Minutes of the Virtual Parish Council Meeting Held on 17 January 2021

CHESTFIELD PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE VIRTUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 2.30PM ON 17 January 2021

Background to this “virtual” meeting: Regulations enabling town and parish councils to lawfully conduct virtual meetings by video and telephone conferencing until May 2021 have been published. The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 came into force on 4 April. The legislation allows for virtual meetings if required up to May 2021. This meeting was held using Zoom as a virtual hosting platform. Agendas were posted on the village noticeboards as usual and also to the parish council’s website. This clearly explained that members of the public are still able “attend” a parish council meeting either online or by telephone and advised anyone wishing to do so to contact the Clerk for details of the meeting link or phone number and the PIN code for access to enter.

Present: Parish Cllr Steve Bailey (Chairman) Parish Cllr Chris Brealy (Vice Chairman) Parish Cllr Chris Ellis Parish Cllr Bob Todd Parish Cllr Pat Gibson Parish Cllr Tricia Chapman Parish Cllr Anne Loder KCC Cllr Robert Thomas CCC Cllr Pat Todd Amanda Sparkes, Clerk to the Council 3 x residents

91. Chairman’s Welcome Cllr Bailey welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Parish Cllr Lorraine East (family member unwell). CCC Cllr Todd gave apologies from CCC Cllr Ben Fitter- Harding and explained he had asked for a zoom catch-up with the Clerk to be set up. Parish Cllr David Fitzpatrick was not present.

92. Members’ Interests Cllr Brealy declared an interest in the Vattenfall application as part of the proposal covers Hollamby Estates land. Cllr Chapman declared an interest in the Grasmere Pasture development due to the proximity of her home.

93. Minutes of the meeting held on 06 December 2020 Cllr Bailey proposed, Cllr Todd seconded and all Cllrs were happy that the Minutes be accepted as a true record of the meeting and the Chairman will sign them by post after the meeting.

94. Adjournment of the meeting A resident thanked the Clerk and parish council for their feedback on the Vattenfall Solar Farm recent planning application (reported later in these Minutes). He explained he is broadly supportive as there is a need for renewable energy. However, he was made angry about the application statement about the number of HGVs being negligible, as 4 a day is significant on Molehill Road. He explained that he would have made a representation to CCC but was not made aware of the application, and only learned of it after the deadline. He was concerned about the impact of HGVs on the services under Molehill Road. The Clerk explained that the resident had had email conversations with her and CCC Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding and Cllr Fitter-Harding had advised he understood the underground services would be included in the pre-condition and after-condition checks. The Clerk confirmed she would raise this again when she had a zoom call with Cllr Fitter-Harding. The meeting continued.

95. CCC Cllr Pat Todd report Canterbury City Councillor Cllr Pat Todd explained that he had little to report. CCC is hoping to make arrangements for face-to-face meetings from May 2021. Cllr Bailey advised the current arrangements allow for virtual meetings until 2021. The Clerk confirmed that an extension to this will require primary legislation and her understanding is that this is already being looked at.

96. KCC Cllr Robert Thomas report KCC Cllr Robert Thomas wished everyone a Happy New Year. His monthly update report had been circulated prior to the meeting. Key elements are:

Kent Travel Saver Card and its 16+ equivalent cancelled Direct Debit payments for the Kent Travel Saver Card and its 16+ equivalent is cancelled in January and February due to the national lockdown. Vulnerable children and those of critical workers will still be able to use their pass to travel to school. A refund for those that have paid upfront will be made once a decision is made by Government on when all children may return to school. KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Michael Payne said: “We appreciate how hard another lockdown is for parents and the impact it is having on families, businesses and livelihoods, particularly after it follows some of the harshest tier restrictions. “This situation has created another very complex problem and KCC officers have been working behind the scenes on the best way to help those that purchased a Kent Travel Saver but are now not currently able to use it because of the lockdown restrictions. “Although the Kent Travel Saver cards are normally non-refundable, KCC believes it is only right not to collect the January and February Direct Debit payments. “Furthermore, we will make a decision about the March payment when we are hopefully better informed about the timetable for the return to school. “We will also review the level of refund for those who have paid upfront in full once we know the timescale for all pupils to be allowed to return.” The KCC Travel Saver and KCC 16+ Travel Saver are subsidised by the council and offer parents the opportunity to reduce the cost of bus travel rather than buying a ticket direct from operators.

BREXIT With the exit from the European Union transition arrangements and the importance of flows on the Highway and possible deployment of Operation Brock Kent County Council had a final reminder for preparation arrangements https://kccmediahub.net/eu-transition-period-comes-to-an-end745

EDUCATION Prior to the lockdown, and closure of schools for children from non key worker families from 5th January, Roger Gough outlined the challenges for schools in Kent to the Secretary of State for Education https://kccmediahub.net/kcc-leader-writes-to-education-secretary-over-school-reopening- plans745

HEALTH & WELLBEING Free School Meals – more than 31,000 vouchers provided for the Christmas holidays https://kccmediahub.net/kent-county-council-gives-more-than-31000-food-vouchers-tovulnerable- families-ahead-of-christmas745 Homeless support working with Porchlight and Catching Lives https://news.canterbury.gov.uk/news/article/187/charities-and-council-work-together-to-helprough- sleepers-through-winter

