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Ordinary Meeting of Ringwould with Kingsdown Parish Council 14 th May 2012

Attending The Chairman, Cllr P Macwilliam, Cllrs: N Jackaman, D Clark, , Rev Sigrist, A Shepherd, D Bucknell, Clerk Sarah Spanner,

1 Record of members present Members as listed above were present, Apologies accepted from Cllrs Broadley and Paice (holidays) . PCSO and Dover DC Councillor S le Chevalier also sent apologies and an update from Cllr Le Chevalier was provided by the clerk.

2. Declaration of interest with regard to items on the agenda, Cllr Bucknell declared an interest in item 9.6

3. Public Participation, Two members of the public attended. Thanks were passed to the clerk for her response to reports of over hanging trees and also circulation of information relating to a recent exhibition in Kingsdown. It was reported that Kingsdown Conservation Group (KCG) was keen to progress closer working relationships with the Parish Council.

There was a general discussion about the land adjacent to the village hall and possible community benefit in the future, this was to be the subject of an agenda item later in the meeting.

4. Read and confirm minutes of the previous meeting Cllr Sigrist proposed and Cllr Jackaman seconded that the minutes be accepted as an accurate record, 5 voted in favour with 1 abstention

5. Community Warden / Partners and Community Together initiative. The Community Warden reported thefts at local stables which were being investigated. The oil tank connection at Ringwould Church had been vandalised leading to a considerable loss of oil. There had been some camping in Freedown Wood which was discussed. Cllrs were reluctant to introduce more negative regulations but this needed to be kept under review in case of damage, the area is common land and there are rights associated with access to this land but none associated with camping.

6 Matters arising (not covered elsewhere on the agenda) The clerk reported that no report had been received from Cllr Broadley with regard to the Zetland Arms who had been finding it difficult to meet with the landlord. This would be carried forward but it was agreed that, as the Parish Council owns the land outside the Zetland Arms, a firm stance must be taken if necessary with the owners, Enterprise Inns, who were already aware of the issue. On a related issue Cllr MacWilliam reported that some progress was being made to developing ideas for communal waste bins in North Road area.

The response to the Parish Council’s letter relating to green waste had been circulated and was discussed. Cllr Jackaman did not feel it was a very convincing argument and Cllr Sigrist expressed concerns about green waste. Cllr MacWilliam asked that all 34 councillors report any instances of fly tipping to Dover District via their on line reporting tool but also to the clerk to allow local monitoring.

The clerk had received quotations for the clearance of a strip of land in Ringwould and the crown reduction of an Ash tree on Ringwould Village Green. Cllr Jackaman proposed and Cllr Macwilliam seconded that the quotes be accepted , all voted in favour. ACTION CLERK

7. Misc Land 7.1 Cllr MacWilliam reported that the bench known as Nelson’s Seat in Ringwould had fallen apart. A seat had been in that position for generations and therefore it was felt that it should be continued and the clerk was asked to get some quotes for a replacement for the Parish Council to consider before any decision was made. ACTION CLERK

7.2 Cllr MacWilliam apologised that he had omitted to bring his paper on the proposals for a car park in Kingsdown to the meeting but he verbally outlined the options available on the land adjacent to the village hall. Cllr Bucknell felt that any discussions had to be made against a firm proposal which he did not believe was yet possible as the owner had options around gaining planning permission for development as the area was on the LDF. Had planning been refused then he felt there might be some gain to be achieved. But in the short term he did not believe that this was likely. Cllr Clark agreed Cllr Shepherd suggested that other possibilities for this land included community wildlife area, sports facilities not just carparking.

In the light of the discussions Cllr Clark proposed that the Parish Council formally write to the owner of the land to ascertain any intentions he might have for it and whether he would be open to any current discussions about selling any of the land. Cllr Sigrist seconded this proposal and all voted in favour. ACTION CLERK

Cllr MacWilliam reminded Councillors that Fields in Trust was to be an agenda item in June and that they should visit the website provided by the clerk to get fully informed on this scheme

8. Planning 8.1 Cllr Sigrist and Cllr MacWilliam provided feedback from the Planning Training they had attended. Both felt it was very beneficial and that it would be useful for the Parish Council to sign up to receive the regular newsletters from Navigus , which as a firm of consultants was already working closely offering advice to Parish Councils preparing Neighbourhood Plans. This was proposed by Cllr MacWilliam and seconded by Cllr Sigrist, all voted in favour. ACTION CLERK Cllr Sigrist said she found it useful to understand that such plans could be achieved by working in small specific blocks in stages which she felt made it a more feasible proposition.

Cllr MacWilliam reported that Sholden was to provide information to be obtained from Worth Parish Council which had got grant funding for a Neighbourhood Plan and was now embarking on producing one. 35

Cllr Bucknell stated that he was still not clear on what neighbourhood plans would achieve or their benefits. Cllr Shepherd suggested that Councillors should look at other examples and feedback on experiences and the process undertaken. The clerk stated that she would circulate any information received from Worth Parish Council as soon as it was received.

