PRESENT: Mr
P Patten (Chair), Mrs S Whittington, Mr J Collins, Mr R Fletcher,
Mr P Howard, and Mr R Pitt Mr A Rawlins.
PARISH CLERK Mrs J Batt
BOROUGH COUNCILLOR:
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: There were no Members of the Public present
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
An Apology for Absence was received from Mrs Highwood due to family
commitments.
2. PRESENTATION ON PARISH COUNCIL WESBSITE BY MR CLIVE STANLEY
Mr Stanley explained how he would set up and maintain a website
for the Parish Council
He also gave councillors details of the costs involved.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr Rawlins declared an interest in Planning Application No 06/00462/AS
as he has been consulted by Ashford Borough Council
i Updating of Declarations of Interest for the Code of Conduct
The Clerk reminded Councillors that they should update their Declarations
of Interest with the Monitoring Officer if necessary.
4. CRIME AND DISORDER (Incorporating Report by Rural Warden
Nothing to report.
5. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Minutes 41 were accepted and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Patten
should sign them.
Proposed Mr Collins Seconded Mr Rawlins
6. MATTERS ARISING
The Clerk has contacted BT twice regarding the telephone box. They
promised her that it would be dealt with today, as it has not it
was agreed that Mr Collins would contact her if it is not repaired
by tomorrow evening. In the event that the Parish Council feel that
the box should be removed for health and safety reasons, if the
vandalism continues, we will ascertain the usage from BT and consult
the local community, before making a final decision.
Mr Patten, Mr Fletcher and Mr Howard agreed to meet to look at the
trees that are currently under discussion regarding TPO's
Mr Patten asked Councillors to give consideration to the vacancy
for a Secretary on the Village Hall Committee to see if they can
think of a suitable candidate.
7. CORRESPONDENCE, ACCOUNTS AND OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
Correspondence
Minutes of the Standards Committee held 20.02.06
Clive Stanley Associates
KAPC Notice of Meeting to be held 05.04.06
Pluckley Parish Council re Speedwatch
KAPC Parish News etc
Kent Police Authority
Richard King
Mr T Coultrip
ABC re Design Awards Scheme 2006
Mr C Stanley
Ashford Rural Trust
Housing News
Standards of Conduct in English Local Government: The Future
ABC re Standards Committee 12 April 2006
ABC re Housing Lettings Policy
Kent Police
Allianz Cornhill
The South East Plan
Agenda for Parish Forum
The clerk will send Mr Coultrip a copy of Minutes 40 as requested.
Accounts to be paid
KAPC £213.63 Subscription
KAPC £14.00 Local Council Review
Proposed Mr Fletcher Seconded Mr Rawlins
Resolution: Councillors unanimously agreed to pay the above accounts.
Mr Patten took the renewal documentation from Allianz Cornhill to
read through and check. We will pay the renewal premium at the next
meeting, provided all is in order.
Bank Balance
The account balance as at 31 March was £6628.27. Following
tonight's meeting the
balance is £6400.64.
Bank of Ireland
Nothing to report.
Risk Assessment
Nothing to report.
Freedom of Information Act/Web Site
Following on from Mr Stanley's presentation, it was agreed that
the Clerk should write and inform him that we would like to proceed
with setting up a Web Site. After discussion Councillors decided
to allocate him a budget of £1200 for the next 2 years. It
was also agreed that she should ask him to contact Mr Rawlins and
Mr Pitt to discuss the content of the site.
Proposed Mrs Whittington Seconded Mr Pitt
Resolution: It was unanimously agreed to proceed with setting up
a Web Site.
LaMis
The Clerk was asked to write to LaMis and tell them that the disc
destroyed a Councillor's Hard Drive and ask for a replacement.
Parish Council Representative on Hothfield Educational Trust
Mr Patten proposed Mrs Shirley Whittington as Hothfield Parish Council's
Representative on the Trust. Councillors unanimously agreed with
Mr Patten's proposal.
Mrs Whittington agreed.
Annual Parish Meeting
This is to be held on Monday 8 May at 7.00 pm at the Village Hall.
Mr Patten asked all Councillors to attend. The Village Appraisal
will be launched at this meeting.
8. PLANNING
See attached list.
9. VILLAGE APPRAISAL
We have received £1500 from Defra. Councillors feel it is
important that a questionnaire is delivered to everyone in Hothfield
asking for their wishes and views on certain items, prior to the
start of the Appraisal. Mr Patten has received a letter from Mr
Twydell who has expressed a wish to defer the start of the Appraisal
for a couple of months as he is busy organising the Village Fair.
Mr Patten will respond to the letter.
10. VILLAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
Play Area/ROSPA Report
Nothing to report.
MUGA
Various obstacles have been put in our way regarding this by ABC.
Mrs Logan wrote a very positive report which is to be put to the
Executive.
Tidying Village
Mr Patten has still not made contact with Mrs Medlock from the Kent
Probation Service regarding the possibility of people with a Community
Service Order coming to tidy up the village.
Councillor Wallace has the name of someone else who may be able
to help and Mr Patten is waiting to hear from him.
Village Sign
It is hoped that the sign will soon be in place.
Litter Control
The glass on the Common was apparently tipped there years ago. Neil
Morris from the Kent Wildlife Trust has asked Ashford Borough Council
to deal with it.
Speed Indication Devices
The Clerk was asked to send the letters to and from Allianz Cornhill
to PC Sharp.
Mrs Whittington and Mr Patten met with PC Sharp and it has been
decided that the Equipment will be set up on the grass on the corner
of School Road and The Street. The scheme will operate twice a week
for 20 – 45 minutes at a time initially. There are no signs warning
motorists that it is in operation but we will be supplied with a
warning triangle.
We have 12 volunteers who have to undertake a training session in
the School Hall and Mrs Whittington is co ordinating this.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Fletcher informed Councillors that the Rural Impact Study is
being discussed at the Parish Forum next week and if anyone is interested
CPRE are also holding a meeting on the study on 12 May at Bethersden
Village Hall at which Richard Alderton from ABC, Damian Green MP
and the Director of CPRE will be present.
Mr Collins reported that lorries with foreign number plates are
still coming into and turning round in the Village. This was discussed
with PC Sharp who has advised us to note the registration numbers
as Kent Highways might consider imposing a weight limit on the village
roads.
Mr Patten was asked to respond to Mr Twydell's letter of 12 March
etc.
Reminder: Chairman and Vice Chairman
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50 pm.
Signed …………………………………………………………. Dated …….............................
Mr P Patten, Chairman
HOTHFIELD PARISH
COUNCIL
PLANNING APPLICATION RECORD
14 MARCH – 10 APRIL 2006
Planning Applications Received
06/00462/AS Hothfield Manor Centre, re The Bungalow, Hothfield Manor,
Bethersden road, Hothfield, Ashford, Kent TN26 1EL
Erection of extension to provide additional unit of care accommodation
Parish Council:
OBJECT
The Council feels that they need to be consistent with regard to
applications made by the Hothfield Manor Centre and therefore object,
as they did when the previous application was made.
DECISIONS
The following application has been refused:-
06/00186/AS Mr W Dunnet, Pine Trees, Chapel Road, Hothfield TN25
4LN
Demolition of single storey rear buildings and erection of two storey
rear extensions.