LIBRARIES & REGISTRATIONS Due to coronavirus restrictions, bookshelf browsing and use of computers and WiFi is currently unavailable. You can still request books through the Kent County Council Select and Collect service https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/libraries/visiting-a-library/select-and-collect

KCC Cllr Robert Thomas explained that the footpath improvements programme for Cherry Orchard has just been completed. Cllr Bailey recorded thanks to KCC for the dropped kerbs on footpath

CW67 in Primrose Way that have now been installed. Cllr Brealy offered thanks to KCC for cutting the big Poplar tree down on the highways’ boundary at the entrance to The Drive. Cllr Thomas confirmed that the current pharmacy application for the Chestfield medical centre is for land that is KCC owned and leased to the medical centre.

97. Planning Current planning matters and planning applications are contained in Appendix 2 of Cllrs meeting paperwork - that had been previously circulated to all cllrs. Decisions reached and latest information is now attached as an appendix to these minutes. The Clerk asked to record thanks to Cllr Fitzpatrick for all his assistance with planning recently, as there has again been a lot to consider.

CDLP: Our Future District 2040 – update from CCC for Parish Councils received 09 December 2020: Despite the pandemic, progress has continued towards preparing a new Canterbury District Local Plan. Local Plan Issues Consultation (June 2020-October 2020) The consultation provided the opportunity for individuals, groups and organisations to say what issues they think the new Local Plan should address. There were over 9,000 individual comments made by 445 individuals and organisations. A series of online conferences were also attended by hundreds of local people, businesses, national organisations, developers, parish councils, secondary schools and university students. A summary of the key issues raised during the Issues consultation and conferences can be found at Local Plan consultations | New Local Plan (2040) | Canterbury City Council

Update on progress of the new Local Plan CCC has begun to analyse the sites that have been submitted to date through the “Call for Sites”. This is an ongoing process which will continue throughout next year. The landscape character assessment and biodiversity appraisal, along with the local facilities audit and playing pitch strategy and indoor built facilities audit, are nearing completion and will be published on the website early in the new year. CCC expects the next formal consultation on the emerging options for the new Local Plan to start during May 2021. Following the adoption of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) across the District, CCC has arranged a meeting with Parish Councils on 01 February 2021 to talk to about the Levy and what it means for parish councils.

CA/20/02204 - Land To The South Of Thanet Way (A299) And West Of Thornden Wood Road, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 7NU Installation of a ground mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generation system, associated infrastructure, security measures (including CCTV) and landscaping. A revised Construction Traffic Management Plan has now been produced by Corun Transport and Highway Engineering consultants. The three key changes are: i) The proposed construction traffic route has been altered following the Highways Authority feedback and no longer proposes South Street: The principal route for all traffic generated by the site during the construction phase, including solar panel component parts arriving in the UK from Dover, will likely be to/from the west via the A2 - A299 – A2990 Thanet Way - Chestfield Road – Molehill Road. There are other route options available. However, following receipt of a consultation response from the Local Highway Authority, and subsequent discussions, the above route was deemed the most suitable route available to accommodate all construction traffic, especially HGV’s.

All HGVs likely to gain access to the site during the construction phase will be made up of standard construction vehicles, and other road legal HGVs; abnormal loads will not be required. The worst-case scenario being a maximum legal articulated vehicle (16.5m long). Weeks 9-12 are the busiest for HGV vehicular activity, with an anticipated 59 construction vehicles within this period (and 15 vehicles each day to transport staff)

Table 3.1 – Construction Vehicle Types and Anticipated Numbers Total No. Vehicle Type 5 LGVs permanently on site 35 8-wheel tipper / heavy machinery (grading etc), permanently on site 75 Container truck 84 40 tonne truck 199 Total Number of Construction Vehicles During Work Programme

199 construction vehicles during the work programme overall (excluding transfer of staff vehicles) will mean 398 two-way HGV movements (199 arrivals and 199 departures) over the 24 weeks.

ii) Hours of operation have changed Proposed hours of operation during the 24 weeks of construction phase are 7.30am-6pm Monday to Friday and 8am-1pm on Saturdays.

iii) Commentary on holding areas has now been provided. During discussions with the Local Highway Authority, Corun was asked to consider the use of holding areas on the strategic road network, to help minimise the potential construction vehicular impact on the local highway network near the site. The use of holding areas has been considered. However, the minimal impact generated during the construction phase does not warrant the use of holding areas in this case, to either break down larger HGV loads onto smaller vehicles, or to manage HGV movements on the local highway network. The most intensive construction phase will occur during weeks 9-12. This period would see a total of 148 two-way HGV movements, equating to 8 per working day, or 1 HGV arriving or departing the site every hour of site operation. At just 1 HGV per operating hour, the possibility of conflict on the local highway network is minimal. Effective traffic management will successfully control HGV deliveries to and from the site. HGVs that have unloaded on site, will be held back should there be an imminent HGV arrival, and will only leave site after the approaching HGV has cleared the public highway and successfully arrived on site. Whilst the likelihood of construction HGV conflict on the public highway is minimal, this additional control measure should allay any residual concerns.

