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SEPTEMBER
2009 PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held at The Village Hall, Hothfield, on Monday 14 September 2009 at 7.00pm [ DRAFT - to be formally accepted at next meeting ]
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PRESENT: Mrs S Whittington (Chair), Mr J Collins, Mr L Krause, Mr P Howard and Mr P Patten Mr D Beckley (Community Warden)
PARISH CLERK: Mrs J Batt
BOROUGH COUNCILLOR:
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: There were no Members of the Public present
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE An Apology for Absence was received from Mrs K Pender (prior engagement), Mrs P Warren, (prior engagement), Mr L Hughes, (work commitment) Mr A Rawlins (work commitment) and Borough Councillor Wallace
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.
3. PUBLIC INTERVAL There were no Members of the Public present
4. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Minutes 80 were accepted and it was unanimously agreed that Mrs Whittington should sign them. Proposed Mr Collins Seconded Mr Patten
5. MATTERS FOR REPORT ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES Mr Patten reported that the Council wrote to Ashford Borough Council regarding the development at Hothfield Manor and had received a reply. It was agreed not to pursue the matter any further.
Mrs Whittington thanked Mr Beckley for organising and supervising the skip.
The Clerk was asked to ring Victoria Lawson and ask for confirmation that she is happy with the expenditure on the Parish Plan.
Mr Twydell asked for a breakdown of the Parish Plan costings and asked for clarification as to how the remaining balance is to be spent.
Mrs Whittington reported that she had received notification that Mr Beckley did not win The Community Safety Award prize.
6. CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA Ann Davis contacted the council to inform them that the lowest tender was £14,000 more than the funds available. She asked to meet with councillors in the next few days to discuss this. Mrs Whittington, Mr Collins and Mr Howard agreed to offer to meet with her on 18 September. The Clerk will contact Mrs Davis to arrange a time.
The following suggestions for savings were made:-
Councillors do not want the Youth Shelter of the pathways moved. Concern was expressed that the willow arch walkway will pose a significant fire risk, so it was felt it should be omitted from the plan.
It is hoped that the work will start on 9 October.
The old play area has been vandalised and the slide had to be removed for health and safety reasons. Mr Grant Marden removed the slide for us. The members of the Parish Council extend their thanks to him for his help over 2 days. The culprits and known and the police have visited them.
We tried to store the slide in the old school, but the staff at the Children’s Centre insisted that it should be moved and so it was unanimously agreed to give it to Mr and Mrs Marden for the use of their family. A signed receipt to this effect has been obtained. Mrs Whittington is going to talk to Ann Parker about the use of the old school building.
The Borough Council will take responsibility for the playing field maintenance and repair and will ensure that it is kept clean and tidy. We need clarification as to whether they will take on responsibility for safety inspections on the MUGA and Youth Shelter. 7. VILLAGE PLAN AND STRATEGY TO IMPLEMENT i Arrangements for publishing the Parish Plan Deferred to a future meeting.
ii. Wealden Wheels A donation will be considered when we prepare next year’s budget.
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND DECISIONS [PDF file, opens in new window with Adobe Acrobat Reader]
8. TENDERS FOR WORK TO VILLAGE HALL TREES Two tenders have been received:- Mr R Jiles Mr W Hollands
Resolution: It was agreed 3:2 to accept the tender from Mr J Jiles. 9. FINANCE Bank Balance The balance stands at 7498.45 in the Reserve Account, £100 in the Current Account and £10611.30 in the Corporate Bond. Of this 5410.97 (totals included in 2009/2010 budget noted) is reserved as follows:-
Village Appraisal - 72.62 Road Sweeping - 1741.55 - £168.00 August and September - skip £224.00 = £1349.55 ESA - 1515.00 Newsletter - 767.00 - £201.90 August and September - £565.10 Bus Shelter - 622.15 Churchyard Grass Paid
Accounts to be paid
Resolution: Councillors unanimously agreed to pay the above accounts.
The Clerk reported that she had received a telephone call from the Tax Office in July to inform us that we do not need to fill in an Annual Return for Mr Marden for 08/09.
Mr Patten suggested that we should consider moving the savings account to Sainsbury’s Internet Banking.
