News

Minutes of the meeting of HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL held o­n Wed. 8th March 2006 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall
 
Present: Cllr. Callahan (Chairman)
Cllrs. Avery, Ms Brisley, Heasman, Hodgson, Hogben, Punnett, Smith and Trice
 
In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk)
 
Apologies: Cllr. Smith for late arrival (District Council meeting)
 
OPEN MEETING
 
The Council was asked about its intention to set up a Hawkinge Sports Association and whether the Hawkinge Youth & Community Sports Council would be invited to its inaugural meeting.    The Chairman said the Council is working in partnership with youth organisations in Hawkinge as well as clubs for all sporting activities.           HY&CSC will be invited to the inaugural meeting.
There was a complaint that wheelie bins are being left o­n the top path of Canterbury Road after being emptied by the contractor.
 
END OF OPEN MEETING
 
252            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. Heasman declared an interest in matters concerning the Community Centre and Village Hall (Chairman of the Executive Committee, Community Centre and Chairman of Village Hall Management Committee).       
 
253      Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held o­n 8th February 2006 were confirmed and signed subject to the following amendment:
Minute 240 delete and insert  “Cllr. Trice stated his concern about the roundabout as you approach the industrial site.     Any problems should be directed to Richard Smith, Kent Highways Officer.â€?
(prop. Cllr. Avery, sec. Cllr. Brisley)
 
254      Matters arising out of the Minutes

      (a) Finance Group minutes (min. 243)
Cllr. Hogben asked for the minutes to be circulated with the agenda after the Group has approved them.
      (b) Flag Poles (min. 244)
Three estimates had been obtained but the application for the grant would have to be sent in for inclusion in next years budget 2006/07.
      (c) Village Clean-Up Weekend – 8th April (min. 239)
Cllr. Trice suggested that the schools should be told about the weekend so that the children can be involved in some way if they wish to do so.

255     Reports

      (a) Community Liaison
           (i) Cllr. Brisley reported drainage problems in the northern section of
                Canterbury Road.
           (ii) Harry the Giant
Cllr Trice had found someone who would take the Giant around to local fetes and it would attend its first event in July.                        
      (b) Planning and Development
Cllr. Trice reported that Wimpey had withdrawn their original plan for 196 houses because it had run out of time.    The plan is being re-designed.
      (c) Public Rights of Way  
Cllr. Punnett announced his intention to walk the footpaths in the village.     He will report back to the Council.
      (d) Finance Group
No meeting.
 
256      Other Bodies

       (a) Neighbourhood Management Partnership
(i) Cllr. Hodgson reported that HNP wanted the PC to “take the leadâ€? to organise a Best Kept Street in the village competition.     The Manager, HNP was unable to provide the Clerk with any information about the competition.   
Councillors did not support the idea of a Best Kept Street competition.   
 
At this point Cllr. Smith joined the meeting
 
(ii) Draft Report Hawkinge Feasibility Study “Connecting Hawkinge�
was received and the recommendations noted.        
It was Resolved that the Council endorse the recommendation regarding a footpath from Canterbury Road to the Blenheim Estate across SDC land.
(prop. Cllr. Punnett, sec. Cllr. Brisley) Votes: For 8 Against 0 Abstention 1
 
(iii) Youth Feasibility Study
The Council received and accepted the recommendations.     Cllr. Trice suggested it be incorporated into the Council’s 5 year strategic plan.
It was Resolved that the Council adopt the recommendations of the Feasibility Study (prop. Cllr. Callahan, sec. Cllr. Smith) Votes: all in favour
 
The Partnership requested that the Council nominate a representative to work with them o­n how to get youth provision into Hawkinge.
Cllr. Brisley was proposed and accepted the nomination.
 
(iv) “Actions for a Better Hawkinge 2006-07�
Copies of the brochure were available at the meeting.
     
       (b) Community Centre
Cllr. Hodgson said a noise limiter had been obtained but it was not satisfactory.       There had been a problem recently caused by some youngsters using the centre as a meeting place.    They had caused damage and disturbance to people using the centre.
       (c) Village Hall
            No meeting.
 
257            Representation o­n Hawkinge Community Safety Forum

The Chairman reported that Mr Ashman, Chairman HCSF, had written to the Council o­n matters discussed recently by the Forum.      He proposed that the Council appoint a representative to serve o­n the Forum and report back to the Council at meetings.     Cllr. Smith attends the HCSF meetings.
It was Resolved that Cllr. Smith be appointed to serve o­n the Hawkinge Community Safety Forum as the Parish Council representative.
(prop. Cllr. Callahan, sec. Cllr. Brisley) Votes: all in favour
    
258      Hawkinge Football Ground

       (a) The Football Project
Cllr. Trice reported that the Project Group met o­n 24th February.   The temporary changing rooms had been delivered.     Mr McMillan would be visiting the site to discuss the connection of water, gas and electricity to the temporary building.     Total Turf Solutions Design Specification (Phase 2) had been received.     The next phase includes work by contractors.    TTS has been asked to obtain quotations from three companies for the Council.
The Clerk was asked to write to Site Space to thank them for giving the Council the temporary building and delivering it free of charge.
Cllr. Heasman proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr. Trice for his work in locating and obtaining the building.
 
      (b) Management of the Ground
Cllr. Hodgson said recent weather conditions had made the pitch unplayable.   Hawkinge Football Club Under 15s League programme is finished.    He would no longer be available at weekends to attend to the pitches due to his hours of employment.    The Football Club needs to hire transport for away matches.    
 
