Hothfield Parish Council

...in the rustic heart of Kent

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PRESENT: Mr P Patten (Chair), Mr J Collins, Mr P Howard, Mr L Krause and Mr A Rawlins

PARISH CLERK: Mrs J Batt

BOROUGH COUNCILLOR: Mr N Wallace

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: There were two Members of the Public present.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for Absence were received from Mrs Whittington (illness), Mr Holloway (illness), Mr Hughes and Mr Pitt.

2. 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.

3. PUBLIC INTERVAL
The meeting was opened to Members of the Public from 7.10 to 7.34 for questions and comment.

4. CRIME AND DISORDER
Report on meetings attended by Councillor Wallace and Lynn Marshall

Mr Wallace reported that he had attended 2 meetings during the last month regarding the problems currently being experienced by the residents of Hothfield. The first was with the Police and Lynn Marshall, our Community Warden and the second was run by  Mrs Logan from Ashford Borough Council. He felt that both meetings were constructive.
A lot of issues were discussed and various courses of action agreed upon. Follow up meetings have been arranged to take place in 3 months time.

The fact that the street lights are out in Station Road is aggravating the situation.
They have been reported on various occasions and we have at last been contacted by KCC with details of the repairs to be undertaken. Mr Patten said he would write to Mr Ferrin at KCC with a copy to Mr King, complaining about the amount of time it has taken to repair the lights and pointing out that the lack of lighting encourages anti social behaviour.

Concern was expressed that we will soon have two public buildings in Hothfield, the School and the Village Hall. Mr Patten reported that a small committee has been set up, chaired by Mrs Whittington, to put together some proposals and a business plan for the useof the school, after it closes in July. It is essential that the school is not boarded up and left empty.

Local youths have recently taken lead from the Village Hall roof. They were seen and the Police were called. The Clerk was asked to contact ABC regarding insurance.

Mr Wallace reiterated that all anti social behaviour must be reported.

Neighbourhood Watch
Deferred until next meeting.

5. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Minutes 53 were accepted and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Patten should sign them.
Proposed Mr Krause Seconded Mr Rawlings

6. MATTERS ARISING
The Clerk was asked to contact Chris Fry at ABC regarding the rubbish along Coach Drive.

Mr Patten read out the reply he received, to a letter he sent to KCC in January regarding the Speed Management Scheme. The redesigned scheme will be submitted to KCC Members in March.

7. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION/UPDATING OF WEB SITE
Mr Rawlins proposed that the following should be added to the amenity page on the Hothfield Web Site.

We all deserve to feel safe and secure in our village. If any resident is concerned about anti-social behaviour, threatening behaviour or any other police matter please contact

Our village policeman, PC Phil Smith on 07980 770 577
Our Rural Warden is Lynda Marshall on 07811 271 306.

CALLS WILL BE TREATED WITH COMPLETE CONFIDENCE

Councillors unanimously agreed with the proposal.

8. HIRING OF SKIP/VILLAGE TIDYING/LITTER CONTROL
Deferred until next meeting.

9. RISK ASSESSMENT/RISK INSPECTION
Mr Howard reported that he and Mr Hughes had cleared the glass from the play area and added 10 bags of chippings.

10. CORRESPONDENCE, ACCOUNTS AND OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS
Correspondence

ABC Housing and Council Tax Benefit – Fraud Prevention and Detection
ABC Ashford LDF Submission Core Strategy Representations - SW
Consultation on Amendments to the Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members
ABC Parish Profile
KAPC Minutes of meeting held 07.02.07
Weald Neighbourhood Watch Association AGM
Eastern and Coastal Kent NHS Improving neuro-rehabilitation services in east Kent
Southern Water
Mid Kent Water
Seera – Regional Housing Strategy Review
ABC Standards Committee Agenda
Audit Commission re external Auditor
Timberline
Clerks and Councils Direct
KCC – Kent Youth Service
Kenwood Trust

Accounts to be paid

PAYEE	DETAILS	NET	VAT	GROSS
The Pilgrims Hospice	Donation in lieu of Litter Picker’s wages	£210.00		£210.00
Mrs J Batt	Salary and Expenses	£407.95	£8.32	£416.27
Mrs Fields	Newsletter Expenses	£150.00		£150.00
Hothfield Village Hall	Rent February and March	£33.00		£33.00

Proposed Mr Rawlins Seconded Mr Krause

Resolution: Councillors unanimously agreed to pay the above accounts.

Bank Balance
The account balance stands at £7907.13. £1500 of this is earmarked for the Village Appraisal.

Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations
Mrs Whittington informed the Clerk, prior to this meeting, that she had reviewed these and all is in order.

MUGA
Mr Patten asked for approval for a letter to be written, from the Parish Council, to the Chairman of the Hothfield Support Group, confirming that we will contribute £1200 towards the cost of the MUGA.
Proposed Mr Krause Seconded Mr Collins

Village Appraisal
Mr Patten reported that a meeting was due to be held on 13 March at 7.00pm regarding th Appraisal and invited councillors to attend.

Annual Parish Meeting
It was agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on 14 May, prior to the Annual Parish Council Meeting.

Election 2007
The Clerk reminded councillors that candidates are now able to stand for the Parish Council from 18 years of age.

11. PLANNING
Please see attached list.

12. VILLAGE RESPONSIBILITIES
Items to be reported the the County Lengthsmen

The Clerk was asked to report the large pot hole at the entrance to Church Lane.

It was agreed to write to the KCC regarding the renaming of Pluckley Road to Jobs Lane.

13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Clerk was asked to obtain details of the Planning Application which has been submitted regarding Beech brook Farm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.43pm.




Signed …………………………………………………………. Dated …….............................
Mrs S Whittington, Chairman

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HOTHFIELD PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING APPLICATION RECORD 13 FEBRUARY 2007 – 12 MARCH 2007 Planning Applications Received
Full Planning Permission requested – Delegated to Officers unless otherwise stated:-
06/01408/AS	Lakeside Nursing Home, Chapel Road, Hothfield, Ashford, Kent TN25 4LN Demolition of part 2/3 storey C2 use, care home and construction of a new 3 storey, 34 suite, C2 use close care accommodation with support facilities Parish Council: Support
The following application has been granted:-
06/01466/AS	Bockhanger Farms Ltd, Oaklands Farm, Pluckley Road, Hothfield, Ashford, Kent TN26 1ER Change of use of part of existing barn, construction of irrigation lagoon and bund and use of part of field to accommodate organic worm breeding unit

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