WICKHAMBREAUX PARISH COUNCIL 18 JUNE 2019 at WICKHAMBREAUX VILLAGE HALL, the STREET, WICKHAMBREAUX, CT3 1RJ Present: Parish Cllr
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WICKHAMBREAUX PARISH COUNCIL 18 JUNE 2019 AT WICKHAMBREAUX VILLAGE HALL, THE STREET, WICKHAMBREAUX, CT3 1RJ Present: Parish Cllr Robin Treacher Parish Cllr Martin Twyman Parish Cllr Faith Wright Parish Cllr Catherine Holland Parish Cllr Peter Collinson Parish Cllr Darren Howe Miss Chenice Howard-Sparkes, Clerk to the Council 2 Members of the Public 1. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Treacher welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Parish Cllr Caroline Rees (Holiday), City Cllr Louise Jones-Roberts and County Cllr Michael Northey (Work Commitments). 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None. 3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 10 MAY 2019 The Minutes were accepted as a true record of the meeting with some minor amendments. 4. INFORMATION FROM MATTERS ARISING 3 – Cllr Treacher reported that he received an email from Christine Le Jeune, Sloyden Charity Trustee, who has informed him that trustees need to be appointed from within the Wickhambreaux ecclesiastical parish. This means that unfortunately Cllr Howe cannot be a trustee as he resides in the Stodmarsh ecclesiastical parish and Ms Le Jeune wished to apologise for not making this clear previously. Cllr Collinson suggested a representative from St Andrew’s Church as the second trustee and this was unanimously supported. Cllr Collinson agreed to make enquiries to see who would be willing to take on the role. 10 – Cllr Wright reported that the proposals for application CA/19/00391/FUL at Chimney Pot Cottage, reported at the last meeting to have been granted by Canterbury City Council, was amended prior to a decision being issued to reroute the external flue through the building to limit the impact on the streetscene. 11 – The Clerk reported that she contacted the lady who wished to scatter her husband’s ashes to arrange a meeting. The lady informed the Clerk that due to the delay in responding following the initial enquiry, she had already scattered her husband’s ashes outside of Wickhambreaux on a footpath leading towards Seaton. The Clerk informed the lady that permission should have been sought of the landowner before scattering the ashes but no further action is now required. 16(Playing Field) Cllr Treacher reported that the Playing Field Committee AGM (Annual General Meeting) will be held on Wednesday 17 July 2019. 18(ii) Cllr Collinson reported that there has been some controversy at the government’s decision to move the May bank holiday back four days next year to Friday 08 May 2020 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day, as many towns and villages have annual events planned on this day. 18(iii) Cllr Collinson reported that he has contacted the Project Manager at UK Power Networks who is currently on holiday and will investigate the removal of the pole further on their return. It appears that there is some confusion over ownership with regards to whether BT or UK Power Networks own the pole in question. 18(iv) The Clerk reported that she invited the resident who raised two suggestions at the APM (Annual Parish Meeting) to present the suggestions to the Parish Council at its July meeting. The resident has declined the invitation and is happy for the Parish Council to come to a decision without him being present. It was agreed not to put the suggestions to a future meeting without a “sponsor” in attendance. ~ 1 ~ 5. REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND CITY COUNCILLORS City Cllr Louise Jones-Roberts Cllr Treacher provided a summary of Canterbury City Council’s activities on behalf of Cllr Jones-Roberts which included the City Council finalising proposals for the installation of security bollards throughout the city centre for pedestrian safety, the provision of an ice rink in the Dane John Gardens planned for five weeks at Christmas and undertaking a review of shopping habits in areas such as Wincheap to assist with the upcoming Local Plan Review. Cllr Jones-Roberts also wished to report that the district has won some awards for its beaches included the Blue Flag award for Tankerton and the Seaside Award for Herne Bay and Reculver. The City Council has also voted in favour of a second term of the Business Improvement District (BID) for the city centre. If the majority of businesses approve the proposed five year plan, there will be more resources for graffiti cleaning, cleaning streets and support for rolling out free WiFi. In the Little Stour Ward, Cllr Jones-Roberts has been in contact with the DVLA, City Council and the Police regarding an abandoned vehicle in Ickham, pushed Southern Housing to take responsibility for overgrown trees in Bekesbourne, working with Adisham Parish Council and local residents on the proposed development in Pitt Woods (which resulted in the application being withdrawn), and requested