259      Multi-Sport Complex – Land at Cricketers Close

Cllr. Trice had met Mr Len Mayatt, Cultural & Leisure Services Manager, SDC, to discuss whether the DC would negotiate with the PC to enable a multi sport complex to be built o­n the area.     He said the outcome of the meeting was encouraging.      Mr Mayatt stated that the District Council would need to know (1) that the area is suitable for a multi-sport complex
(2) what the PC envisage and how it will manage it.
Cllr. Trice proposed that the Council contact three companies, consultation is free, and they will provide a design that could be presented to SDC.
The Chairman said the Council could consider the costs at a later date o­nce it is established that the project is feasible.
It was Resolved that the Council carry out its own Feasibility Study o­n a project that will enable the Parish Council to provide a multi-sport complex o­n the land at Cricketers Close.
(prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Hodgson) Votes For 8 Against 0 Abstention 1
(Cllr. Smith declared an interest as a District Councillor)
 
260      Finance

       (a) The Clerk said she would be preparing the books for audit at the end of
             March and would give a report at the next meeting.
       (b) Kent Association of Parish Councils
            Councillors received an invitation to join KAPC from 1st April 2006 (annual
             subscription £750).   
Cllr. Callahan proposed from the chair that the Council join KAPC.    
Cllr. Hogben stated that he had no objection to joining KAPC but he thought the subscription fee was too high for the service provided.
The Chairman’s motion was put to the Council but it was not seconded. 
Motion lost.
       (c) Payments
            The following accounts were approved for payment:
             (prop. Cllr. Hodgson, sec. Cllr. Brisley) Votes: For 8 Against 0 Abstention 1
      ch.date       £
  SDC (planning application fee)  24.2.06       795.00 
  Total Turf Solutions       "    3,818.75 
  Southern Water (SL)    8.3.06        68.98 
  Explorer Associates Ltd.       "        99.88 
  Clerk's salary       "       726.57 
  Expenses       "        35.50 

 
261      Village Hall Car Park

      (a) Health & Safety Report (min. 245)
An independent Inspection and Report written by the Health & Safety Manager, Explorer Associates Ltd. was received.
      (b) Recommendations
The Chairman proposed that the route of the footpath, fencing and the condition of the car park be considered as three separate items.     He proposed that the footpath from Haven Drive be continued along the boundary of the adjacent property to Canterbury Road.  
Cllr. Punnett the owner of the adjacent property took part in the discussions that followed.    
Councillors decided to defer a decision and appoint a group of three councillors to look at the recommendations contained in the report.
Cllr. Hodgson said the Council should receive the report and make a decision about the route of the footpath at that meeting.   
It was Resolved that three councillors form a group and put together a complete package of recommendations including estimates and costs for the next meeting.    (prop. Cllr. Hogben, sec. Cllr. Brisley) Votes: For 6 Against 2
Abstention 1
The three councillors appointed are Cllrs. Avery, Heasman and Smith
 
At this point Cllr. Hodgson left the meeting
 
 
      (c) Pot Holes
The Clerk had cancelled a request made to Kent Highways for planings supplied free that would fill in the pot holes.     Cllr. Punnett had advised the Chairman that the material was unsuitable.     The Chairman proposed that Cllr. Punnett obtain estimates from three companies to fill in the pot holes and resurface the car park, not exceeding five hundred pounds, and send them to the Clerk.    
 
262      Correspondence

      (a) Ashford Borough Council: Local Development Framework – Statement of
Community Involvement (40 pages) and Pre-submission Statement.    Received.
      (b) Chairman, Hythe Town Council ‘e’ mail that reported that Parish/Town
            Council representatives met o­n 8th February in Hythe Town Hall and 
agreed that SDC be requested to allocate the 2nd Homes Money due to SDC to a special fund to be called the ‘Community Chest’.   Councils will be able to draw down funds from the ‘Community Chest’ for special projects and for projects that could attract matched funding.    An allocation method has to be formulated.    Noted.

263      Plans

The following plans were received and comments sent:
Y06/0128/SH 7 Canterbury Road: erection of a detached bungalow to the rear of the site (following removal of existing caravans) and erection of a two storey side extension to the public house together with the formation of a car parking area to the front and rear of public house.   No objections
Comment: the Council is concerned that the detached bungalow may become a separate dwelling and would suggest that it should form part of the publican’s business.
Y06/0180/SH 74 Canterbury Road: renewal of planning permission Y04/1324/SH to allow retention of a portakabin for a further two years.
No objections
Y06/0240/SH 28 Mitchell Avenue: erection of a first floor side extension.
No objections
Y06/0248/SH 86 The Street: erection of a rear conservatory.   No objections
Y06/0285/SH Plot 23 land opposite the Churchill School, Haven Drive:
Display of externally illuminated letters as wall mounted signs to west, east and south elevations, 1 externally illuminated double-sided hanging sign and 1 externally illuminated double-sided banner sign both o­n 5.5 M high poles and 1 externally illuminated double-sided freestanding sign.       No objections
 

264 Date of Annual Parish Meeting

The meeting will be held o­n Wed. 26th April subject to the Village Hall being available o­n that date.
 
265     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.
 
266      A copy of a letter addressed to the Chairman by Cllr. Punnett was received.
            No comment.       
 
267      Football Project

John E. McMillan & Associates had supplied more details of their account.
Cllrs. Avery and Trice were delegated to meet Mr McMillan and negotiate informally.     They will bring back their recommendations to the Council.