C/04/2006/1-25 

PRESENT:

Cllr Alan Marsh

Vice-chairman

In the Chair

Cllr Mrs Pam Burrows

Cllr Mark Colyer

Except item 12d(ii)

Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest

Cllr Mrs Lynda George

items 12a(ii), 4-12a(i), 13-25

Cllr John Luck

Except item 12d(ii)

Cllr Mark Skudder

Except item 7a

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

In attendance

Cllr Mrs Maureen Stanney

Chairman, St Mary Hoo PC

Mr Alistair Martin

Trading Standards Officer, Medway Council

Item no

Minute no 06/07

Action point

1

1

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from

Cllr Rod Morrad

on holiday

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed that this apology be accepted. An apology for late arrival was received from Cllr Mrs George.

2

2

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND MEMBERS' REGISTER OF INTERESTS

Cllr Skudder declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 7a as a member of the Parochial Church Council. Cllr Colyer declared a personal interest in item 10c as the Caretaker's husband. Cllr Luck declared a personal interest in item 12e as working for the contractor.

3

3

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 MARCH 2006

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Forrest, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2006 be signed as a true record.

12

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S LAND AND PROPERTY

a

Village Hall

i  Roof. Cllr Marsh suspended the meeting to allow Mr Martin to speak.

Mr Martin reported on his negotiations with the trader. There had been a number of sticking points in mediation, where the trader disputed some of the findings of the report by the independent building surveyor. The trader wished to have their foreman inspect the roof and Mr Martin would be present. As part of the settlement offer, anti-vandalism measures on the roof should be considered.

Cllr Marsh thanked Mr Martin and reconvened the meeting.

After discussion, councillors expressed themselves happy to be guided by Mr Martin's recommendations.

4

MATTERS ARISING

4

a

C/03/06/4a(524): Dog Bins

Cllr Marsh said he had looked at the possible siting of bins and hoped that 13 could be provided.

5

b

C/03/06/20(563): Meeting Dates

The Clerk reported the dates for some of the Rural Liaison Committee meetings had been changed. The visit to Ranscome Farm in July could not be changed and the date would remain 11 July. The other two clashing dates had been changed to either 7 or 21 November and to 6 March 2007.

5

PLANNING

6

a

Applications

None received.

7

b

Decisions

None notified.

8

c

Appeals and Other Matters

None.

9

d

Licensing Applications

None

6

FINANCE

10

b

Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on Appendix B were noted.

11

b

Cheques signed since last meeting

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Burrows, seconded by Cllr Skudder and agreed that the cheques signed since the previous meeting as listed on Appendix A be ratified.

12

c

Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Burrows, seconded by Cllr Skudder and agreed that the accounts as listed on Appendix A be paid (cheques 102122 – 102132), with the addition of £1,246.79 to Allianz Cornhill (cheque 102133) and £22.00, Chairman's expenses (102124).

13

d

Accounts 2005/6

It was proposed by CllrMarsh, seconded by cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed the accounts for the year to 31 March 2006 be adopted.

14

d

Training and Seminars

i  Clerks' Information Day. It was agreed the Clerk should attend.

7

GRANT APPLICATIONS

15

a

All Saints Church

Cllr Skudder left the room.

The last grant made had been for £200 in February 2005. No grant had been made in the last financial year. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs George, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed that a grant of £500 be made for the upkeep of the churchyard on the basis of £250 for the previous year and £250 for the current year. Grant made under Section 137 of the LGA 1972.

Cllr Skudder returned to the meeting.

8

YOUTH COMMITTEE

16

a

Chairman's Report

Cllr Skudder reported he had collected the snooker and air hockey tables from Rainham. Jenni Davis, one of Medway Youth Service's outreach youth workers was now being allowed to come out to Allhallows, she would be representing the Youth Service on the Youth Committee and he would be meeting her on the first Wednesday in May. Cllr Mrs George reported on the response to the Mothers and Toddlers group. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs George, seconded by Cllr Mrs Forrest and agreed the group be a function of the Council. Cllr Mrs George would form an organising committee, which she would chair on behalf of the Council.

17

b

Minutes of the Youth Committee Meeting held on 13 March

Received.

9

18

QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS

Cllr Marsh reported that no one had attended the surgery, but felt it important it ahould

continue. Cllrs Mrs Forrest and Mrs George agreed to be available for the next surgery.

10

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

19

a

Footpaths

Cllr Marsh said he had advertised for a volunteer to help. Cllr Colyer offered to accompany the Caretaker and it was agreed she could charge for this. Cllr Skudder and Cllr Mrs Burrows proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Colyer for volunteering. Cllr Marsh said he would be attending a seminar for footpath officers and volunteers that was being organised by Vivienne Kent.

20

b

Tree Warden's Report

Cllr Colyer said he would be doing a survey over the bank holiday weekend.

21

c

Caretaker

There were no problems. The provision of a litterbin for the youth shelter was discussed. The Clerk had identified one that had a fire preventative lid. It was proposed by Cllr Skudder, seconded by Cllr Colyer and agreed to purchase such a bin up to a cost of £300. Cllrs Colyer and Skudder would install the bin.

22

d

Lighting

Nothing to report.

23

e

Transport

Cllr Marsh reported that although volunteers were still coming forward for the MERIT scheme, more were needed They would be labelled “Villager” and would be arriving mid-April. Tom Calvert had offered to bring the bus to a meeting and it was agreed he should be invited to the June meeting. The Amberlee service had picked up and was being well used. It was assumed it would continue for the next year. The ASD bus was now on the timetable.

