Meetings 2001
9th January 2001
13th February 2001
13th March 2001
10th April 2001
Annual Parish Meeting
8th May 2001
12th June 2001
10th July 2001
14th August 2001
11th September 2001
9th October 2001
13th November 2001
6th December 2001
11th December 2001

After taking questions from the public the Chairman proceeded with the business of the Council as follows:

The minutes of the meeting of Tuesday 10^th July 2001 were approved.

High Street Parking restrictions - Cllr. Wingham reported on the information obtained to date and will forward a copy of his draft reply to the Clerk, when available. NOTED.

Rural Housing Trust Proposals for possible new scheme –

The Council’s concerns relating to the proposed site are to be put to, and clarified by, the Rural Housing Trust before further consideration to supporting a potential new scheme is given. AGREED.

Committee structure and procedure – An offer from Clive Powell, KAPC, to address the Council at its meeting on 13^th November was accepted. Reference will be made to the recent Rural White Paper, copies of which have been circulated to all Councillors. NOTED.

Biddenden Wastewater –Maintenance work has been scheduled to prevent future occurrences of malodour, as recently experienced. NOTED.

41a Cheeselands – This property has now been re-allocated. NOTED.

ASHFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL REPORT – No report

The Highways Unit is in agreement to a site meeting specifically to discuss the minor alterations to the junction. It has suggested that should the Council wish to discuss any additional matters that a meeting for this be arranged separately. In addition it wishes to "hold back" on the interactive speed sign until further monitoring is carried out, say 3 months after the implementation of the junction alterations. The Clerk has reminded Highways that the Speed Indicator was promised as part of the JTC agreed improvements rather than an add-on at a later date.

Due to the difficulties in obtaining a date to meet on site, a letter expressing the Council’s concern is to be sent to the Chairman of the Joint Transportation Committee. AGREED.

* The Chairman declared an interest in this application as the applicant had personally approached her. (The decision was made after a vote: 6 for, 3 against and 1 abstention.)

Planning Consultations – Planning Department is now supplying a map detailing the neighbours consulted, for every planning application.

Single storey communications building, Benenden Road – A resident has written to the Planning Department regarding the failure to provide proper landscape maintenance at this site. NOTED.

ASHFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL DECISIONS were tabled and noted.

The cheques presented were APPROVED and signed and the receipts NOTED

Refurbishment of Village Noticeboard – Mr. D Stroud

After discussion it was decided to proceed with both quotations, without the need for further estimates. AGREED.

GM Crops – Details of the proposed sowing of oil seed rape in Biddenden was distributed to all Councillors prior to the meeting. Details of the Soil Association’s views have also been received. NOTED.

Tenterden Tigers FC - Permission was granted for the use of a pitch by its Sunday boys team on an "as and when needed" basis and a fee of £3.50 per game AGREED.

A resident of North Street has expressed his concern that there is no longer a Biddenden leaflet available to visitors. As Cllr. Wingham has the original artwork this could be made available to anyone with the resources to take on such a project. Thought will be given to incorporating this information onto the Parish Council Website (www.biddenden.gov.uk).

Signs on the Village Green – requests for permission from All Saints Church to advertise the opening of the Church Tower and Mr. Carr, in respect of the VDS Meeting, were GRANTED.

A resident has written to the Chairman with regards various matters (TABLED). The Chairman will reply in due course however the Millennium Beacon will be discussed at the next meeting. The Clerk is to ask Helen Tobitt (Contracts Dept. Ashford BC) to inspect the recent unsatisfactory works to the car park hedge under the guidance of Cllr. Wingham. AGREED.

The following items of correspondence were NOTED:

Street Cleaning – Following a complaint from a resident, the Lengthsman has reverted back to his agreed starting times (6.30-7am on weekdays and 8am on Sundays).

Highways Unit is to investigate the problems experienced by the School Crossing Patrol and the white line problem in the High Street.

The Council for Voluntary Services has arranged a free event to meet national and local grant-makers. Tuesday 25^th September at the London Beach Hotel, Tenterden.

ABC draft Play Action Plan for 2002-05 – TABLED.

KCC Rural Revival Annual Report - TABLED.

Honeybee Vineyard - An application is to be made for tourism signs

Proposed Management Protocol for Unauthorised Encampments – Reply by Cllr Raffe (TABLED)

Cllr. Richard reported on the minutes on the meeting held on 25^th July including:

Nature Trail – Mr. & Mrs. Ham have volunteered to assist.

Arial Photograph for the noticeboard – estimated cost £80.00.

Ponds – the swing rope attached to the ash tree by unknown parties is to be removed and, as the tree is likely to die from the damage caused, will be cut down.

Memorial Trees – It is proposed that the dead trees (to date) be replaced but that no responsibility be taken for future losses. Letters outlining these proposals are to be sent to all those who donated, in due course.

Terms of reference

Cllr. Conway confirmed that the revised draft terms of reference were acceptable. The Clerk will provide copies of the final draft for the Committee’s next meeting at which it will elect its Chairman. The Committee will continue to meet at Wealden, Cot Lane and the dates of future meetings will be published on the Parish Council Noticeboard. NOTED.

Cllr. Mrs. Swain was appointed as the Parish Council nominated representative. AGREED.

Mr. Carr was invited to speak to update the Council on his progress and the planned meeting - Tuesday 25 September, 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Village Plan registration is to be discussed at the next meeting.

The Clerk is to chase the safety report from ROSPA

Children’s play area - Mr. Brightling is to be asked to remove the weeds and cut back the hedge. AGREED.

Replacement Picnic Bench – Cllr. Richards is arranging the required additional fixings to secure this to the ground.

KAPC & PARISH FORUM REPORTS - Postponed.

POLICE REPORT – Postponed.

September agenda to include: Charges for Cricket Club, Millennium Beacon, Parish Plan Registration, Matters raised by Public, Petition for skate park, Blaze programme advert.

The next meeting of the Council will take place on Tuesday 11 September 2001 at 7.30p.m.in the Club House.

The meeting closed at 10.05p.m

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