Biddenden
Parish Council - Official Website
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Biddenden
Parish Council - Official Website
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Minutes of the meeting held in the Old Village Hall on December 12th 2006 Present Cllr Mrs J Ashcroft Cllr B Gaertner Cllr Mrs E Cansdale Cllr H Richards Cllr M Conway Cllr J Rymer Jones - Chairman Cllr C Friend Cllr P Whapham
Apologies for absence – Cllr R Brown, Cllr Mrs G Scott also Cllr N Bell, Ashford BC Seven parishioners were present.
1 There were no alterations to members Register of Interests
2 Items raised by Parishioners present (formal meeting closed) · A suggestion that the grassed area behind the bus stop by the entrance to The Weavers become a village car parking space was not favoured by those parishioners present. They said they had emailed their views to Cllr Bell (ABC) but had received no replies to date. The Chairman said there was clearly a problem of lack of parking space for The Weavers, which is very narrow, and it must be examined carefully. It would be a future agenda item and he would ask Cllr Bell for an update on Ashford BCs views. (Cllr Bell subsequently advised the Clerk that he had not received any emails) · Dr Winch (Headcorn/Biddenden surgery) said he had useful discussions with Ashford BC Planning about a possible location for a new Biddenden surgery. It was agreed Dr Winch would present some outline plans (with size and location) of his ideas to the February 13th 2007 Council meeting.
3 (Formal meeting reopened) The minutes of the Meeting held on November 14th were approved and signed by the Chairman.
4 Update on matters not covered elsewhere on the agenda. CCTV coverage of the sports clubs/car park area Cllr Conway said Ashford BC had agreed a £1500 grant towards this scheme. The Clerk was asked to check payment details from ABC. Cllr Whapham proposed, and Cllr Friend seconded, that the CCTV scheme should now go ahead as it was of benefit to the whole village. All agreed. The Parish Council would fund it and the Village Hall Management Committee and/or sports clubs would make a contribution to the overall costs. “Add on” cameras would be considered for the main village car park and the Millennium Field entrance area. Youth matters The Chairman said he had discussed the reactivation of the Youth Club with Ian Brooks (ABC Youth Worker) and he was prepared to try again. However it is important to establish exactly “what the youth want” and vital to involve parents. Cllrs Gaertner and Richards would discuss with ABC and report back. It was noted that “Youth funding” was available and the Chairman would be attending a Funding Fair on February 1st to see what could be obtained. Police Community Support Officer We have registered our desire to have a dedicated Parish PCSO and we must now await Kent Police to progress. An officer is unlikely to be in post before Spring 2007. Litter bins Four new “insides” are required for old type bins or if not available four new style standard litter bins. Car park lighting Cllr Whapham suggested some lighting in the Millennium Field car park would make it more “user friendly” at times of high demand. It was agreed the matter would be considered after the CCTV scheme is implemented. (see above)
5 Post Office/toilets/car park It was noted the Post Office opened on November 23rd and was officially opened on November 24th by PO Officials, Cllr Rymer Jones, Cllr N Bell and village schoolchildren . It was a most successful event followed by a buffet in the Village Hall to which parishioners were welcome. The contract between the Parish Council and the Postmistress is still under discussion with the Council’s solicitors but as soon as a draft is available it will be presented to the Council. Cllrs Ashcroft and Conway asked for an early sight of the draft. The Clerk was asked to contact the District Valuer about the level of rates. The Clerk was asked to advertise for a toilet cleaning lady or man.
6 Millennium Field and Jubilee Meadow Cllr Richards said the next Committee meeting was due in January. There were drainage problems on the main road by Cllr Conways’s house that led to excess water flowing through the Gordon Jones and Millennium Field car parks. It had been reported to Southern Water and the Clerk was asked to add the Council’s concern to Southern Water. The Chairman asked for a 2007-8 budget forecast for the MF&JM Committee. Cllr Richards agreed to supply.
7 Traffic and Pedestrians Cllr Friend said the Committee met on November 23rd. There were now 8 parishioners interested in the Speedwatch scheme and Police training would take place in the New Year. KCC had been asked to provide a “P” sign directing visitors into the GJ/MF car parks. A sign on the Squash Club wall directing visitors to the (large) MF car park was suggested. The Clerk said he would arrange on receipt of details. The Weavers car parking had been covered under 2 above. A meeting would be held with KCC in the New Year to establish exactly what was sensible to improve the south side pavement bearing in mind access requirements and cost constraints. (The Council has made 2007-8 budget provision to assist improvements) A kissing gate was under consideration at The Meadows end of the Mansion House Close footpath. The path could then be appropriately surfaced. Cllr Mrs Ashcroft agreed to contact KCC re yellow lining the east side of the dropped curbs by Turners Stores to prevent the disabled access being blocked.
