Biddenden
Parish Council - Official Website
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Biddenden
Parish Council - Official Website
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These minutes are subject to approval at the Council meeting on August 9th 2005 Minutes of the meeting held in the Old Village Hall on June 14th 2005 Present Cllr P Whapham – Chairman Cllr J Rymer Jones Cllr Mrs J Ashcroft Cllr Mrs G Scott Cllr R Brown Cllr Mrs B Swain Cllr H Richards Also present Cllr N Bell, Ashford Borough Council and 13 parishioners
Apologies for absence from Cllrs Mrs Ainscough, Mrs Ashton, Mrs Cansdale and Mr Conway. 1 There were no alterations to the members Register of Interests. 2 Questions raised by parishioners present.
These concerns were largely related to unwelcome expansion of the close, more traffic and conflicts with the Parish Design Statement and Parish Plan. The Chairman said these concerns would be borne in mind when the councillors considered the application but emphasised that the parishioners must write to ABC to register their individual objection
3 Minutes of the meeting held on May 10th 2005. These were approved and signed by the Chairman with the following amendments
4 Update on the following issues, Post Office The minutes of the BPOLC held on June 3rd were circulated to all councillors (and had already been posted on the village notice board.) The revised planning application had been sent to ABC and a result was awaited. As this was a re application it was not clear whether a new fee was payable. Cllr Bell agreed to clarify with ABC and see whether the fee paid could be refunded. The independent accountant had looked at the Post Office accounts and his suggested annual rent payable by the Postmistress to the Parish Council for the new building would be considered at the next Council meeting. Cllr Mrs Scott proposed and Cllr Mrs Ashcroft seconded that investigating the correct procedures for obtaining building regulations (for the converted/new buildings) and the initial payment of the planning application fee be approved by the Council. This was agreed. Cllr Brown declared an interest and did not vote. Bethersden Marble Cllr Brown had been able to secure this (for possible use outside the new Post Office) for £50. The Chairman said that if necessary it could be stored on his premises. Millennium Field & Jubilee Meadow Cllr Richards had been reappointed Chairman of the MF & JM Committee and he hoped to obtain the services of Mrs Greasley as the Secretary. Despite the showery weather the Fayre on June 4th went well and although the accounts are not complete a profit of about £750/800 is expected. It was noted that the Field notice board has been re erected with appropriate security measures to minimise possible vandalism. Drainage of football pitches Two quotes have been received for Verti draining the pitches nearest the car park. Cllr Brown said that to the best of his knowledge these were the only two firms in the locality who could do the work. Cllr Mrs Swain proposed and Cllr Mrs Ashcroft seconded that the quote from Bourne & Co be accepted. All agreed. The Clerk was asked to confirm that Tenterden Tigers would give a donation towards the work. Cheeselands development It was noted that planning permission had been granted and work was expected to start in the autumn. Cllr Bell said thanks for organising a start date which allowed for rehousing the newt population (as required by law) were due to Moira Constable of the Rural Housing Trust and Paul Girling of ABC. Traffic Calming The brief initial report from Malcolm Bulpitt would be considered in detail at the Chairmans meeting with councillors on June 20th. On the subject of traffic Cllr Richards drew attention to the removal of the pavement by Curtis Corner. The Council would investigate this. Castletons Oak crossroads The Clerk reported that the crossroads would be closed for one day soon so that KCC (Roads) could carry out the long awaited safety work. Cllr Bell was concerned that even when the work was done additional “warning” for traffic approaching the crossroads from Tenterden would be necessary. Other reports Cllr Rymer Jones reported on a recent KAPC area meeting when the proposal for a new reservoir at Brabourne (for Ashford growth) was discussed and definitions of gypsies and new age travellers were clarified. Cllr Mrs Swain said the play area fence was still in need of mending. Cllr Mrs Ashcroft said the village school was anxious that the proposed path from the Millennium Field car park to the school should be hard surfaced. Cllr Richards doubted this would possible within Defra Stewardship rules but would consider further.
Report from Cllr N Bell, Ashford Borough Council Cllr Bell referred to the Ashford Local Development Framework which planned 800 extra houses (in total) in the Borough villages over the next 20 years. Some villages are designated as “locations for development” and at present Biddenden is on this list. Cllr Bell said he would try to get it removed. It was noted that the Parish should have received a copy of the Greater Ashford Development Plan. The Clerk would follow up.