The Clerk expressed concern that the earmarked balance for the newsletter will not be enough to cover the cost of printing until the end of the year. She will write to Mr Twydell and ask him for a letter requesting an increase in the S137 Grant.
Review of Parish Council Documents i. Annual Review of Financial Regulations – August – Mr Patten – All in order ii. Annual Review of Standing Orders – August – Mr Patten – One change was made to Standing Order 52 (ii) which now reads as follows:-
officer. Such payment shall be authorised by the committee, if any, having charge of the business to which it relates, or by the proper officer for payments with the approval of the 3 Councillors.
With regard to Standing Order 63 (i) No member of the Council or of any sub committee or sub committee shall in the name of or on behalf of the Council inspect any lands or premises which the council has a right or duty to inspect Resolution: It was unanimously agreed to delete Standing Order 63 (i) as all Councillors are asked to inspect lands or premises which the council has a right or duty to inspect whenever they have the opportunity.
iii. Annual Review of arrangements in Place regarding Freedom of Information Act – August – Mr Rawlins – To be completed iv. Six Monthly Review of Fixed Assets – September 09 – Mr Hughes and Mr Beckley To be completed v. Six Monthly Risk Assessment – September 09 – Mr Hughes and Mr Beckley To be completed vi. Finance – Mr Patten vii. Annual Review of Insurance Arrangements – June – Mr Patten viii. Weekly Play Area Safety Check – Mr Hughes and Mr Beckley, ix. Review of Terms of Reference for the Planning Committee – August – Mr Patten Mr Patten is satisfied that all is in order x. Councillors responsible for Website and Publicity – Mr Krause and Mr Rawlins xi Correspondence and Emails – Mr Krause
10. CORRESPONDENCE, FINANCE AND GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS Correspondence ABC Agenda for the Parish Forum ABC Submission of Ashford Town Centre Area Action Plan – ABC LDF Monster Play Systems S & C Slatter Ltd English Rural – The Bulletin English Rural w Kent and Fire Rescue Service – Service Performance Plan 2009/2010 Eibe KCC re Ashford Local Board ABC re complaint regarding Hothfield Manor Minutes of North Weald Police Forum KALC Parish News etc AwCRK Martin Vink re Hothfield Manor ROSPA Report Moat Marie Cure Cancer Care Clerk and Councils Direct KCC – Kent Minerals and Waste Development Framework KALC Minutes of meeting held 15.07.09 Ms M Palmer Weald Watch Timberline KALC Parish News etc ABC re SCI Kent Downs and Marshes Leader
Councillors unanimously agreed to write to Mr Twydell as they were unhappy with some of his comments in the recent newsletter.
Mrs Whittington read out a letter of resignation from Mr Peter Patten.
Mr Patten asked to meet with a couple of Councillors to discuss the handover of the MUGA.
10. PLANNING Please see attached list. KCC Copy of Public Path Diversion Order Notice 2009 re Footpath AW170 has been received.
8. FORUM FOR EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN COUNCILLORS The old village sign needs to be erected somewhere.
The MUGA will be included on the next agenda.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.55 pm. HOTHFIELD PARISH COUNCIL 1 PLANNING APPLICATION RECORD 15 JULY – 14 SEPTEMBER 2009 09/890/AS Mr J Yonge, Old Swinford Manor, Godinton Lane, Hothfield, Ashford, Kent TN23 3BS Support to badly split timber beam and levelling of internal floor height. Removal of timber stud partition wall Parish Council: Support
09/00915/AS Mr A J Neaves, The Danes, The Street, Hothfield, Ashford, Kent TN26 1ES Erection of a detached garage to the front elevation Parish Council: Support
09/00942/AS Hollie Homes Ltd, re Land adjoining 24 The Street, Hothfield Proposed detached 4 bedroom house with detached garage and new driveway Parish Council: Strongly Support We would like this application to go before the Planning Committee if the Officer is minded to refuse it
09/00972/AS Mr L Green, 26 The Street, Hothfield, Ashford, Kent TN26 1ES Re-arrangement of first floor plan to improve access to rear bedroom. Construction of plinth walls beneath porch to enable structure to be retained and repaired Parish Council: Support
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| Last update: 02.10.2009 | © 2009 Hothfield Parish Council |
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