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 30 October 2006 at 8 pm in the Village Hall

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Prior to the business of the meeting, Cllr Wheeler recorded the sad news of the death of Jim Argent who had regularly attended council meetings and been a great support. His quiet measured response to various projects undertaken by the parish council had been greatly appreciated.

1. PRESENT: Cllrs D Wheeler, P Eames, C Rea, D Moore, Rev. S Hills, Mrs A Parsons

APOLOGIES : Cllr Mrs D Reynolds

2. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 25 September 2006, having been circulated, were approved and signed by the Chairman.

3. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

a. National Playing Fields Association Trust: Clerk had circulated information regarding the option of safeguarding parish owned land in a trust deed. Clerk was asked to speak with Rachel Taylor regarding the possibility of a meeting to discuss other options. 

b. Public Conveniences: No further information had been received from TWBC.

c. Affordable Housing Survey: The survey documents had been distributed with the newsletters to each eligible household apart from the editor, Chairman to provide a copy for Cllr Eames.  

PARISHIONERS' QUESTION TIME:

The question of the church wall project was raised, clerk confirmed that Nigel Bolton of TWBC had been chasing BdR for the soil report which, to date, had not been received. A response regarding the proposed alteration to the fencing was read out which indicated that the design had been chosen to comply with BS 6399, clerk to obtain information on British Standard for clarification. Clerk to register concerns with TWBC regarding lack of report and request that no further action be taken in connection with the project until this had been received and inspected.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCILLOR: No Report

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: GRANTED

06/01950:   St. Lawrence Church, High Street

New boundary fencing and repairs to boundary wall   

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/02651:   The Lodge, Swaylands School, Penshurst Road

LBC - Renovation of existing lodge, removal of lean-to structures on eastern elevation and demolition and rebuild of rear porch.

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/02834:   10 Glebelands, Bidborough

First floor rear extension

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/02830:   Birch Cottage, Penshurst Road, Penshurst

Conversion of existing garage into annex    (renewal of consent 01/02364)

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

06/02970:   21 Bidborough Ridge

Double Garage

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

5. FINANCE:

a.   Precept: First draft of figures circulated for consideration by members, these were discussed. An allowance had been made for initial repayments on any loan that the Parish Council might have to take out in connection with the repairs to the Church Wall. The figures provided were discussed with a view to cutting back on expenditure in view of the high costs involved in the church wall repairs but as most cost centres were already based on low levels of expenditure it was agreed to reduce the Special Projects fund to £1500 instead of £3K. It was noted that if an election was not necessary in the parish a further saving of £1500 could be made in the accounts. All other cost centres to remain as existing.

It was agreed that the precept for the year 2007/2008 be set at £35,397, clerk to advise TWBC accordingly.

b.   Quarterly Accounts : Circulated to members for information, these were noted.

6. REPORTS:

a. VILLAGE CARE/RECREATION GROUND/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:

i.   Play Area Upgrade: Orders had been placed for new equipment and an installation date was awaited. Clerk was asked to contact suppliers to arrange for a metal cutter to be provided together with bolts to facilitate the installation of the netball basket on the existing football frame. A letter of thanks had been received from Bidborough Cricket Club for the Parish Council's work in obtaining the grants towards the installation of the all weather wicket from the school grounds.

b. NEWSLETTER: The latest edition had been circulated to parishioners.

c. COMMUNITY COUNCIL: The AGM would be held on the 9 November 2006.

d. BIRCH WOOD: The seat was to be erected in Birch Wood in memory of Joan Griffin. Cllrs Wheeler and Moore to liase on siting and type of seat to be installed on the recreation area.

e.   ALLOTMENTS & f. SPORTS ASSOCIATION: No report

g. PRIMARY SCHOOL: Members were advised that a planning application was being prepared to enlarge the kitchen and provide disabled toilet facilities.

h. CEMETERY: Rev. Hills confirmed that he was completing grant application forms for financial help towards the church wall repairs, clerk was assisting with information required.

i. BROOKHURST FIELD: It was agreed a work party would be arranged during the winter months to carry out hedgecutting.

j. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

a.   KAPC AGM: Cllr Rea asked for members support for two proposals to be decided at the AGM (i) that district and borough councils be required to explain reasons for not taking account of parish council's responses to planning applications and (ii) that NALC lobby the government to reconsider the withdrawal of the post office card account scheme and provide financial assistance for small offices. These were approved.

b. SID: Cllr Moore offered to assist with the use of the speed indicator device, arrangements were made for this to be carried out during the following week.