PRESENT:

Cllr Mike Swaby

Chairman

Cllr Mrs Pam Burrows

Cllr Mark Colyer

Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest

Cllr John Luck

Cllr Alan Marsh

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

In attendance

Cllr Mrs Maureen Stanney

Chairman, St Mary Hoo Parish Council

PC Trevor Bateup

Items 1-6

4 members of the public

Minute no 04/05

Action point

1

Ted and Susan Gable said they were moving from the village. They wished to thank everyone on the Council for the work they did, which they realised was done for the love of the parish. The Chairman thanked them and wished them well in their new home.

2

An apology for absence was received from Cllrs Mrs Joan Goddard and Morrad

3

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ALTERATIONS TO THE REGISTER

3

a

Cllr Mrs Forrest declared a personal interest in item 5b, water leak in Binney Road as it was outside her house and Cllr Colyer declared a personal interest in item 11c, street cleaning as the caretaker’s husband. The Chairman said he would pass round a Standards Board training video.

4

b

Noted.

It was proposed by Cllr Colyer, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March be signed as a true record.

5

MATTERS ARISING

6

a

Cllr Mrs Forrest reported that Southern Water was going to report back to her.

6

POLICE MATTERS

7

a

Parish Constable Bateup had nothing to report. Cllr Swaby added that Operation Bantam was underway. Councillors complained that the police were driving through the village and parking but not patrolling on foot. The hours they appeared was also questioned. Cllr Swaby asked for more comments citing greater detail for the rest of the period of the operation so that he could provide a full feed-back in May.

8

b

Cllr Luck said the next meeting was on 20 April.

9

c

It was agreed to reply to WPC Moore’s letter, thanking her for all she had done for the parish and wishing her well for the future.

7

PLANNING

a

Applications

10

i

MC2004/0524: 19 Avery Way: Construction of a single storey extension to side and conversion of garage into habitable accommodation

Cllr Marsh declared a personal interest in the application as he was acquainted with the applicant. It was resolved no objection.

11

ii

MC2004/0683: 59 Binney Road: Erection of front porch

No objection.

12

iii

MC2004/0697: Land opposite 52 St David’s Road; Outline application for the construction of one block comprising two 2-bedroom flats

No objection.

13

The comments made on the application listed on the agenda were ratified.

14

b

None notified.

c

15

i

Appeal Ref: APP/A2280/A/04/1142882: Variation of condition (1) of planning permission ME/94/780 to allow the filling of Shakespeare Farm landfill site to an amended pre-settlement restoration profile

It was agreed to make further representation to the Appeal Inspector:

All underestimates of settlement rate since 1995 are as a result of Biffa Waste’s own predictions. They are the landfill operators. They seek to correct their own mistakes by exposing residents of St Mary Hoo and Allhallows to more extreme and unacceptable situations, detailed below. All technical details quoted regarding integrity of the site should have been foreseen by their technical department.

Shakespeare Farm landfill site was granted planning permission in 1962. Since then there have been seven successful planning applications: ME/87/1210, ME/93/0460, ME/94/0780, ME/96/0771, ME/98/0623, MC1999/5056 and MC2000/0590. All resulted in local residents and those of Allhallows having to endure adverse results of land fill.

The latest application was advertised in the local press as "major development".

The current profile is now above existing ground levels so problems associated with litter control are greater. Biffa acknowledges this fact when working at "higher levels".

The term "landfill" infilling is no longer relevant.

The Government’s policy is to safeguard the countryside in order to preserve its character. The area is as rural as you can get and is in the North Kent Marsh Special Landscape Area. The area should retain undulating open land and marshes.

Very little or no consideration has been given to residents and the local area for the past 20 years. The social wellbeing of the area has been largely ignored and it is about time this was addressed and consideration should be given to the environment and local residents. Stress, anguish and concern, vermin, mud, dust and litter – all disregarded for the sake of financial gain. Most of our prevailing winds are west to east, scattering litter over a wide area (acknowledged by Biffa). The term "odour" has been quoted. The correct term should be "putrefying stench" – day in, day out; week in, week out. Their sprays do not always work or are inadequate. Residents’ windows have to remain closed in summer months due also to the excessive attraction of flies and other insects.

Heavy goods vehicles arrive before the site opens, blocking the road to Allhallows. "Highway" has been used as the term for the approach roads. In reality the road is just above country lane category. Self-employed drivers of HGV’s arrive with their vehicles unsheeted, scattering litter everywhere on many occasions. Biffa claim they have no control. HGV’s leave the site depositing excessive mud on the "highway". Water pressure cleansing is not always operating on site. Adverse dust is present in summer. All is detrimental to the wellbeing of local residents and road users.

With local knowledge, despite other claims, the area is attracting large amounts of birds from the scavenging families, to the detriment of small species. Crows, rooks and magpies are all well established, causing an imbalance and downturn of smaller birds – finches, blackbirds, thrushes, starlings and hedge sparrows.

Allhallows Parish Council objects to this application in the strongest possible terms and trusts that the appeal against Medway Council’s decision of refusal for the variation of condition (1) of planning consent ME/94/0780 will be disallowed.

16

ii

MC1999/5242: 4 Avery Way: Construction of double garage

The copy of the plan attached to the consent had been obtained. The restriction in the height of the hedge applied only to the vision splays at the entrance onto Stoke Road.

17

iii

It was reported that footings were being dug out at 2 Stoke Road. The Clerk was asked to investigate.

RB

8

FINANCE

18

a

The bank balances as listed on Appendix B were noted.

19

b

None.

20

c

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed that the accounts as listed in Appendix B be paid (cheques 101882 – 101889) with the addition of £10.00 to Medway Council (cheque 101890).

21

d

KAPC training days for 2004/5 were noted.