The following further response was sent to the planning officer on 01 January 2021:

Further to the Chestfield Parish Council’s ‘holding’ response dated 12 November 2020, the parish council would now like to make this further representation in light of the Kent Highways comments.

The parish council has studied the revised Construction Traffic Management plan. The parish council understands that the construction period is relatively short at 24 weeks, and that post construction there will be no permanent staff on site, only periodic monthly maintenance activities so minimal disturbance on the highway network and that after construction the secondary access off Thornden Wood will be used for operational maintenance purposes.

The revised Construction Traffic Management Plan states (Point 3.1.1.) that the principle route for all traffic generated by the site during the construction phase, including solar panel component parts arriving in the UK from Dover, will likely be to/from the west via the A2 – A299 – A2990 Thanet Way – Chestfield Road – Molehill Road – to the T-Junction opposite Birkdale Close.

The parish council had concerns with their previous preferred (shortest) route using South Street, so it is pleasing to see this revision.

All traffic is proposed to arrive and depart via the Molehill Road priority T junction where minor junction widening works will be undertaken. 93

Our previous representation raised queries about the suitability of using Molehill Road as: - It is in poor condition - has very uneven camber particularly on the stretch from Chestfield Road to the Molehill Road T-Junction opposite Birkdale Close. - There are also two areas of sink holes/subsidence on top of the tunnel with a pronounced dip in the road above the tunnel – in particular for traffic heading back from the proposed site back toward Molehill Road. - Molehill Road has a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes (although we have had confirmation that this project falls exempt from this restriction). - Chestfield Parish Council has concerns about possible damage to the services that run under Molehill Road by heavy vehicles. - There may need to be a weighbridge. - For the use of 40-tonne trucks, what is the weight they are actually proposing to transfer? Weight loading must also include the weight of the vehicle. - It might be preferrable to double the number of vehicle movements with lesser loads in each vehicle.

Chestfield Parish Council is not aware of any current problems with the underground services, such as electricity, gas and sewage.

A pre start highways survey should also be made a condition to ensure no damage is caused to road surfaces by Vattenfall’s activities.

The Highways response dated 18 November 2020 also supports this with the recommendation that a highway condition survey is carried out prior to commencement of works and a undertaking by the developer to fund the repair of any damage caused by vehicles related to the development.

The Clerk had a telephone conversation with the Vattenfall manager on 20 October 2020. He explained that there will be traffic management, with people to radio vehicles in when deliveries are due on site – and there will also be a banksman station at the T-Junction on Molehill Road. The application paperwork does not give this information, so the parish council ask CCC to ensure that this traffic management is made a condition if CCC are minded to grant the application.

The Construction Traffic Management Plan states that “Effective traffic management will be in place to control HGV movements and minimise potential conflict on the local highway network.” Point 4.1.15 states, “HGVs that have unloaded on site, will be held back should there be an imminent HGV arrival, and will only leave site after the approaching HGV has cleared the public highway and successfully arrived on site.”

Point 2.5.2 also states “A suitably worded Condition, requesting further detail on the following, can also be attached to the planning permission: • the parking of vehicles of site operatives and visitors; • loading/unloading and storage of plant, materials, oils, fuels, and chemicals; • the erection and maintenance of security hoarding including decorative displays and facilities for public viewing; • wheel washing facilities and road cleaning arrangements; and • location of temporary buildings and associated generators, compounds, structures and enclosures.”

Chestfield Parish Council would like to see such a Condition should CCC be minded to grant the application.

In conclusion, Chestfield Parish Council welcomes the revisions and has no objection to the application, subject to the suitable conditions above being requested. c.c. Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding as our Ward Cllr.

Grasmere Pasture CA/17/00469/OUT - Grasmere Gardens, Land South of The Ridgeway, Chestfield - Outline application for a mixed-use development of up to 300 residential dwellings and 3,500 sqm of employment floorspace There is no update this meeting other than the links to the recent flooding events noted below.

Recent flooding events in the village There was fast flow and flooding of Swalecliffe Brook during 26-28 December 2020 that flooded Grasmere Pasture and the Chestfield Cricket Club and the bottom of Radfall Road and other areas of the village and a further flooding event took place on 14 January 2021. The parish council held an informal zoom meeting of all parish councillors and the Clerk on 03 January 2021. Cllr Bailey has drafted a letter to be sent to Rosie Duffield MP. Cllr East has contacted the Environment Agency and received a drainage map and locations of dykes/inlets/sluice gates etc. The Clerk has contacted the Environment Agency and sent them photographs and videos of the flooding and asked for a meeting with her and the Cricket Club manager in attendance to discuss the situation and ask about surface water run off problems further afield, such as the new Thanet Way attenuation. The Clerk has also pointed out the parish council’s concerns that the banks along the Swalecliffe Brook are eroding and the side walls are not very stable. She has explained that these need inspecting and has asked questions about whether they have an inspection regime. The Environment Agency has acknowledged the email and explained that the Partnership & Strategic Over team (PSO) for East Kent are beginning to investigate the above average heavy rainfall events, which have affected large areas of the county over the last few months; including the Swalecliffe Brook. They hope to finalise collating information on the Swalecliffe Brook shortly, after which the EA will be in touch regarding next steps, further data collection, investigations and possible future meetings/site visits with the parish council and other interested parties.

