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 28 November 2005 at 8 pm in the Village Hall

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

2. APOLOGIES : TWBCllr M Howell

3. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 17 October, having been circulated, were approved and signed by the Chairman.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Covered in the agenda

PARISHIONERS' QUESTION TIME:

The question of the paintballing activities was raised, an update was provided on the present position with regard to the planning application. Clerk to check position with regard to enforcement notice. (Meeting between legal/planning and enforcement officers being held this week to decide on course of action which could include issuing of injunction. Original enforcement notice served on land with all interested parties also being served, reason for adjournments of court dates were lack of time for landowner/company to brief their solicitors and on the second occasion a statement that matter was the subject of an appeal which had not been decided)

5. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING:

05/00926:   Judd Wood Farm, Hayesden Lane

Retrospective Change of Use: From farming/rough woodland to paintball games centre

Parish Council: Clerk to write to TWBC confirming the PC's support for the objections submitted by parishioners.         TWBC: Decision Awaited

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: Decision Awaited

05/01294:   Land Adjacent Fosters Oast, Hayesden Lane.

Change of use of redundant agricultural buildings to use class B2 (General Industrial) use: Repair and refurbishment of horse drawn carriages.

Parish Council: The PC have concerns with regard to possible noise problems and the number of vehicular movements and the impact on surrounding properties. The PC asks that if the application is approved conditions are included that limit activities to those now applied for.              TWBC: Decision Awaited

05/02249:   67 Bidborough Ridge

Single storey side extension, two storey front extension, extension to existing garage and new garden wall.

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

05/02483:   54 Woodland Way

Construction of a new single detached garage

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

05/02568:   OS Plot 4200, Penshurst Road

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

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

05/02645:   Windrush, 5 Bidborough Ridge

Rear, side and front extension and detached double garage

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

05/02747:   Woodside House, 56 Woodland Way

Conservatory

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

05/02890:   Swaylands School, Penshurst Road, Penshurst

Advertisement - Non illuminated site signboard on posts and flagpoles

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

05/02783:   Grange Cottage, Franks Hollow Road

Single storey utility room extension

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

05/03055:   The Granary, Lower Haysden Lane

Rear extension

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

6 FINANCE:

a. Precept : Clerk had redrafted the precept figures and circulated to members for consideration. Discussions took place with regard to levels of expenditure and the following was agreed:

a. Clerk's Salary : Salary to be increased at the rate of 3% compound interest for the previous four years, backdated. (£122, £125, £129 and £133 respectively giving a current salary figure of £4583). Payment for increases during the four-year period to be made in the sum of £509, salary to be reviewed at time of precept bi-annually.

b. Speed Indicator Device : Clerk had circulated information regarding equipment available to check vehicle speeds through the parish. KCCllr John Davies had offered to provide funding for the purchase of the unit from his member's allowance fund. It was agreed this be purchased, clerk to complete forms provided by Cllr Davies.

c. Childrens' Trail Equipment : Cllr Mrs Parsons tabled plans for equipment available, various options being suitable for use by the older children in the parish. Cllr Moore confirmed that a budget price of £2,500 had been quoted for the relocation of the all weather surface, and approximately £4,000 for a new surface beneath the roundabout. Clerk advised that KCCllr Davies had again offered to assist with the costs involved in the new equipment by donating £2,000 from the members' fund. It was hoped that further grants would be generated from TWBC, Awards for All (Lottery Funds) and Cllr Moore indicated that the Sports Association might also be able to assist. Clerk confirmed there was also £5K available in the account towards the project together with £3K available in the special projects fund. It was agreed that a financial limit of £26,500 be placed on the project, all subject to grants being approved and available, final decision on exact equipment to be agreed at site meeting, siting of equipment to be arranged in order that units were as close to the perimeter of the site as possible in order to maximise the football pitch area. Cllrs Wheeler and Mrs Parsons to discuss project with Mr Peter Roberts.

d. Church Wall - Phase 2: £5,000 nominal sum to be allowed for costs during the year.

Members of the PC registered their thanks to Cllr Davies for his generosity which would help considerable with the projects in hand.

Taking the foregoing into account it was agreed that the precept for the year 2006/2007 be set at £32,935; clerk to advise TWBC.

b. Gang Mowing 2006 : Quotation submitted for 2006 season by KCC of £1,005.25 for main recreation ground and £232.53 for the small area. This was approved by members, clerk to confirm with KCC.

7. REPORTS:

a. VILLAGE CARE/RECREATION GROUND/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:

i.   Play Equipment Grant : Covered under precept discussions.

ii.   All Weather Surface : Covered under precept discussions.

iii.   Village Trees: Andrew Dunn had attended a meeting which provided information on the legality of planting trees in the parish. This covered all aspects from notifying the utilities, proximity of planting in the area of the utility services, permission of landowner, insurance aspects in relation to injury to parishioners etc. Members considered that the legislation covering this activity was excessive, further investigations would be carried out by Mr Dunn prior to a final decision on the type and location of trees to be used.

b. NEWSLETTER: Cllr Eames reported on feedback by one parishioner in connection with the article on the church wall repairs, this had indicated that funds be made available in order to ensure the aesthetic appearance of the church wall be maintained. Cllr Eames had replied.

c. COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Management committee members were checking architect's drawings provided for new front area to facilitate access for the disabled, queries raised would be discussed.

d. BIRCH WOOD, e. ALLOTMENTS, f. SPORTS ASSOCIATION, g. PRIMARY SCHOOL: No report

h. CEMETERY: Cllr Moore to obtain quotation for weed spraying pathways

i. BROOKHURST FIELD: Grazing to be scheduled. Clerk provided copy forms for Cllr Mrs Parsons to arrange for school to complete as record of their visits to the field. 

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

a. Action with Communities in Rural Kent: Clerk advised she had received two letters and telephone messages from the organisation regarding affordable housing, she had tried to contact the writer with no success. A meeting with councillors had been requested.

b. KAPC AGM: Cllr Rea reported on his attendance at the KAPC AGM when a demonstration had been given of the Speed Indicator Devices, much interest had been shown by the parishes attending. Further information had been provided on volunteering in the local community and the plans for operation stack. Other items discussed including the 1.5 parking space per property planning requirement,, village design statements, burdens on local business and community warden effectiveness.

c. Photographic Exhibition : Cllr Mrs Parsons provided members with a framed photo produced by the photographer working on the exhibition scheduled for March. A budget of £500 had been allowed to cover expenses involved in this project. Rev Hills to discuss the format of the photos with the producer to ascertain whether CDs could be produced for sale.

d. Play Area Fencing : Cllr Moore reported that further fence palings would be needed to replace those vandalised on the small children's play area.

Meeting concluded at 9.55 pm         Next Meeting 30 January 2006