22

e

The Annual Return was to be returned by 1 June, which was the date of audit and the notice had been posted.

23

None received.

24

Cllr Mrs Joan Goddard’s letter of resignation was read. Tributes were paid to her for her work with the Council and a letter of thanks would be sent. The Clerk would post a notice of casual vacancy and the usual procedures would be followed.

RB

11

QUALITY PARISH COUNCILS

25

a

Cllr Swaby reported on the talk given to the Rural Liaison Committee by Rodney Williamson of KAPC. Copies of Mr Williamson’s slides had been circulated. Cllr Swaby felt that the Council should proceed with obtaining quality status. Much of what was needed was being done already. He believed that there would eventually be a two-tier recognition and that councils that did not have quality status would lose out. Cllr Swaby’s view was endorsed and it was agreed to try for quality status.

26

b

One of the criteria for quality status was to have a qualified clerk. It was agreed to support the Clerk in obtaining the AQA certificate. In doing this she would also complete the SLCC ""Working with Your Council" certificate. Initial costs would be £190 for the "Working with Your Council" course and £55 registration for the AQA. There would be additional costs in the form of training days and other resource material including the internet. Study time would be needed and based on the experience of other clerks, the Clerk thought that 3 hours a week would be appropriate. It was agreed the Clerk should undertake this training. Cllr Swaby said he had spoken to the Chairmen of the other councils the Clerk worked for and that they were in agreement and that all costs would be split three ways. It was agreed that Allhallows Parish Council should pay all invoices initially and would recover the other councils’ share.

12

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

27

a

Cllr Marsh reported he had done some walks. He had heard that Bourne Leisure was trying to shut the public right of way. The pitch and put had only been granted on appeal. He had alerted the Medway councillors. He added that it was not clear from the map whether there was in fact a pubic right of way. At present there were caravans on the field where it was intended to extend the pitch and put.

28

b

Cllr Colyer said he had pruned shrubs at the church. He had given a talk to the Brownies and they would plant oak trees at the rear of the Village Hall. He had written to the management of Kingsmead Park after he had seen the limb of a tree fall, fortunately into the tree and a conifer fall onto the space that was usually occupied by a car.

29

c

It was thought the cans frequently left in the woods were being dropped by one elderly resident. PC Bateup had been informed.

30

d

Cllr Colyer was still trying to get another light for St George’s Walk. He agreed to talk to Medway Council about Binney Road. The sleeve on the light by the Pit Stop Garage needed attention.

31

e

Cllr Marsh had read the document and was waiting to hear from Geoff Walters at Medway Council to see if he wanted to submit a co-ordinated response.

32

f

Cllr Mrs Forrest said there were holes in the roads – one by the churchyard and also at Allhallows Place, Stoke Road.

33

g

Cllr Mrs Forrest complained a commercial vehicle was parked in Binney Road near Jutland Close and it was leaking either petrol or a chemical. She had the vehicle’s details. The Clerk would contact Environmental Health and Cllr Swaby would speak to PC Bateup. Cllr Mrs Forrest also said that a van was now parked regularly outside 2 Stoke Road, which was causing even more difficulty in turning out of Avery Way.

MS

13

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S LAND AND PROPERTY

a

Village Hall

34

i

Cllr Mrs Forrest had not been able to attend the last meeting. A quote for the internal repaint had been accepted from Colin Davis.

35

ii

Cllr Colyer tabled his report on the general tidying up. It was agreed this should go ahead.

36

iii

Cllr Colyer tabled the plan, which was not yet complete. It also included re-landscaping other areas that were not specifically the enclosed garden area. It was agreed to send the plan to Cllr Buckwell even though it was not finalised.

37

b

Cllr Colyer commented that the seedlings should soon be coming through.

38

c

Cllr Marsh had met Dick Dingwall in the playground. A special tool was needed, which would have to be obtained from the equipment manufacturer. However, much of it was in a bad state and he wondered if it was worth removing and storing. He also understood that under Health and Safety, it was unlikely that any salvaged equipment would be allowed in a new playground. He therefore proposed the equipment should be removed and scrapped. This was agreed.

d

Cross Park

39

i

Nothing to report.

40

ii

Another meeting would be held on 21 April. Cllr Mrs Burrows offered to replace Mrs Goddard should any committee be formed.

41

iii

Cllr Swaby reported that a bid had been submitted for £100,000. The Council would hear at the end of June whether the bid would proceed to Stage II.

42

iv

Cllr Colyer reported that some of the trees that had been planted a couple of years before had died. He would plant more seedlings next planting season.

43

It was agreed the meeting of targeted individuals would be held on 18 May, subject to confirmation by Catherine Smith and Kathy Bugden.

44

It was agreed to contact The Local Channel and that the dedicated Administrator would be the Clerk.

16

RURAL LIAISON FORUM

45

a

The reports of the last meeting had been circulated. Cllr Swaby had been reappointed as one of the parish council representatives on the Standards Committee. A presentation on Police Community Support Officers had been given by the police. A bid for one for the Peninsula would have to be made by 1 April. 50% (£15,000) would be funded by the Home Office and some of the rest out of Ward Councillors’ ward improvement money and some on a proportional basis from the rural liaison grant.

17

KAPC/MEDWAY AREA COMMITTEE

46

a

In Cllr Morrad’s absence, there was no report.

47

There were two new volunteers to do the delivery – one for Kingsmead Park and one for Binney Road/Jutland Close.

48

The Clerk had nothing further to report.

20

CONSULTATION

49

a

Received.

50

b

Received.

21

CORRESPONDENCE

51

a

Received.

52

b

Received. This was the reply to a letter of complaint, following information given by a resident.

53

The reports and circulars as listed on the agenda were received.

54

No matters were raised.