The Clerk has also contacted Kitewood and forwarded the photographs and videos of the flooding and fast flowing water of Grasmere Pasture and asked whether the planned attenuation in the planning permission for the development is adequate, and also whether Kitewood would consider fencing all along the Brook of the development site on health and safety grounds. Kitewood has acknowledged the email and explained that the information has been given to their drainage team and Kitewood will be back in contact with the Clerk in due course.

The parish council is now compiling a library of photographs and videos of the flood affected areas in the parish (to provide solid evidence).

KCC Cllr Robert Thomas advised he was happy to help. Cllr Bailey commented that continued development will only make the future situation worse and the infrastructure needs to be looked at. The bigger picture also includes the Golden Hills development, and Duncan Downs development at Whitstable (where work has already started on 400 new homes). CCC Cllr Pat Todd explained that there has been a problem with South Street in Whitstable too, where a farmer has removed lots of top soil and water runoff has increased – he explained this has been flagged up. He explained that CCC engineers were out virtually al night to monitor and adjust flows. Cllr Bailey thanked him for that, and also commented that the water affected train services – rain washed away ballast and trains to London had to be suspended last week.

Cllr Gibson cautioned that rain is predicted again next week so there could be similar flooding again.

Chestfield Parish Council could commission its own Flood Risk Assessment – for the whole of Chestfield – as a professional, independent source and which would help inform a response for any further future large developments. Cllr Gibson felt this was a splendid idea. Cllr Fitzpatrick had researched and circulated the 2012 Jacobs Report for the Canterbury District. Cllr Brealy felt this would form the basis and the preliminary work has already been done. He commented that flooding under the new Thanet Way should be investigated by KCC, in particular rain run off from the field on the east side. Cllr Brealy also advised that the old Thanet Way outside Bodkin Farm and Johnsons Nursery did not flood badly, presumably due to drainage and gulley improvements undertaken in 2019 or 2020. 95

Cllr Bailey explained that there was bad flooding under the Swalecliffe railway bridge, so much so that the pedestrian crossing could not be used at that point. CCC Cllr Pat Todd also commented about the deep water flooding between Clover Rise and the Chestfield roundabout. (There are changes proposed to this section in the Grasmere Pasture development application). KCC Cllr Robert Thomas agreed to take the above noted areas and investigate. Cllr Brealy questioned whether climate change is causing the recent difficulties. Cllr Gibson commented that these are not one-offs and will happen again.

CCC Cllr Todd explained that there is a concentrated effort currently that developers have to complete the required infrastructure before building the first homes to guarantee the infrastructure provision. He wondered if this is to become legislation to avoid a developer only having some of their units built then halting further development to avoid infrastructure provision triggers. He suggested that the Clerk raise this with Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding.

In answer to a question from Cllr Gibson, CCC Cllr Todd advised that it is not a requirement that new homes have to be able to obtain the option of house insurance cover. Cllr Brealy felt that there is less of a concern about the new Grasmere Pasture homes experiencing flooding, but more concern about the surface water runoff caused by the development and where it will go and how it will be handled.

Part of the promoted Chestfield Circular Walk includes walking alongside the Brook. With the concerns about the dangers of fast flowing water Cllrs discussed whether the parish council should ask for the KCC PROW team’s permission to fence this off. The Clerk explained this would not mean closing the footpath but running a fence line as a safety line parallel to the path and between the Brook and the path. It was agreed that this should be explored further. The Clerk will walk the route and map out sections that might pose a danger and forward this to the KCC PROW team and copy in KCC Cllr Robert Thomas.

98. Authorisation of Accounts The Clerk presented finance sheets detailing the cheque payments for December 2020 totalling £2,236.00 and January payments totalling £4,323.79. The finance sheets will be signed by the Chairman and returned to the Clerk by post.

Cllr Brealy advised that he had received a thank you letter from the Reculver Cricket Club for the grant authorised to them at the last meeting.

99. Financial matters

Use of section 101 since the last meeting: None.

(a) When meetings are able to be resumed in person - TO RECEIVE the bank statement and bank reconciliation for August, September, October, November and December 2020 and TO RESOLVE the signature of a councillor other than the Chairman thereon; (b) NOTED a payment paid by BACS for the VAT Refund Claim for the period 01 June 2020 to 31 October 2020 totalling £601.13. (c) NOTED that CCC has advised that the parish council tax base had reduced – from 1568.86 in 2020-2021 to 1525.48 in 2021-2022. This may be explained by the coronavirus pandemic giving rise to more residents qualifying for council tax support. It will mean that even though the parish council resolved to keep the precept level the same as last year’s there will now be a small percentage increase.

Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement: On 17 December, the Government published its provisional local government finance settlement, which confirms the Government will continue with no referendum principles for local councils in 2021-22. The relevant section is on page 12 of the consultation document: In 2018-19, the Government announced that it did not intend to set referendum principles for town and parish councils for three years. This was contingent on the sector taking all available steps to mitigate

the need for council tax increases and the Government seeing clear evidence of restraint in the increases set by the sector.

