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 July 2007 at

8 pm in the Village Hall

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1.   PRESENT: Cllr D Wheeler (Chairman), D Moore, H Hayward, S Hebditch, Mrs D Reynolds

2.   APOLOGIES: Cllr Mrs A Parsons, Cllr P Eames

Declarations of Interest in Agenda Items: None

3. MATTERS ARISING: Covered in the agenda.

4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 25 June having been circulated, were approved and signed by the Chairman.

PARISHIONERS' QUESTION TIME:

A discussion on the Parish Council website was held, the initial work to update the site had been undertaken.

Cllr Eames had contacted the clerk and felt the website had made a good start. He asked that the title made it clear it was the Parish Council website to differentiate it from other general village information sites. It was envisaged that the site would be primarily for the PC minutes which included planning information, agendas and any other local issues. Facilities for local clubs to provide input was also anticipated. It was agreed a straightforward method of updating the pages would be preferred in order that Cllr Hayward could take on this role, ongoing cost implications in this respect being a consideration. Cllr Hayward to liase with Clive Stanley and the clerk to facilitate this takeover.

5. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING:

07/01157:   OS Plot 4200, Penshurst Road

Construction of Farm Building and Temporary Agricultural Dwelling

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Appeal Lodged

Confirmation received from TWBC that Environmental Impact Assessment not required due to the fact that the development is not likely to have a significant effect on the environment by virtue of its size, nature or location.

07/01368:   29 St. Lawrence Avenue

Single and two-storey extensions and loft conversion to include front and rear dormers

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

07/01510:   61 Bidborough Ridge

Demolition of existing single storey rear extension and erection of conservatory

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

07/01521:   Great Hayesden Farm, Lower Hayesden Lane

Addition of two small dormers to front elevation

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

07/01946:   69 Bidborough Ridge

Two storey side extension with roof space

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: GRANTED

07/01992:   Chestnut Cottage, Upper Hayesden Lane

Two storey side extension and reposition the existing garage forward to front

TWBC: WITHDRAWN

07/02115:   11 High Street

Demolition of a single storey structure at rear and replacement with a single storey extension. Demolition of prefab garage and erection of two storey extension to the side.

Parish Council: No Objections       TWBC: Decision Awaited

07/02156/7:   Mill House, Mill Court, Penshurst Road

LBC Construction of 1.8m high close boarded fence

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

07/02214:   3 St. Lawrence Avenue

Two storey rear extension

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

07/02470:   4 Glebelands

Extension to form utility and garden room

Parish Council: Decision Awaited       TWBC: Decision Awaited

6. FINANCE:

a.   Bank Mandate: Members signed the bank mandate, clerk to meet with Cllrs Eames and Parsons for their signatures. It was agreed that the existing practice of any two signatures being required on cheques would continue. All other conditions to remain as existing.

c.   Quarterly Accounts : These had been circulated to members for information and were noted.

7. REPORTS:

a. VILLAGE CARE/RECREATION GROUND/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:

i.   Cricket Surface : Cllr Moore advised that due to access problems for installation equipment this would be deferred until mid August, the recreation ground being too soft for heavy machinery to drive on.

ii.   Glebe Bank : It was unanimously agreed that a £300 budget be allowed to commence clearing the holly trees on the bank, Cllr Moore to liase with PC contractor to carry out this work. Cllr Moore to liase with Simon Kidd from Kent Landscape regarding weed clearance on church wall and pathway. (Landscape Services attending site 1 August 2007 to inspect work necessary)

iii.   Vandalism : A meeting had been held with the local police regarding the unacceptable level of vandalism in the parish. The Parish Council would continue with its zero tolerance decision, every act of vandalism together with the culprits' names would be logged and reported to the police.

b. NEWSLETTER: Clerk advised that Cllr Eames had requested councillors, including the Chairman and other contributors to provide input by the 16 September at the very latest, it would assist if advertisements could be provided ahead of this date to allow time for setting up. Clerk to provide Cllr Mrs Reynolds with list of reported vandalism incidents for article.

c. COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Cllr Wheeler advised that the new sign had been erected at the front of the building.

d. BIRCH WOOD: No report

e.   ALLOTMENTS: No report

f. SPORTS ASSOCIATION: Cllr Moore advised the AGM had been held, the recreation ground was heavily used and the security of the pavilion was a priority at the present time.

g. PRIMARY SCHOOL: Cllr Moore confirmed building work was continuing at the site.

h. CEMETERY: No report

i. BROOKHURST FIELD: Cllr Moore stated the paths had not been cleared, condition of the gate would be check for any necessary repairs in view of the necessity to have stock on site in the autumn.

j. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

i. KCC Countryside Access Improvement Plan: Available on www.kent.gov.uk/countrysideaccess. 

ii. TWBC: Advice of temporary street closures in connection for the Tunbridge Wells 6K and 10K Run - 23 September and Rusthall Bonfire Procession 27 October 2007.

iii. KAPC: Cllr Hayward had attended the recent meeting when policing, speeding and the Internal Audit had been discussed. The PC were already pro active in relation to policing and speeding, Cllr Mrs Reynolds asked that data be collated for her project. Cllr Hebditch volunteered to become involved in this aspect of the work. It was suggested Philip Codd ask for further volunteers via his column to contact Cllr Wheeler.

Clerk confirmed that arrangements had been made for the Internal Auditor to be provided with copies of the quarterly accounts and bank statements to comply with the latest internal audit requirements. 

iv. Mobile Home: Clerk was advised this was still in the field adjacent to the Hayesden road.