FEBRUARY 2009 PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES

Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting

held at The Village Hall, Hothfield,

on Monday 9 February 2009 at 7.00pm

[ DRAFT - to be formally accepted at next meeting ]

PRESENT:   Mrs S Whittington (Chair), Mrs K Pender, Mrs P Warren, Mr J Collins, Mr L Hughes and Mr L Krause, Mr R Boorman and Mr R Rivers 
Miss A Davies ABC and Mrs H Curtin, Children’s Centre

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 Mr P Howard (prior engagement),

Mr A Rawlins (work commitment) and Mr P Patten (holiday).

2.       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no Declarations of Interest.

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.

2.    PROPOSED NEW PLAY AREA

Miss Davies updated Councillors on the progress of the new play area so far and following

in depth discussions Mr Krause proposed that the Parish Council should ask Mr Boorman

and Mr Rivers to work with ABC on our behalf, regarding the funding and the equipment

to be included in the area.  Seconded by Mr Hughes

            Resolution:  Councillors unanimously agreed to Mr Boorman and Mr Rivers working

            with ABC as above.

            Mrs Curtin, Children’s Centre said she would be interested in working with Miss Davies,

            Mr Boorman and Mr Rivers.

            Mrs Whittington thanked Miss Davies for attending the meeting.

            Miss Davies, Mr Boorman and Mr Rivers retired to discuss the project.

4.       PUBLIC INTERVAL

There were no Members of the Public Present.   

5.      VILLAGE APPRAISAL

The Public Meeting is to be held on Friday 6 March.  A Ploughman’s Buffet will be available from 6.30 and Mrs Highwood will give a presentation on the Appraisal at 7.00 pm.  Tea and coffee will be served at 8.00 pm

The staff at the Children’s Centre are holding a Naming Day on 18 February, at the Village Hall.

Mrs Pender and Mrs Warren will be in attendance to talk to parents about the Appraisal in an informal way.

6.     ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Minutes 74 were accepted and it was unanimously agreed that Mrs Whittington should sign them. 

Proposed  Mr Krause     Seconded  Mr Collins

7.          MATTERS FOR REPORT ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES   

                Mr Howard and Mr Hughes have removed the stumps from the play area.

                The use of the School Hall has still not been decided upon. 

                Mrs Whittington reported that Hothfield has greatly benefited from the Children’s Centre.

8.       FINANCE

            Bank Balance

            The balance stands at 8880.01 in the Reserve Account, £100 in the Current Account and

            £10394.77    in the Corporate Bond.  Of this 5410.97 (totals included in 2008/20029 budget

             noted) is reserved as follows:-

Village Appraisal   -    365.39

Road Sweeping    -  1462.55

ESA                     -  1515.00

Newsletter            -    318.03

Bus Shelter           -  1750.00

Available capital £3469.04      

              Accounts to be paid

            Resolution:  Councillors unanimously agreed to pay the above accounts.          

            Clerks Salary

            The Clerk reported that an interim pay award has been agreed. 

            Resolution:  It was unanimously agreed to increase the Clerk’s Salary to SPC 22

            £10.068 per hour backdated to 1 April 2008.

            Litter Picker’s Hours

            Although this was not included on the Agenda, Mrs Whittington asked whether it could be

            discussed.  Councillors unanimously agreed.

            Following the recent clean up of Coach Drive in which 7 tonnes of rubbish were removed

            by volunteers, Mrs Whittington proposed and councillors unanimously agreed to the

            following:-

            Resolution:  It was unanimously agreed to increase the Litter Picker’s hours to 3 per

            week to allow him to keep Coach Drive clear of rubbish.

9.     VILLAGE HALL

Mrs Whittington reported that she had received several letters of complaint regarding the noise from the village hall.

 

Following discussion it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk should write to the neighbours of the hall explaining the steps currently being taken to eliminate the problem.

 

The Village Hall Committee is still short of members.  Mr Krause will publicise the meetings in the Village Roundabout, in the hope of generating some interest.

 

The Village Hall is an important asset to Hothfield and we do not want to lose it.

10.       VILLAGE HALL TREES

            We have received a ball park estimate, to cut the trees back, of £2500.

Following discussion the Clerk was asked to invite tenders to:-

 

1.  Remove the trees completely

2.  Remove the trees and replant with Hawthorn

3.  Cut the trees down to the same height as the flat roof.

11.       PLANNING

Please see attached list.

12.       CORRESPONDENCE

  AwCRK

            ABC Agenda for Parish Forum to be held 28.01.09

            ROSPA

            Burlite (War Memorial Restoration) Ltd

            KALC Agenda for 04.02.09

            ABC re Beech Drive

            Mr Hollands re Village Hall Trees

            Parish News etc

            The Kent County Playing Fields Association

            Mrs Whittington circulated Councillors with a letter she intended to send to ABC in response

            to the reply from ABC re Beech Drive.

            Mr Krause reported that he had studied the proposed Service Level Agreement between

            ABC and Parish Councils and he suggested that we should respond as follows:-

            Hothfield Parish Council is happy with the proposals in the document and we ask for 

              urgent implementation.  A copy of the letter from ABC re Beech Drive should be sent with

              it as an example of bad practice on behalf of ABC.

              The Clerk was asked to find out how much ABC charge for Play Area Inspections.

13.      ANY OTHER BUSINESS

              Mr Collins reported that lamp PDH 003 is not working.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.07 pm.

HOTHFIELD PARISH COUNCIL 

PLANNING APPLICATION RECORD

12 JANUARY 200 -  9 FEBRUARY 2009

Planning Applications Received

Full Planning Permission requested – Delegated to Officers unless otherwise stated:-

09/00048/AS     Mr J Coles, Home Farm, Water Fall Road, Hothfield,

                                       Ashford, Kent TN26 1DR

                                       Renewal of slate roof including introduction of breather membrane           :

                                       Parish Council:  Support

09/00094/AS     Hollie Homes Ltd, re Land Adjoining 24 The Street, Hothfield

                                       Proposed development of three 4 bedroom houses with detached garages and

                                       new private driveway

                                       Parish Council:  Support – Letter of Support to follow

09/00116/AS     Ms E Wrigley on behalf of KCC re Swinford Old Manor, Godinton Lane,

                                       Hothfield, Ashford, Kent TN23 3BS

                                       Change of use from educational use to residential

                                       Parish Council:  Parish Council: No Comment

                                       Councillors felt that there was insufficient information

for them to be able to comment