Bidborough Parish Council

Contact the Parish Clerk, Evelyn Divall: Telephone: 01732 457541
E mail: clerk@bidborough-pc.gov.uk

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Bidborough Parish Council

held on Monday 24 April 2006 at 8 pm in the Village Hall

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Prior to the business of the Annual Meeting a presentation was provided by a representative of Unipar of the new Speed Indicator Equipment purchased by the Parish Council on behalf of the parish with grant funding provided by Cllr John Davies at Kent County Council. Volunteers would be required to operate the equipment, individual instruction was provided for Cllr Eames and a parishioner in order that training could be passed on to other volunteers. The Chairman recorded the thanks of the parishioners for the grant to cover the cost of the unit.

Present: Cllrs D Wheeler (Chairman), P Eames & Mrs A Parsons TWBCllr M Howell. 15 Parishioners.

1. Apologies: Cllrs C Rea, D Moore, Rev. S Hill & Mrs D Reynolds

2. MINUTES OF THE 2005 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: These, having been circulated, were approved and signed by the Chairman.

3. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT:

Cllr Wheeler reported that the school fence still remained despite a compromise having been reached over its design. Cllr Mrs Parsons was able to confirm that the contractor had promised to carry out the required work during the Easter holidays but he had failed to do so, the school was continuing to action the matter.

The Parish Council had decided to go ahead with the Bidborough in Bloom hanging basked project, the supplier used re-cycled water from greenhouse collection systems filling two ten thousand gallon capacity tanks. Flowers more suited to dry conditions would be used and a water butt would be installed at the village hall to aid watering.

The repairs to the church wall were ongoing, testing was being carried out and results were awaited. TWBCllr Howell advised that a meeting had been held that day and everything possible was being done to minimise the financial impact on the parish. The clerk recorded her appreciation of the assistance provided by the officers dealing with the matter at the Borough.

The Chairman reported on the cessation of the paintballing activities at Judd Wood which had caused much distress to those living nearby. The Parish Council and the Borough Council had been frustrated at the restrictions covering the Enforcement Procedure which could be manipulated by those wishing to gain benefit from it. TWBCllr Howell confirmed that the Borough had learned a great deal as a result of dealing with the matter and urged parishioners to be vigilant of companies who wished to take advantage of the system for their own benefit to the detriment of parishioners.

Those present were advised that work had commenced that day on the new installation of play equipment in the lower recreation ground. It was hoped this would be completed in the near future and provide excellent facilities for the older children in the parish.

The lengthsman had been appointed during the year and it was hoped that everyone had noticed the benefits in the village.

The monument in Birchwood was being restored with funds provided by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, the Parish Council had refused to become involved in the project, costs to date having reached £19K.

Meetings had been arranged during the year at the Town Hall for Parish Council chairmen which had proved worthwhile with chairmen being able to meet with officers and discuss any issues of concern. The question of retaining public toilets was on the agenda for further discussion, Cllr Howell confirmed that it was not the intention of the borough to close the toilets but they wished to find economically feasible ways to continue with their provision.

The Village Sign had been refurbished by Kim Langford to a very high standard, the thanks of the parish were recorded for the work involved.

Parishioners were reminded that 2007 would be an election year, the Chairman felt that the team was working well together and had achieved much during its term. He registered his thanks to Evelyn, the clerk, for her support and to everyone on the Parish Council for their work on behalf of the parish. The clerk was presented with a basket of flowers in appreciation of her work, she thanked those present and stated that in her experience the Bidborough Parish Councillors were the hardest working team she had encountered.

Cllr David Wheeler

4.   Financial Report for 2005/06

Main Accounts 2005/06: The newsletter was now being printed twice, not three times per year, costs still being covered by the advertising. The village care costs had increased due to the inclusion of the Bidborough in Bloom and new lengthsman expenditures. Bidborough in Bloom donations were still being received although on a much smaller scale that the previous year. There had been reduced grass cutting in the cemetery during the summer of 2005 due to the hot dry weather, costs reducing accordingly. The clerk's salary included a sum to cover three years back pay as a result of a pay increase.

Arthur Nicholson Charity Account: The Clerk recorded there had been no transactions relating to this account during the year, the carry forward figure being £4439.56 at the end of March 2006. The account would be closed in the near future in order that funds could be used towards the new play equipment.

Sir Thomas Smythe Charity for the Poor : Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2005 showed a balance of £852.73 which included dividends receipts during the year of £72.88. No grants had been awarded in 2005; suggestions for beneficiaries in the parish should be forwarded to Rev. Stephen Hills.

Clerk confirmed the accounts had been audited, passed by the internal auditor and awaited submission to the Audit Commission for external audit.

5.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

a.   Bulk Refuse: Clerk confirmed that this was an ongoing matter with the Borough, she had made Julie Mellor aware of the difficulties of using the village hall car park site and awaited further information as it was available.

Mr Marsh wished to record the thanks of the parish to the councillors and clerk for their work on behalf of the village, this was supported by those present.