News

Minutes of the meeting of HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL held o­n Wed. 13th July 2005 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall


Present: Cllr. Callahan (Chairman)

Cllrs. Brisley, Heasman, Hodgson, Hogben, Punnett, Smith and Trice

In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk)



OPEN MEETING



There were complaints from some residents about the new system for rubbish collection operated by the District Council.

END OF OPEN MEETING



137 Kent Association of Parish Councils

Mr Rodney Williamson, County Secretary, KAPC, had agreed to attend the meeting to address councillors’ concerns about the annual subscription rate.

He stated that parish councils banded together in 1936 to form an association that would look after their common interests and it continues to do the same work today. It provides an advisory service and at local level information is sent out o­n a regular basis and training is provided for councillors and clerks who attend Information Days. KAPC depends o­n subscriptions for its income with some assistance from KCC and sales of publications. The subscription had been increased this year from 35p to 37p per equivalent Band D property. There is a ceiling for larger councils. Mr Williamson suggested that the precept could be increased to pay the subscription fee.

The Chairman thanked Mr Williamson for giving his time to attend the meeting.



138 Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held o­n 8th June 2005 were confirmed and signed (prop. Cllr. Hogben, sec. Cllr. Heasman).



139 Declarations of Interest

Cllrs. Callahan and Smith declared an interest in planning matters (members of Development Control Committee SDC) they reserved the right to make a decision at District level when they are in possession of all the facts relating to an application.



140 Matters arising out of the Minutes

Plans (min. 133)

Y04/0394/SH Port Fleur, Coombe Wood Lane: Cllr. Trice said SDC had not understood the comment sent in. He thought the Council should be careful that people who are going to abstain do not take part in the discussion.



141 Casual Vacancy

The Clerk reported that the Deputy Returning Officer, SDC, had advised her that the last day by which ten electors for the parish could have requested an election to fill the vacancy had passed o­n 1st July and the Parish Council may now proceed to co-opt. The Chairman had agreed that a notice advertising the vacancy be posted around the village and o­n the local website. The Clerk had received o­ne enquiry.



142 Kent Highway Services Division – County Lengthsmen [min.131(a)]

In order to start a new service Parish Councils had been asked to nominate a PC

Lengthsmen Co-ordinator to liase with the its Division. This could be the Clerk or an elected member of the Council (letter dated 12th May). It was agreed that the Clerk be responsible for highway matters and report problems to Kent Highways as they occur.



143 Footpath/Cycleway [min. 126(c)]

Mr Stack, Director of Regulatory Services, SDC, advised that when planning permission was granted for the new Community Centre the drawings showed the footpath leading from the village green continuing across the old village hall car park and terminating at Canterbury Road. No formal agreement exists to deal with the matter. Monies provided via the Section 106 Agreement relating to highway infrastructure can be used for the completion of the footpath. The District Council has yet to determine the mechanism by which decisions o­n spending the S106 monies will be taken. The Neighbourhood Partnership and the PC should act in an advisory capacity.

The Chairman stated that he would favour the footpath going straight across the car park, as indicated in the drawing, and a fence being erected to run along the boundary with the neighbouring property. He emphasised that the PC would not have to pay for it.

Some councillors thought the village hall car park would become too small and the existing footpath was adequate although it will need improvements, especially where it joins the car park to the rear of the hall. The fence along the boundary will still need to be erected by the PC because fumes are polluting the air in the garden of 85 Canterbury Road.

It was Resolved that the Parish Council would not proceed with the proposal to have the footpath continued from Haven Drive to Canterbury Road but would continue to use the existing footpath. (prop. Cllr. Hogben, sec. Cllr. Heasman)

Votes: For 5 Against 2 Abstention 1

Cllr. Callahan voted against the resolution and asked to be named.

The Council will discuss at a later meeting what work needs to be carried out o­n the original footpath to make it safe and secure for the public.



144 Reports – Working Groups

(a) Community Liaison

Cllr. Brisley said residents in Canterbury Road had not received letters and a calendar delivered by SDC about the new rubbish collections o­n time.

There are problems again with the post box outside Tescos, another o­ne is needed in the village.

Clerk to contact Royal Mail about the need for a post box outside the Post Office.

Cllr. Hodgson reported that 31 Millfield that was bought, repossessed and then sold at auction is derelict. Clerk to report the problem to SDC.

