High Halstow Parish Council 50 Pepys Way • Strood • Rochester • Kent • ME2 3LL Tel: 01634 710086 • e-mail: [email protected] Website : www.highhalstow-pc.gov.uk MINUTES Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 9th December 2020 Virtual Meeting ~ 7.30 pm Attendees: Cllr G. Crozer (Chairman) Cllr C. Watson (Vice-Chair) Cllr L. Atkinson Cllr R. Collins Cllr M. Stone Cllr T. Munday Cllr G. Jerreat Ward Cllr R. Sands Mrs J. Allen (Clerk) Members of the public: Three (3) The meeting commenced at 7.30pm The Chairman, Cllr G. Crozer. opened the meeting and thanked both the members of the Parish Council and the three (3) Parishioners present for attending. 1. Apologies for absence HHPC962:09.12.20 None. 2. To receive Declarations of Interest and Dispensations HHPC963:09.12.20 None 3. Vacancies a). To discuss two applications received for co-option from Ms C. McFarlane & Mr M. Buckland HHPC964:09.12.20 The Chairman, Cllr G. Crozer, spoke to advise that alongside the two written applications from the above applicants he had received a telephone call from Mr B. Khatkar, who had expressed an interest in re-joining the Parish Council, although nothing had been received in writing. Cllr G. Crozer also recognised the members had received a written application from a lady living close to Rochester High Street, where it was established that sadly she did not meet the required criteria of living within 3 miles of the village boundaries, as such her credentials were not able to be considered. Further interest was additionally received from a woman in Hoo, but it was subsequently not followed up by her. HHPC965:09.12.20 A proposal was received from Cllr M. Stone to co-opt Ms C. McFarlane onto the Parish Council where Cllr L. Atkinson also spoke to propose Mr M. Buckland be co-opted. A vote took place where, after careful consideration, it was unanimously agreed to elect both applicants to fulfil the two vacancies. In turn each new member was asked to sign their declaration of office in front of the forum, where they received a warm welcome as new members of the Parish Council after they had done so. 4. Minutes of the last meeting a). To receive and approve the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 11th November 2020. HHPC966:09.12.20 The minutes of the previous Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 11th November 2020, were submitted by the Clerk. It was proposed by Cllr M. Stone to approve the minutes as a correct record. This proposal was seconded by Cllr L. Atkinson and agreed with seven (7) members voting in favour and the two (2) new Councillors abstaining. 5. Matters arising from the minutes (not otherwise on the agenda) HHPC967:09.12.20 None. Page 1 of 18 High Halstow Parish Council 50 Pepys Way • Strood • Rochester • Kent • ME2 3LL Tel: 01634 710086 • e-mail: [email protected] Website : www.highhalstow-pc.gov.uk 6. Planning a). Applications HHPC968:09.12.20 The members discussed the four (4) new planning applications that had been received since the last meeting, where it was acknowledged that one (1) of these applications had been received after the meeting packs were issued: • MC/20/3003 – Land Adjacent To 35 Cooling Road, High Halstow Cllr R. Collins spoke to inform the members that this application had been submitted in 2018 under reference MC/18/0096, where it had been opposed by the members following concerns of over intensification, lack of local infrastructure and a potentially dangerous vehicular access onto a narrow hill amongst other things. He advised that having reviewed the resubmitted correspondence that the application appeared to be almost identical, apart from it was for one dwelling less and the inclusion of a Design Code. He informed the members that he felt the concerns listed previously were still valid points and he urged the members to submit a further rejection. A vote took place where eight (8) of the nine (9) Parish Councillors agreed to submit a further Objection, where one (1) member abstained. It was agreed that Cllr R Collins would liaise further with the Clerk in regards to the members In order to submit a further objection. • MC/20/2930 – 1 Ropers Farm Ropers Green Lane Cllr R. Collins spoke to advise that having reviewed this application online, that he recommended the members did not submit an objection. • MC/20/2682 – Land To The South Of Britannia Road, High Halstow Cllr R. Collins spoke to advise that this application had been discussed at the last meeting, where the members agreed to submit an objection. • MC/20/3122 – Kemaman Forge Lane High Halstow Cllr R. Collins spoke to inform the members that this application had been submitted after