PRESENT:

Cllr Rod Morrad

Chairman

Cllr Alan Marsh

Vice-Chairman

Cllr Mrs Yvonne Forrest

Cllr Mrs Lynda George

Cllr Roy Gladdish

Cllr John Luck

Cllr Mark Skudder

Mrs Debbie Umpleby

Clerk

In attendance

Mr Clive Stanley and members of the Chalet Association.

Item no

Minute no 07/08

Action point

1

504

APOLOGIES

An apology was received from

Cllr Duncan           Unwell

It was proposed and carried unanimously that this apology be accepted by the council.

2

CODE OF CONDUCT

505

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.  All council members declared an interest in planning application MC2008/0187 (The Village Hall roof).

506

b

Standards Committee

There was nothing to report

3

507

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 12 FEBRUARY 2008  

It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 February 2008 be signed as a true record.

4

MATTERS ARISING

508

There were no matters arising.

5

PLANNING

509

a

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

510

b

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

511

c

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

512

d

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

6

FINANCE

513

a

Bank Balances

The bank balances as listed on Appendix A were noted.

514

b

Cheques signed since last meeting

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

515

516

c

d

Accounts for Payment

It was agreed that the accounts as listed on Appendix A be paid (cheques 102386 – 102396).

Audit Report

1.  Asset Register- the clerk has an appointment with the council’s solicitors on the 12th March to examine the deeds.

2.  The financial regulations and the Risk Assessment were approved by the council.

DU

7

517

INSURANCE

The Brimp is now insured for £65K at an additional cost of £545.46 until June 2008. The clerk reported that the Insurance cost would increase in line with this for the forthcoming financial year. Cllr Marsh proposed that this additional expenditure should be accepted and this was seconded by Cllr Morrad.  

The clerk confirmed that the assault course at Cross Park had been removed from the insurance policy.

 She also reminded the council that employees of the Parish council would not be covered by the policy unless they were using the Parish Council’s equipment.

DU

8

 518

a

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

Public Footpaths

Cllr Marsh reported from the Rural Liaison meeting held on the 29 January 2008.

Rights of Way Improvement Plan- “It was noted that KCC had undertaken a survey of the public rights of way network in Medway in 2005/6 following which a total of 65 paths, 35 stiles and 19 gates had been identified as requiring attention.” Inspections be carried out on an area by area basis, submitting monthly bids to a Project Board to secure funding from the Local transport Plan to carry out the works”

There has been some damage to Avery Way footpath and to the path by the Doctor’s surgery due to small trees and bushes being uprooted.

The ditch in Binney Way needs clearing as blocked by rubbish. The clerk will contact MC.

The meeting was suspended as a member of the public told the council that the path by the Yacht club was crumbling. Mr Stanley gave his report on the Website at this time so that the meeting would not have to be suspended for a second time-see under communications 15.

DU

519

b

Tree warden’s report

There was no report.

520

c

d

Lighting

It was reported that a vehicle had hit a lamp post in Avery Way opposite Queensway. Tarmac had been put around the base of the lamp, but it was still considered unsafe. The lamp in Binney road opposite house numbers 53 and 55 needed it’s timing adjusted as it was going off to early.

Transport

1. Representatives report

DU

521

522

There was nothing to report

3.  Medway Local Transport Plan

Nothing to report

523

e

Any other matters

Notice Boards – awaiting work commencement

Dog Waste bins

It is not possible to put a dog bin in St George’s Walk as the lamp posts are too near houses. The bottom of the recreation ground is Green Spaces and the bin cannot come out of their budget. A replacement bin is to be sited in St Andrews Walk. and new bins are suggested for the bottom of Binney Road on the “No Through” sign, opposite the post Office and near Cross park by the Golf Course sign.

9

524

10

GRANT APPLICATIONS

Requests for grants for the brownies and the Rainbows have been received.  It was suggested that grants should no longer be agreed on an ad hoc basis but be brought to a Finance Committee meeting early in the next financial year. Some members felt that on occasions some requests may be of an urgent nature and should be dealt with. There should also be a line on Appendix A to monitor grants given under section 137.

YOUTH COMMITTEE

DU

525

a

Chairman’s Report

Cllr Skudder will contact the scout master for information on planning, electrics, and fire extinguishers. He is also obtaining additional quotes for the work required.

MS

526

b

Mothers and Toddlers

Cllr Mrs Forrest reported that the group was still doing well and that a sponsored walk was planned for 8/04/08. Participants will meet in the field at 1.30pm. There has also been contact with Surestart.