In 2020-21, the average Band D parish precept increased by 4.0%. This was the lowest percentage point increase in parish precept since 2012-13 but remains in excess of the rate of inflation. In expectation that parish and town councils continue to show restraint when setting council tax precept levels, the Government proposes to continue with no referendum principles for town and parish councils in 2021-22. The Government will take careful account of the increases set by parishes in 2021-22 when reviewing the matter ahead of next year’s settlement.

100. Concerns re drainage problems of the trampoline in the CCC play park, Chestfield Road The background and discussion on this has been recorded in recent meeting Minutes. This item was deferred to a future meeting pending CCC information on options/costs/removal costs

A Petanque Court at Chestfield Cricket Club for use as a community facility for all residents Further to the signed agreement Cllrs resolved at their 06 December 2020 meeting to fund a Petanque court at the cricket club ground as a community facility open to all. Although it will be on cricket club land, no annual paid membership of the Club would be required. After the meeting the Clerk spoke to Paul Gibson of the cricket club who asked that the construction take place early April to avoid heavy plant damaging the ground. The order was placed on 11 December 2020 on this basis. Cllr Todd proposed and Clr Brealy seconded and all councillors RESOLVED that once the Petanque court is constructed that Chestfield Parish Council gift it to the cricket club so that it may go on their fixed asset register and insurance schedule and PLI insurance. Wording for a plaque to be put on it was also agreed “This Petanque Court was gifted by Chestfield Parish Council to Chestfield Cricket Club in 2021 as a community facility open to and for use by all.”

101. Government Digital Service and the parish council “gov.uk” domain name. C/fwd It was reported at the August 2020 parish council meeting that there has been correspondence from the Government Digital Service and the parish council “gov.uk” domain name, and steps to take to improve domain names security. The Clerk explained that she is struggling to now fix the next issue, due to a lack of technological know-how but the change of website host will affect this. As authorised at the August 2020 meeting, she will contact an external computer support company for help if necessary, but will start with the new website hosting company first now that there is a new website and host provider.

102. Dedicated Cllr emails The Clerk has now set up Generic dedicated Cllr email addresses using the new “’gov’uk” domain name. Some councillors have not yet set theirs up on their device(s) yet. Cllr East and Cllr Todd have offered to help the others with this, if required.

103. Christmas Lights competition NOTED that there were no entries from residents for the Christmas lights annual competition.

104. Coronavirus risk assessments NOTED that the Clerk has completed and updated monthly Risk Assessments around Coronavirus risks from April 2020 to January 2021. These will continue to be produced. CCC Cllr Pat Todd asked for clarification on whether play areas may remain open. The Clerk confirmed that the government has said play areas may stay open but that outdoor and indoor gyms must be shut. The Clerk thanked Parish Cllr Todd for taping the outdoor gym off on 06 January 2020 when the further national lockdown took effect. The tape is still intact at present.

105. Clerk’s Report This was circulated prior to the meeting; most items are incorporated elsewhere in these Minutes.

NOTED that the Clerk attended the virtual CCC Parish Council Engagement Forum held on 14 December 2020 but which was abandoned due to a Google outage and was rescheduled for 14

January 2021, which the Clerk also attended. Work on a replacement Parish Charter between CCC and the parishes is being undertaken. (The Clerk is on the working group for this.)

NOTED that the next 10-year Census by the ONS is due to take place on 21 March 2021.

Mental health support available to communities living in Kent and Medway For anyone who may be struggling due to the Coronavirus pandemic, there are these lines of support: • Kent and Medway Safe Havens are run by Mental Health Matters and offer face to face mental health support for those living in Kent and Medway to anyone aged 16+. No appointment or referral needed. • Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) 24 hour Single Point of Access (SPoA) helpline on 0800 783 9111 if adults in Kent and Medway are in need urgent mental health support, advice and guidance. • Release the Pressure helpline – Call 0800 107 0160 if you’re feeling stressed for free confidential support at any time. You can also text Kent to 85258 for 24 hour mental health crisis support via text from trained volunteers.

Whitstable Medical Practice's PPG's Newsletter The Clerk was contacted by The Acting Chair of the Whitstable Medical Practice “Patient Participation Group” who has produced the Whitstable Medical Practice's PPG's December 2020 Newsletter. This is specifically aimed at patients of Whitstable Medical Practice (all surgeries in Whitstable).

It has various bits of information, along with details of the Practice's Christmas opening times, information on new doctor's joining the practice, and insight to what goes on that isn't always obvious. There are usually paper copies in the surgeries but that has not been possible at present and the PPG asked for help to disseminate the information. The Clerk uploaded a Post with the newsletter to the website on 11 December 2020 and has offered space in future magazines.

The PPG are hoping that some patients would like to receive their own copy via quarterly emails. If you would like to be added to their 'virtual' mailing list, contact the Whitstable PPG by email to [email protected]

The PPG give assurances that email addresses will not be passed to any other organisation.

