PRESENT:

Cllr Rod Morrad

Chairman

Cllr Mark Colyer

Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest

Cllr Mrs Lynda George

Cllr John Luck

Cllr Alan Marsh

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

In attendance

Cllr Mrs Maureen Stanney

Chairman, St Mary Hoo Parish Council

Mr Clive Stanley

Webmaster

9 members of the public

Item no

Minute no 06/07

Action point

1

180

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from

Cllr Mark Skudder

At work

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Colyer and carried unanimously that this apology be accepted by the Council.

2

181

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND MEMBERS' REGISTER OF INTERESTS

Cllr Morrad declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 7d as the clerk to Stoke Parish Council. Cllr Colyer declared a personal interest in item 11a as the caretaker's husband. Cllr Luck declared a personal interest in item 11e as working for the contractor.

3

182

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13 JUNE 2006

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs Forrest and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2006 be signed as a true record, subject to the following amendment:

Minute 147: add “and other organisations” after “Ramblers Association”.

4

MATTERS ARISING

183

a

C/05/06/13a(80): Dog Bins

Cllr Marsh said he had spoken to Cllr Filmer and was dealing with the matter.

6

CASUAL VACANCY

184

No applications to fill the vacancy had been received.

16

COMMUNICATIONS

185

b

Website

“The Chairman suspended the meeting to enable Mr Stanley to speak.

Mr Stanley said there were still a large number of visitors to the site each month. He described a free search facility and explained the drawback, which was that directions to other sites might be given, although there was no actual advertising. He suggested councillors look at the Higham and Ditton sites.

The Chairman thanked Mr Stanley and reconvened the meeting. Councillors were requested to visit the Higham and Ditton PC sites to evaluate the search facility, with a decision to be made at the next meeting.

6

PLANNING

a

Applications

None received.

185

I

MC2006/1143: Baytree Farm, Stoke Road: Outline application for the demolition of existing farm house and outbuildings for the construction of residential development

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Forrest, seconded by Cllr Marsh and agreed unanimously the Council object as follows:

The Council objects to the demolition of the existing farmhouse. Members believe the building is listed and would like this investigated. It is one of the older buildings in the ancient part of the village.

The proposed development is backland development. The proposed number of dwellings is over intensification of the site. Due to the lack of space per dwelling. Parking provision would be inadequate. The existing drive to the one property would not be sufficient as it now is for the traffic generated by this number of dwellings. Access onto Stoke Road at this point where it is narrow would be a highway hazard.

186

b

Decisions

None notified.

c

Appeals and Other Matters

187

i

Notice of Adoption of the Kent and Medway Structure Plan

Received.

188

d

Licensing Applications

None

7

FINANCE

189

b

Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on Appendix A were noted.

190

b

Cheques signed since last meeting

None.

191

c

Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs Forrest and agreed that the accounts as listed on Appendix A be paid (cheques 102155 – 102161).

192

d

“Local Council Administration”

Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest, Cllr Morrad left the room. The Vice-chairman took the chair.

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Forrest, seconded by Cllr Mrs George and agreed unanimously that the latest edition of “Local Council Administration” by Charles Arnold Baker be purchased at a cost of £51.95.

A letter had been received from Stoke Parish Council suggesting that the two councils share one copy of “Local Council Administration”. This was felt to be entirely unpractical and it was proposed by Cllr Colyer, seconded by Cllr Mrs George and agreed that it should be suggested to Stoke Parish Council that they purchase their own copy.

Cllr Morrad returned to the room and resumed the chair.

193

e

Subscriptions

i  Kent Wildlife Trust, £38. It was proposed by Cllr Colyer, seconded by Cllr Marsh and agreed unanimously that the Council continue in membership.

194

f

Training & Seminars

i  Councillors Information Day. This event had been cancelled.

8

GRANT APPLICATIONS

195

a

Allhallows Primary School

The school was creating a sensory garden and were applying for a financial contribution. They had also requested a nominee from the Council to sit on the steering group. After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Mrs Forrest, seconded by Cllr Mrs George and agreed unanimously the Council donate benches with plaques. Cllr Marsh agreed to be the Council's nominee.

9

YOUTH COMMITTEE

196

a

Chairman's Report

The next meeting was on 17 July. The request for a kick wall was discussed. It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Colyer and agreed unanimously that the Youth Committee be given delegated powers to investigate the provision of a kick wall.

197

b

Mothers and Toddlers

Cllr Mrs George reported numbers were increasing.

