Minutes 2018/19

St Mary Hoo Parish Council Minutes of a meeting held on Tuesday 12 March 2019 at 7.00 p.m. in The Blue Room, The Village Hall, The Street,

C/03/19/1-6

Present : Cllr Bill Budd Chairman Cllr Mrs Carol Heyburn Cllr Paul Hassell Cllr Pat Kelly

Mrs Linda Atkinson Parish Clerk

Absent : Cllr Terry Ballard

Members of the public 3

The Chairman suspended the start of the meeting to enable Andy Cowell, proprietor of the Fenn Bell Inn and Zoo to present his plans for new parking arrangements to the Council and to other members of the public. Andy explained that as well as the public, they are also finding the situation frustrating. They have put together plans for new parking and are hopeful that the Council will work quickly on the application before the summer holidays. The Council often have questions to refer back with so there may be some delay before the plans are approved. The Easter holidays may be an issue. There will be a three-week period where the Zoo will be very busy. When they know they are going to be fully booked they put out a PUBLIC NOTICE on social media and their website to let the public know that they should not come to the zoo or pub today as they are full. The problem appears to be around the 12 noon time. Everyone comes at once. Andy would prefer to change the hours to aid the situation but this has been dismissed by the Council. Only part of the proposed field will be used for parking. The rest of the field will be used for the grazing of horses. Grass verges belonging to the garage next to the field will be used going to and from the parking area. These will be made into a footpath. There will be an 8 metre entrance to the new car park. The gate to the new car park will be locked and only opened when the pub and zoo is open. Andy is also unhappy about parents and children going through the industrial estate and Andy and his staff are doing all they can to stop this. Andy had drafted a letter for publication in the St Mary Hoo Newsletter and will be forwarding this to the Clerk within the following few days. The Chairman thanked Andy for his presentation and started the meeting at 7:45 p.m.

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Agenda Minute Item Number Number 1 140 Apologies for absence Cllr Terry Ballard sent apologies for absence due to sickness.

2 141 Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest.

3 142 Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 January 2019 The minutes of the meeting of 8 January 2019 were discussed approved. Cllr Paul Hassell proposed that they be signed as approved and Cllr Carol Heyburn seconded. The Chairman signed the minutes and initialled each page to ensure transparency.

4 143 Matters arising from the Minutes not otherwise on the Agenda There were no other matters arising. 5 144 Planning (Appendix B) A Applications: There were no applications.

B Decisions: No decisions.

C Appeal reference AP/A2280/W/193220798 Discussion as to whether the appeal should have gone ahead. Councillors believe the appeal is misleading. Cllr Budd would investigate further and if possible make a representation against this appeal.

6 145 Finance (Appendix C) Clerk explained the Finance Statement to the Councillors and there were questions on the payments. There was a query on why the Inland Revenue payment was so high but the Clerk explained that the figure was for four months instead of two months. The payment for the High Halstow Village hall was also amended to pay £20 rather than the incorrect figure of £50 The Clerk had also hosted a Clerk’s Forum with other Clerks in the region and this has been held at The Windmill public house in Hoo. The payment for refreshments was approved.

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Bank balances A The balances of the bank accounts were read and understood.

Barclays Community Account 28 Feb 2019 £3,199.86 Barclays Business Saver Account 28 Feb 2019 £15,421.86

B There was one cheque that was processed before the meeting and this is shown in C below for the sake of completeness.

C Cheques for payments for account were prepared for signature.

Lexis Nexis 101174 110.99 Elle Media Group Ltd 101175 96.00 HMRC 101176 190.40 High Halstow Village Hall 101177 20.00 Linda Atkinson (Clerk) 101178 353.25 Grassroots (Grounds maintenance) 101179 300.00 Linda Atkinson (admin reimbursement) 101180 18.00 Total amount of cheques £1,068.64

Available funds £17,552.88

Accounts for payment were agreed. It was proposed by Cllr Paul Hassell and seconded by Cllr Bill Budd that the cheques be signed for payment.

D Credit Card for payments: The Clerk confirmed that she had received a letter of decline from Barclaycard. Cllr Budd was of the opinion that the decline was due to applying for credit. There was some discussion on a resolution of how the Clerk should pay for sundry items. Cllr Carl Heyburn proposed and Cllr Paul Hassell seconded that the Clerk should apply for a debit card assigned to the Parish Council Community Bank account which would enable her to purchase items without having to use her own money.

E Interest charge The Clerk had supplied copies of bank statements which showed why and when interest had been charged totalling £11.36 in the previous year’s accounts. These were read and understood. The Clerk was requested to ensure that the Community Account does not fall into overdraft thus incurring more interest. The Clerk agreed.

7 146 Personnel Cllr Budd expressed a view that as the National Pay Scales would increase in April 2019 then the Parish Council should pay the Clerk’s wage at least in line with those figures proposed. It was proposed by Cllr Budd and seconded by Cllr Hassell that the Clerk should be paid the new hourly rate for her banding plus an extra £1 per hour to keep her ahead of the pay scale. It was agreed unanimously.

