Meetings 2003
9th December 2003
11th November 2003
14th October 2003
9th September 2003
12th August 2003
8th July 2003
10th June 2003
13th May 2003
Annual Parish Meeting
8th April 2003
11th March 2003
11th February 2003
14th January 2003

Present:

Cllr T Richards – Chairman Cllr D Harrison Cllr Mrs E Cansdale – Vice Chairman Cllr G Raffe

Cllr M Conway  Cllr H Stokes Cllr E Farris  Cllr Mrs E Griffiths Cllr B Wingham

Apologies for absence from Cllrs Mrs G Scott and Mrs B Swain also Cllr N Bell, Ashford Borough Council

Six parishioners were present.

1 There were no comments from parishioners concerning items not on the agenda.

2 There were no alterations to members Register of Interests.

3 The minutes of the meeting held on December 10^th were approved and signed by the Chairman.

4 Matters arising.

As Cllr Mrs Scott, a member of the Post Office Liaison Group, was absent the Chairman closed the meeting to allow the Postmistress and other parishioners to comment on the current position. Their view was that the Village Hall offered the best location for a resited Post Office. The Chairman reminded them that this was not an easy option as the Charity Commission would have to approve the altered use of the hall and his reading of the Commission regulations was that approval would be unlikely and in any event would take a very long time to negotiate. Even if it was agreed by the Commission their "rules" would mean an economic rent would need to be charged and also business rates may me payable. It was noted that the Village Hall Management Committee had yet to discuss the matter at their meeting on January 21^st. The Chairman considered there were a number of other locations where a temporary Post Office could be sited and felt they should be looked at by the Liaison Group as, even if a permanent site could be found, it was likely a temporary location would be needed in the short term. It was hoped Cllr Bell would have some positive news for the February council meeting.

Training Highway.

The Chairman reopened the meeting at this point.

It was noted that Dr Winch had agreed to the use of the Doctors room in the Village Hall as a location for the "free" computer. This would be considered by the Hall Management Committee on January 21^st.

Planting of Jubilee commemorative tree on the Village Green.

It was noted that the tree had been purchased but that the Jubilee Committee has not yet attended to the planting. In view of this the Council agreed that the Chairman arrange the planting forthwith as delay was undesirable.

Meeting with Ashford Borough Council on road/pavement issues.

The prospect of this meeting was welcomed by the Council and it was noted Ashford would be calling it shortly. (Cllr Stokes asked if he could attend.)

Cllr Mrs Cansdale commented that we were still short of one of the promised five new litter bins. The Clerk would ask the Borough officer concerned to contact her.

5 Planning – see attached.

6 Finance – see payments attached

The Council agreed the 2003/4 Parish precept of £28,000 (2002/3 £25,500) and this precept represented a charge of £25.85 per D band property.

The Council agreed to repay £8000 by mid March to the Public Works Loan Board to reduce the sum owing for the purchase of the Jubilee Meadow. This repayment means that all of the donations (approx £9,500) towards the purchase have been used for the intended purpose. £6,500 was initially given by the Council towards the purchase price of £50,000.

7 Freedom of Information Act

It was formally noted that the Council had responded to the Information Commission that it had adopted the NALC recommended template for Parish Councils. In practice the Council already publishes more information than the minimum required by the Act.

8 Correspondence

The following items were particularly noted,

A contribution of £20 to the South East Region Play association was agreed by the Council.

It was agreed that RoSPA be asked to inspect the childrens play equipment again in 2003. This is an annual safety requirement.

Biddenden High Street would be closed for road works from the 24^th to 26^th February 7am to 7pm.

Mr Stanford of Mansion House advised that he was moving and therefore his regular correspondence would cease! He was however appreciative of the Councils work despite his complaints over the years! Councillors wished him well in his new home.

The Chairman agreed to attend a Lottery fund raising conference on behalf of the Council.

9 Gordon Jones Playing Field, Millennium and Jubilee Meadow.

There were no reports at this time.

10 Village Design Statement

Mr Carr had circulated the final draft to councillors and asked that any comments be passed to him (with a copy to the Clerk) by the end of January at the latest. Final council approval would be sought at the February meeting. At this stage councillors considered that an excellent job had been done by the Committee and wished to record their thanks to all concerned. It was noted that the many photographs taken during the preparation of the Statement would be retained by the History Society.

11 Councillor Conway wished to record that a meeting of the committee organising the Grand Millennium Field Fete on June 14^th had been held.

12 The Council unanimously passed its thanks to the Chairman for emptying the village litter bins during the absence of Mr Beeken following an operation.

13 Next meeting – February 11^th and if required a planning meeting on January 28^th. Also the Chairman asked for a meeting of the Finance Committee on January 20^th at 7.30pm. Councillors Cansdale, Richards, Scott, Wingham to please note.

Graham Smith, Parish Clerk. January 17^th 2003


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