News

Minutes of the meeting of HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL held on 14th September 2005 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall

Present: Cllr. Callahan (Chairman)
Cllrs. Ms Brisley, Heasman, Hodgson, Hogben, Punnett and Trice

In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk)

Apologies: Cllr. Smith (attending full Council meeting at Shepway DC)

OPEN MEETING



There were complaints from residents living in The Street about the volume and speed of traffic using the road. If the bollards in Webster Way were removed there would be access to Canterbury Road at the traffic lights for a lot of the vehicles that use The Street, and it would relieve congestion at the Canterbury Road/The Street junction at peak times.

(The Council will write to Mr Stack, Director of Regulatory Services, SDC, and to Kent Highways)

A resident suggested that there should be closer liaison between the Community Centre, Neighbourhood Partnership and the Safety Forum. 

(Cllr. Callahan said there has been an informal meeting and they are getting results)

A resident asked what had happened to the proposed Youth Centre at the Leisuredrome.

(The Chairman explained that after 3 years trying to negotiate a Lease with HY&CSC, the PC had withdrawn its offer. The cost of converting the Leisuredrome building is too high, the Council is looking for a way to get money to provide facilities that the youth themselves want).

The Council was told that there is an area used for fly tipping in Kettle Drive.

(PC to report that there is an ongoing problem to the appropriate authority).



END OF OPEN MEETING



166 Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 10th August 2005 and the extraordinary meeting held on 22nd August 2005 were confirmed and signed. (prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Hodgson)



167 Declarations of Interest

Cllr. Callahan declared an interest in planning matters (member of Development Control Committee SDC) he reserved the right to make a decision at District level when he is in possession of all the facts relating to an application.



168 Matters arising out of the Minutes

(a) Land for allotments

The Chairman said the Property Manager, SDC, had written to say that the small area of land in the cemetery that the Council had hoped to lease had been identified for other uses. The Council is looking for a small parcel of land to rent or lease for allotments. 

(b) Pillar Box [min.153(a)]

Royal Mail had advised that the request for an additional post box had been sent to the Collections Manager.

(c) Youth Shelters [min. 161]

There were no suggestions for a suitable site. It was decided to ask Neighbourhood Partnership to investigate the need and the best location, if there is a demand.

(d) Memorial Garden [153(b)]

Cllr. Hogben said HNP had refused the request for a grant for flagpoles. 



169 Casual Vacancy

The Clerk reported that three parishioners had applied for co-option. The letters were referred to the confidential section of the meeting.


170 Reports – Working Groups

(a) Community Liaison

Cllr. Brisley complained that the rubbish collection in some streets was not done efficiently.

(b) Planning and Development

Cllr. Trice said work had started on the employment land where the food store will be built.

(c ) Rights of Way

Cllr. Punnett reported that cars were no longer parked on the footpath outside the shops because the local policeman had spoken to all the shopkeepers about the problem it caused.



171 Other Bodies

(a) Neighbourhood Management Partnership

Cllr. Hodgson said NMP is hoping to form a partnership with the youth in Hawkinge. The Fun Day held on 3rd September was a success followed by an excellent show in the evening in the Community Centre.

The Chairman said the Partnership Board had agreed to meet the Parish Council one evening. (subsequently arranged for Wed. 2nd November at 6 pm)



(b) Community Centre

Cllr. Hodgson reported that there had been an informal meeting to discuss the setting up of an Advisory Group. Initially the members of the Advisory Group will be one of the Trustees, representatives of 3 of the clubs using the centre, the Centre Manager, Chairman of the Parish Council and one resident. Jan Doyle (Chairman of HNP) will be the Secretary. The Group will be present and vote at the AGM of the Community Centre Trust.

The Trustees are hoping to place memorial tablets, removed from the old Baptist Church by the Parish Council and presently in store, in the Community Centre.

The Chairman stated that the Council had not received a reply to the letter sent to the Trustees after the extraordinary meeting held on 22nd August [min.165].

(c ) Village Hall

Next meeting end of September.



172 Parish Community Tree Warden

Mr Alan Rogers reported that on the night 26th/27th August 13 trees were vandalised on the Hawkinge community green. He had dealt with the situation and sent a report to the Tree Officer for SDC. The trees had been left in place in the hope that they may recover. 

The Chairman said the Council is very grateful to Mr Rogers for looking after the trees in the district.



173 Hawkinge Football Ground

(a) The Football Project

Cllr. Trice said the Group had met on 12th September to discuss progress made towards the grant application. He was now in a position to fill in the application form. The Group would hold one more meeting before he presented it with supporting documents to the Football Foundation in Chatham at the end of October. 

Cllr Trice had met Mr Dave Corner (KCC) to discuss the problem regarding the opening up and locking of the gate in Incinerator Road. Mr Corner had come up with a proposal that would solve the problem by making access into Incinerator Road via Fernfield Lane and putting a barrier across the road beyond the car park entrance. KCC would erect the necessary signs. He asked the Council to formally approve the proposal so that he could ask Mr Corner to proceed with the plan.

It was Resolved that Mr Corner, Assistant Contracts Manager, KCC Waste Management, be asked to proceed with the plan to make access into Incinerator Road via Fernfield Lane, provide the barrier needed, and signs for the football ground.

(prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Heasman) Votes: all in favour



The Chairman said he had attended the informal meeting of the Advisory Group for the Community Centre. He had learned that five-a-side football could be played in the sports hall if the lights were changed. He suggested that as this would benefit both parties, the PC might look into the cost and consider making a donation. Deferred to the next meeting.



