LITTLEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 JUNE 2018

Present: Parish Cllr Mike Gallagher (Chairman) Parish Cllr Mick Giles Parish Cllr Cate Reid Parish Cllr Pamela Evans Parish Cllr Melanie Moore Parish Cllr Brian Hurlow City Cllr Stuart Walker

Mrs Gail Hubbard, Clerk to the Council There was one resident for part of the meeting.

21. THE CHAIRMANS OPENING REMARKS AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were received from Cllrs Shaw, Farrow and Wilson (holidays) and County Cllr Michael Northey.

22. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN FOR 2018-19 (deferred from May meeting) The Chairman asked for nominations, Cllr Evans proposed Cllr Giles, Cllr Reid seconded the proposal. Cllr Giles was willing to standing but would like to be kept further up to date with LPC matters, especially for when The Chairman is away. Cllr Giles re-elected.

23. REPRESENTATION ON OTHER BODIES (deferred from May meeting) The following representation on other bodies was AGREED for 2018-19; a) War Memorial Hall – Cllr Giles b) and Nailbourne River Management Group – Cllr Giles

24. DECLARATIONS OF CLLRS INTERESTS AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION There were none.

25. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 2 MAY 2018 It was proposed by Cllr Evans and seconded by Cllr Moore to accept the Minutes. The minutes were duly signed.

26. POLICING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH The PCSO report from Gavin and Amy had previously been circulated to Cllrs and is shown below; Enclosed is a report for the rural areas from 01/05/2018 to 31/05/2018

CRIME REPORT INCIDENTS.

Bridge,,, Kingston, Theft of a vehicle-Bekesbourne

Barham, , ,Womanswold,

Littlebourne,,Ickham, , Grove Ferry Criminal damage- Littlebourne Theft- Ickham

It was mentioned again that we would like to see more information on those within our parish. Damage to Youth shelter over half term has been logged as criminal damage and a crime report number issued.

27. ADJOURNMENT Resident Mrs Muirhead raised some questions regarding The List development; 9

What are the timescales for starting onsite? – Spring 2019 is still the planned time from the new owners. Have LPC legally secured the top field yet? – Not yet but it is tied up within the S106. It has to be offered to LPC prior to development beginning onsite. Is the top field to be cleared of saplings? - Yes, then the trees we want can be planted when it becomes LPC’s. Testing of soil is being done onsite now by the new owners. Rydons did this a number of years ago but current ones are needed. Mrs Muirhead departed at 7.30pm.

28. COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT The Clerk read out the following report;

There is very little to report -- just the latest pothole mended figures. Each KCC Member now receives the weekly and cumulative totals. KCC has found an extra roughly £8 million, including a grant for £2.5 million from the government to mend the potholes. This winter's bad weather produced about twice the normal number.

To week ended 1 June: District, potholes mended 123, patching area, 73 square metres. Potholes done since March 1, 2693, patching area 1591 square metres. Canterbury District has had the second highest number of potholes mended of all 12 districts since March 1, but the second lowest amount in patching area. There is not necessarily a direct correlation. Paul Carter's aim is to get all Kent done by around the middle of August. The amount spend overall so far is £2,128,691.

Highways stress that any potholes found should be reported in the usual way on the website. http://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-a-problem

29. CITY COUNCILLORS REPORT Cllr Walker reported the following; The Lord Mayor of Canterbury for this year is Cllr Colin Spooner RAMP has now been rescheduled to 25th June and Cllr Walker is Chairman again for this year. There are RAMP funds available.

30. PLANNING/TREES Planning notifications on Appendix 2 were noted – attached at end of minutes The large graphic on the hoarding for the bungalow in Bekesbourne Lane was raised, Cllr Walker to investigate at CCC.