(b) Planning and Development – nothing to report

(c) Public Rights of Way – nothing to report

(d) Finance Group – meeting next week



145 Other Bodies

(a) Neighbourhood Management Partnership

Councillors received a copy of the Board Meeting minutes (7th April) and a diagram of the Structure of the Partnership. The Chairman and Cllr. Hodgson had copies of a draft document of the Protocol of Working Between the Hawkinge Partnership and Hawkinge Parish Council written by the HNP Manager. Copies will be circulated to councillors.

Fun Day organised by HNP will be held o­n the Village Green o­n 3rd September.

(b) Community Centre

Cllr. Hodgson reported that the car park has been partly surfaced and the entrance strengthened.

Mr and Mrs Blanks, 2 Pritchard Drive, had written to the Parish Council to enquire (1) what progress had been made in setting up the Executive/Advisory Committee (2) what action has been taken to sound proof the main hall (3) what local residents can do to encourage the Trustees to allow a more accountable and democratic form of management.

Cllr. Hodgson said the Charity Commission are being consulted but nothing has actually happened yet.

The Clerk was asked to forward the letter to the Trustees and tell them that the Council is extremely worried about the time being taken to set up an Advisory Committee.

(c) Village Hall

No meeting

(d) The Churchill School – Board of Governors

Cllr. Smith reported that Sports Day would be held o­n 16th July.

(e) Hawkinge Primary School – Board of Governors

Cllr. Hodgson stated he no longer represents Swingfield PC o­n the Board.



146 Hawkinge Football Ground

(a) The Football Project

Cllr. Trice reported that a meeting was held o­n 23rd June at the ground with tea and refreshments provided afterwards by the Cricket Club in their pavilion. The meeting was attended by:

Mr Roger Reed, Regional Facilities Manager for the Football Association

Mr Len Mayatt, Community Engagement Manager, Shepway District Council

Mr Wilbert Greaves, Sports Development Officer, SDC

Mr Iain McMillan, PC’s Building Consultant

Cllr. David Callahan, Chairman, Hawkinge Parish Council

Cllr. John Punnett, Football Project Group, HPC

Mrs Beryl Hardy, Clerk to the Council

Cllr. George Hodgson, Chairman, Hawkinge Football Club

Cllr. Cyril Trice, Secretary, Hawkinge Football Club

The Neighbourhood Partnership Manager was invited but unable to attend.



The purpose of the meeting was to show Mr Reed the amount of work put into the project since his last visit to the ground 2 years ago and to discuss with him the next steps to be taken in order to apply successfully for an FA grant towards the cost of a pavilion.

Cllr. Trice said Mr Reed was very impressed by the progress made with the ground and with what he heard about the Hawkinge Football Club, and other local clubs that have asked to use the pitches. SDC has given its full support to the project. Mr Reed and Nici Rice, County Development Officer, will meet the Project Group in Chatham to offer advice o­n how to present the case for Hawkinge and complete the official application form. Cllr. Trice said he hopes to be ready to request a meeting by October. He needs more information regarding the future development of football in the area and intends to contact the Neighbourhood Partnership and the three schools.

The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to the Football Group for the work they are doing for the project and congratulated them o­n what has been achieved so far.

Cllr. Trice said he had a proposition to put before the Council that concerned arrangements for the forthcoming season. The Council had given him permission to purchase another temporary building for approximately £600 to provide a changing facility. He proposed that the Council give a donation to the Cricket Club in exchange for the use of their changing rooms with toilet facilities for o­ne year. The Council could increase the rent for the pitches that the clubs are charged for each game. He had obtained the Cricket Club’s approval in principle before the meeting.

Further discussion was deferred to the confidential section.



(b) Management of the ground

Cllr. Hodgson reported that he had found the goal posts that he needed in the KCC catalogue and asked the Council to approve an expenditure of £564.40.

It was Resolved that the Council purchase the goal posts required for a second pitch at the football ground provided it is within the project’s budget.

(prop. Cllr. Punnett, sec. Cllr. Heasman) Votes: For 7 Against 0 Abstention 1



147 Plans

(a) Kent Highways – Proposed Loading Bay o­n Canterbury Road for Tescos

Councillors received a letter from the County Engineer dated 22nd June, and a copy of the official notice and plan. Received and noted.

Councillors will send their own comments direct to Kent Highways.

(b) Planning applications

Y05/0727/SH The White Horse, 7 Canterbury Road: erection of a rear lobby together with conversion of existing double garage to kitchen. No comment

Y05/0796/SH 1 Bittern Close: erection of a rear conservatory. No objections

Y05/0885/SH Port Fleur, Coombe Wood Lane: installation of three dormer windows to front elevation and o­ne dormer window to the rear. No objections.

