PRESENT:

Cllr Rod Morrad

Chairman

Cllr Mrs Pam Burrows

Cllr Mark Colyer

Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest

Cllr Mrs Lynda George

Cllr John Luck

Cllr Alan Marsh

Cllr Mark Skudder

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

In attendance

13 members of the public

Item no

Minute no 06/07

Action point

1

55

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr Rod Morrad was nominated by Cllr Mrs Forrest and this was seconded by Cllr Mrs George. Cllr Alan Marsh was nominated by Cllr Mrs Burrows and this was seconded by Cllr Colyer. On a show of handes there were 6 votes for Cllr Morrad and 2 votes for Cllr Marsh and Cllr Morrad was duly elected as Chairman for the year

2

56

CHAIRMAN'S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

It was agreed the Chairman would sign his Declaration of Acceptance of Office before the next meeting.

3

57

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All present.

4

58

ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

It was proposed y Cllr Morrad, seconded by Cllr Mrs George and agreed unanimously that Cllr Alan Marsh be Vice-chairman for the coming year.

5

59

VICE-CHAIRMAN'S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE

It was agreed the Vice-chairman would sign his Declaration of Acceptance of Office before the next meeting.

6

60

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND MEMBERS' REGISTER OF INTERESTS

Cllr Colyer declared a personal interest in item 19a as the Caretaker's husband. Cllr Luck declared a personal interest in item 19f as working for the contractor.

19

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S LAND & PROPERTY

61

f

Cross Park

i  Access to 154 Avery Way. Mr Williams's request was discussed. It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs George and agreed access to the rear of the property through Cross Park would be permitted during the hours of 7.30 am to 5.00 pm by prior arrangement with Cllr Marsh, who would provide the key. Any damage to be made good at Mr Williams's expense and no overnight parking to be permitted.

7

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES

62

a

Planning Committee

The Chairman and Vice-chairman, ex officio; Cllrs Colyer, Mrs Forrest and Luck.

63

b

Finance Committee

The Chairman and Vice-chairman, ex officio; Cllrs Mrs Burrows, Mrs George and Skudder.

64

c

Youth Committee

The Chairman and Vice-chairman, ex officio; Cllrs Colyer, Mrs George and Skudder.

8

APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES TO OUTSIDE BODIES

65

a

Rural Liaison Sub-committee

Cllr Marsh; alternate Cllr Mrs Burrows

66

b

KAPC Medway Area Committee

Cllrs Mrs Burrows and Morrad.

67

c

Police Liaison Committee

Cllr John Luck.

68

d

Hall Management Committee

Cllr Mrs Forrest.

9

APPOINTMENT TO OTHER POSTS

69

a

Footpaths Officer

Cllr Marsh with assistance from Cllr Colyer.

70

b

Tree Warden

Cllr Colyer.

71

c

Transport Representative

Cllr Marsh.

10

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

72

a

Recreation Ground

Cllr Marsh.

73

b

Allotments

Cllrs Mrs Forrest and Marsh.

74

c

Cross Park

Cllrs Colyer, Mrs George and Marsh.

75

d

Avery Way Woodland

Cllr Colyer.

76

e

Mothers and Toddlers

Cllrs Mrs Forrest and Mrs George.

77

f

Villagers' Life Magazine

Cllrs Mrs Burrows, Marsh and Morrad with Cllr Mrs Maureen Stanney of St Mary Hoo Parish Council.

11

78

CHAIRMAN'S ALLOWANCE

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed the amount be £250.

12

79

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9 APRIL 2006

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 2006 be signed as a true record.

13

MATTERS ARISING

80

a

C/04/06/4a(4): Dog Bins

Cllr Marsh said he had a map with 13 sites marked on but had still to proceed the matter with Cllr Filmer.

81

b

C/04/06/4b(5): Meeting Dates

The November Rural Liaison meeting would be held on 7 November at the Civic Centre.

14

PLANNING

82

a

Applications

None received.

83

b

Decisions

None notified.

84

c

Appeals and Other Matters

None.

85

d

Licensing Applications

None

15

FINANCE

86

b

Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on Appendix A were noted.

87

b

Cheques signed since last meeting

The cheque signed since the previous meeting as listed on Appendix A was ratified.

88

c

Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Burrows, seconded by Cllr Mrs Forrest and agreed that the accounts as listed on Appendix A be paid (cheques 102137 – 102141), with the addition of £110 to Cousins Print & Design (cheque 102142), £13.49 to G J Todd (cheque 102143), £24.16 to Kathy Colyer (cheque 102144) and £934.99 to Aon for the village Hall insurance (cheque 102145).

89

d

Internal Audit

The Clerk reported the internal auditor had carried out his audit. He was satisfied that all was in order and had made no additional comments. He had completed his section of the Audit Commission Annual Return.

