C/02/2008/1-20

PRESENT:

Cllr Rod Morrad

Chairman

Cllr Alan Marsh

Vice-Chairman

Cllr James Duncan

Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest

Cllr Mrs Lynda George

Cllr Roy Gladdish

Cllr John Luck

Cllr Mark Skudder

Mrs Debbie Umpleby

Clerk

In attendance

Mr David Wallace Mr Mark Colyer and members of the public.

Item no

Minute no 07/08

Action point

1

460

APOLOGIES

There were no apologies

2

CODE OF CONDUCT

461

a

Declarations of Interest and Members’ Register of Interests

Cllr Luck declared a personal interest in item 11e (Cross Park) as working for the contractor.  

462

b

Standards Committee

Cllr Marsh reported that a meeting was held on the 31st January. The Standard Committees may now deal with councillors in there own areas.  There was a proposed enhancement to punishments from a three month suspension to a six month suspension. A decision on this will be made by the 15th February.  Press and public are now allowed to attend the Standard Committees’ sittings.

Cllr Marsh advised members to when in doubt ask, and gave six additional pieces of advice as follows:-

1. Don’t take bribes
2. Do declare an interest in a planning application if you have one.
3. Don’t shout at a member of the public or an officer
4. Don’t do your own thing but bring it first to the council meeting
5. Don’t have covert meetings
6. Do make sure you know what you are doing

3

463

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 8 JANUARY 2008  

It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2008 be signed as a true record.

4

MATTERS ARISING

464

There were no matters arising.

5

PLANNING

465

a

Applications- there were none at the time of the meeting.

466

b

Decisions –there were none at the time of the meeting.

467

c

Appeals and Other Matters-There were no appeals or other matters.

468

d

Licensing Applications- there were none at the time of the meeting.

6

FINANCE

469

a

Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on Appendix A were noted.

470

b

Cheques signed since last meeting

It was agreed the cheques signed since the last meeting be ratified.

471

472

c

d

Accounts for Payment

It was agreed that the accounts as listed on Appendix A be paid (cheques 102368 – 102380).

Audit Report

Asset Register- still awaiting valuation.

Clerk to complete amended financial regulations.

DU

DU

7

473

INSURANCE

It was agreed to insure the Brimp for £65K.

DU

8

474

a

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

Public Footpaths

The stile at the end of Avery way by Kingsmead Park has been repaired. The Clerk thanked Anne Marie and her team at Medway Council for the good job they had done. Concern was raised regarding disabled access to the sea front. Clerk to contact MC.

DU

475

b

Tree warden’s report

The estimate received was agreed for the lopping of four trees at Cross Park.

c

Transport

1. Representatives report

476

477

There was nothing to report.

2. Medway Local Transport Plan

There is a problem with parking by the bus stop making it difficult for the bus to stop. Clerk to write to Arriva requesting that the Bus stop sign be repaired.

DU

478

Any other matters

Notice Boards – the quote received was approved.

Dog Waste bins- the sites for the bins is under discussion with MC.

DU

9

479

10

GRANT APPLICATIONS

It was agreed to give £400.00 for grass cutting at Binney Rd Cemetery from next year’s budget. It was also agreed that the clerk should go to the “Women of Kent Luncheon” and that a donation to the chosen charity Kent Air Ambulance of £100 should be given.

The clerk read a letter received from the Executive Director of Groundwork Kent & Medway giving some very useful advice and websites for obtaining grants for the Brimp and the proposed country park at Cross Park.

It was agreed that Cllr Skudder might spend a further £232.65 on essential repairs at the Brimp.

Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest requested £100 for toy boxes and equipment for the “Mothers and Toddlers group”. This was agreed.

YOUTH COMMITTEE

DU

480

a

Chairman’s Report

Cllr Skudder gave a set of keys to the Brimp to the clerk.

481

b

Mothers and Toddlers

Cllr Mrs Forrest reported that the group was doing well with increased numbers.

11

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S LAND AND PROPERTY

482

a

Caretaking

Nothing to report

483

484

b

Village Hall

1. General matters

Nothing to report

3. Roof

This will be dealt with under confidential.

485

486

c.

Recreation Ground

1. General Matters

Nothing to report

 2. Lease

The clerk read out an email from the council’s solicitor stating that a “Tenancy at will” provided no security of tenure to the Parish Council, but that a lease provided that the break clause was removed would give five years security. The lack of protection under the “Landlord and Tenancy Act 1954” simply meant that there was no automatic right to renew the lease after the five years was up.

It was agreed to pursue obtaining a five year lease.

487

d.

All Saints Allotments

Cllr Morrad proposed that the control and general management of the Allotments should be given over to the Allhallows and Stoke Allotment Association.  This was seconded by Cllr Marsh and unanimously agreed.

It was also agreed that the water should be put on to the Allotments at the Parish council’s expense.

488

489

490

e.

Cross Park

  1. General Matters

The Clerk has received a bank statement for the Cross Park Association.

2. Cross Park Committee

Cllr George has been pursuing the possibility of obtaining grants for this project.

3. Pavilion

It would appear that the parking problems are holding up planning permission. Clerk to continue to liaise with RE.

LG

DU

12

491

13

492

14

493

a.

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

Representative’s Report

Cllr Marsh reported that we may host the meeting to be held in April.

KALC/MEDWAY AREA COMMITTEE

Representatives Report

The clerk reported that the KALC are holding “Planning Information Day” on the 15 March. Cllr Gladdish said that he would like to go if he is free and would check his diary.

POLICE LIAISON

Representatives Report

Nothing to report

494

b.

Speed Watch

There was nothing new to report.

15

495

496

a.

b.

COMMUNICATIONS

Allhallows Life Magazine

MHS homes have asked to advertise in the magazine. Members had no objections. Cllr Morrad will contact them.

Website

The Website manager sent a report to the meeting, that in the past 12 month rolling period, we have had some 28,373 hits on the Allhallows Parish Council website. For the last complete month of January 2008, the statistics counted 2654 hits.

The most popular viewed web pages during the month of January continue to be the Links page; the parish magazine pages, as well as the Meeting Minutes pages.

RM

16

497

CLERK’S REPORT

The clerks reported that she had responded to the letter from the Allhallows Pre-school group. The lease, dog bins siting and employment issues had taken up much of her time this month.

17

498

CORRESPONDENCE

The clerk had received the KCC website agreement. A letter had also been received from Medway Council stating that the trees in St Andrews Way would be inspected and would be lopped if necessary in April. The queries raised regarding the new housing development had not been answered as Medway Council had written saying that as the matter was complex they required more time.

18

499

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The chairman reported that he had met with the new manager at Bourne Leisure and that he had said that arrangements could be made for the Primary School to use the swimming pool. He is anxious to build a good relationship with the village.

19

500

ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS

There was no other business

20

501

RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE PRESS AND PUBLIC

It was proposed by Cllr Morrad, seconded by Cllr Marsh and agreed the press and public be excluded from the following items on the grounds that they referred to matters sub judice.  

1. Village Hall Roof

502

See confidential section attached for members only

503

2. Employment issues

See confidential section attached for members only

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40 pm

Signed ………………………………………………………..Chairman