Minutes of the Meeting of Bidborough Parish Council held on 31 July 2006 at

8 pm in the Village Hall

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Prior to the business of the meeting Jennifer Hudson (Affordable Housing Officer/TWBC) and Jennifer Shaw, Rural Housing Enabler/Action with Communities in Rural Kent updated councillors on the TWBC rolling programme for assessing housing needs in parishes. It was agreed an updated survey would be circulated to parishioners with the October Newsletter.

 

1. PRESENT: Cllrs D Wheeler, P Eames, D Moore, Mrs A Parsons

 

APOLOGIES : Cllrs C Rea, Mrs D Reynolds and Rev. S Hills

 

2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 26 June 2006 , having been circulated, were approved and signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

i. Sycamore Tree: Problems with the sycamore tree at the Twitton had been reported to the Kent Highways Agency, reference number for work 78370. Clerk confirmed this had been passed to the Public Rights of Way Officer for inspection and to confirm ownership of the trees prior to any necessary work being undertaken.

ii. Churchyard Handrail: Clerk advised that inspection had taken place by the PROW officer and contractors had been instructed to replace and repair as necessary.

iii. Noticeboard: Chairman to check condition of noticeboard at end of Bidborough Ridge, matter deferred to next meeting.

iv. Alf's Corner: Indentation on footpath reported to Kent Highways, reference number for work 78373.

Chairman confirmed this work had been completed.

PARISHIONERS' QUESTION TIME: There were no items raised

 

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCILLOR: No items reported

 

4. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING:

 

05/02568:   OS Plot 4200, Penshurst Road

Construction of a farm workers cottage and farm building (revised proposal - TW/04/03067)

Parish Council: The PC still has concerns regarding development outside the village envelope but will be guided by the TWBC and the relevant experts dealing with the application. TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/00643:   Four Winds Windmill and Lane, Penshurst Road 

Variation of Condition 9 - alteration to wall and railings fronting Penshurst Road

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/01149:   Judd Wood farm, Hayesden Lane

Retention of existing track for agricultural use

Parish Council: The PC has grave concerns regarding applications relating to this site. The request to retain this access, installed to facilitate the paintballing venture, is not substantiated with any sound reason relating to agricultural need. It is the understanding of the PC that land altered to enable the paintballing business to operate should be reinstated as it was, this access is part of that reinstatement requirement.

The PC are unable to support the application and, in view of the owner's stated intention to seek alternative business uses for the site, would urge the borough officers and members to refuse this application.          TWBC: GRANTED

06/01212:   11 St. Lawrence Avenue

Two storey side and rear extension

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/01318:   Ridgelands Cottage, Penshurst Road

Two-storey extension to left hand side of property

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

06/01425:   2 Fosters Farm Cottages

Post and rail fence to north west side of rear garden (retrospective)

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

06/01601:   31 Woodland Way

Demolition of existing garage and single storey extension, new two storey side extension and covered porch.

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

06/01559:   33 St. Lawrence Avenue

First floor rear extension

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

06/01675:   The Lodge, Old Farmhouse, Penshurst Road

Two-bay oak framed garage with storeroom

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

06/01727:   Isaacs Cottage, Franks Hollow Road

Retro: Variation of Condition 5 (TW/80/00013) Agricultural occupancy - to permit the use of the dwelling for those occupied in agriculture and livery. Retro change to use of land from agricultural to agricultural and livery uses.

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

06/01950:   St. Lawrence Church, High Street

New boundary fencing and repairs to boundary wall   

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/02008:   15 St. Lawrence Avenue

Extensions and alterations

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

 

5. FINANCE:

July Expenditure
EDF Energy	Street Lighting Energy	58.97
EDF Energy	Street Lighting Maintenance	72.99
RIP Cleaning Services	Dog Waste Removal	54.29
CAB	S.137 Donation	50.00
How Green Nursery	2005 Floral Services	714.40
Mrs D Wheeler	Flowers	25.00
L F Thompson	Lengthsman	216.00
P Richards	Emergency Tree Works	390.00
Ashdown Garden Services	Village Mowing	598.78
RoSPA	Play Equipment Inspection	116.33
Cllr D Moore	Seat Refurbishment/Glebe bank clearance work	136.07

July Income

 

Allotments                                   5.00

a. Quarterly Accounts: These had been circulated to members with the agendas and were noted.

b. BCTV: It was agreed that the PC continue to pay the annual subscription fee for this organisation to support the Tree Officer, Mr A Dunn

  

6. REPORTS:

a. VILLAGE CARE/RECREATION GROUND/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:

 

i.   Goal Posts : The old goal posts had been disposed of by Cllr Moore due to their unsafe condition, the supply of new units was being investigated with information having been obtained from a company recommended by TWBC. Care would need to be taken with regard to the design of replacements in view of recent legislation relating to mobile units and their safety. It was agreed the balance of the Bidborough in Bloom funds totalling £500 could be used towards this project to add to the sum donated by the Sport Association in order that good quality units could be purchased.

 

ii.   Cricket Net/Small Childrens' Play Area: Clerk had collated all the quotations required for submission for possible grants for the new project. KCC and TWBC would be approached for grants, clerk and Chairman signed the application forms.

 

b. NEWSLETTER: Cllr Eames confirmed copy would be required by mid September for publication during the first week of October. A letter of thanks had been received by the Chairman for the work carried out by the councillors, in particular with regard to the floral displays and the new play equipment, the writer had stated they would be happy for this to be reproduced in the newsletter. The housing survey would be circulated with the newsletter.

  

c. COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Mr Marsh confirmed that work would commence the following week to relay the front patio area, renew the external steps to the kitchen and the area by the retaining wall between the path and the car park and the sloping crazy paving would be dug up, re-pointed and replaced. External maintenance continued. Asbestos was being removed from a store area at a cost of £1400. Health and safety aspects of maintenance had been a priority, it was hoped that a new sign would be erected as and when funds permitted.

 

d. BIRCH WOOD: Cllr Eames reported that the recent BBQ had been a great success with approximately 120 people attending and £600 having been raised. It had been an enjoyable community event.

 

e.   ALLOTMENTS: No report

f. SPORTS ASSOCIATION: Cllr Moore confirmed that a security and fire risk survey had been completed and would be discussed at the forthcoming meeting when the installation of metal external doors and window grills would be considered.

 

g. PRIMARY SCHOOL: No report

h. CEMETERY: Clerk to check on situation regarding wall repairs and arrange meeting as necessary.

 

i. BROOKHURST FIELD: Chairman to check condition of benches for any maintenance work.

j. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Clerk to report poor road surface between the public house/garage and road.