CCC pre-consultation workshops to feed into the CCC draft Climate Change Action Plan. CCC ran a series of eight online group conversations from 10th - 18th December 2020, looking at their approach to achieving net zero carbon emissions for council operations by 2030 and working to help the whole district to reduce emissions and adapt to changing weather patterns. The Clerk attended one on 10 December 2020. The purposes of the climate change early engagement workshops are to inform stakeholders about climate change in the district and to gather informed feedback on the priorities for the Climate Change Action Plan. These were initial discussions ahead of the full public consultation on the draft plan, from 07 January 2021 (see below). A simple overview of current council climate change work is https://news.canterbury.gov.uk/blogs/climate-change-1

Canterbury City Council consultations: The following two consultations are running from 07 January 2021 to 04 March 2021:

Draft Corporate Plan 2021-24 The Corporate Plan is one of the city council's key strategic documents and is developed so councillors can set the agenda and priorities for the council. It is used by council officers to help them focus their energies and increasingly-limited resources, implement agreed priorities and formulate future policy. It also helps them shape the way services are delivered. The draft plan sets out CCC’s proposed priorities and principles for the next three years.

Draft Climate Change Action Plan 2021-30 The draft plan explains the importance of climate action as part of the city council's work, as well as why there is a need to act and CCC’s planned approach over the next five years. It shows the scale of activity needed to achieve carbon reduction goals and explains the city council will seek money from outside organisations to help pay for any work it needs to, as well as take the opportunity to learn from others.

106. Highways NOTED the request for waiting restriction lines in parts of Willow Way to combat dangerous parking issues has been accepted by CCC for the CCC 2021 Annual Parking Review list.

Cycle link/project proposal There is an ongoing watching brief re a resident’s request that the parish council explore improvements for cycling/cycle path provision in and around the parish. The Clerk has downloaded the CCC Canterbury District Transport Strategy and has made initial enquiries with a key CCC officer as the Transport Strategy is being updated.

Possible 20 mph speed limits for some roads in Chestfield KCC Cllr Thomas suggested that the parish council might like to explore the possibility of 20mph zones/roads in Chestfield. An article in the September edition of the magazine sought residents’ suggestions. The Clerk mapped the following on maps for Cllr Thomas:

i) Grasmere Road – the adopted section from Chestfield Road to the bridge. (The traffic speeds towards the small bridge along the adopted highway road; the unadopted Road has the Cricket Club and private residencies.) ii) Molehill Road – from Chestfield Road to Birkdale Close. (speeding traffic on Molehill Road is, and has been, a long-held concern for several residents. There are no footpaths for pedestrians, the camber is uneven, golfers cross from one tee to the other, there have been reports of pets being killed on this road, and the absence of a pavement means that Kent Police has not approved any locations for speedwatch sessions.) iii) Plantation Road (a fairly straight road which attract lots of traffic at speeds from 30 to 40 mph regularly). iv) Share and Coulter Road – a fairly straight road which attract lots of traffic at speeds from 30 to 40 mph regularly, and linked to v) The Ridings and Polo Way.

Cllr Thomas explained that the approach is now that requests need to be community-led, and there needs to be residents ‘buy-in’ and support. The Clerk confirmed that the above requests had been suggested by residents. The Clerk and Cllr Thomas will speak together about best practice, and the possibility of whether to do a questionnaire to the households in the roads proposed.

Crocus bulbs in the highways’ verges on Chestfield Road Cllr Ellis and Cllr Gibson had offered to plant more bulbs. However with the coronavirus restrictions on social distancing and household mixing Cllr Bailey felt and it was agreed that the planting should be deferred until late 2021 or even 2022.

107. A Traffic Regulation Order to try and reduce the speed limit along the old Thanet Way C/fwd: The parish council had previously resolved to use its “highways ear marked reserve” of £3,467 to progress a Traffic Regulation Order to try and reduce the speed limit along the stretch of the old Thanet Way by the Oyster Bed from 60mph to 40mph. UPDATE: The KCC Transport and Development Planning team has now confirmed that there is a speed reduction already planned, to be in conjunction with a signalisation of the Thanet Way/Clover Road/Foxgrove Road junction, which is a mitigation measure agreed through the Grasmere Pastures development site – and this was included in the Statement of Common Ground at appeal. However, the signalisation of the Clover Road junction however won’t be due for a Section 278 for a little while. The Clover Road scheme will need to go through the various auditing processes and this would not be commencing at this point in time.

Highways have commented that introduction of the 40MPH maybe a little premature but if the Parish wish to pay for it rather than the developer then unless there is a technical reason, they have no particular concerns. Should the 40MPH proceed now it would therefore be in advance of the S278 woks and final scheme approval. Cllrs CONSIDERED whether to pay and implement a TRO early or to wait and save the money for something else and let the developer pay in due course. They felt that two key pieces of information were required before a decision – How long would it be before the developer scheme/TRO is implemented – and How long would it take if the parish council enact the process early? The Clerk has emailed two relevant highways officers but their responses are awaited.

108. Environment

Cllr volunteers to plant some more crocus bulbs in the highways’ verges Cllr Gibson and Cllr Ellis offered to plant more crocus bulbs in the highways’ verges along Chestfield Road as before. Cllr Gibson felt it might be best to plant them in the Spring. She will do some research.

