C/09/2006/1-26

PRESENT:

Cllr Rod Morrad

Chairman

Cllr Mark Colyer

Items 1-6, 7a(ii)-9, 17b, 10-12c, 25,26

Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest

Except item 7a(i)

Cllr Mrs Lynda George

Except item 7a(i)

Cllr John Luck

Cllr Alan Marsh

Except item 7a(i)

Cllr Mark Skudder

Items 1-9, 17b, 10-12c, 25,26

Mrs Roxana Brammer

Clerk

In attendance

Cllr Mrs Maureen Stanney

Chairman, St Mary Hoo Parish Council

Miss Carly Stoddart

Senior Planning Officer, Medway Council

Mr Clive Stanley

Webmaster

3 members of the public

Item no

Minute no 06/07

Action point

1

230

APOLOGIES

All present. Apologies for early departure were received from Cllrs Colyer and Skudder.

2

231

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND MEMBERS' REGISTER OF INTERESTS

Cllrs Marsh, Mrs George, Mrs Forrest and Colyer declared personal and prejudicial interests in item 7a(i), planning application MC2006/1382, as having signed Mr Waghorn's petition in their capacity of ordinary residents. Cllr Colyer declared a personal interest in item 11a as the caretaker's husband. Cllr Luck declared a personal. interest in item 12e as working for the contractor.

3

232

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 JULY 2006

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh, seconded by Cllr Mrs Forrest and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2006 be signed as a true record.

4

MATTERS ARISING

233

a

C/07/06/4a(132): Dog Bins

Cllr Marsh said there was a question of getting the bins emptied which he and Cllr Filmer were trying to resolve.

5

234

MINUTES OF THE MEEETING HELD ON 24 JULY 2006

It was proposed by Cllr Mrs Forrest, seconded by Cllr Morrad and agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2006 be signed as a true record.

6

CASUAL VACANCY

235

No applications to fill the vacancy had been received.

7

PLANNING

a

Applications

236

i

MC2006/1382: Old School Site, Avery Way: Application for approval of reserved matters (siting, design, external appearance, means of access, landscaping) pursuant to outline application MC2001/2143 for the construction of 32 houses and block of 4 flats)

Having declared personal and prejudicial interests, Cllrs Marsh, Colyer, Mrs George and Mrs Forrest left the room.

After discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Skudder, seconded by Cllr Luck and agreed the Council object as follows:

The Parish Council objects to this application. It recognises that outline permission has been given for a development of 36 dwellings on the site and is not objecting to a development on this site but to the details as applied for in this application.

The access road is across land not in the developer's ownership or control and no certificate B has been submitted. The land is owned by Medway Council and leased by Allhallows Parish Council and the Parish Council would not give permission for this road to be built across this land. The Parish Council wishes to establish a nature trail through the woodland, which would be compromised should the indicated road be built. The road as shown on the plans is close to the school entrance and due to the nature of Avery Way at this point it is considered that even with splays, visibility would be insufficient. The Parish Council would not object to the access road being constructed in the position of the existing field gate.

Over the last year or so trespass has been made on this land, soil samples were taken,

trees cut down and a large advertising sign erected without permission. The Parish Council has had the boundary marked out by a qualified surveyor. On looking at the plans it is believed that some of the properties would encroach beyond this boundary onto the land controlled by the Council.

The Parish Council also leases the land at the rear of the site and it is used as a recreation ground. It is understood that access to the ground is protected under the terms of the outline consent. The access as shown is highly likely to be used as parking spaces due to the layout of the adjacent properties and the Parish Council can foresee difficulties in being able to maintain the ground. The vehicular route to the access as shown is convoluted and experience shows that this type of estate road will be used for parking, narrowing the road width. Access to the recreation ground must be sufficient for tractors, gang mowers and other contractors' vehicles and available for them at all times. The access to the recreation ground need not necessarily be in this position, it rather needs to be determined in relation to a sensible road layout in the estate and by consultation with the Parish Council.

It is considered that the position of the flats immediately in front of houses in St Luke's Way would constitute loss of amenity to those houses. The Council sees no reason why the flats should not be sited at the other end of the site, near the school. The ground floor flats will be attractive for occupation by the retired and activity at the school would add interest to those who may be housebound. It is understood the public open space to be associated with this development is the Parish Council's recreation ground. The Parish Council would have liked to have seen a small open area sited so that it would be “policed” by houses. The Parish Council would have used this to provide a small play park for very young children. No such play park exists in the village and it is a recognised fact that play areas for young children do not mix happily with areas used by older children and teenagers. The recreation ground contains a full size football pitch and the area is used by teenagers and young adults. It was the Parish Council's intention to develop facilities for older children and teenagers on the recreation ground and it was hoped to locate the play park near the recreation ground but not on it. This would have been the ideal siting and opportunity.

