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HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES 13 APRIL 2005

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

Present: Cllr. Callahan (Chairman)

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

Apologies: Cllr. Heasman who was indisposed.    Cllr. Trice for late arrival

In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk)

OPEN MEETING

A resident asked about zigzag markings outside Churchill School.   (The Council is waiting to hear from Kent Highways when the work will be done).    The Council was asked about ordinary membership of the Community Centre Trust (The Chairman said he was aware of the problem and it would be discussed during the meeting).

END OF OPEN MEETING

84        Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held o­n 9th March 2005 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.    (prop. Cllr. Hodgson, sec. Cllr. Punnett)

85            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.   

86        Matters arising out of the Minutes

       (a) Land to the rear of the shops [min.72(a)]

SDC had sent a copy of the outline planning permission granted o­n 22nd February 2002 for the community centre and convenience store and associated parking (Y01/1079/SH).    There had been no other applications since.    Noted.  

       (b) Allotments [min.72(b)]

Mrs Blythe had advised the Clerk that there are now 21 members in the Group.

The Chairman had suggested that an informal meeting be held between himself, the Clerk, Mrs Blythe and other members of the group, to discuss the best way forward.      This had been agreed and arrangements were being made.

      (c) Community Warden

The Council received a letter from Marilyn Howell, Kent Community Warden Manager, apologising for the fact that the Council was not told that Mr Norman was leaving the employment of KCC.    It will be given notice when a replacement is found.   In the meantime the Senior Warden for the area, Shuna Body, can be contacted o­n 07977 981990 should there be any urgent problems.

       (d) Footpath, Canterbury Road

Acting Superintendent P.S.Wilczek, Kent Police, advised that PC Moody had been active over the last few months working with various agencies to get the footpath re-laid a different colour.   The work should be undertaken soon (letter dated 8th April).

       (e) Franze Academy – Dancing Competition

Cllr. Hodgson told councillors that the Franze Academy dancers, four of whom came from Hawkinge, had won the title of World Champions in Dance Excellence in a competition held in Hollywood, USA.    The Chairman said the Council congratulated the Academy o­n their achievement.    He was able to do so verbally when members of the Group attended the meeting later in the evening to show councillors the trophy they had won.  

87        Reports – Working Groups

            Community Liaison

Cllr. Brisley reported a problem caused by motorcyclists in the village that had been passed to the Police for attention.

88        Other Bodies

       (a) Neighbourhood Management Partnership

Cllr. Hodgson reported that the office next to Tesco will open o­n 4th May.  Residents who wish to bring up matters connected with the development of Hawkinge with NMP may visit the office.   There will be computer information available and a room for residents who wish to form groups/clubs to meet.    There is a room available for councillors if they wish to hold surgeries to meet the public.

       (b) Community Centre

Cllr. Hodgson had not attended a meeting.    The Executive Committee is in need of a Secretary and Treasurer – volunteers please contact the Community Centre.

Cllr. Callahan said he had applied for membership of the Trust.    He had been told that all residents would be eligible to be a member by the time the next Annual General meeting is held.

       (c) Village Hall

Cllr. Brisley said she was unable to attend the AGM due to ill health.    The next meeting will be held o­n 18th May.    The second phase in the refurbishment programme had started.

      (d) The Churchill School – Board of Governors

Cllr. Smith said a letter had been sent to parents who are causing traffic congestion outside the school when delivering and collecting their children.

The Hawkinge Giant made by Strange Cargo (funded my NMP) was finished.    The “Awakening Dayâ€? when it would be named and displayed for the first time to schoolchildren would take place o­n Friday 15th April at 10 a.m. o­n the village green.   Both schools had participated in the venture by making 3 heads (smaller giants).

       (e) Hawkinge Primary School – Board of Governors

Cllr. Hodgson said everything was running smoothly at the school.  

89        Spitfire Leisuredrome

            Hawkinge Youth & Community Sports Council - Lease

The Chairman said he was in a quandary about the Lease because of the length of time it was taking to get a decision from HY&CSC.  

Cllr. Smith stated that HY&CSC had signed the Lease and returned it to the Council’s solicitor.

Cllr. Callahan said the Lease would come back to the Council to be ratified before signature by the Parish Council (copies to councillors who requested o­ne prior to the meeting).

90        Hawkinge Football Ground

Cllr. Hodgson reported that construction of the car park would start soon.    

91        Finance

       (a) Notice of Audit

The Clerk reported that the Council had received Notice of Audit for the year ended 31st March 2005.     The Annual Return must be completed and returned to the Audit Commission by 13th June 2005.     A notice will be posted o­n the Council’s notice board o­n 18th April to advise the public that the books will be available for inspection between 9th May and 8th June by appointment.    She would ask the Finance Group to meet before the next meeting to approve the accounts and review the Risk Assessment.   

       (b) KAPC – Annual Subscription

Councillors received a letter and information from KAPC about the services provided to Town/Parish Councils.   Cllr. Hogben said all councillors should see copies of KAPC’s accounts before making a decision to renew membership.    Deferred to the next meeting.  

At this point Cllr. Trice joined the meeting

             (c) Hawkinge War Memorial [min.80]

Councillors who had visited the site reported back to the Council.    It was decided that the fencing must be replaced.    Further discussion was referred to the confidential section.  