Bins: There is still no officer response or update on the following bin requests to CCC: - the parish council request to purchase a new bin between The Drove and Birkdale Close if CCC will add it to the emptying schedule - the parish council request to purchase a new bin for the Primrose Way footpath by Sainsburys if CCC will add it to the emptying schedule - the request to CCC to remove the mounted dog bin at Lavender Close (that often breaks giving spills) and replace it with the unnecessary one at the corner of Fern Close now there is a larger bin beside it - and mount that one on a new post at Lavender Close.

The Clerk will email again and copy in Cllr Fitter-Harding and also mention this to him in a zoom catch-up.

Wildflower sites Kent County Council has an officer who helps facilitate the provision of wildflower sites. Sites would be seeded as a specific scheme with wildflowers and bee pollinator mix. At the 25 October 2020 parish council meeting it was agreed that the Clerk should continue dialogue with the KCC officer to explore this further. The officer has agreed to do a mapping exercise. The Clerk has chased again for this and will follow this up again.

Possible box in the village to be a ‘seed swap box’ for residents to use The parish council is exploring this project for residents to use a box to swap seeds in envelopes or small pots with each other. It was reported to the 06 December 2020 parish council meeting that the WI gave support and permission for a seed swap box to be placed under the community herb planters at the WI hall. Cllr East has researched suitable boxes, that ideally need to be attached to the planters somehow for security. However, from a security point of view a small shed may be better. Cllr Loder explained that the right hand side boundary if looking at the hall is WI owned. She emailed the WI President and whilst the WI are enthusiastic about the idea felt that it is not practical to progress this at this time. Cllr Loder will ask for confirmation in writing that the parish council may progress at a later time when coronavirus restrictions are lifted.

Climate Change/Biodiversity Action Plan: The councillors and Clerk held an informal working group meeting on zoom on 10 January 2021 to discuss what small things the parish council can do to help to address climate change and increase biodiversity. RECEIVED the parish council’s working group’s Climate Change Action Plan which has a variety of initiatives and is available to view on the parish council’s website at chestfieldparishcouncil.gov.uk Cllr Brealy will contact BT about whether they would allow the parish council to do wildflower planting along the verge/their land by the telephone exchange and mow it in March and September only.

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The Clerk will contact CCC about the village green in Molehill Road and ask if they would allow the parish council to do wildflower on all or part of it and mow it in March and September only. There will be various magazine articles in future editions. Cllr Ellis will write an article about reducing pesticides to help the bee population. The Clerk will research best practice examples and case studies and look for further ideas etc

Cllr East and Cllr Ellis have both individually contacted the Chestfield Care Home about whether they’d like their residents to take part in a beebomb planting exercise (to be supplied by the parish council). The new manageress is reluctant to progress this at the moment because of the pandemic. This will be left on the working party action plan and deferred to Spring 2022.

109. Closure of the office by 31 March 2021 The Clerk confirmed that notice to not renew the lease and close the office by 31 March 2021 has been served and acknowledged. For any of the furniture not required Williams Syrett has confirmed they are happy for the furniture to remain in situ and offered to a new tenant. If then not required, Canterbury Business Equipment will sell the items and split the proceeds. It was RESOLVED to move old signed Minutes for the period March 2010 to December 2020 to the dedicated KCC Kent History and Library Centre at Maidstone, along with the previous editions of the magazine which the Archivists were also keen to receive (they are holding previous earlier editions of the magazine already.) The Clerk will organise a transfer.

110. Date and time of the next meeting A date and time of Sunday 21 March 2021 at 2.30pm using Zoom for a virtual meeting was agreed.

The meeting closed at 16.00pm.

Signed: ……………………………………………… Date: ………………………………………… Chairman Please note these Minutes remain as draft Minutes until they are approved by the parish council at their next parish council meeting

Dates of future meetings: The parish council usually holds bi-monthly formal meetings and informal residents’ surgeries for those same dates and for the months in between. However due to coronavirus meetings are being convened virtually and as and when required and the residents’ surgeries are suspended until further notice.

Planning Appendix January 2021:

New Applications 30 CA/20/02204 - Land To The South Of Thanet Way Further comments were uploaded on 01 (A299) And West Of Thornden Wood Road, Herne January 2021 as detailed in the Minutes Bay, Kent, CT6 7NU above. Installation of a ground mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar energy generation system, associated infrastructure, security measures (including CCTV) and landscaping. 37 CA/20/02457 – 40 Grasmere Road, Chestfield CT5 The parish council has no comments. 3NA First floor rear extension Continues/….

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38 CA/20/02542 – Iwade, Radfall Road, Chestfield CT5 3EP Erection of a garage/car port The following representation was uploaded on 11 December 2020: Chestfield Parish Council made a representation on an earlier application CA/20/01948 for a garage/carport with living accommodation over. The parish council considered that the building must be used as ancillary to the main accommodation. CCC REFUSED this earlier application on the following grounds (1) The proposed development would provide all facilities to enable independent occupation and therefore would lead to the formation of a new dwellinghouse in the countryside. Due to the unsustainable, countryside location the proposal would be unacceptable in principle and in conflict with policies HD4, SP1 and SP4 of the Local Plan 2017 and the NPPF. (2) The proposed development, by reasons of its scale, footprint and location in the plot, would consolidate the built form within the countryside and would fail to represent a subservient addition to the host dwelling in conflict with policies DBE3 and DBE6 of the Local Plan 2017 and the NPPF.