To create this space in the development, the Council suggests that more flats and fewer detached dwellings are provided.

The Parish Council would like to see a proper ownership/management structure for the open areas. An existing open plan estate in the village has many problems as there is no proper structure and the Council would not like to see similar problems arise in another part of the village.

Parking provision as proposed is to current guidelines but the Parish Council considers this inadequate in a remote rural area with inadequate public transport. It is inevitable that households will own more cars than provided for, especially in households of multi-occupation. It is highly likely that working adults will each have a car, that families of young children will have two cars and that households with children of car driving age will also have more cars than parking available for their property. The Parish Council is concerned that overspill parking will occur on Avery Way. Parking on the road that already occurs further along Avery Way is a hazard to other road users and parking on the stretch adjacent to the development would add to the problem. Many foreign drivers use this road and problems of passing parked cars by drivers unused to driving on the left side of the road would be very real. Any on-road parking at this point would also be very close to the primary school and would be a hazard to pupils and parents, most of whom walk to school.

The Parish Council is concerned about the impact on the primary school in terms of additional pupils. It is understood the S106 agreement for education is for money for secondary education. The local secondary school has recently received additional funding due to its specialist school status and the Parish Council would like the S106 funds to be diverted to the local primary school.

The Parish Council wrote to the developer requesting an early meeting before the architects started work to discuss issues of mutual interest. The developer considered this premature as the conveyance at that stage had not been finalised. He promised to contact the Parish Council later. Copies of the letters are attached. Subsequently it was discovered that the developer had approached the school but the Parish Council is still waiting for the promised contact from him.

The Parish Council is objecting to the application as received for the reasons listed above but would prefer that the developer withdraws the application and starts again, this time with full discussions with the Parish Council and the planning authority, to achieve the best outcome for the village.

Cllrs Marsh, Mrs George, Mrs Forrest and Colyer returned to the meeting.

237

ii

MC2006/1650: 17 All Saints Road: Construction of two storey extension to the front and side

Delegated to the Clerk after further investigation by Cllr Mrs Forrest.

238

b

Decisions

The decision as listed on the agenda was noted.

239

c

Appeals and Other Matters

None.

240

d

Licensing Applications

None

8

FINANCE

241

b

Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on Appendix A were noted.

242

b

Cheques signed since last meeting

The cheques signed since the last meeting as listed on the agenda were ratified.

243

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 1021725 – 102177).

244

d

Audit 2005/6

It was noted the Audit of the accounts for the year 2005/6 had been completed successfully.

245

e

Training & Seminars

KAPC Finance Day. No one was available to attend.

9

GRANT APPLICATIONS

246

a

1st Allhallows Guides, Brownies and Rainbows

The payment of the hall hire for the 1 st Allhallows Guides, Brownies and Rainbows under S 19 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 was ratified.

247

b

BTCV Tree Warden Scheme

Cllr Colyer said he gave free assistance to the scheme in his professional capacity and it was agreed not to make a grant.

248

c

Allhallows Primary School

Cllr Morrad declared a personal interest as a governor of the school. His interest was personal as the decision to make the grant had already been made and he did not leave the room. However he took no part in the discussion and did not vote

Following the decision at the last meeting to give a grant to the school for benches for the sensory garden, the Clerk had discovered the benches had already been ordered by the school and had obtained a coy of the bill. Due to an offer, they had purchased more benches than originally envisaged. The total cost was £780. Cllr Marsh suggested making a grant of £400. After discussion it was proposed by Cllr Mrs George, seconded by Cllr Colyer and agreed by 4 votes in favour, none against, 2 abstentions and one no vote that a grant of the full amount be made under S137 of the LGA 1972 (cheque 102178).

17

COMMUNICATIONS

249

b

Website

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

Mr Stanley said there had been 13,389 hits over the previous 12 months. There had been 1,181 hits in August. The popular pages were the web edition of “Villagers' Life”, meetings and links pages. There were a small number of visitors from other countries. He would like the Vital Villages page updated. He explained the possibility for within site search facilities. He would investigate creating a direct link to Medway Council's Planning Online.

The Chairman thanked Mr Stanley and reconvened the meeting. The search facility was discussed and it was agreed this should proceed.

10

YOUTH COMMITTEE

250

a

Minutes of the Last Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 July were received.

251

b

Chairman's Report

Cllr Skudder reported there had been little progress due to the lack of a suitable

building. Nets for the football goals were discussed. Cllr Mrs George said she had found.two sets of parents willing to put the nets up and take them down and store them and she would be prepared to take delivery. It was proposed by Cllr Colyer, seconded by Cllr Marsh and agreed the nets be purchased. Cllr Skudder also reported Medway Youth were lacking people and were seeking volunteers to help with their outreach work.

252

b

Mothers and Toddlers

Cllr Mrs Forrest reported the group would now meet on Tuesdays.