10

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

198

a

Footpaths

Cllr Marsh reported that the volunteers would be insured through Medway Council. He would be meeting later that week with Denis Brown.

199

b

Tree Warden's Report

Cllr Colyer had nothing to report.

200

c

Lighting

Nothing to report.

201

202

d

Transport

i “The Villager”. Cllr marsh said it was unfortunate that Catherine Smith had been let down by Medway's publicity department in getting out the information about the trips so late. Allhallows came under “D”.

ii  Bus stop petition. A petition had been received about the bus shelter/stop at the junction of Avery Way and St David's Road. This would be passed to Geoff Walters at Medway Council whose responsibility it was.

11

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S LAND AND PROPERTY

203

a

Caretaking

Nothing to report.

204

205

206

b

Village Hall

i  General Matters. Nothing to report.

ii  Roof. Cllr Mrs Forrest had spoken to Alistair Martin who would put pressure on Alltask as there was a need to ensure more water did not come into the meter cupboard.

iii Hardstanding area. Nothing further had been heard from Cllr Filmer.

207

c

Recreation Ground

The Clerk would arrange for the football pitch to be marked out.

208

d

Woodland, Avery Way

Cllr Colyer had cut back the first elm near the school and strimmed the edge.

209

e

All Saints Allotments

The site had been cleared.

210

211

212

213

f

Cross Park

i  General maintenance. Nothing to report

ii  Grant funding. A new Big Lottery grant was being made available for community buildings. Cllr Mrs George and the Clerk would seek a meeting with Symone Krista.

iii Sign. The Clerk had spoken to an alternative supplier. It was proosed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Colyer and agreed that the Clerk was given delegated powers to spend to £600.

iv Association. Cllr Mrs George said she would like to hold a meeting in late August.

12

214

GRASS CUTTING

Nothing to report.

13

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

215

a

Representative's Report

No meeting had been held. Cllr Morrad would attend the next meeting.

215

b

Rural Liaison Grant Projects

i  Picket fence phase II, village hall. No progress.

ii Cross Park sign. Already discussed.

14

KAPC/MEDWAY AREA COMMITTEE

216

a

Representative's Report

No meeting had been held.

15

POLICE MATTERS

217

a

Police Liaison Representative's Report

Cllr Luck said the next meeting was on 8 August. Cllr Marsh said a police surgery was being held regularly at Hundred of Hoo Pool and he would put details in the next issue of the magazine.

218

b

Speedwatch

A response from Isle of Grain PC was awaited.

16

COMMUNICATIONS

219

a

Villagers' Life Magazine

The Chairman suspended the meeting to allow Cllr Mrs Stanney to speak.

Cllr Mrs Stanney said she understood that only one application for Editor had been received and she would support that application.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Mrs Stanney and reconvened the meeting.

Only one application for Editor had been received, from the Acting Editor, Mrs Cleo Beckey who was a resident of St Mary Hoo. It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Colyer and carried unanimously she be appointed Editor. Cllr Marsh said that Hoo St Werburgh PC was contemplating producing a magazine and he had been asked to mentor it if it was approved.

17

220

QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS

On-going.

18

221

CLERK'S REPORT

Nothing to report.

19

VITAL VILLAGES

222

Nothing to report

20

223

CONSULTATION

No documents received.

21

224

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

22

225

REPORTS AND CIRCULARS

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

25

226

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

No matters were raised.

26

227

RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE PRESS AND PUBLIC

It was proposed by Cllr Morrad, seconded by Cllr Colyer and agreed the press and public be excluded from the following items on the grounds that item 25 concerned a named service provider and that item 26 was a legal matter.

The Clerk retired for item 25 and the minute was written by the Chairman.

25

228

CLERK'S CONTRACT FOR SERVICES

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest and seconded by Cllr Mark Colyer that the present clerk be employed as a consultant and not an employee, and that a new consultancy agreement be drawn up in consultation with Julian Brown of Medway Councils legal and contracting services department for which a charge will be made by Medway Council. It was further agreed that a working party consisting of the Chair & Vice Chair to meet with Mr Brown to draft said agreement. All members present agreed.

Action Chair & Vice Chair.

26

229

THE BRIMP

A notice under the Landlord and tenant had been received from the Scout Group's solicitor on the final day of the lease. It was agreed the Chairman, Vice-chairman and Clerk should consult the council's solicitor as soon as possible.