News

Minutes of the meeting of HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL held on 12th July 2006 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall

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

In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk)

Apologies: Cllr. Hogben

OPEN MEETING

There were 50 to 60 residents present at the meeting. Mr Stuart Hall, Chairman of Hawkinge Civic Society, spoke on behalf of the residents who were attending the meeting to voice their objections to planning application Y06/0863/SH for the erection of a two storey doctors surgery and retail pharmacy on the land opposite 45 The Street.
(re-submission of Y05/1226/SH). The application appeared to be identical to the previous one and residents objections were the same namely: traffic chaos in Mill Lane and The Street, pedestrians placed at risk, loss of woodland and loss of wildlife habitat.
Residents had given the Council copies of letters sent to the Planning Department, Shepway District Council and some had written to the Parish Council. The Chairman said the Council would decide on the comments to be sent to SDC at the meeting and all the correspondence received would be read before they are submitted. 
Other matters raised were a request for the sequence of the traffic lights at the Uphill junction with Canterbury Road to be reviewed by Kent Highways; a request for a footpath to be built in Mill Lane regardless of the result of the planning application; on behalf of the Hawkinge Allotments Society, Mrs Blythe complained that after a year the Council had not provided land for allotments. The society now has a membership of twenty-five residents.
END OF OPEN MEETING

318 Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 14th June 2006 were confirmed and signed 
(prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Heasman) Votes: 6 in favour, abstentions 2 (not present at the meeting) 
The minutes of an Extraordinary Meeting held on 28th June 2006 were approved and signed (prop. Cllr. Avery, sec. Cllr. Trice) Votes: 4 in favour, abstentions 4 (not present at the meeting).

319 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)



320 Matters arising out of the Minutes

(a) Allotments [min. 300(a)]
The Council received a reply from the Waste Operations Manager, KCC (13th June). The small strip of land outside the Transfer Station site is unsuitable and access via the Transfer Station is unrealistic. He suggested SDC be approached regarding the land beyond the KCC boundary. Clerk to write again to SDC.
The Clerk had received an enquiry from the Community Projects Adviser CASE (Community Action South East Kent) regarding the Council’s efforts to obtain land for allotments. She had replied to them stating that the Council would continue to look for a suitable site being very aware of its obligation to do so.
(b) Pathway outside the shops [min. 301(c)] 
Mr James Bowen, Operations Engineer (Shepway), Kent Highway Services, had offered to attend a site meeting.
(c) Committees/Working Groups [min.286 (a)] 
Mr Wignall, Director of Democratic Services, SDC, (7th July) had responded to the Council’s inquiry. As the working groups are not formal committees of the Council, merely offering views to the Council, the meetings need not be advertised or open to the public. It is important that any formal decisions are made by a properly constituted meeting. 
Cllr. Callahan stated that the groups only make recommendations to the Council and all decisions are taken at full Council meetings.

321 Plans

Plans received since the last meeting:
Y06/0815/SH 31 Gray Close: erection of a rear conservatory (resubmission o Y06/0395/SH). No objections
The comment made by the Planning Group was approved
Plan considered at the Council meeting:
Y06/0863/SH Land opposite 45 The Street: erection of a two-storey doctors surgery and retail pharmacy together with ancillary access and parking (re-submission of Y05/1226/SH)
Councillors added their views to those expressed by the residents present.
It was Resolved that the Council strongly objects to the application, that the letters received from residents be read by the Planning Group and additional comments added before the Council’s are submitted, and that the plan be called in by the District Councillor so that the decision is taken by the Development Control Committee. (prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Brisley) Votes: For 6 Against 0 Abstention 2 (District Councillors who had declared an interest: min. 319)
Comments submitted by the Council to SDC:
The Council strongly objects to this application. The grounds for the objection are as follows:
(1) the proposed site fails all the criteria contained in the Shepway Local Plan - Policy SC2.
(2) the additional vehicular traffic will cause road chaos in The Street and Mill Lane. Mill Lane is unsafe for pedestrians being largely without a footpath.
(3) there will be a loss of woodland that is protected by a TPO 20 of 1998 and wildlife habitat. 
(4) the proposed site is not in the centre of the village and will cause extra vehicular movement. 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. 

322 Reports

(a) Community Liaison
Cllr. Brisley asked if the siting of the litter bins had been decided. A resident had written in with a request for a litter bin to be placed at the junction of Mill Lane and Rectory Close. Cllr. Callahan stated that the Neighbourhood Partnership has a list of the sites that have been approved by KCC. The request will be forwarded to HNP
Cllr. Trice said he would organise another “Clean-Up” of the village for Saturday 23rd September. 
(b) Planning and Development
Cllr. Trice had been informed as a resident of Demozay Close that Pannell Drive may be extended (letter from Pentland Homes dated 30th June). Some residents had complained about the increase in road traffic that this would cause.
(c) Public Rights of Way
Cllr. Punnett reported that the rubbish bin had not been removed from the upper pavement outside the fish shop. 
(d) Finance – no meeting
.
323 Other Bodies

(a) Neighbourhood Management Partnership
Cllr. Hodgson said there had been a meeting to discuss community buildings but he had been unable to attend. HNP will use Fun Day as an opportunity to encourage people to volunteer for work in the community.
Cllr. Brisley had attended the first meeting of the Steering Group for Youth Provision held on 20th June. The minutes had been circulated. The purpose of the meeting was to agree the Terms of Reference for a Youth Worker that will have to be approved by SDC Corporate Management Team. The Youth Worker will be line managed through Kent Youth Services and the Steering Group.
Cllr. Smith said the Neighbourhood Partnership has another 4 years in Hawkinge in which to sustain the programme for youth provision. The Parish Council must start to prepare a Forward Plan to take over responsibility when it leaves. 
(b) Community Centre
Cllr. Callahan said he had attended the meeting to discuss community buildings held at the Partnership office and he understood a report of the meeting would be made available. Some Trustees of the Community Centre attended.
(c) Village Hall
Various works to the interior of the building were being carried out.
(d) Hawkinge Community Safety Forum
Cllr. Smith said the last meeting was not well attended. SDC have posted signs in the village asking the public not to drop litter and to clear up after their dogs. A private enterprise scheme with police backing has been started that will provide patrols to monitor alarm systems in homes and buildings. 