11

24

GRASS CUTTING

Still pending.

12

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S LAND AND PROPERTY

25

a

Village Hall

i  General Maters. Cllr Mrs Forrest reported that repair to the hinges of the forced window would cost £56, but three other windows had blown and repairs to all would cost up to £250. She would approach Chris Buckwell about his ward improvement money.

26

27

b

Woodland, Avery Way

i  General Maintenance. It was suggested that Martin Hall be asked to look at the woodland both sides of the road when he came to look at Cross Park.

ii  Boundary of southern section with development site. The Clerk had found a local land surveyor who would mark out the boundary at a cost of no more than £350.

28

c

Recreation Ground

Nothing to report.

29

30

d

All Saints Allotments

i  Suspension of Standing Order. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs George, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed that Standing Order 74(b) relating to tenders be suspended due to the urgency of the matter.

ii  Ratification of Selection of Contractor.

Cllrs Luck and Colyer declared prejudicial interests as working for two of the firms invited to tender and left the room.

Two of the three invited to tender had sent in tenders. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs George, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed to ratify the selection of Greencraft made by a quorum of the Council on 3 April.

Cllr Luck and Colyer returned to the meeting.

31

32

33

e

Cross Park

i General maintenance. Nothing to report

ii  Association committee meeting. This would now be held on 17 May. Martin Hall and Catherine Smith would be in attendance.

iii  Entrance sign. Contact had been made with the signwriter.

34

f

Noticeboards

The Clerk reported the signwriter would be able to work with the noticeboards in situ. Mr Shea still had to finish the one by the hall.

13

35

VITAL VILLAGES

Nothing to report.

14

POLICE MATTERS

36

a

Police Liaison Representative's Report

Cllr Luck said no meeting had been held.

37

b

Speedwatch

The Clerk said she was still waiting to see the Clerk to Stoke Parish Council to draft a letter to Isle of Grain Parish Council.

RB

15

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

38

a

Representative's Report

Cllr Marsh reported on the last meeting. There had been speakers on rural tourism and the Medway Walking Festival and an update had been given on rural transport. Speakers at the open section of the meeting had been the Deputy Harbourmaster and Michael Parkes on the Chattenden development.

39

40

41

b

Rural Liaison Grant Projects

i    Recreation Ground hedge. John Hucks had not raised any interest among the teenagers. The plants had arrived but the planting had been delayed.

ii  Parish Map. The Clerk had passed the map on to the school for hanging in the hall.

iii  Kissing gates. The kissing gate for Cross Park had been installed. It was agreed the gate for the Recreation Ground should be left until it could be put in its permanent position.

16

KAPC/MEDWAY AREA COMMITTEE

42

a

Representative's Report

No report.

17

COMMUNICATION

43

a

Villagers' Life Magazine

Cllr Marsh suspended the meeting to allow Cllr Mrs Stanney to contribute to the discussion.

It was agreed the new printing firm had done a good job. It was understood the Clerk had had trouble with the copying of files from the Editor's computer to her own and had had to reset much of the material. An e-mail had been received from the Editor which intimated she might wish to give up. It was suggested Cllr Marsh, Cllr Mrs Stanney and the Clerk meet to discuss the situation.

Cllr Marsh reconvened the meeting.

Cllr Marsh said that more copies were needed for Allhallows. The Clerk had found out there were 949 council tax-paying households in the parish. She had not been told which chalet or caravan numbers on Allhallows Holiday Park were affected but the Manager had offered to take 100 to put at reception for collection. More complimentary copies were also being sent each issue, the latest being a request by the Archivist at Strood Archives. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Burrows, seconded by Cllr Colyer and agreed the print run be increased to 1,050. The matter of thanks to the delivery team was raised. There were 17 of them and apart from a Christmas card, no recognition of their services was given. It was agreed a £10 shopping voucher be sent to each of them.

44

b

Website

A letter had been received from the Webmaster offering to continue for the next year at the same charge. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Forrest, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed this offer be accepted.

18

CLERK'S REPORT

45

a

Risk Assessments

The Clerk suggested that the Caretaker be asked to carry out risk assessments on the Council's land while she was litterpicking. Cllr Colyer could supply suitable risk assessment sheets. It was suggested the Caretaker's hours be increased by 2 per calendar month to accommodate this. This was proposed by Cllr Mrs Forrest, seconded

by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed. The Clerk and Cllr Colyer would meet to set up a system.

46

b

Lunches for Senior Citizens

The Clerk wondered if this was something the Council could set up. The Council had powers to do this and she knew from another parish council that although the elderly residents did not want to attend social events, they were appreciative of a lunch each week. The idea was discussed and would be placed on the agenda for a future meeting.

19

47

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Councillors were reminded of this on 25 April at 7.30 for 8.00 pm.

20

48

CONSULTATION

None.

21

CORRESPONDENCE

49

a

Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act

Received.

22

50

REPORTS AND CIRCULARS

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

23

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

51

a

1 St George's Walk

Cllr Mrs Forrest said the hedge at 1 St George's Walk was obstructing the footway again.

24

52

RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE PRESS AND PUBLIC

It was proposed by Cllr Skudder, seconded by Cllr Marsh and agreed the press and public be excluded from the following item as it was a legal matter.

25

54

THE BRIMP

The Council's solicitor had written as agreed to the Scouts' District Commissioner. The solicitor was aware of the contents of an e-mail sent by the local Group Scout Leader to the Editors of “Villagers' Life “ and “Peninsula Times”.