Bidborough Parish Council

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

Minutes of the meeting of Bidborough Parish Council held

on 26 June 2006 at 8 pm in the Village Hall

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Prior to the business of the meeting, Mr Paul Allen, National Playing Fields Association Fields Officer attended to advise Councillors on methods of safeguarding parish owned land from future development. Councillors were provided with literature for their information.

1. PRESENT: Cllr D Wheeler (Chairman), P Eames, C Rea, D Moore, Rev. S Hills and Mrs A Parsons

APOLOGIES: Cllr Mrs D Reynolds

2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 22 May 2006 having been circulated, were approved- and signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

a. Rural Housing Needs Programme: Clerk had arranged a meeting with Jennifer Hudson (Affordable Housing Officer/TWBC) and Jennifer Shaw, Rural Housing Enabler/Action with Communities in Rural Kent, the officers would be meeting with Councillors prior to the July meeting.

PARISHIONERS' QUESTION TIME:

Parishioner requested support of the parish for a planning application in order to maintain the fast working farm in the parish. Applicant was required to provide a statement for TWBC confirming the financial viability of the project and an environmental appraisal reporting on the impact of the provision of agricultural accommodation in connection with the plans. Parish Council were in support of the venture to safeguard this area of the parish for the future, clerk to write to TWBC and confirm support of application.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCILLOR: No report

4. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING:

05/01146: Swaylands School , Penshurst Road

Resubmission of part of previous application for alterations, extension and conversion to residential use of Swaylands main building into 28 units with erection of additional garage block, demolition of outbuildings and restoration of landscaping.

Parish Council: PC supports the application and the early commencement of refurbishment of the site. TWBC: GRANTED

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

06/00886: Franklin, 1 Rectory Drive

Single storey extension

Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: GRANTED

06/00979: 33 Woodland Way

Demolish existing garage and covered area and erect two-storey extension

Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: GRANTED

06/00871: Ananda House, Franks Hollow Road

Off-road parking bay and retaining wall

Parish Council: No Objections TWBC : GRANTED

06/01149: Judd Wood farm, Hayesden Lane

Retention of existing track for agricultural use

Parish Council: The PC have 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: Decision Awaited

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: Decision Awaited

06/01425: 2 Fosters Farm Cottages

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

Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: Decision Awaited

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: Decision Awaited

06/01559: 33 St. Lawrence Avenue

First floor rear extension

Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: Decision Awaited

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

Two-bay oak framed garage with storeroomParish Council: No Objections TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/01727: Isaacs Cottage, Franks Hollow Road

Retro: Variation of Condition 5 (TW/80/OOO13) 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: Decision Awaited TWBC: Decision Awaited

5. FINANCE:

a. Citizens Advice Bureau: Application for grant for 2006/2007, this was agreed in the sum of £50

6. REPORTS:

a. VILLAGE CARE/RECREATION GROUND/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:

i.    Netball Post: Clerk advised Cllr Moore that the height of metal rim should be 10' from the ground,

Cllr Moore confirmed this work was in hand.

ii.   Goal Posts: Clerk to advise interested parishioner that old goal posts would be disposed of by the end of the week if he was no longer interested in them for refurbishment. Funds totalling £975 had been promised by the Sports Association towards replacements units, the £175 balance from the charity account could also be used for the units.

iii.    Cricket Net/Small Children's Play Area: Cllr Moore, Mrs Parsons and the clerk checking on availability of grants to facilitate moving cricket net from school to public land and supplying new equipment in original play area. Possibility of grant from TWBC being investigated, clerk had also contacted John Davies (KCC) for a possible grant. Cllr Mrs Parsons had raised £860 through her sponsored bike ride towards the costs of the equipment. Costs of moving the net estimated to be £2,200 and the new equipment £8650. Chairman to obtain information from Mr Marsh regarding possibility of funds being available from Gatwick Airport towards the project, Cllr Moore to provide information on goal posts and cricket net costs for clerk to collate information to submit for grants.

iv.   Seat: Cllrs Moore and Eames suggested the memorial seat for Joan Griffin be placed on the bank behind the play area on the main recreation ground, this was unanimously agreed.

v.   Lengthsman : It was noted that in view of the introduction of the new play equipment and the proposed siting of the seat on the large recreation ground, the lengthsman would need to be asked to strim these areas. This was agreed.

vi.   Speed Indicator Device: Cllr Eames reported that the equipment had been used on a number of occasions, it had been extremely useful in bringing drivers' attention to the speed at which they were

travelling through the parish. The purchase of the unit was considered to be very successful.

b. NEWSLETTER: Cllr Eames tabled a draft list of possible topics for circulation in questionnaire format with the next newsletter to gauge parishioners opinion of the work of the council and its ability to

communicate news of its projects to the parish through the various mediums available. Feedback from

members was invited prior to finalisation of the questionnaire.

c. COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Chairman advised that the slabs outside the entrance would be lifted and re- set and that the steps would be repaired, these items to be undertaken as a Health and Safety issue.

d. BIRCH WOOD: Cllr Eames confirmed the work to the monument was complete and the area had been cleared of nearly all debris. Copy of key for lock to be held by Chairman.

e. ALLOTMENTS: Cllr Eames advised that a parishioner would be happy for an area of their land to be used for allotments if the Parish Council had no further land available and a waiting list existed.

f. SPORTS ASSOCIATION: Cllr Moore advised that a report by a security expert was being prepared on

the pavilion in connection with matters of security and fire prevention, consideration was being given to the provision of a steel final exit door.

g. PRIMARY SCHOOL: No Report

h. CEMETERY:

i.   Memorials: Confirmation of approval of inscription on existing memorial to be forwarded to

Burslem by clerk.

i. BROOKHURST FIELD: No Report

j. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

i. TWBC: Advice received of Housing Forum to be held on 20 July 2006

ii. KCC: Advice received of Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting to be held on 20 July 2006

iii. SDC: 2007 Community Plan & Local Development Framework Issues and Options

Consultation document, clerk to complete.

iv. Hanging Baskets: Cllr Mrs Parsons confirmed that the company supplying the baskets had been unable to do so this year as only two councils were able to go ahead with the project.

v. Sycamore Tree: Clerk had reported the problems with the sycamore tree at the Twitton to Kent Highways, a response was awaited.

vi. Hedge: Clerk to check overhanging branch in hedge at first house on approach to village from the A26.

vii. Churchyard Handrail: Clerk to speak with PROW again regarding unsafe handrail.

viii. Noticeboard: Chairman to check condition of noticeboard at end of Bidborough Ridge.

ix. Dead Tree: Chairman reported a dead tree in front of the flats on Bidborough Ridge

x. Alf's Corner: Indentation on footpath worsening after work by utilities.

xi. Village Shop: Members welcomed the new family to the village and wished them every success in

their new business venture, it was hoped parishioners would support this valuable asset in order to secure its future.

Meeting concluded 9.20 pm     Next Meeting 31 July 2006