11

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

253

a

Footpaths

Cllr Marsh reported that he had gone out with Denis Brown and most of the clearing had been done. The old Avery Way needed to be cleared again. The strimmer was now ready for collection. Vivienne Kent was retiring in November. Cllr Colyer proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Marsh and Mr Brown.

254

b

Tree Warden's Report

Cllr Colyer reported he had helped the school with their trees.

255

c

Lighting

Cllr Marsh said he had been told the light by the garages in Binney Road was out.

256

257

d

Transport

i   Representative's report. Cllr Marsh reported the Arriva buses were running late due to the roadworks in Chatham and Rochester. There had been a couple of successful trips in the “Villager”. The next trip was to Rye on 27 September. He hoped to be able to get the autumn programme in the magazine. He proposed the Council become a member of the scheme. The cost was £20. This was seconded by Cllr Mrs Forrest and agreed.

ii   Medway Local Transport Plan 2001-2006 delivery report available online. Noted.

11

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S LAND AND PROPERTY

258

a

Caretaking

The caretaker had been unable to clear out the youth shelter and this had been done and the structure made safe by Andy Beckett. Subsequently youths had put a sofa in the shelter and plywood across the windows. There had then been another fire and the structure was now unsafe and it was agreed to remove it completely. It was understood Mr Waghorn had photographs of the fire and had offered these for inclusion in the magazine.

259

b

Village Hall

i   General Matters. Cllr Mrs Forrest reported there had been a clear-out during the summer holidays.

260

261

ii   Roof. Cllr Mrs Forrest had spoken to Alistair Martin. He was going to give Alltask a deadline

iii Hardstanding area. Nothing further had been heard from Cllr Filmer and Cllr Morrad had no further information either.

262

c

Recreation Ground

Medway Council had agreed an easement with Matthew Homes for groundworks associated with their development. It was suspected these would encroach onto the football pitch. Cllr Skudder suggested pressure be put on Medway Council to ensure a representative of the Parish Council was involved in any similar negotiations on land leased by the Parish Council. He also said that the Council should be included in any communication with Matthew Homes.

25

263

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 item on the grounds that the following item was a legal matter.

26

264

THE BRIMP

The Clerk reported the Council's solicitor had served the required notice. He needed a business plan and it was agreed this be delegated to the Clerk.

12

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S LAND AND PROPERTY

263

d

Woodland, Avery Way

Martin Hall's report had not yet been received and the Clerk was asked to follow this up.

264

e

All Saints Allotments

Cllr Marsh reported he and the Clerk would be arranging a site meeting with someone from the National Society of Leisure and Allotment Gardeners after his return from holiday.

265

266

267

268

f

Cross Park

i   General maintenance. Nothing to report

ii  Grant funding. Cllr Mrs George and the Clerk would meet Symone Krista during October.

iii Sign. The Clerk reported she had been waiting for a design from Andy Punter but would progress this as soon as possible.

iv Horse riding. A letter had been received from Miss Thompson. It was felt a proper protocol needed to be in place.

13

269

GRASS CUTTING

Nothing to report.

14

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

270

a

Representative's Report

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

271

b

Rural Liaison Grant Projects

i   Noticeboards. These were still not finished.

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

iii Cross Park sign. Already discussed.

15

KAPC/MEDWAY AREA COMMITTEE

272

a

Representative's Report

No meeting had been held.

15

POLICE MATTERS

273

a

Police Liaison Representative's Report

Cllr Luck had attended the meeting on 8 August. Recorded crime had gone down. There would be a police office in every fire station on the Peninsula. Cllr Mrs Forrest suggested they might be able to use the Village Hall and Cllr Luck would put this forward at the next meeting. There was a rumour that PCSO John Hucks had been told to spend all his time in Hoo.

274

b

Speedwatch

Isle of Grain PC suggested a meeting be held. This was accepted.

17

COMMUNICATIONS

275

a

Villagers' Life Magazine

Cllr Marsh said there were no problems. He had received compliments on the last issue.

18

276

QUALITY PARISH COUNCIL STATUS

The Councillors' surgery was discussed. It was agreed it should be bi-monthly in future and be held on the first Saturday of the month from 10.30 to 11.30 in the Village Hall. The next one would be on Saturday 4 November. The Clerk would organise a rota.

19

277

CLERK'S REPORT

The Clerk reported the last Clerks' meeting had been postponed.

20

VITAL VILLAGES

278

Cllr Marsh reported that the Chairman had apologised for the delay and was meeting with Catherine Smith to finalise the way forward.

21

279

CONSULTATION

No documents received.

22

280

CORRESPONDENCE

None.

23

281

REPORTS AND CIRCULARS

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

24

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

282

a

Kathy Colyer

Cllr Marsh reported that Mrs Colyer was about to go into hospital to have her tonsils removed. She was wished a speedy recovery.