31. FINANCE FINANCIAL MATTERS (a) RECEIVED the bank statement for April 2018, and RESOLVED the signature of the Chairman thereon; (b) NOTED £11.99 will be taken from our account by DD on 15th June for our 1x1 website

AUTHORISATION OF ACCOUNTS There were receipts totalling £195.00 NOTED this month. The expenditure list previously circulated to Cllrs as Appendix 3 totalling £2926.98 was proposed by Cllr Giles and seconded by Cllr Reid together with Appendix 3a presented at the meeting totalling £4675.66 which was proposed by Cllr Hurlow and seconded by Cllr Evans. So it was RESOLVED that the financial matters and accounts, as set out be authorised for payment.

YEAR END ACCOUNTS & AGAR RECEIVED the Internal Auditor’s report and noted the contents(Appendix 3b)

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Financial policies for review or adoption: i) Reviewed the Littlebourne Parish Council’s Financial Regulations, previously circulated via email to all Cllrs (Appendix 3c) ii) Reviewed the Office and Finance Risk Assessment (Appendix 3e) iii) Reviewed the Council’s Register of fixed Assets (Appendix 3f) iv) Reviewed the Council’s Statement of Internal Control for year 2018-19(Appendix 3g) v) Reviewed the Council’s Statement of Accounting Policies year ending 31 March 2018(App 3h)

RECEIVED, CONSIDERED AND APPROVED the AGAR for the financial year ended 31 March 2018 for submission to the Audit Commission, comprising: - Income and Expenditure Accounts - The Annual Governance and Accountability Return comprising of the; I. Annual Governance Statement II. Accounting Statements This was proposed for signing by Cllr Evans, seconded by Cllr Giles and AGREED by all. The Chairman and Clerk then signed the necessary documents.

32. CLERK REPORT CORRESPONDENCE A. Thank you letter from Littlebourne CE Primary School for the grant we have given them for 2018-19. B. Thank you letter from St Vincents Church for the grant we have given them for 208-19. C. Thank you letter from Littlebourne Afternoon Club for the grant we have given them for 2018-19. D. Thank you letter from the Canterbury Rings Project for the grant we have given them for 2018-19. E. Thank you note from Anne Rigden, Winner of this year’s Millennium Award, thanking LPC for the award.

CLERK REPORT

TREES ON THE GREEN Six weeks period has expired so works can go ahead.

PLAYAREA REPAIRS Repairs to seesaw and replacement of cradle swing seats on order.

DAMAGED BENCHES LPC own two concrete benches on the River bank in Nargate Street. The one bench is now unusable and the second one not in a much better state. It looks beyond repair. Clerk and Cllr Evans to look at replacement options.

THE MALTINGS – TREE PLANTING Letters delivered to all residents in The Maltings and the properties on Bekesbourne Lane that back onto this piece of land asking for comments on the idea of converting the redundant play area into a more green space. Cllr Evans is exploring this idea with Cllr Walker and CCC.

CHERRY ORCHARD NATURE RESERVE Fencing is being replaced like for like on boundary with Cherry Orchard Estate, works have begun on this. Fencing was in a poor state and complaints had been received.

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33. LPC MEDIA The recent outburst of comments on the LPC Facebook page was discussed. Cllr Giles questioned whether we should continue to use Facebook. Do the benefits out way the problems caused. Cllr Moore explained that we do reach out to a lot of residents via this media, currently 420 plus followers so it would be a shame to discontinue it because of a very small minority.

A paragraph has already been added by Cllr Moore to the LPC page, as follows;

This page is for news and views and articles of interest for the residents of Littlebourne and we welcome open discussion that is respectful and constructive. PLEASE NOTE: 1. The views expressed in discussions are not necessarily the views held by the Parish Council 2.We will not tolerate people who bully, harass, insult, threaten or spread untruths on this page and will block those that we see as breaking these guidelines and, if necessary, legal action will be taken and the culprits reported to Facebook. 3. Any local businesses that we promote on the page are not endorsed or recommended by the Parish Council - we are just offering this page as an opportunity for local businesses to advertise their services or products. 4. To view our Social Media Policy please visit our website www.littlebourne-parish-council.co.uk Please ensure that you consider your comments before posting. We encourage contributions and posts but insist that you adhere to the outlines above and ask that if you have any immediate issues, concerns or questions please contact the Parish Council by email, phone or in person, rather than using Facebook - tel: 01227 721500 LPC will consider adopting a Facebook/revised Media Policy to incorporate the policy brought to the meeting by Cllr Giles. This would be created ready for adoption at the July meeting.

