PRESENT: Mr
P Patten (Chair), Mrs M Highwood, 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
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no Apologies for Absence.
PRESENTATION ON SPEEDWATCH BY PC PHILIP SHARP
PC Philip Sharp attended the meeting and brought a Speed Indicator
Device with him to show Councillors. He explained that:-
A machine costs £1850 to buy.
At least 6 dedicated people, including a co-ordinator are needed
to enable a parish to operate Speedwatch. The people involved should
be under 70 years of age.
The Police provide safety tabards and a sign to inform drivers when
the SID is being operated.
The scheme is only operated in areas with a 30-40 mph limit and
only in daylight.
PC Sharp visits parishes, prior to the scheme being set up, to ensure
that a suitable area is being targeted.
An Excel spreadsheet is used to collect data which is then passed
on to the Police, who send out letters to motorists who are caught
speeding more than once.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no Declarations of Interest.
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.
CRIME AND DISORDER (Incorporating Report by Rural Warden)
The telephone box in School Road has been vandalised. The Clerk
was asked to contact BT with a view to having it removed.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Minutes 40 were accepted and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Patten
should sign them.
Proposed Mr
Collins Seconded Mr Howard
6. MATTERS ARISING
Mr Patten asked whether the TPO had been put on the trees, following
his discussion with Mr Fletcher. As there had been some confusion
regarding this, Mr Patten and Mr Fletcher will meet and discuss
it again.
Mr Patten will try and contact the Bank of Ireland again regarding
the possibility of moving our account.
7. CORRESPONDENCE, ACCOUNTS AND OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
Correspondence
Komplan
The Playing Field
ABC Forward Plan of Key Decisions
ABC Housing Draft Lettings Policy
ABC Ashford Local Development Framework: Notice of Publication of
Statement of Community Involvement – Submitted Version
Kent Highways Mid Kent Division – Ashford Liaison Officer Contact
AwCRK Community Transport in the Channel Corridor
Mr T Coultrip
The Local Channel
Clerk and Councils Direct
ABC Annual Youth Conference
Local Council Review
Egerton Summer Fete 2006
AwCRK Service Review 2006
KAPC Minutes of Meeting held 01.02.06
Kent Trails
The Clerk was asked to respond to Mr Coultrip regarding the potholes
in Cade Road.
Accounts to be paid
Mrs J Batt £407.21 Salary and Expenses
KCC (KSC) £2194.05 Bark for Play Area
Mr R Rivers £73.98 Ink cartridges for A History of Hothfield
Bank Balance
The account stands at £6580.33.
Risk Assessment
Nothing to report.
Freedom of Information Act/Web Site
The Clerk was asked to contact Mr Stanley and ask him to attend
a meeting to discuss the website.
Village Fete
Mr Ford, Headmaster of Hothfield Primary School has agreed to the
Fair being held on the School Field and for the hall and toilets
to be used on the day. The Risk Assessment is the responsibility
of the Fair Committee, who will also be responsible for ensuring
that the correct insurance cover is in place.
The School have agreed to pay for Bounty to visit and deal with
the moles on the School Field.
The Parish Council will donate £500 but will not be in a position
to give the money until nearer the date, as it is allocated from
next year's budget.
LaMIS
Deferred to next meeting.
8. PLANNING
See attached list.
9. VILLAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
Play Area/ROSPA Report
Mr Fletcher has asked Landscape Services to undertake a number of
the repairs listed in the ROSPA Report.
Quotes have been obtained for the Multisports Pitch and grants and
being applied for. If funding is obtained, it may be possible to
start to build in September or October.
Hothfield Common Football Pitch
Nothing to report.
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.
Village Appraisal
Defra have offered a grant of £1500 and the Parish Council
provisionally agreed to contribute £500. The cost of the Appraisal
has been estimated at £3300. Mr Patten is to liaise with Mr
Twydell regarding this. Concern was expressed about the methodology.
Village Sign
The sign is nearing completion and it is hoped to put it up in April
when school restarts.
Litter Control
It was reported that there is a lot of litter on the Triangle and
broken glass on The Common. Mr Patten said he would contact
Neil Wallace and The Kent Wildlife Trust.
Speed Indication Devices
After discussion, Mr Patten suggested that Hothfield should try
Speedwatch for 3 months. Mrs Whittington offered to act as co-ordinator.
Councillors identified 3 possible sites which will be discussed
with PC Sharp.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Collins reported that the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee,
plus one member will be resigning shortly. The Committee are therefore
looking for a Secretary, Chairman and Committee members. There is
a serious risk that the hall may have to close.
Mr Fletcher reported that 2 street lights in the village are not
working. He is to obtain the numbers and contact the Clerk.
Mrs Highwood informed Councillors that she would be tendering her
resignation with effect from May.
Mr Patten told Councillors that he would like to hand over the Chairmanship
of the Parish Council.
Concern was expressed regarding the trees that have been taken down
on the Common and the plans to graze stock in the area. The Clerk
was asked to write to ABC and enquire as to their plans.
The Annual Parish Meeting is to be held on 8 May. Mr Collins is
to book the Village Hall.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00 pm.
Signed …………………………………………………………. Dated …….............................
Mr P Patten, Chairman
HOTHFIELD PARISH COUNCIL
PLANNING APPLICATION RECORD
14 FEBRUARY – PUBLICATION OF AGENDA
Planning Applications Received
06/00298/AS Mr and Mrs B Shilling, West Cottage, West Street, Hothfield
Ashford, Kent TN26 1ET
Part ground floor extension to enlarge lounge including staircase,
new room and lobby. First floor extension for new bedroom and bathroom
and new dormer windows
Parish Council:
Support
The following application has been granted:-
5/02093/AS DPC Property, re Unit 4, Paddocks Farm, Bethersden Road,
Hothfield, Ashford, Kent TN26 1EN
Continued use of premises for the manufacture of bespoke exhaust
for vehicles and plant
The following Appeal has been dismissed:-
APP/E2205/A04/1164955 Mr Blake, The Nursery, The Street, Hothfield,
Ashford, Kent TN26 1EH
Erection of Dwelling.