(b) Management of the Ground

Cllr. Hodgson said regular bookings are coming in. 



174 Finance

(a) Annual Audit 2004/05

The Clerk reported that the Annual Audit had been completed and the External Auditor had returned the certified Annual Return without comment. The Notice of Conclusion of Audit and Right to Inspect the Annual Return and a copy of the Annual Return will now be posted on the PC notice board.



(b) Hawkinge Cricket & Social Club [min.151]

The Council received a letter from Mr Avery, Chairman of the Cricket Club, that stated that the Committee had agreed that the changing room be made available from mid September in return for a donation of £600 to be paid in two instalments made in September 2005 and January 2006. 

The Chairman commented on the good relationship between the two clubs.



(c) Memorial Garden

Cllr. Hogben said a tree surgeon had attended to the trees and work on the memorial garden was now complete.

Cllr. Callahan proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr. Hogben.



(d) Kent BTCV – Tree Warden Scheme

BTCV had written to Councils about the work it does and to request a donation (calculated figure is £100 per Tree Warden for the year). 

It was Resolved that Kent BTCV be given a donation of £100.

(prop. Cllr. Hogben, sec. Cllr. Punnett) Votes: all in favour



(e) Payments

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

(prop. Cllr. Hodgson, sec. Cllr. Heasman) Votes: all in favour


Ch. Date
£
F & D Water Services (to supply water to football ground)
22.8.05
1,527.50
Funtime Entertainments Unlimited
14.9.05
340.00
Atrium, Chartered Surveyors (SL valuation)
"
470.00
*
KCC (football ground maintenance for half year)
"
396.50
Staples
"
105.46
Harmer Landscapes (memorial)
"
56.40
Kent County Council (goal posts, nets etc.)
"
742.64
SDC rates (football ground)
DD
16.00
SDC rates (SL)
DD
80.00
NatWest EBS
DD
10.00
Mrs B.M.Hardy (salary)
14.9.05
726.57

Mrs B.M.Hardy (expenses)
"
38.73
Hawkinge Cricket and Social Club (donation)
"
300.00

Blean Tree Care (War Memorial)
"
565.00

Hawkinge Village Hall
"
36.32
*


Income from football lettings April/August 2005 - £330.00



175 Correspondence

The following letters and consultation documents were received and noted.

(a) KCC – Strategic Planning Directorate: consultation on the South East Plan:

Employment, housing and infrastructure in Kent.

(b) Regeneration Officer, SDC – Consultation on the South East Plan

(c) Dover District Council: Statement of Community Involvement.

(d) Government Office for the South East: Proposed changes to Regional Planning

Guidance for the SE – Waste and Minerals.

(e) Ashford Borough Council: Pre-submission consultation on the statement of

Community Involvement.

(f) Action with Communities in Rural Kent: Consultation Event DEFRA’s

Rural Social and Community Programme 28th Sept. Harrietsham V.Hall

(g) Kent Police – Parish & Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer

(h) Shepway NHS Primary Care Trust AGM.



176 Plans

Applications received and comments sent by the Planning Group:

Y05/0675/SH 49 Standsfeld Avenue: re-siting of 180-mm boundary fence

Amended plan.

Objection: on the grounds that it would have an adverse effect on the street scene.

Y05/1123/SH Terlingham Manor Farm, Gibraltar Lane: listed building consent for the removal of an internal partition wall. No comment

Y05/1146/SH Windrush, Coombe Wood Lane: erection of a replacement garage together with an extension and alterations to the roof including the installation of 2 No. dormer windows to front elevation (alternative scheme to that approved under planning permission Y04/1174/SH. No objections

The comments sent to SDC by the Planning Group were approved.



Applications considered at the meeting:

Y05/1150/SH Woodside, Coombe Wood Lane: erection of a conservatory to the rear elevation, a single storey extension to link existing garage/store with main dwelling and alterations to the roof of the garage/store (amendment to planning permission (Y02/0966/SH)) Objection on the same grounds as those submitted for application Y02/0966/SH. Votes: For 6 Against 0 Abstention 0

Y05/1199/SH Allonby, Coombe Wood Lane: erection of a single storey detached building to form architect’s studio. No objection Votes: For 6 Against 0 Abstention 0

Y05/1215/SH Old Rectory Close: erection of a single storey front extension together with a detached garage. No objection Votes: For 6 Against 0 Abstention 0 

Y05/1226/SH Land opposite 45 The Street: erection of a two-storey doctors surgery and retail pharmacy together with ancillary access and parking.

The Council strongly objects to this application. Grounds: the proposed site fails all the criteria contained in the Shepway Local Plan - Policy SC2.

Comment: There is a site allocated for a health centre on the “industrial site� off Haven Drive and this would be the Council’s preferred site for the surgery.

Votes: For 6 Against 0 Abstention 0

Cllr. Callahan did not vote on the plans, having declared an interest.



177 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.



178 Future of the Leisuredrome [min. 155(b)]

The Chairman had received the Valuation of the Leisuredrome based on the marketable value of the land. The valuation figure was disclosed to councillors. 

The Council reconsidered the recommendation of the Finance Group that the land be disposed of and the proceeds devoted to further facilities for the village with an emphasis on provision for youth.

It was Resolved that the Parish Council would dispose of the Leisuredrome.

(prop. Cllr. Hogben, sec. Cllr. Heasman) Votes For 6 Against 1 Abstention 0.



179 Casual Vacancy

Councillors received copies of letters from three applicants.

There was a majority decision in favour of co-opting Mr Keven Avery to the Council.



The meeting closed at 9.30 pm