324 Sport and Activity Project Group

(a) Multi-Sport Complex
The three illustrated proposals presented to the Council at the last meeting (min.305) will be displayed in the Community Centre from 27th July. This forms part of the feasibility consultation with SDC and the Youth Forum. 

(b) Hawkinge Football Ground
The Football Project 
Cllr. Trice reported that the group had met on 7th July. Mr McMillan had obtained contracts from British Gas and EDF Energy. It was agreed that it would not be possible to provide safe housing for gas and electric meters so as the main priority is water the Council should get it installed (Folkestone & Dover Water Services have already been paid the connection fee) but the cost of digging the trench and supplying pipes will have to be met. 
It was Resolved that Folkestone & Dover Water Services be asked to connect the service and the Council will meet the costs of installation by a local firm. 
(prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Heasman) Votes: For 6 Against 0 Abstentions 2
Cllr. Trice said to comply with legislation the Council must provide toilet facilities for players. He had looked into the possibility of purchasing a portable toilet provided it included a maintenance service.
The Council discussed the health and safety issues and it was agreed that hiring a portable toilet would be the safest option. It was estimated the cost could be in the region of £25 a week.
It was Resolved that quotations for a 3 or 4 month contract with weekly maintenance be obtained from firms hiring out portable toilets and that the Council accept the best offer and enter into an agreement for at least 3 months commencing early August.
(prop. Cllr. Smith, sec. Cllr. Hodgson) Votes: all in favour
Management of the Ground
Cllr. Trice said the area around the edge of the football ground between the fence and the area cut on a regular basis by KCC needs strimming. The Clerk had written for estimates from several firms but only one had visited the ground and provided a quotation. 
It was Resolved that Harmer Landscapes Ltd. estimate for £270 + VAT for one cut be accepted. (prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Avery) Votes: For 6 Against 0 Abstentions 2.

325 Sports Association

(a) Cllr. Trice reported that there would be a meeting of prospective members of the
clubs in the near future. The Sports Association will take over the responsibility of running the football ground. It will ensure that all clubs hiring the ground have public liability insurance. 
(b) Cllr. Trice asked the Council to appoint a councillor or a representative to serve 
on the Sports Association Committee. 
It was Resolved that Cllr. Hodgson be appointed to represent Hawkinge Parish Council on the Sports Association Committee.
(prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Smith) Votes: all in favour

326 Finance

(a) The Clerk reported that the litter bins had not been installed yet. Broxap 
had accepted part payment of their account for a short period only.
(b) Children’s Entertainment – the following acts had been booked: 
Thurs. 3rd August Jolly Dizzy (female clown) Wed. 9th August Micky the Magician Wed. 16th August Miki the Clown.
Performances commence at 2.30 pm in the Village Hall – admission free 
(c) Payments
The following accounts were approved for payment (prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. 
Heasman) Votes: For 6 Against 0 Abstentions 2
ch.date £ 
SDC rates (football ground) DD 21.00 
SDC rates (SL) DD 99.00 
NatWest EBS DD 10.00 
Mrs Hardy (salary inc. backpay) 812.05 
Mrs Hardy (expenses) 20.65 
Cllr. Trice reimbursement 58.12 
Cllr. Trice reimbursement (Vesey account) 209.94 
Hawkinge Community Events Group 100.00 
* C H Grounds Maintenance Limited 17,729.00 
CRC (Tasktron Limited) p.copier toner 91.06 
Harmer Landscapes 28.20 
Folkestone & Dover Water Services 11.16 
Harmer Landscapes (2 cuts in June) 56.40 

* credit note for £844.24 recvd 17.7.06 reducing the payment due to £16,884.76 

327 Website for HPC

Cllr. Avery had details of an offer of free websites available to Parish Councils from Kent County Council. 195 Parish Councils had taken up the offer made 9 months ago. The web site comes with free training and free support to help Councils develop an internet presence (www.kent.gov.uk/kent-parishes)
Cllr. Avery proposed that the Council join the scheme.
It was Resolved that Hawkinge Parish Council sign an Agreement with Kent County Council for The Provision of Website Services and that Cllr. Avery and the Clerk attend a training session and are responsible for running the site.
(prop. Cllr. Avery, sec. Cllr. Trice) Votes: For 7 Against 0 Abstention 1 

328 Correspondence

The following correspondence was received and noted:
(a) Legal Department, SDC: Notice of TPO No. 11 2006 Land west of The Street and 
rear of 140-152 Canterbury Road (mixed deciduous and coniferous woodland)
(b) KCC – Shepway Local Board “Folkestone’s future and towards 2010” public 
meeting 17th July 6 – 8 pm Harvey Grammar School, Cheriton Road.
(c) SDC Shepway’s Performance Plan 2006/07 
(d) KAPC Councillors Information Day Teynham Village Hall, 22nd July 2006
(e) KCC “Towards 2010 Consultation” one copy 

(f) Director of Regulatory Services, SDC, Notice of a meeting of Shepway Town and 
Parish Council Planning User Group 8th August in The Guildhall, Lydd, at 7 pm.


The meeting closed at 10.15 pm