May 2020 at 8.00Pm Was Held Remotely by Telephone

SOUTHFLEET PARISH COUNCIL

Due to the Covid 19 global crisis the MEETING OF SOUTHFLEET PARISH COUNCIL to be held on Monday 4th May 2020 at 8.00pm was held remotely by telephone. Parish Council Members whilst working from home considered and resolved the subjects and matters set out in the Agenda.

Members considering the Agenda: Cllr M N Salway, Cllr I Brown, Cllr S Carter, Cllr L Tomkins, Cllr P Tester and Cllr Cliff Willis

38/20 PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS AND THE LAW: Noted: The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 allows for Members to discuss items on the agenda remotely. Matters discussed/noted during the month will be published on the Parish Council website.

39/20 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Cllr Brown declared a pecuniary/prejudicial interests in matters relating to Gravesham Planning: and Enforcement matters in Dartford and Gravesend; and as the Chairman of Sedley’s School Governors and Member of St Nicholas PCC. Cllr Tomkins declared an interest in Planning Enforcement in the Northend area due to an unsolicited non parishioner telephone contact

40/20 MINUTES: The Minutes of the remote meeting held on 6th April 2020 were considered, agreed to be a true record and will be signed by the Chairman.

41/20 CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATION: COVID 19 CRISIS. The Government “stay at home” and social distancing instruction in the fight against Covid 19 is in place: The PC continues to witness community spirit and kindness of residents helping each other, together with local businesses including the Ship Inn and Broadditch Farm Shop assisting with deliveries of food boxes and a take away meal service.

42/20 HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT MATTERS:

a. Kent Highways: Highways report: Noted. Only 2 items reported.

b. Road Closures in May.

• B262 Betsham Road, Southfleet/Sandbanks Hill– 23 May 2020 for 1 day • B262 Station Road, Southfleet - 26th May 2020 for 1 day • Park Corner Road, Southfleet - 26th May 2020 for 2 weeks.

c. Station Road, Betsham amenity space: Damaged by Thames Water storing equipment has been reported to KCC Highways to ask for reinstatement seeding.

43/20 FOOTPATHS: Noted a. DR137: Blockage reported has been removed. b. DR133 Kissing gate: The padlocked gate has been tampered with and left opened. An email was received to offer to re-instate the padlock and close the gate due to worries of bike riders gaining access, however other residents had commented they preferred the gate open during this time, as no surfaces would be touched. Agreed: To leave the gate open for the time being, monitor the potential bike rider problem and report to the KCC Footpaths Officer when the situation calms.

1 c. DR134: It was noted from social media the path was overgrown and a resident had offered to cut vegetation. It is the responsible of KCC Footpaths to maintain PROWs, however under the circumstances, it would be very helpful if residents wished to help with cutting the vegetation.

44/20 PLANNING:

a. To note observations given by the Planning Sub Committee on planning applications:- • High View DA/ 20/00427/VCON - Application for variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning permission DA/17/02104/FUL in respect of alterations to the roof form, and associated fenestration alterations at first floor level. Plus, revisions to doors and windows at ground floor level. The Parish Council is not opposed to the application. However, applications and various amendments at this site go back over 4 years, therefore we suggest the applicant be advised that this must be the final change. The Parish Council reminds DBC of our previous comments re: the proposed development including the lack of good location information.

• 4 Lambert Mews DA/ 20/00450/FUL Erection of a single storey front extension to and raising height of attached garage with dormer window in front and side elevations above roof lights in rear elevation in connection with providing additional room in the roof space. The Parish Council is opposed to this re-application on the grounds that the extensions will amount considerably more than the currently permitted 30% in the Green Belt and the impact on the surrounding area in our opinion it out of keeping with the locality. It is noted that construction work appears to be in progress. DBC's attention is drawn to the existing high level of on street parking.

• 7 New Barn Road DA/ 20/00381/FUL Erection of a detached garage & front boundary wall and access gate and provision of hardstanding to create driveway to front of property. The Parish Council does not object to the application in general terms. However raise concerns about the un- permeable hard standing which appears will cover the whole of the frontage. In our opinion this would cause water run off to flow out onto the un surfaced private roadway. We suggest DBC discusses this with the applicant to avoid future problems. Furthermore, the Parish Council asks for strict control over working days and hours; and avoidance of nuisance and damage form construction vehicles.

b. To note consents granted.

• Rosedale DA/20/00186/FUL - Enlargement of existing roof for provision of dormer window in front roof slope and roof lights inside elevation to create additional floor space in roof.

• Freegrove DA/20/00159/FUL - Demolition of existing conservatory and garage and erection of single storey rear/side extension to include garage

• Rannoch DA/20/00168/FUL - Demolition of existing conservatory and garage and erection of single storey rear extension

To note refused.

• Land Adjacent 1 Court Hill Cottages - DA/20/00210/COU Change of use of land to include in residential curtilage of 1 Court Hill Cottages

c. Enforcement Issues: • Northend: DBC Planning has advised there is an ongoing investigation into alleged breaches of planning conditions. A Member has received an approach by a Company Representative at North

2 End regarding issues he has with DBC Planning and residents. He was informed that the Parish Council will not involve itself in neighbourhood or planning disputes. • Outstanding/follow up reports will be actioned in July if the DBC Planning Enforcement Office is working to normal capacity

45/20 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS/POLICE MATTERS/LICENSING ETC: a. Police, Kent Fire and Rescue: No matters to report. b. Environment • Closure of the Pepperhill Waste Unit is noted, there has been increased fly tipping which has been reported to DBC • Public bins and dog waste disposal. A resident has reported issues to DBC for action. • Damaged wall at Ingress Terrace: Noted the wall had been knocked again. This was reported to DBC Housing and action taken swiftly

c. Trees, Hedges and Bulbs: Nothing to report.

46/20 CODE OF CONDUCT/STANDARDS FOR ENGLAND, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, STANDING ORDERS • Conduct at meetings: Noted: SPC Standing Orders will be amended to include Members temporarily working remotely during the Covid 19 Crisis. Parishioners rights to speak is already included in the Standing Orders, however a more detailed explanation of rights and also the procedure for non- residents to attend and speak at a Parish Council will be published. • Declaration of Interests. Members were reminded of the regulations and the procedure if approached by a non-resident on Parish Council matters

47/20 SOUTHFLEET MEMORIAL FUND: Noted: Correspondence from Investment Advisor on reductions in interest rate income.

48/20 FINANCE:

a. Cheques for signature: Noted and agreed a. • Southfleet Village Hall. To note 2020 invoice is on hold pending written advice from the SVH Secretary • Came and Co – Insurance 3 year plan £530.53 • DBC Election Expenses £639.49 (Invoice queried as the Election was uncontested. DBC replied the cost was a proportion of the whole of the Borough’s Election cost)

b. Online Banking: Due to the issues with paying in cheques and contacting the bank during the current crisis, it has been agreed to apply for online banking. The paperwork has been signed and sent, and procedures will be agreed for the access and audit of the accounts.

c. Annual Audit: Agreed: to complete the Certificate of Exemption – AGAR 2019/20 Part 2 as gross income or gross expenditure did not exceed £25,000 in the year of account ended 31 March 2020.

d. DBC’s Capacity Building Fund: Noted: details of application procedure has not been issued.