1 CROCKENHILL PARISH COUNCIL The Chairman reminded everyone attending and who will be participating that subject to our Standing Orders they may be filmed, recorded, photographed or otherwise reported about. If anyone objects could they please sit at the back of the room and anybody filming, recording, photographing or otherwise reporting on the proceedings should avoid those who are sitting at the back, except if they take part in a public participation session. Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 11th April 2019 at 7.30pm in Crockenhill Village Hall. MINUTE MEMBERS PRESENT NO. Cllr R Kite (Chair), Cllr Waterton, Cllr P Riches, Cllr Jenkins, Cllr T White, SDC Cllr S Lindsay, KCC Cllr Roger Gough, three members of the public. 19/179 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllr Stephen Lindsay (SDC), Cllr Holmes, Cllr Sutherland. 19/180 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Although not present at the meeting, Cllr White reminded those present that Cllr Holmes had declared an interest in Wild Wood, 15 Green Court Road as he lives in a neighbouring property. 19/181 3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING dated 14th March were unanimously agreed to be a correct record, as proposed by Cllr Riches, seconded by Cllr White and signed by the Chair. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MEETING 19/182 a. Bulk waste collection and Great British Spring Clean The Clerk reported that the Parish Council had organised a bulk waste collection for Saturday 13th April 7.45-8.45 Harvest Way car park. Councillors will use this opportunity to clear the rubbish at Harvestfield – to the right of the entrance in the woodland. The Great British Spring Clean will follow at 10am, meeting in the Parish Council office. The list of what is not allowed has been published on the website and on facebook. Cllrs Kite, Waterton, Riches and Jenkins all said that they could help. Litter pick starts at 10am and has been advertised on the village noticeboard, website and Facebook pages but the Clerk has only had a couple of responses so far. Details were also included also in the Spring Newsletter which went to all households and in the letters that went to all allotment holders regarding rent renewal. 19/183 b. Potholes on Eynsford Rd/Wested Lane 2 The Clerk said that these were all reported and she had noticed when driving through that they have been chalked up so it looked as if they would soon be done. Cllr White said he thought some had been done but some had been missed at the top end of Wested Lane. Clerk to Clerk check. c. Meeting with Crockenhill Primary School’s Headteacher 19/184 Karen Dodd re crossing patrol and parking The Clerk reported that her and Cllr Kite had met with Karen Dodd, the Headteacher. Mrs Dodd explained the background to the crossing patrol (they tried recruiting a few years back, eventually found someone who did the training/ was about to do the training who then resigned). Mrs Dodd had already made enquiries in to the possibility of re-instating the crossing patrols (it comes up in their Parent Forum meetings each time.) The problem is that because it has been longer than two years since they have had one, KCC said they needed to carry out traffic surveys to establish whether there is actually a need. Cllr Gough sent some background information to the Clerk too. We have since heard back from Roger and the Headteacher who has now received notification that KCC will not be funding the re-instating of a crossing patrol as the school has not met the criteria but would pay for training etc. KCC carried out a survey count and site review of the location. KCC reported back that this ‘has now been undertaken and the pedestrian and vehicle figures are below those set out in the national guidance. The nationally accepted intervention level set by RSGB is ‘4 Million’ PV2 (pedestrian, vehicle squared) and the site assessment score for this location was 2.4 Million with adjustment factors taken into account, including the site environment and age of pedestrians crossing the road.’ Cllr Kite said this was disappointing but that the school and Parish Council would continue to work together as we all feel strongly that something needs to be done. It was agreed that Cllr Gough would be RG asked to find out when and what time of day the survey was carried out as we need to ensure that this is done at the busiest time of day. At the meeting Cllr Kite also explained about the Portable Speed Indicator signs, and Mrs Dodd likes the idea of us doing something with the school around the time that they are installed to focus on road safety within the village. It may be that we can get someone from KCC Highways to also come and do some sessions with the children so we Clerk will keep her updated on this. We also mentioned the Youth Club that we hope to get off the ground. She was already aware of the Swanley group as she has in the past been asked whether she wants to refer anyone to this group. Cllr Kite said that we will keep each other updated and we have opened up a good line of communication with the school. 19/185 d. White lines in the village The fact that many of the white lines on the roads in the village have faded and need re-painting was identified on the walkabout, Cllr Waterton and Cllr Kite sent through a list of all other roads that needed 3 re-painting and the Clerk sent these on to KCC. An Officer is now investigating and will schedule work if necessary. 19/186 e. ‘Stop’ sign on corner of Old Chapel Road The Clerk reported that a letter had been sent to the residents to ask that their hedge be cut-back so that the ‘Stop’ sign is clearly visible to drivers approaching the junction. It was reported that this has been done. 19/187 f. Wall on corner of Cray Road A letter was also sent to the resident with the wall that is leaning and the resident has now called and requested a meeting. This has been arranged for later in the month. 19/188 g. Mudhole sign The Clerk reported that she has contacted the owner. He has no plans to do anything with the sign but said that if the Parish Council wanted to do something then they should send through a proposal. 19/189 h. Damaged dropped kerb on Green Court Road The Clerk has reported this as urgent. i. Parking Church Rd/Barnfield Close 19/190 The Clerk asked the resident to who reported the parking issues along ALL these roads to send through photos. Nothing has been received as yet and the Clerk asked Councillors to take photos if they are passing by at busy times. 19/191 j. Garage at Harvest Way The Clerk has chased West Kent about this again and they said the Clerk garage is due to be demolished. They could not give a date but the Clerk will continue to chase as Councillors are concerned about the Safety of the garage. Cllr Waterton reported that a local builder had had to fix the roof to stop it flapping in the wind. The Clerk asked again about the possibility of putting down lines and marking out some parking bays but was told we would have to ‘request this via our Surveyors, there would be an issue of “policing” The bays, concerns are that if the bays are clearly marked out this could then impact on access for garage users, also there is the maintenance of the marked area’. 5. CORRESPONDENCE/QUERIES 1. Correspondence/queries 19/192 a. Harvest Fayre request to use Village Green Cllrs agreed that the village green could be used again. Usual rules apply regarding insurance etc 4 19/193 b. Church request to use Village Green Cllrs agreed that the village green could be used again. Usual rules apply regarding insurance etc 19/194 c. Request to use the Cricket Meadow A local Rugby club had enquired regarding the possibility of using the Cricket Meadow for training. The Clerk explained about the lack of toilet and changing facilities but the team were initially still keen to meet. However, Cllr White said that they had since found an alternative venue. 19/195 d. Digital photos A resident requested copies of some of the old photos in the Clerk’s office. Dr Pittman has supplied these as digital images at a cost of £5 each. Money to be put towards Heritage Room costs. 19/196 e. Motorbikes at Harvestfield The Parish Council received another report of a motorbike at Harvestfield. The PCSO advised that people should ring 101 at the time the crime was being committed. This advice was added to our Newsletter. 19/197 f. Horses on footpath alongside Dibsdall Meadow Someone has complained about horses using this footpath and manure not being cleared. Cllr Kite went out to have a look and reported back that the sign at one end is not clearly visible, and there is no sign at the other. Councillors agreed to move the existing sign to a more visible spot and add one at the other end. They also discussed the fact that this Clerk is the safest route for riders with children, to avoid the busy road and there has been an informal agreement over the years that if the local users use it, they ensure that they clean up properly.