11

MANAGEMENT OF THE COUNCIL’S LAND AND PROPERTY

527

a

Caretaking

The caretaker reported on her time sheet that she would no longer have time to spend on the Village Hall. The council reiterated the need to cut cost where possible.

528

529

b

Village Hall

1.General matters

A new boiler has been fitted and the flue is now taken out to the side of the building to prevent the need for a flue to be taken out through the roof. The old flue has not been removed and Cllr Mrs Forrest reported that rain water has leaked down the old flue onto the new boiler.

3.Roof

This will be dealt with under confidential.

530

531

c.

Recreation Ground

1.General Matters

The football pitch will need to be narrower due to metal inspection chambers put in by Matthew Homes. Clerk to contact contractors when white lining recommences.

2.Lease

This matter is now being dealt with by the Parish council’s solicitors.

DU

532

d.

All Saints Allotments

The clerk will contact the Allhallows and Stoke Allotment Association to ascertain the charges for the allotments.

The water has now been connected.

533

534

535

e.

Cross Park

1.General Matters

Cllr Mrs George will contact the British Horse association for details regarding the specification for a bridle path. The Clerk has received a bank statement for the Cross Park Association.

A member of the public has enquired about running a charity day at Cross Park.  It is understood that Great Ormond Street Hospital would lend support to this event. The parish council welcomed this use of the park subject to insurance.

2.Cross park Committee

There has been no meeting as yet of this association.

3.Pavilion

Nothing new to report

LG

LG

12

536

13

537

14

538

a.

RURAL LIAISON COMMITTEE

Representative’s Report

Cllr Marsh reported that St Mary Hoo have offered to host the meeting to be held on 27 May 2008 (Venue to be confirmed).

Cllr Marsh suggested that a new seat by the Pilot might be funded by Rural Liaison. He will look into the type which would be suitable and the cost.

KALC/MEDWAY AREA COMMITTEE

Representatives Report

Cllr Gladdish attended the meeting held on the 20 February. Nigel Whitburn from “Action for Communities in Rural Kent” gave a very interesting presentation.

POLICE LIAISON

Representatives Report

Nothing to report

AM

539

b.

Speed Watch

It was reported that a meeting is to be set up in Grain, but no date has been agreed.

15

540

541

a.

b.

COMMUNICATIONS

Allhallows Life Magazine

The magazine is now ready for printing and consists of 16 pages.

Website

The Website manager reported to the meeting, that in the past 12 month rolling period, we have had some 28,965 hits on the Allhallows Parish Council website. For the last complete month of February 2008, the statistics counted 2430 hits.

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

RM

16

542

17

543

Annual Assembly

It was agreed that the annual assembly should take place on the 19 May at the Village Hall time 7.30pm. The clerk will approach the Area Police Commander to ask if she would speak at the meeting.

It was proposed by Cllr Marsh and seconded by Cllr Luck that the buffet is provided by KS Catering. Cllr Morrad will contact them.

CLERK’S REPORT

The clerks reported that she had sent a letter to EON giving the additional information they required. She had been in discussion with MC regarding the dog bins. She was meeting with the solicitor regarding the fixed asset register. A review of the Financial regulations, Risk assessment, and the Parish Council’s insurance had taken place. She had written to the Church Warden regarding the grant for grass cutting.

RM

18

544

CORRESPONDENCE

The clerk had received a letter from the Church Warden thanking the PC for their grant and explaining the situation regarding the grave yard and cemetery.

A communication had been received from the Hundred of Hoo School informing of the change from community school to foundation school.

Medway Council had sent a letter regarding improvements proposed for Fenn Corner and Stoke Crossing.

The clerk informed the council of the lecture to be held on the 29 April at 6.00pm by Sir Keith Ajegbo (citizenship Foundation trust) at Chatham South School. The lecture is entitled “Why should schools promote community cohesion”.

The draft validation checklists and guidance are now available to view on the website and at the Planning Reception at the Compass Centre.

An invitation from the Rural Liaison Committee has been extended to all councillors and clerks to attend the meeting on the 25 March at 7 pm in the presentation Suite, Civic Centre Strood.

19

545

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

An official notice has been received from the Hundred of Hoo School giving notice of a change of category from community school to foundation school. This has been placed in Allhallows Life Magazine.

20

546

ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS

It was reported that the site of the derelict Garage by the caravan park is to be cleared.

21

547

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.  

548

1.Village Hall Roof

See confidential section attached for members only

549

2.Employment issues

See confidential section attached for members only

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.25 pm

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