the meeting packs had been issued and as such it was not showing on their lists. He advised that the applicants appeared to be asking for permission to convert their existing garage into a habitable room and to build a new garage alongside the property. He advised that having reviewed all the correspondence on the web portal that he could not foresee any issues with it and he urged the members not to submit an objection. It was established that owing to the recency of the submission of the application that Cllr R. Collins was yet to speak to the neighbouring properties. b). Decisions HHPC969:09.12.20 Cllr R. Collins spoke to confirm receipt of four (4) new planning application decisions, two (2) of which had been declined. It was acknowledged that the following applications had been agreed – subject to conditions: • MC/20/2400 – Kingsnorth, Sharnal Street • MC/20/2230 – 16 Cooling Road Page 2 of 18 High Halstow Parish Council 50 Pepys Way • Strood • Rochester • Kent • ME2 3LL Tel: 01634 710086 • e-mail: [email protected] Website : www.highhalstow-pc.gov.uk The members also discussed the declined applications, where it was acknowledged that Ward Councillor Ron Sands had informed the members of Medway Council’s decision concerning ‘The Hollies’ at the last meeting. • MC/20/2310 – The Barn, Cooling Road • MC/20/1237 – The Hollies The Chairman, Cllr G. Crozer spoke to advise that he had been approached by a neighbour of Longfield Avenue, concerning planning application MC/20/0134. Where the Parishioner had queried if the proposed agreed extension was double or single storey. Cllr R. Collins spoke in response to confirm it was a single storey extension and confirmed that he too had received a query concerning this property. Ward Councillor R. Sands also spoke to query if the Fenn Corner industrial estate extended into the boundaries of High Halstow. The Chairman spoke in response to confirm that the estate was contained within the Parish of St Mary Hoo. c). Appeals and other matters HHPC970:09.12.20 None. d). Redrow Development (Heronden Grange) HHPC971:09.12.20 Cllr R. Collins spoke to advise that he did not have a report. The Chairman, Cllr G. Crozer, read an email received from Chelgate (consultants to Redrow) informing the members that they would be sharing a questionnaire with the community in relation to their first consultation plans, where they were proposing to meet with the members to discuss the details of the second consultation. It was agreed that Cllr G. Crozer would respond to Chelgate to make arrangements for a further meeting with them in the New Year. e). Neighbourhood Plan HHPC972:09.12.20 Cllr R. Collins also spoke to confirm that the draft plan had now been forwarded to Medway Council where meetings on Tuesday 15th December 2020 and Wednesday 13th January 2021 had been arranged. f). Local Plan HHPC973:09.12.20 The Chairman, Cllr G. Crozer spoke to confirm that he had no report. g). Section 106 monies HHPC974:09.12.20 Cllr R. Collins spoke to advise that he understood that there were now 34 properties occupied within Heronden Grange and that this released the fourth tranche of money, most of which was pinpointed towards education in the Hoo Borough. Cllr R. Collins also advised that he understood Medway Council had pledged to spend £11,000 on Community facilities following the release of the fourth tranche and accordingly he appealed to the members to contact him if they had any suggestions. It was acknowledged that the new children’s play area in Heronden Grange had not been installed yet, as it was thought this was not likely to be erected until after the majority of the properties were inhabited. 7. Finance a). Bank Balances HHPC975:09.12.20 The Councillors carefully reviewed the bank balances provided, where the figures were deemed as acceptable. Page 3 of 18 High Halstow Parish Council 50 Pepys Way • Strood • Rochester • Kent • ME2 3LL Tel: 01634 710086 • e-mail: [email protected] Website : www.highhalstow-pc.gov.uk b). BACS payments made since the last meeting HHPC976:09.12.20 The Councillors carefully reviewed the BACS payments made since the last meeting where it was unanimously agreed that these payments were acceptable. The Chairman, Cllr G. Crozer, invited the new members to join the finance committee where he explained that Cllr R. Collins was the Chairman of this committee. Cllr R. Collins spoke in response to inform the members that the next Finance meeting was due in January, where a date of Monday 11th January 2021 was unanimously agreed. Cllr R. Collins spoke further to ask the members again to contact him should they have any further ideas for projects in the New Year.