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HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES 9 MARCH 2005

Minutes of the meeting of HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL held o­n 9th March 2005      at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall

Present: Cllr. Callahan  (Chairman)

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

In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk)

Apologies: Cllr. Ms Brisley

OPEN MEETING

A resident asked for dog bins to be placed in and around public areas.   There was a complaint about the general state of the village.   (Dog bins will be an item o­n the next agenda)

END OF OPEN MEETING

69        The Chairman said Cllr. Brisley had been admitted to hospital again.    It was      agreed that a card be sent from the Council to convey councillors’ best wishes for her speedy recovery.

70        Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held o­n 9th February 2005 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.     (prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Heasman)

71            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.   

Cllr. Trice (neighbour) and Cllr. Heasman (business contact) declared a personal interest in planning application Y05/0216/SH 13 Demozay Close.

Cllr. Hodgson declared a personal interest in the football ground car park estimate.

72        Matters arising out of the Minutes

       (a) Land to the rear of the shops

Mr Stack had passed the Council’s letter about the state of the car park to the Property Manager, SDC.    Mr Holley had confirmed that the position regarding car parking o­n the land had not changed.   He stated that outline planning permission had been obtained whereby a scheme could be built o­n the car park that would not breach the agreement made with the Parish Council.  

It was agreed that the Clerk should ask Mr Stack for a copy of the outline plans.  

       (b) Allotments [min. 49(a)]

The Council received a communication from Mrs Blythe (6th March).   There are now 9 people interested in having an allotment.    They have formed a group and applied for a grant to help with start up costs and advertising.

The Chairman said the Council has an obligation to provide allotments if they are requested.     As it does not own any suitable land itself, it will have to consider other options.  

73        Reports – Working Groups

      (a) Community Liaison

Cllr. Smith advised that Ian Norman, Community Warden, had left the district.   The Parish Liaison Officer, S.E. Kent Police intends to appoint two new wardens to serve Hawkinge.

      (b) Public Rights of Way 

Cllr. Trice advised that someone had blocked up Footpath HE 198 (part) o­n the football field at the Cricketers Close end.    The Clerk had reported it to the Public Rights of Way Officer, KCC.

74        Other Bodies

       (a) Neighbourhood Management Partnership

Councillors received an up-dated information leaflet from NMP that provides details of the new Partnership Office and the facilities that will be available for all local residents.

      (b) Community Centre

Cllr. Hodgson had investigated the allegation that some youngsters had been barred from the Centre (open meeting 9th Feb).    Management had found it necessary to bar some children who were causing a nuisance.  They were not connected to any of the clubs using the Centre.    The present policy is to let them in but o­nly two at a time.

      (c) Village Hall

AGM will be held o­n Wed. 30th March at 7.30 pm.

      (d) The Churchill School – Board of Governors

Cllr. Smith reported that 200 trees would be planted in the school grounds.

75        Spitfire Leisuredrome

            Hawkinge Youth & Community Sports Council - Lease

The Chairman said HY&CSC had not told their own solicitor yet whether or not they intend to accept the Terms of the revised Lease.

76        Hawkinge Football Ground

       (a) Management of the ground

Cllr. Hodgson reported that the ground had been unsuitable for play this month due to the snow.    He had arranged to meet members of Invicta Youth Club to discuss next year’s arrangements.    The Senior Youth section of Hawkinge Football Club has twenty-eight members o­n the books.    

       (b) The Football Project

Cllr. Trice said it is essential for the project to get the car park foundation laid this year.    People need to see that things are moving forward.   It may be possible to build a temporary building o­n the car park for players to use while the pavilion is being constructed.   

77        Finance

      (a) The Clerk reported that the sale of the strip of land at the Leisuredrome is now

proceeding.   The District Valuer had inspected the village hall and land and

would provide a valuation for the Council’s Asset Register.

She had looked at the condition of the car park with Cllr. Heasman.   She had made a list of the work that needs to be done and, after approval by the Chairman, had written to several local firms for quotations.

       (b) Donation

The Chairman had received a letter from a local dance group asking for a donation towards a trip to the USA.    Six of the girls live in Hawkinge.  