As regards item 05/00856 (Erection of a property adjoining Townland Close) the Council decided to make a site visit on Friday June 17th before making a decision. Cllr Richards declared an interest in this item as an adjoining land owner.
The payments were approved.
7 Correspondence (See attached) It was agreed to make a £30 donation to the Kent Wildlife Trust. (Item 11) It was also agreed to seek a quote for a new notice board at the Church end of the High Street. (Item 15)
8 Items for a future agenda. Cllr Mrs Scott asked that the following be considered, · Progress on Quality Council status · Register of Council owned land · Progress on Parish Plan
9 Next meeting. June 20th for councillors only.
August 9th. NB There will be no scheduled meeting in July but an extraordinary meeting will be called if circumstances require.
The Clerk reported that Cllr Mrs Ainscough had tendered her resignation from the Council with effect from June 17th due to her moving away from the village. All councillors wished her well in the future and asked that the Clerk write a suitable letter of thanks for her Council work. The Clerk was asked to arrange for advertising the vacancy.
NB Councillor Bell requested that a note be made for the benefit of councillors and parishioners that all highway matters are now the responsibility of KCC and not the Borough Council. The Parish Council will, of course, take matters up with KCC on behalf of the parish.
Planning items considered by the Council at its meeting on June 14th 2005 Decisions received from Ashford Borough Council 04/00958 Medhurst Barn, Cranbrook Rd. Change of use of land for stationing one mobile home and one touring caravan. (Retrospective) Refused. 04/02204 Rear 65-67 Cheeselands. 22 new dwellings Granted NB******* 05/00522 19 Spinners Close. Loft conversion and addition of a storey to kitchen. Granted. 05/00553 29 Glebelands. Two storey side extension. Granted. 05/00583 Anjoela, Sissinghurst Rd. External alterations. Granted. 05/00585 Woodside, Benenden Rd. Conservatory & rear extension. Granted. 05/00586 Woodside, Benenden Rd. New vehicular access. Granted. 05/00597 Cheveney Place, 4 The Nightingales. Front extension. Granted. 05/00610 Westerley, Summerhill Oast, Cranbrook Rd. Extension. Withdrawn.
The following decisions were made by the Council planning group. 05/00728 Old Mill Corner, Tenterden Rd. Temporary advertisement board. No objection. 05/00743 Stede Court, High Halden Rd. Klargester sewage plant. No objection. 05/00801 The Barn, Tatu Farm, High Halden Rd. Conversion of agricultural barn to garaging. No objection. The Council is asked to consider the following. 05/00787 Victoria Cottage, Fosten Lane. Two storey rear extension No objection 05/00819 53 North Street. First floor extension, demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement garage. No objection 05/00851 Broadoaks, Fosten Lane. Extension to garage and bedroom over. No objection 05/00856 Land adjacent to 16a Townland Close. Erection of detached house and garage. Councillors to make a site visit. 05/00884 Folk Meadow, Tenterden Rd. Roof alterations to provide additional rooms and single storey rear extension. No objection 05/00909 Old Elmstone Cottage, 98 North Street. Ground & first floor extension. No objection
The Council approved the following payments at its meeting on June 14th 2005 £667.25 S Keen, Lengthsman. (£368 Wages and £299.25 Tax Credit) 571 £444.82 G Smith, Clerk, Salary 572 £57.60 Printing at New Romney. Parish Plan (Already paid) 570 £265.00 Parsons Clients Account. (Planning permission application for Post Office) 573 £26.96 Staples, Stationery 574 £4.25 H Richards. Postage 575 £100.00 W J Collins, Accountant. Independent advice on Post Office finances 576 £55.00 Impact. Support for Councils computer accounts package 577 £200.00 All Saints Church. Parish Council insert for June Parish Magazine. 578 £30.60 (Previous) Chairmans phone calls. Dec.2004 to May 2005 579 £240.00 AJ Sowery. Mowing. 9 various cuts in May 581. £50.00 C Scales 580 £86.95 British Gates. Seat material for Millennium Field. (MF account) 164 £220.00 David Stephens. Public address for MF Fayre June 4th. (MF account) 165
The following monies have been received, £1788.95 Ashford Borough Council. Recycling credits. £711.70 Millennium Field Fayre. (This is not the final profit figure as other monies are due and possibly some additional expenses.)
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