       (d) Dog Waste Bins

The Clerk had been advised verbally that the Parish Council would have to purchase the bins and pay to have them emptied.    It was agreed that both District and County Councils be contacted and asked to provide bins and an emptying service free of charge. 

       (e) Payments

            It was Resolved that the following accounts be paid (prop. Cllr. Brisley sec. Cllr.

Punnett) Votes: all in favour

    ch date
 

           £

CPRE (sub.)
 

   13.4.05
 

          25.00

Village Hall (invest. interest)
 

          36.32

F & D Water Services
 

          19.34

SEEBOARD
 

        157.66

SDC rates (football) 1st instalment
 

     DD
 

          18.90

SDC rates (SL) 1st instalment
 

     DD
 

          78.59

Clerk's salary
 

        669.24

           Expenses
 

          49.17

NatWest EBS
 

      SO
 

          10.00

Harmer Landscapes
 

          28.20

Village Hall (invest. interest)
 

          80.00

92        Correspondence

       (a) KAPC: New Legislation Information Day Mon. 9th May at Lenham Community

            Centre (£40 per delegate) Noted.

        (b) Kent Downs APNB Unit 1 copy Landscape Design Handbook 2005. Received.

93        Village Hall

Councillors discussed the layout of the car park and the route of the footpath/cycleway that is intended to link Haven Drive to Canterbury Road, but ends abruptly at the village hall boundary. 

It was Resolved that the Council write to Mr Stack, SDC, to ask what the Council’s original intentions were when the footpath/cycleway was planned and whether there are any planning conditions attached to the permission granted before work commenced.

(prop. Cllr. Smith, sec. Cllr. Brisley) Votes: all in favour      

94        Plans

            Planning applications received and comments sent by Planning Group:

Y05/0322/SH 6 Webster Way: erection of a single storey rear extension

No objections

Y05/0411/SH 35 Canterbury Road: erection of single storey side and rear extensions.   No objections

Y05/0412/SH 16 Harvest Way: erection of a single storey rear extension.

No objections

The above comments sent by the Planning Group were approved.

Plans considered at the meeting:

Y05/0450/SH The Moorings, Alkham Valley Road:   erection of a four bay detached garage with games room above.     No objections provided the building is not used for commercial purposes or changed into living accommodation.

Y05/0359/SH 3 Elvington Lane: erection of 2 no. detached dwellings together with formation of new vehicular access and associated car parking (amendment to planning permission Y03/1056/SH).    No objections

Votes: For 3 Against 1 Abstentions 2 (District Councillors: Cllr. Smith also declared that he had a personal interest)

Y05/0367/SH Coombe Wood Riding School, Coombe Wood Lane: erection of new stable blocks to replace existing.

The Council does not object to the application but it has reservations about the extra traffic that may use Coombe Wood Lane (unadopted).

Votes: For 4 Against 0 Abstentions 3 (inc. two District Councillors)

Y05/0374/SH Fir Trees, Mill Lane: erection of a two-storey side extension, together with alterations to roof o­n existing granny annexe.

The Council strongly objects to this application o­n the grounds that it over develops the plot from its original concept.

Votes For 4 Against 0 Abstentions 3 (inc. 2 District Councillors)

At this point Cllr. Hodgson left the meeting

95       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.

96        Sale of Strip of Land adjacent to the car park – Spitfire Leisuredrome

The Council received the Contract (with draft Transfer annexed) and Transfer (form TP1) documents from Kingsfords (5th April).

It was Resolved that the Contract for the sale and purchase of land adjoining Spitfire Leisuredrome Hall, Aerodrome Road between Hawkinge Parish Council and East Kent Developments Limited be entered into by the Council.

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

It was Resolved that Cllr. D. Callahan (Chairman) and Mrs B.M.Hardy (Clerk) be authorised to sign the documents o­n behalf of Hawkinge Parish Council.

(prop. Cllr. Brisley, sec. Cllr. Smith) Votes: all in favour                            

97        Football Ground sign

The Council received an estimate for a sign that states that the football ground is the property of HPC and no unauthorised use is allowed (600 mm x 500 mm)

It was Resolved that the estimate from Kullasigns for the sign £116.60 + VAT be accepted.  (prop. Cllr. Brisley, sec. Cllr. Punnett) Votes: all in favour

98        Flower Tubs

Harmer Landscapes Ltd. had submitted a quotation (dated 12th January).

It was Resolved that the Council accept the quotation to carry out a complete tidy of all 14 tubs, supply and plant with suitable shrubs for £350.00 + VAT and to maintain the same for a period of o­ne year £140.00 + VAT.

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

99        Village Hall Car Park

The Council received a quotation from Cowgate Landscaping to carry out the work requested to the car park (dated 31st March)

It was Resolved that the Council accept a quotation to clear and tidy the rear boundary, remove wooden fence, clear grass area and brick pillars, make good area with road planings, fill potholes and grade car park, trim trees next to footpath for the sum of £1,150 + VAT.  

The Council also ratified the Chairman’s decision to instruct Cowgate Landscaping to carry out the work straight away and in addition to place wooden posts along the rear boundary so that cars cannot drive o­n to the land to the rear.

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

100      Hawkinge War Memorial

It was agreed that the present fence be replaced and that Cllr. Hogben arrange to meet a representative of Jacksons Fencing o­n site and ask for an estimate to be sent to the Parish Council.

The meeting closed at 10.00 pm