The Chairman proposed a donation of £25 for each girl, a total of £150.   Cllr. Smith seconded the motion.

Cllr. Trice made a counter proposal that £20 be donated to each girl, a total of £100.    Cllr. Heasman seconded the motion.

Votes o­n the counter proposal:  For 3 Against 4 Abstention 0

Votes o­n the proposal: For 3 Against 4 Abstention 0

The motion was lost.

       (c) Payments

It was Resolved that the following accounts be paid (prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Trice) Votes: all in favour 

  ch.date
 

      £

J.L.Heasman (replacement cheque)
 

 11.3.05
 

    170.24

KAPC (Information Day fee)
 

     "
 

      47.00

Southern Water
 

  9.3.05
 

      38.80

SDC rates (football field)
 

      72.00

NatWest EBS
 

       10.00

 Clerk's salary
 

     687.88

 Expenses (inc. part tel.a/c)
 

       63.86

 Zurich Insurance Company
  

 1,953.74

Hawkinge Primary School
 

      30.00

 78        Correspondence

       (a) The Standards Board for England – review of the Code of Conduct

All councillors received a copy of the letter and a leaflet introducing the consultation and will comment individually (deadline for responses17th June).

       (b) Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

The Council received o­ne copy of each of the following discussion documents:

Vibrant Local Leadership

Citizen Engagement and Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter

79        Plans

            Plans considered by the Planning Group and comments sent:

Y05/0114/SH 34 Fernfield: works to a sycamore tree the subject of TPO No. 23 of 1996.     No comment.
Y05/0200/SH 6 Canterbury Road: retention of single storey front and rear extensions.    No objections.
Y05/0225/SH Hill Crest, Coombe Wood Lane: installation of 2 No. dormer windows to the front elevation.   No objections

Y04/1332/SH Land adjacent Haven Drive: erection of a retail foodstore together with associated car parking, landscaping and access (resubmission of planning application Y04/ 0215/SH).  Amended Plan: main alteration is redesign of the roof.    No objections

Plans considered at the meeting:

Y05/0205/SH Land off Mill Lane: non-compliance with condition No. 7 of planning permission 95/0332/SH to allow Mill Lane to remain open to vehicular access.    No objection.

Cllr. Smith proposed that the Council include a request for a traffic audit as part of its comment o­n the above application.    Votes: For 2 Against 4 Abstention 1

(District councillor) the motion was not carried.

Y05/0216/SH 13 Demozay Close: variation of condition 4 of planning permission 97/0133/SH to allow use of garage as living accommodation together with the erection of an attached garage to the side elevation.  

The Council received a copy of a letter sent by the occupant of 17 Demozay Close to Planning Control, SDC, about an encroachment of land by the former occupant of 13 Demozay Close that he had reported to SDC several years ago.  

The Council had reservations about this application in view of the alleged encroachment and decided not to comment o­n it.

80        Hawkinge War Memorial

Cllr. Hogben said Mr Roy Humphreys, the person responsible for the construction of a war memorial o­n the airfield, had spoken to him about the poor state of the memorial and garden.    He had visited the site himself and he proposed that the Council erect a new fence around the garden and repair the gate. 

It was Resolved that councillors visit the site individually and report back to the Council so that a decision can be taken about what needs to be done.

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

81        Annual Parish Meeting - 25th May 2005

The Council decided that apart from the usual reports, the new Community Wardens be invited to speak, the Manager of HNP, Chairmen of the School Governors, Churchill and Hawkinge Primary Schools and the Football Club.   The    notices will invite representatives of village groups/clubs to speak at the meeting.

82       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.

83        Football Ground (min. 67)

Cllrs. Callahan and Trice had studied the estimates received and Cllr. Trice gave their recommendation and the reason for it.

It was Resolved that the estimate provided by Carr Construction to construct up to sub-base of 150mm (Geotextile underlay included) total £14,000.00 (exc. VAT) be accepted.     (prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Callahan) Votes: For 5 Against 0 Abstentions 2

The meeting closed at 9.50 pm