90

e

Audit Commission Annual Return 2005/6

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs Burrows and agreed the Annual Return be signed on behalf of the Council by the Chairman and Clerk.

16

91

GRANT APPLICATIONS

No applications received.

17

YOUTH COMMITTEE

92

a

Chairman's Report

Cllr Skudder reported he had met Medway Council's Youth Worker and had shown her around the parish. The next meeting of the Youth Committee would be held on 15 May.

93

b

Mothers and Toddlers

Cllr Mrs George reported the first session would be on 8 June. She intended to meet the mothers prior to the first session to establish a small committee. She asked that £50 be made available from the Youth committee budget for start up costs. This was proposed by Cllr Mrs Burrows, seconded by Cllr Skudder and agreed.

18

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

94

a

Footpaths

Cllr Marsh reported that Dennis Brown had volunteered to help. Vivienne Kent had convened a meeting for 31 May. Cllr Marsh would check to see if work had been done to the sea wall.

95

b

Tree Warden's Report

Cllr Colyer had nothing to report.

96

c

Lighting

Cllr Colyer had reported a light out on St Luke's Way.

97

98

d

Transport

i  Cllr Marsh reported Amberlee had gone out of business and Arriva was covering the service. Govia were taking over from South Eastern Trains on the former Connex routes.

ii  The letter from Mark Johnson of Medway Council was received.

12

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S LAND AND PROPERTY

99

a

Caretaking

Nothing to report.

100

101

102

b

Village Hall

i  General Matters. Cllr Mrs Forrest had nothing to report.

ii  Roof. Cllr Mrs Forrest said that Alistair Martin had had a site meeting with Alltask.

iii  Hardstanding area. Although Cllr Colyer had moved the worst slabs, it was agreed they were intrinsically unsuitable for the task and they should be replaced. This would have to be done before the fencing could be begun. After discussion it was agreed to approach Cllr Filmer to see if he could help and Cllr Mrs Forrest and the Clerk would meet him on site.

103

c

Recreation Ground

Cllr Colyer reported children had pulled out a lot of the new hazel plants and had said that if they were replanted, they would pull them out again. He had therefore replanted them in another location.

Cllr Mrs George asked about progress on permanent tennis nets. The Clerk had had difficulty sourcing something suitable and would contact the Sports Development Officer at Medway Council for advice.

104

105

d

Woodland, Avery Way

i  General Maintenance. Cllr Colyer said a few trees needed some work.

ii  Boundary of southern section with development site. The Clerk would chase the surveyor

106

e

All Saints Allotments

Cllr Marsh reported that the next step was the site clearnce.

107

108

109

f

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  Sign. There had been no further communication from the sign writer.

110

f

Noticeboards

Nothing further had been heard from the signwriter and Mr Shea still had to finish the one by the hall.

20

111

GRASS CUTTING

Still pending.

21

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

112

a

Representative's Report

Cllr Marsh said he would raise the issue of an evening bus service at the next meeting.

113

b

Meeting 16 May

Councillors were reminded that the Council was hosting this meeting, which would take place in the school hall at 6.00 pm. All councillors were invited .

114

c

Rural Liaison Grant Projects

i    Recreation Ground Hedge. The stock fence had to be erected and the rest of the hedge planted.

22

KAPC/MEDWAY AREA COMMITTEE

115

a

Representative's Report

No meeting.

23

POLICE MATTERS

116

a

Police Liaison Representative's Report

Cllr Luck said he had not heard anything about a future meeting. The situation was discussed and it was suggested that Chief Superintendent Jan Stephens, the new Area Commander, be invited as speaker at the Annual Parish Meeting in 2007. It was agreed this would be held on Tuesday 24 April.

117

b

Speedwatch

The Clerk and the Clerks to High Halstow and Stoke Parish Councils would progress this.

24

COMMUNICATION

118

a

Villagers' Life Magazine

Cllr Marsh reported on the resignation of Mrs Jill Todd. A temporary editor had been found, who would get out the next two issues, while a new editor was recruited. The Chairman would write a letter of thanks to Mrs Todd.

119

b

Website

Nothing to report.

25

120

QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS

On-going.

26

121

CLERK'S REPORT

The Clerk would be attending the annual KAPC training day the following week.

27

122

VITAL VILLAGES

Cllr Marsh reported that Catherine Smith would speak to the Vital Villages Chairman.

28

CONSULTATION

123

a

LDF Statement of Community Involvement

Received.

29

CORRESPONDENCE

124

a

Letter from Pauline Thompson

Received. Mrs Thompson had been given a verbal response during the public session before the commencement of the meeting proper.

30

125

REPORTS AND CIRCULARS

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

31

126

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

No matters were raised.

32

127

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.

33

128

THE BRIMP

The Council's solicitor had not had a response to his letter from the scouts. It was hoped the discussion during the public session would elicit a response from them.