8.2 Proposed development Balmoral Rd – feedback from exhibition Those Councillors who had attended this meeting discussed the event and agreed that it was important to understand the responses from the public, the questionnaires are to be obtained from the developers. The clerk had circulated two emails received to Councillors, one in support of the scheme the other raising concerns, Cllr Clark reported that she had been asked to state that a resident living close (opposite) to the site had no concerns and was open minded about the development. It was felt that the previously refused application relating to 49 Balmoral Road would be re submitted should the new proposal get planning approval.

Cllr Bucknell stated that he felt this was a key site and that the Parish Council needed to have further discussions when more information was available, in particular in relation to the proposed handing over of woodland to the community. Cllr Shepherd stated that it was important that the architectural style and quality of houses was in keeping with the area. Cllr Sigrist felt that they were compatible with other properties in Balmoral Road. No invite to the developer to meet with the Parish Council was felt to be necessary at this stage

Cllr Bucknell also raised some concerns about this form of early engagement with developers and whether it was appropriate to publicise such events via the Parish Council website. He further stated that this was an area in which the Parish Council needed to have planning policies to enable it to manage a structured response (Action previously agreed at Annual meeting of Parish council to hold a planning working group meeting to progress).

There was a general discussion on what Councillors felt to be the priorities areas for the Parish Council. Cllr Bucknell proposed and Cllr Sigrist seconded that all councillors should produce a short bullet point style note on what they felt to be the top 5 priorities and circulate these to the clerk (and each other ) by end June. ACTION ALL COUNCILLORS

8.3 The following recent responses of the Planning Committee were noted 12/00225 Site adjoining Mer Vista, Variation of No objections Condition 5 of Planning permission to allow windows and doors to be of UPVC 12/00227 17, North Rd. Erection of two storey front Objections raised extension (published on PC website)

8.4 To following recent decisions of Dover District Council were noted 12/00178 Erection of rear dormer roof extension 6 Granted permission North Road, Kingsdown, Deal, CT14 8AG 12/00182 Erection of a two storey rear extension 41 Refused permission Balmoral Road, Kingsdown, CT14 8BX 36

9. Finance 9.1 Cllr Sigrist proposed and Cllr Shepherd seconded that the following schedule of payments were passed for payment. All voted in favour 829 H Evemy Materials used to maintain historic sign £31.16 830 S Spanner mileage (meetings with auditor) 36 miles £14.40 831 A J Kilbee – Audit of accounts £50.00 832 S Spanner, office phone bill £16.98 833 P Godden litter picking £91.50 834 S Spanner April salary £418.74 835 Post office Ltd (PAYE April) £104.80 836 A Calder Grounds Maint/rec grnd inspections £250 827 Sholden Parish Council 2 x training places £48 9.3 Cllr Sigrist proposed and Cllr Bucknell seconded that the audited accounting statement be approved for subsequent review by Audit commission. All voted in favour. The clerk advised that payments made to Kingsdown Village Hall for the refurbishment had been made againgst copies of contractors invoices

9.4 To approve quotation received for Parish Council Insurance Cllr Sigrist proposed and Cllr Clark seconded that the 3 year long term agreement with Aviva be accepted, 5 voted in favour, 1 abstention.

9.5 Jubilee Signs The clerk reported that she had now got, following the update at previous Parish council meetings, a formal quote from a local sign maker for the erection of 2 Parish Council logo signs in aluminium. Cllr Shepherd and Cllr Bucknell felt that this material and style was not appropriate. Cllr Jackaman expressed concern that it had been discussed at several previous meetings so felt it was late to make changes. Cllr Shepherd agreed he would take an action to get quotes for the design and installation of 2 signs based on the PC logo from local craftsmen ACTION CLLR SHEPHERD

The clerk reported that if signs were erected in conservation area she believed planning permission would be required.

9.6. To consider a grant application from Kingsdown Conservation Trust Cllr Bucknell outlined progress made in obtaining a purchase option for land along Victoria Road. He was a trustee of the group along with three others. He would be actively fund raising but wished to formally ask for funds from the Parish Council at the June meeting. Cllr MacWilliam indicated that he thought that the trust would also need funds for on going maintenance and reminded Cllr Bucknell that this land was designated open access.

This item carried forward to June Parish Council meeting ACTION CLLR BUCKNELL to provide information to clerk to circulate to Parish Council with agendas by 6th June

10. Correspondence for Parish Council 10.1 Consultation - the Commissioning Plan for Education Provision 2012-17 Cllr Sigrist offered to take this and liaise with local schools on a response 10.2 A Letter from KCG was discussed and a draft response were agreed. Cllr Bucknell said he thought that it was important to understand that KCG could be a 37 campaigning group whereas the Parish Council had statutory responsibilities which might limit some of its activities.

11 Information Exchange Cllr Macwilliam reminded Councillors that the clerk was on leave from 17th May. Cllr Bucknell agreed to circulate information to councillors about a strip of land along Bay View Rd as he felt there was an opportunity to influence the LDF. ACTION CLLR BUCKNELL

Cllr Shepherd said that he was aware that local residents wanted some form of information sign erected near Kingsdown Wood in relation to ex world war installations. It was suggested that they approach the National Trust. He also asked whether a screen could be erected at the rear of the goalpost at Kingsdown recreation ground . ACTION CLERK to obtain quotations for this

There being no other business the meeting closed at 10.25 pm, the next meeting is on Monday 11th June, 7.30pm at Learning Opportunities Centre Ringwould