a clean of an East Kent Housing building in Wickhambreaux. Cllr Jones-Roberts also wished to report the recent sad passing of Cllr Jenny Samper, who was the longest serving councilor having dedicated over thirty years to public service. County Cllr Michael Northey The Clerk reported on behalf of Cllr Northey that Kent County Council continues to repair and patch the road system and, since the start of 2019, has patched over half a million square meters of carriageway. Cllr Northey also wished to report that Kent County Councillors have received a briefing on preparations for Brexit, whatever the eventually outcome. Previous to the end of March, officers and others were being told to expect a deal but prepare for a no-deal just in case. The working assumption now is that there will not be a deal so detailing planning has been put into place for the protection of medicines and food, especially for the hard to reach places of Kent. Operation Stack has been abolished and instead replaced with Operation Brock, in case of need, which will keep the traffic flowing. Manston Airport is being prepared for parking if necessary for over five thousand vehicles with a new surface, food washing and toilet facilities. The French authorities are being very helpful resulting in efficient planning and goodwill on both sides of the Channel. 6. HIGHWAYS (i) Drainage issues in The Street – Cllr Collinson reported that a resident in The Street contacted him to report that heavy rainfall week commencing 10 June 2019 highlighted that drains along The Street appeared to be blocked, resulting in water flowing down from Wickham Court and running down The Street causing flooding concerns. The resident has reported the issue to Kent Highways but has asked that the Parish Council follow up to ensure the entire stretch of drainage is checked and cleared as necessary. The Clerk agreed to report this to Kent Highways. (ii) Cllr Twyman reported that he has been in contact with Michelle Weston, Highways Steward, with regards to a number of pot holes in the parish. (iii) Cllr Howe reported that some of the wooden bars on the white bridge by the Watermill are rotten and need replacing. Cllr Treacher confirmed that the bridge is owned by Kent County Council and the Clerk was asked to report this. Cllr Twyman reported that the new High Sheriff was also going to raise the matter at a meeting scheduled with a Kent County Council representative regarding an unrelated matter. ~ 2 ~ 7. PLANNING CA//19/01046/K3F (KCC/CA/0108/2019) – Grove Ferry Picnic Site, Grove Ferry Road The Parish Council has no objections to the proposed installation of a new public canoe/kayak floating platform, installation of six timber changing cubicles and the upgrading of the existing footpath from the car park to the riverbank. CA//19/01114/FUL – Pear Tree Cottage. Seaton Road The Parish Council has no objections to the proposed single storey rear extension together with alterations to the roof and porch to front elevation. CA//19/00632/FUL – Newnham House, Grove Road Canterbury City Council has refused the proposed part change of use from agricultural to non- residential and creation of new detached specialist clinic complete with associated parking and landscaping due to highway safety, loss of agricultural land, unacceptable urbanisation of the countryside, and the applicant failed to demonstrate there are no other suitable sites closer to the town centre. Pear Orchard – Cllr Wright reported that the developers (Rogate) are not in a position to submit an application for development of the Pear Orchard at this current time. Cllr Treacher reported that he received an email from a resident with two concerns regarding the proposed development, firstly regarding Rogate’s decision to have the entrance to the site off The List rather than Grove Road due to insufficient sight lines next to ‘Altona’, and secondly Rogate’s offer to fund a reduction in speed limits through the village which could be seen as accepting a “gift” in exchange for planning permission. Cllr Treacher reported that he responded to the resident that the Parish Council cannot comment in detail on the entrance choice and the adequacy of sight lines until the planning application is submitted. However, Cllr Treacher commented that it was his understanding that The List was chosen as Rogate has the ability to improve the existing sight lines there and had not been able to secure land to make any improvements by ‘Altona’. Cllr Treacher also encouraged the resident to make representation ahead of the planning application to the City Council and Kent County Council. With regards to funding for the reduction of speed limits, Cllr Treacher confirmed that there may be the possibility of funding available through Section 106 agreements should the application be granted. However, the Parish Council and Kent County Council have identified funds to pay for the reduction in speed limits already and is not reliant on the planning application being granted to achieve this.