house is still being built. The house-owner will be approached to see if he will cut his hedge.

It was also noted that the Bottle Banks on Parish Road have still not been reinstated and cleared after being pushed over by vandals. The Clerk noted that the issue has been

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reported to the appropriate authorities and if members have future problems at the site they can ring the contractors on 0800 085 4262.

The Clerk reported that he had received some complaints about the Chartham to Canterbury cycle-path which is not tarmac all the way through, but more of a sandy surface. It was thought that Bretts are against tarmac being used on their land. This is a great shame as it is very hard to push a wheelchair or pushchair on the current surface. The Clerk will contact the KSCP for an update on the project.

The Clerk read out a letter from ‘Ramblers at the heart of walking’ promoting support and guidance to footpath wardens.

(e) Amenities:

The Clerk noted that we are still waiting a firm delivery date for the new roundabout and MUGA for the Memorial playing field. It is hoped installation will be within the next 4/5 weeks.

It was noted that repairs have been undertaken on the bus shelter near ‘The Local’ public house.

Cllr. Dungay reported that the telephone box on ‘The Green’ had now been painted.

Cllr. Dungay reported that the toilets on the Memorial playing field will not be opened at the weekends until the end of March 2011.

It was reported that a new litter bin is due to be installed near the Cremer Close lay-by as soon as possible.

Cllr. Dawes reported that the telephone box on the A28 near the junction with Shalmsford Street has a damaged door. The Clerk will report the issue to BT.

Cllr. Frost noted that Stagecoach now has more buses running to the village, almost every half an hour.

(f) No Man's Orchard Management Committee:

It was noted that the next meeting of the No Man’s Orchard Management Committee will take place on the 20th October 2010.

(7) SPORTS PAVILION/PLAY AREAS.

(a) Sports Pavilion:

The Clerk noted that he is due to meet with Brian Wood the Parish Council Accountant later this week to send off the VAT reclaim for the Sports Pavilion. The Clerk outlined the current situation of the reclaim to all members.

The Clerk noted issues raised by Cllr. Graveson regarding complaints from residents in Chestnut Close about excessive litter being left on the pitches and poor parking when the football pitches are being used at weekends. It was stated that cars are being parked irresponsibly causing problems for residents of the Close and that the football pitches have

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been left with empty bottles of drink, football strapping’s and litter which then blow everywhere. After discussion it was agreed that the Clerk would write to the Sports Club asking them to inform all members to park responsibly and to park as many cars as possible in the pavilion car park. Also all members should be asked to take any empty drink bottles and other items back to the litter bins provided both inside and outside the pavilion.

It was suggested that the Finance & General Purposes Committee should consider a maintenance sum each year to provide for general repairs and upkeep of the pavilion.

It was also suggested that we provide more signs at both the Memorial playing field and at St. Augustine’s relating to ‘Dog Fouling’ on the football pitches.

(b) Play Areas:

The Clerk noted that the ROSPA play area inspection reports have now been received from Digley Associates. The Clerk will liaise with Alan Groombridge regarding minor works and repairs that have to be undertaken

(8) VILLAGE HALL.

The Clerk noted a request from a parishioner who has booked the hall for her wedding reception in June 2011, to erect a bouncy castle on the Memorial playing field near the hall. All members agreed to the request.

The Clerk read out an e-mail from Brian Hood who noted that he is resigning from his position as Vice-Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee due to work commitments. All members were asked to consider taking on the position.

Cllr. Hoare noted that the hall has been heavily used lately with a number of parties at the weekends. There are some small areas of maintenance to be looked at, mainly decoration. It was noted that new taps and basins have been fitted in the toilets and consideration is being given to a new pedestal basin in the disabled toilet. It was also noted that the carpet in the small meeting room needs constant cleaning as it is stained on a regular basis by hall users. A new carpet or carpet tiles will be considered by the VHMC.

(9) HIGHWAYS / POLICE & KCC WARDEN LIAISON.

(a) Highways:

The Clerk noted an e-mail from Kent Highway Services regarding the appointment of Sam da Costa as the new Community Liaison Officer for the Canterbury District.

A letter from Kent Highway Services regarding the proposed building timescales for the A2 London Bound on Slip Road at the A28 Thanington Road, Wincheap was read out to all members. The project should be completed by April 2011.

The Clerk reported that he and Cllr. Dawes had met recently with Maggie McKenzie and Sam da Costa from Kent Highway Services to discuss a number of highway issues around the parish such as speeding and speed limits, signage, pot-holes, A2 Slip Road, Salt Bins and gritting of roads.

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Cllr. Hoare questioned whether we could erect an Interactive Speed Sign in Shalmsford Street near the school, to deter speeding. It was stated that there used to be one years ago, but that it was removed when other traffic calming measures were installed.

It was also suggested that the contact number and website details for Kent Highway Services should be placed in the Parish Magazine so that any resident in the parish can report highway issues direct to KHS.

(b) Police / PCSO/ KCC Warden Liaison:

No Police, PCSO or KCC Community Warden reports were available.

(10) DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Parish Council was confirmed to be Tuesday 9th November 2010 at 7.30 pm at The Village Hall, Station Road, Chartham, Nr Canterbury, Kent CT4 7HX.

(11) CLOSURE

There being no further business the meeting closed at 09.05 p.m.

Chairman…………………………………………………………Date…………………….

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