8 Planning (see attached) The Chairman said he was keen that all councillors had an input into how they saw the development of the village over the next 5 to 10 years. He circulated a detailed map to each councillor on which they were asked to mark any developments that they thought appropriate and then return to the Chairman. The input would be confidential and from the proposals a “master map” would be produced for discussion at the February 13th meeting.
9 Finance (see attached) The 2007-8 budget (already circulated to councillors) was formally tabled by the Finance Committee. The Council agreed with the proposals and adopted the budget. It was suggested that if the new toilet works were completed on time then the car park could be resurfaced in the current financial year rather than in 2007-8. The surface was very poor and in urgent need of attention. The Chairman said it was noteworthy that the precept had been reduced by £3000 even though £8000 was allocated for resurfacing the car park and £22,500 was allocated as parish support for (KCC) improvements to the south side pavement The council would still have reserves in the order of £22,000 as required by financial regulations.
10 Correspondence (see attached) With reference to item 1 (ABC Code of Conduct training) Cllrs Mrs Ashcroft, Mrs Cansdale, Gaertner, Friend, Rymer Jones and the Clerk would attend.)
11 Items for future consideration The Weavers car parking ABC Telecare scheme Recycling – the way forward. (Cllr Richards to join the Group) South side pavement works “Biddenden’s future” – Discussion on councillors ideas. (February meeting)
12 Next meeting January 9th 2007
The meeting closed at 9.30pm and the Chairman wished everybody a Happy Christmas
Graham Smith, Parish Clerk. 01622 890596
Biddenden Parish Council The Council considered the following at its meeting on December 12th 2006
Decisions received from Ashford Borough Council
05/01232 Telecomms mast, Olivers Foods, Bell Lane. Permission granted. 06/00210 15 Headcorn Rd. Rear & porch extensions etc. Permission granted. 06/01898 11 Cot Lane. Front bay windows, dormers & rear extension. Refused. 06/01937 Rogley Farm, Cranbrook Rd. Rear extension. Permission granted. 06/02010 Holden Farm, Sissinghurst Rd. Side extension. Permission not required (Agricultural building) 06/02043 6 The Nightingales, Various extensions Permission granted. 06/02070 Land adjacent to New House Farm, Sissinghurst Rd. Detached house&garage Withdrawn TC06/00157 John Mayne School. Various tree works. No objections.
The Council is asked to consider the following
06/02126 Lashenden Farm, Headcorn Rd. Building as machinery, fertiliser & general store. No objections. (Cllr Richards declared an interest) 06/02202 The Barn, Mill Hatch, Tenterden Rd. Front extension & other alterations Object. Over development of the site. (Cllr Conway declared an interest) 06/02212 Fernwood, Cranbrook Rd. Variation of 1983 planning permission to permit storage of 100 caravans. Object. Poor access and site too small for numbers proposed. Other storage sites available. (Cllr Richards declared an interest) 06/02223 Cellars, rear of 30 High St. Change of use from office to single bedroom dwelling. No objections. 06/02353 Strategic water main. Bewl Water to Ashford. Cranbrook-Biddenden section. No objections. TC 06/00174 Westfield, Tenterden Rd. Work to willow tree. No objections. Biddenden Parish Council The Council approved the following payments at its meeting on December 12th 2006
£368.00 S Keen, Lengthsman, Wages 1765
£523.20 G Smith, Clerk, Salary 1766
£102.24 Ashford BC. Rates for car park to 31.03.07 1767
£752.00 AJ Sowery. Mowing. (This is the first account since May 12th) 1768
£206.80 Four Jays. Provision of “Portaloo” in car park 1769
£50.00 G Smith (Cash Christmas box to Lengthsman) 1770
The following “Recycling” payments were made on November 24th to organisations agreed at the meeting on November 14th (item 11)
£300.00 John Mayne School
£100.00 Little Teds Nursery
£100.00 John Mayne Out of School Club
£50.00 Mrs V Corke (Biddenden Toddler Group)
£250.00 Biddenden Village Hall
£200.00 Biddenden Squash Club
£200.00 Biddenden Tennis Club
£200.00 Biddenden Transport Service
The following “Post Office” payments were made on December 2nd as agreed at the meeting on November 14th (item 6)
£300.00 H Hoad. BPC Supervision of the project
£1134.00 K S Security. Balance for PO Security equipment (Deposit paid 14.11.06)
£24, 875.87 Rossmark Construction. Balance for completion of PO contract. (Total paid £42,731.33)
£62.33 Mrs Cansdale. Refreshments for opening ceremony
£700.00 121 Security Services. Surveillance of site to prevent vandalism |