34. CONSERVATION TREE GIFT Littlebourne have been offered a tree by the Four Villages Conservation Society to celebrate their 50th year by planting a native tree in each of the villages. A suggestion for siting is on the river bank, alongside the LPC benches, as it could provide some shade to the seating. A Bird Cherry has been suggested as the tree variety. Cllr Evans explained that we seek to seek permission from the Environment Agency due to the close proximity of the river and also from Highways. This could be combined with the replacement of the two old benches at this location. Cllr Evans and the Clerk to seek permissions come up with some ideas and obtain quotations for the benches. The LPC logo could also be used on the benches.

35. WILDLIFE ON RIVER BANK RESERVE Cllr Evans explained the problems that were currently occurring at the river by the empty Watermill and public footpath;  Dogs swimming in the river and chasing the wildlife (there are now several ducks with broken wings) There are nesting Water Voles too in this area.  People fishing in the mill pond (There is No fishing allowed on the Lesser Stour)  Families picnicking in the garden (this is a private garden but the property is vacant) Neighbouring residents are also concerned and ideally they would like to see some signage to try and stop dogs going in the river out of control and stop illegal fishing. The LPC Logo could be incorporated in the signage. There was Agreement in principle from Cllrs but quotations for signage to be sought firstly.

36. FOR INFORMATION ONLY The Chairman reported back that four Wimille visitors had attended the Open Gardens in Littlebourne at the weekend and whilst they were here had spoken about the planned Twinning meeting with Cllr Gallager. It was felt the best time for this would be at Christmas.

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Cllr Walker and the Clerk left the meeting at 9pm and a confidential item was discussed.

Dates of future meetings: 4 July, 5 September, 3 October, 7 November, 5 December 2018.

Signed…………………………………….. (Chairman)

Date…………………………………...

LITTLEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING REPORT, 6 JUNE 2018 APPENDIX 2 New Applications

CA//18/0956 Non-material amendment to planning Circulated to Cllrs who viewed permission CA/17/01124/FUL for a proposed previous plans, for which LPC did single-storey front and side extensions and not object. detached single-storey garage following No concerns raised over demolition of garage; to allow alteration to rear amendments. extension to remove bedroom, reduce length of sun room, reduce french side doors and add patio doors to rear.

Penny Cottage, 17 High Street, Littlebourne, CT3 1ST CA//18/01036 Proposed two-storey rear extension LPC have no objections to this application. Little Acres, The Hill Littlebourne CT3 1TB CA//18/00867 Proposed single-storey front extension with LPC have no objections to this 2no roof lights. application.

66A Bekesbourne Lane, Littlebourne CT3 1UZ CA//18/00651 Proposed two storey side extension to form 1 LPC cannot see any objections to no flat above garage, together with first floor this application. side extension and single storey side and rear extensions. WITHDRAWN

66 Bekesbourne Lane, Littlebourne CT3 1UZ

Notifications CA//17/02920 Proposed two-storey rear extension with WITHDRAWN accommodation in roof space following demolition of existing extension.

7 Nargate Street, Littlebourne, CT3 1UH

Trees TRE/18/00157 To raise the canopy on roadside trees and the LPC application trees on the green. DECIDED

The Green, Littlebourne TRE/18/00241 To Fell 1 x Robinia Tree in rear garden

Little Howletts, 11 High Street, Littlebourne

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