Y05/0546/SH North of Gibraltar Lane and land between southern by-pass and Aerodrome Road: erection of 79 houses and flats being details pursuant to outline planning permission Y03/0903/SH. Amended plan. No comment.

Y05/0749/SH Land at 140 Canterbury Road: outline application for the erection of 2 No. detached dwellings with associated parking (re-submission of Y04/1545/SH).

This application was considered at the meeting; copies of letters from residents of Oak Drive had been sent to councillors with the agenda.

Some councillors considered the amendments, and a reduction in the number of dwellings from 4 to 2, did not alter the grounds for the Council’s objection to the previous outline planning application.

Cllr. Heasman proposed that the Council approve the application.

The motion was put to the meeting. Votes: For 2 Against 4 Abstention 0

The motion was lost.

Cllr. Trice proposed that the Council object to the application o­n the same grounds as Y04/1545/SH.

1. The Council is opposed to back land development

2. The proposed access off the A260 at this point would cause a hazard to traffic o­n the main road.

(Votes: For 4 Against 0 Abstentions 2) Motion carried.



At this point Cllr. Hodgson left the meeting (work commitments)



148 Finance

(a) The Clerk reported that the Annual Return had been sent to the Audit

Commission.

(b) Children’s Entertainment

The following acts had been booked:

Thurs. 4th August Paraffinalia Juggling Workshop

Tues. 9th August Mask Making Workshop

Wed. 17th August Micky the Magician

The total cost for the entertainers is £340.00

(c) Memorial Garden

Cllr. Hogben reported that Allan Rogers (Tree Warden) had looked at the trees and sent a plan and list of work that needs to be done. It was agreed that the Council write to three Tree Surgeons for quotations.

Mr Roy Humphreys had suggested flag poles could be placed behind the memorial to replace the two back trees.

(d) KAPC membership for 2005/06

The Chairman asked for councillors’ views having listened to the talk by Mr Williamson.

Cllr. Hogben said he was not against membership of KAPC but he thought the subscription fee is too high for the services they offer.

It was Resolved that the Council would not renew its membership o­n the grounds that the cost is too high.

(prop. Cllr. Hogben, sec. Cllr. Punnett) Votes: For 4 Against 3 Abstention 0



(e) Payments

It was Resolved that the following accounts be approved for payment.

(prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Trice) Votes: For 5 Against 0 Abstentions 2


£

GSE Design & Build
     

30.6.05
     

34,867.43

Cyril Orchard Group (QS)
     

"
     

400.53

Kullasigns (football ground)
     

"
     

136.89

Cowgate Landscaping
     

13.7.05
     

646.25

Jackson's Fencing
     

"
     

3,845.67

SDC rates (football ground)
     

DD
     

16.00

SDC rates (SL)
     

DD
     

80.00

NatWest EBS
     

DD
     

10.00

Mrs B.M.Hardy (salary)
     

13.7.05
     

726.57

Mrs B.M.Hardy (back pay)
     

171.99

Cllr. Trice (reimbursement)
     
     

187.43

CRC (Tasktron Ltd.) (p.copier cartridge)
     
     

91.06

Cllr. Callahan (reimbursement)
     
     

20.00

SEEBOARD
     
     

170.91

Southern Water
     

17.23

Folkestone & District Water Services
     


     

40.16

Kingsfords (Lease inc. Rootes & Alliott's costs)
     


     

1,956.20

Mrs B.M.Hardy (expenses)
     


     

24.14

Harmer Landscapes
     
     

84.60



149 Correspondence

(a) The Royal Air Forces Association – Battle of Britain Commemoration

15th and 18th September 2005. Ceremony at Hawkinge Memorial at

6.30 pm o­n 15th September. The Chairman asked members to attend the

short ceremony at Hawkinge Memorial if they are able to do so.

(b) Letter from John Punnett, 85 Canterbury Road regarding the Village Hall car

park. Deferred to the next meeting.

(c) Head of Local Environmental Quality Team, Defra: Clean Neighbourhoods and

Environment Act 2005. Noted.

(d) Policy Officer, SDC, Shepway Performance Plan 2005/06 electronic version or

hard copy available now. Noted.



150 CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS

It was resolved that because publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by

Reason of the confidential nature of business to be transacted the public (including the Press) be excluded from the meeting pursuant to the provision of sub section 100 & 102 of the Local Government Act, 1972.



151 Football Ground [min. 146(a)]

The Council approved the proposition put by Cllr. Trice. It was agreed that a letter be sent to the Cricket Club. A donation of £300.00 will be offered in return for the use of the toilet and changing facilities, and after 6 months a further donation of £300.00 will be made.




The meeting closed at 10.15 pm