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
17 September 2007 at 8 pm in the Village Hall

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1. PRESENT:
Cllrs D Wheeler (Chairman), H Hayward, S Hebditch, D Moore, Mrs A Parsons
 

2. APOLOGIES:
Cllrs Mrs D Reynolds and P Eames
Declarations of Interest in Agenda Items: None
 

3. MATTERS ARISING:
a. A26/Bidborough Ridge Junction:
Ref: 170087 reported 7 August, clerk advised that the bollards would be re-introduced but in a different design.

 
4. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THE 30 July having been circulated, were approved and signed by the Chairman.
 

PARISHIONERS’ QUESTION TIME:
The lack of verge cutting undertaken was raised, clerk to contact Kent Highways. (Ref: 179290)
Mr John Davies - KCCllr for Southborough attended the meeting in response to an approach by the clerk regarding a commuter bus service. He advised members that the service would be reviewed in 2008 and if there was good support for a service it might be possible to adjust timetables to route existing services through the parish. Clerk advised there would be an article in the Newsletter and it was hoped parishioners would contact her or the editor with their comments.

 
5. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING:
 

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: REFUSED
(This was refused due to the fact that the size and design would distort the appearance of the row of cottages, harmful to the setting of the church, proposed parking at the front would be detrimental to the conservation area.)
07/02156/7: Mill House, Mill Court, Penshurst Road
LBC Construction of 1.8m high close boarded fence
Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: REFUSED
07/02214: 3 St. Lawrence Avenue
Two storey rear extension
Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: GRANTED
07/02470: 4 Glebelands
Extension to form utility and garden room
Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: GRANTED
07/02330: Lot 6 Fosters Farm, Gate Farm Road
Lawful Development Certificate - Erection of umbrella shed
Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: Decision Awaited
07/02738: 28 St. Lawrence Avenue
Demolition of existing store and erection of conservatory
Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: Decision Awaited
07/02781: Isaacs Cottage, Franks Hollow Road
Two storey extension to rear and internal alterations
Parish Council:
The PC have no objections in principal to an extension for this purpose but would question the size as it appears to be greater than the 50% development rule. TWBC: Decision Awaited
07/02920: 33 Bidborough Ridge
Erection of single storey rear extension
Parish Council: No Objections TWBC: Decision Awaited
07/02868: Swaylands, Penshurst Road
Western Apartment Block - Construction of 10 new apartments as part of enabling development
Parish Council:
The PC would support Penshurst PC’s response to SDC regarding this application in that the original design which was complementary to the main house has been changed to one that is now subordinate by its plainness. TWBC: Decision Awaited
07/03179: Greenacres, Barden Road
Proposed dormer window and rooflights to loft conversion

Parish Council: Decision Awaited TWBC: Decision Awaited
 

6. FINANCE:
  

a. Audit Commission
: Notification received that audit for year ended March 2007 completed, no areas of concern raised. Notices posted as required. Members noted the information.
b. Landscape Services
: Advice received that two further cuts would be required for grass cutting, members agreed this, clerk to action.
c. TW Citizens Advice Bureaux:
Annual request for donation. Members agreed that this was a worthwhile cause and agreed the standard donation of £50. Clerk to action for next meeting.
d. Stewardship Scheme Claim
: As Cllr Eames was not at the meeting, this matter was deferred to the October meeting for his signature.
 

7. REPORTS:
a. VILLAGE CARE/RECREATION GROUND/GROUNDS MAINTENANCE:
 

i. Cricket Surface
: Cllr Moore advised that problems had been experienced with access for the gravel lorries wishing to attend site, the installation had been re-arranged in order that deliveries could be made in smaller units. No date had been fixed.
 

ii. Glebe Bank
: Clearance work completed. Church wall weed clearance actioned, Cllr Moore reported that the contractor had attended site to check the effectiveness of the treatment which was working well.
 

iii. Rospa Inspection
: No items of high risk listed as a result of the current inspection, report to be circulated and added to agenda for next meeting.
 

iv. Play Area Matting
: Cllr Moore suggested this be used to improve the access to the recreation ground, this was agreed.
 

v. Sewerage
: Cllr Moore reported on problems relating to sewerage leaking in the Franks Hollow Road/Spring Lane area. Lorries attending site to deal with the issue had allegedly caused damage to the wall.
 

b. NEWSLETTER:
Chairman advised copy for this should have been submitted by 16 September.
 

c. COMMUNITY COUNCIL:
No report

 
d. BIRCH WOOD:
i. Litter/Dog Fouling
: Clerk to ask TWBC if a further litter bin could be provided by the parish noticeboard at the entrance to the wood and further rigid signs could be obtained. (TWBC will investigate and report back on the provision of a litter bin and metal signs would be delivered if available)
 

ii. Footpath:
Clerk to report erosion of footpath to PROW to ask if any improvements could be made.
 

e. ALLOTMENTS:
Cllr Moore advised he now had a waiting list for sites.
  

f. SPORTS ASSOCIATION:
Cllr Moore advised members that the cricket team, Colts and stoolball teams had all been very successful during the season. The cricket team won the 1st and 3rd Division with the Colts winning the U9s and U11s.
 

g. PRIMARY SCHOOL:
Cllr Hebditch confirmed the work to the kitchen had been completed.

h. CEMETERY:
a. Interment of Ashes:
A request had been received for interment of ashes in the Garden of Remembrance for a parishioner who had recently died whilst living her family in Buckinghamshire. As she had only recently left the village members were supportive of this request and it was therefore approved.

i. BROOKHURST FIELD:
i. Gate
: Chairman to check condition of gate and report at next meeting.

ii. Footpath Surface/Access
: Clerk to report again to PROW.

j. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
a. TWBC:
Cllr Hayward and Hebditch would be attending the Parish Council seminar on 19 September between 2 and 5 pm.

b. TWBC
: Notification of a Public Transport Forum scheduled for 19 September at 6 pm

c. Vandalism
: Members noted this had been reduced, their policy of zero tolerance would continue.