Chestfield Parish Council has considered the new application. The proposed design of the car port is slightly reduced in bulk, height and footprint from the earlier submission, and with the dormer windows and balcony removed. However, its design and roof form in particular suggests that should permission be granted, that a further application to convert the space above the parking to living accommodation will follow. If CCC is minded to grant the application there should be a condition to preclude any subsequent attempt to modify the car port to create a separate dwelling.

40 CA/20/02721 - 34 Chestfield Road, Chestfield, The parish council has no comments Whitstable, Kent, CT5 3LD Porch extension to front elevation and single-storey rear extension. 41 CA/20/02722 - McDonalds Drive Thru, Thanet Way, The parish council has no issues with CT5 3JE this application. Changes to elevations with the BOH corral area to be On occasions McDonalds traffic queues extended, finished with Trespa timber effect cladding sometimes extend in to and block the to match existing and relocation of the side-by-side roundabout on the old Thanet Way. The signage island within the drive thru lane to include new configuration alleviates the queue – amended kerb lines and associated works to the site. as the revised entrance/exit is altered to allow 16 cars to queue to the collection point (rather than 13 as now) – although to alter the exit position there is a loss of 4 parking spaces.

42 CA/20/02723 - McDonalds Drive Thru, Thanet Way, The parish council has no comments. CT5 3JE Erection and display of replacement drive thru signs with digital signage, 04 no. freestanding signs and 01 no. 15" digital booth screen

43 CA/20/01980 – Chestfield Medical Centre, Reeves Way, Chestfield CT5 3QU Construction of staff car park The following comments were uploaded to the CCC Portal on 05 January 2021: It appears that the current new 20/01980 application looks virtually exactly like a previous one in July 2020 Reference CA/20/01259 that was withdrawn (reasons for withdrawal unknown). The exception is that a dropped kerb line is now provided, all along the parking area, which is welcomed. Chestfield Parish Council’s other previous comments for the withdrawn application are however the same for the current one, as follows: Chestfield Parish Council has no objection to the principle of an expansion of the car parking but has concerns about the application as presented.

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Presumably to keep costs to a minimum the proposal leaves the existing footway/cycle route in its existing position. However, the proposed layout with end-on spaces would therefore result in a reversing manoeuvre by drivers to either enter or exit a parking space. The parish council considers that a revised layout would be better for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians – the footway/cycle path should be re-routed to run along the side boundary of No. 6 Chestfield Road. This would also enable the owners of No. 6 to still maintain their boundary hedge without the potential for parked cars in the way. Ideally a bollard for each space created should also be installed to further improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. A separate concern is the loss of the current grassed area to be given over to parking, and the resulting potential increase in rain water run off. The manhole near to the car park entrance has been known to ‘float’ on two inches of water in heavy rainfall where the current drains cannot cope. No detail of the material proposed for the car parking surface is detailed in the application? It must be porous. Also, the car park extension proposal does not seem to mention anything else regarding access to the parking area so is it safe to assume that the existing bollard arrangement to Chestfield Road would remain the same? This would at least go some way to prevent use of the car park by people other than the Medical Centre staff.

44 CA/20/02786 - 17 Almond Close, Chestfield, CT5 The parish council has no comments. 3LH Single-storey front extension to provide link to existing garage.

45 Farthings, The Drove, Chestfield CT5 3NY The parish council has no comments. Application for lawful development certificate for proposed single-storey rear extension together with use of garage as living accommodation. 46 CA/20/02926 - 81 Chestfield Road, Chestfield, comments on or before 5 February 2021 Whitstable CT5 3JH Single-storey rear and side extension following demolition of existing conservatory. 47 CA/21/00019 - Greenways, 6 Share And Coulter comments on or before 5 February 2021 Road, Chestfield, CT5 3LE Installation of rooflights to front and dormer to rear.

48 CA/21/00059 - Ottersend, The Drove, Chestfield, comments on or before 5 February 2021 CT5 3NT Single-storey outbuilding for use as ancillary accommodation

Notifications CA/20/00733 - Chestfield Filling Station, Thanet Way, CT5 3JB GRANTED by CCC Proposed coffee shop, including drive-thru facility with associated car parking, cycle parking, landscaping, removal of car wash and installation of two jet washes and associated work. CA/20/02344 - 68 Maydowns Road, Chestfield CT5 3LN GRANTED by CCC Single-storey side and rear extensions, full length side dormer following demolition of existing extension and garage. CA/20/01912 - 73 Chestfield Road, Chestfield, CT5 3JS GRANTED by CCC Single and two storey rear extension, changes to external fenestration and use of garage as living accommodation CA/20/02335 - 28 Lodge Field Road, Chestfield CT5 3RF GRANTED by CCC Single-storey rear extension following demolition of existing conservatory

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