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8 147 Management of the Council’s Land and Property A Nature Reserve and registration of the land A colleague of the Clerk’s had helped in the registration of land and the Parish Council agreed on a personalised gift of appreciation. The budget was set for £100 in order for Cllr Budd to purchase the gift. The proposal was put forward by Cllr Pat Kelly and seconded by Cllr Carol Heyburn. The vote was unanimous in favour.

B Pond and Village Green The original rowan tree around the pond has been replaced with another tree. The wreath has also disappeared. It has a different stake which is tied to the tree. Cllr Hassell has proposed that the Council purchase another rowan tree and a plaque to show what the tree represents. The original rowan tree had been planted to commemorate the Battle of Britain and to those men who sacrificed their lives in the war, especially those from the village. Cllr Pat Kelly seconded the proposal and the decision was unanimous to replace the tree. Cllr Hassell to purchase the rowan tree and the plaque and seek reimbursement from the Parish Council. Registration of the land containing the village pond to be discussed at a further meeting. The question of insurance was raised. The Clerk was instructed to check whether the Parish Council had insurance to cover any issues that may arise.

C Noticeboards It was agreed to move the noticeboard at the Fenn Bell to the grass verge alongside Rose Cottages. This will be carried out in the better weather, probably the summer months.

9 148 Management of Bell Wood The felling licence for the trees had been received and the Contractor was Clerk waiting for the outcome of the processing of the licence. Cllr Budd confirmed that he would contact Sally Carman to inform her that we as a Parish Council we still chasing for the work to be carried out and are constantly emailing the agent for updates.

10 149 Highways & Transport A Public Rights of Way Cllr Hassell handed an email to the Clerk which had been addressed to him from Christoph Bull. Christoph is the Chalk Parish Historian and Historical Advisor to Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Council. He wrote to Annmarie Behn at Medway Council informing her of footpath RS22 towards St Mary’s Bay. Along this footpath and just before the crossing with R55 there is now a large cattle pen which completely obscures where the footpath RS22 is supposed to go.

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Mr Bull received a response from Medway Council confirming that they would place this issue on the Volunteer’s list for clearing.

B Any other transport or highways issues A new barrier has been fitted at Fenn Corner. The Council have updated the cameras on the A228 yet we still have not been informed regarding the installation of speed cameras. The Council intends to place a speed monitoring device in the road some time in March 2019 – which is not looking likely to happen. Cllr Budd to ask Cllr Filmer when the monitoring device will be installed and proximity. 11 150 Rural Liaison Committee A Cllr Budd attended. There were 3 presentations. • Shared Lives – people over 16 who need help. If you were able to help in any way, please contact the Council. There is a reimbursement to be claimed. Type of fostering but for older members of the community. • Diversion Plan – if there is an accident for the roads to be closed. Diversion routes are now planned. Discussion with Councillors on this that the plans were inappropriate but Medway Council have to have a Plan. They have divided it into sections. They believe they have gone for the best options available. This will be signposted which will cost approximately £20,000 for the whole peninsula. • Infrastructure Bid – Medway Council has made an application for £170,000,000 to the Government. Medway has been one of the successful groups that has been put through to the last phase. In order to unlock the land for 12,000 homes on the peninsula they have had to put a case in to say they are willing to increase the infrastructure and to do so they need this money. They intend to have 12,100 homes by 2043 on the peninsula (20,000 people). The decision will be made in June as to whether we have been successful. If we have been successful there will be a small rural town planned for Hoo. Road investment will be 86,000,000 which includes widening the roads, a new road between Main Road Hoo roundabout and the A289. Work to 3 roundabouts will all be widened. The Environment and Leisure budget will be 17,000,000 which will enable Medway Council to build a Country Park. There is also £67,000,000 for a new railway station at Sharnal Street. This will be on the Peninsula Way. Traffic lights are planned but it was suggested that a slip road would be preferable. Raillink in between the new station which will be called Hoo Parkway and Gravesend where you can change for high speed or carry on to Victoria. There will be a loop put in to and Paddock Wood which will be for freight. New trains will be 1 to 2 trains per hour. Car parking. Phase 1 by 2024. Single track by 2025 and phase 2 will be 2 trains an hour by 2035. Park and rides and buses will be available.

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12 151 KALC/MAC A Representatives’ report The Clerk attended in her capacity of Parish Councillor for High Halstow. The Clerk provided a written report to the PC which can be found appended to these minutes.

13 152 Police Matters A Police Liaison Committee representative's report The January meeting was taking place at the same time at the present meeting so no information will be available unless a report is received by email from the organiser.

14 153 Communications A Newsletter Clerk to place letter from the Fenn Bell on the front page of the Newsletter for April. Clerk to send draft to Councillors for approval being sending to print. B Website No issues with the website reported and none to report.

15 154 Correspondence None.

16 155 Reports and Circulars None 17 156 Any other business at the Chairman’s discretion None. The Chairman thanked Councillors for attending the meeting and closed the meeting at 21:25 The next meeting to take place at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 14 May 2019

Signed ………………………………………………………………….. Chairman On the ………….. day of ……………………………………….2019

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