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Minutes of the meeting of HAWKINGE PARISH COUNCIL held on 10th January 2007 at 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall 


Present: Cllr. Callahan (Chairman)

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


In attendance: Mrs Hardy (Clerk) 


Apologies: Cllr. Ms Brisley (indisposed) 


OPEN MEETING

A resident complained that land off Spitfire Way opposite the Mayfly PH used by people to walk their dogs had been fenced off so that only one third of the area is now accessible to the public. The Chairman advised that SDC is aware there is a problem. The PC will inquire who owns the stretch of land referred to.

There were two questions about the Council’s policy to dispose of the Leisuredrome. The Chairman stated that a Local Authority is obliged to obtain as much money as possible when selling its property. Outline planning permission had been applied for but the purchaser could keep the Leisuredrome building if he/she wished to do so.

A resident mentioned the increase in the precept for 2007/08 and requested a copy of the Council’s accounts for last year.

END OF OPEN MEETING 


391 Councillors expressed their concern that Joan Brisley was too ill to attend the meeting. 

The Clerk was asked to send flowers to her on their behalf. 


392 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 were 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) Cllr. Hodgson declared an interest in the Community Centre (Trustee) Cllr. Trice declared an interest in the Sports Association (Secretary). 


393 Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th December 2006 were confirmed and signed (prop. Cllr. Hogben, sec. Cllr. Trice) 


394 Matters arising out of the Minutes

The petition entitled “Save the Spitfire Leisuredrome and Memorial” handed to the Chairman at the last meeting was received and its content noted (prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Avery) Votes: all in favour 


395 Reports

(a) Community Liaison

Cllr. Smith said Fun Day this year will be held on Saturday 8th September.

(b) Planning and Development

Cllr. Callahan had attended an SDC/PC Users Group meeting. PCs were asked to comment on planning applications solely on planning terms and to advise the votes recorded at the meeting. Cllr. Callahan had asked how it is the Chief Executive, SDC, is able to issue instructions to the Planning Officer servicing the Development Control Committee that is a quasi judicial committee. 

(c) Public Rights of Way

Cllr. Punnett had met James Bowen, Operations Engineer, Kent Highway Services, to inspect the pathway outside the shops in Canterbury Road. Mr Bowen is now aware of the problem caused by cars and delivery vans using the same pathway as pedestrians; he stated that Kent Highways will mark the footpath with white lines and mark out some areas for no parking.

(d) Finance – no meeting 


396 Other Bodies

(a) Neighbourhood Management Partnership 

Hawkinge Partnership 2007/08 Action Plan and Five-Year Strategy

The Council received one copy of the draft plan. Cllrs. Callahan, Smith and Hodgson serve on the Hawkinge Partnership Board. 

The Clerk will ask HNP to send printed copies of documents to all councillors in future.

(b) Community Centre

The Report by 2amase on the Community Centre commissioned by the Parish Council (funded by the Partnership) is under review. Referred to the confidential section.

(c) Village Hall – no meeting 


397 Projects Group

(a) The Football Project 

Cllr. Trice had contacted the Football Association and it had been agreed that the Group attend a workshop in February to show the FA how far the project has advanced. He is now preparing the development plan and the business plan for presentation at the meeting.

(b) Multi Sport Complex 

The Group are planning to visit some multi sport complexes built in this area to look at their design and usage. 


398 Workshop Day -Youth and Sports Facilities [min.386(d)]

Cllr. Trice said there are several groups in Hawkinge working for young people that should be talking to each other so that an overall 5-year plan can be made for the village that will benefit everyone. The Sports Association, HY&CSC, the Youth Worker and officers from SDC will be asked to contribute to the plan. 

Cllr. Trice proposed that a Workshop Day be held in the Community Centre that will provide stalls for clubs to show their particular interest and activities and will provide an opportunity for people to come forward with their own ideas and hopes for the future. 

The proposal was referred to the Project Group who will produce a programme, with costs for a Workshop Day to be held in June, for the Council to consider.

399 Village Hall Car Park – construction of footpath [min.383]

Mr Jeff Stack, Corporate Director – Planning and Environment and Mr Steve Holley, Property Manager, SDC, had attended a meeting on 9th January at the Partnership Office. Cllrs. Callahan, Heasman, Hogben, Punnett and Smith and the Clerk were present. Mr Stack had outlined the District Council’s proposals to continue the footpath from Haven Drive to Canterbury Road by the most direct route. Fencing to protect the hedge on the boundary with 85 Canterbury Road, and a design to prevent pedestrians from walking diagonally across the car park were discussed, and the cost and maintenance that would be met by SDC.

The Neighbourhood Partnership had offered to initiate a technical survey of the car park area prior to work taking place. 

The Chairman reported that Mr Stack would write to the Parish Council with the District Council’s proposals in due course.

Cllr. Smith was asked to discuss with the Partnership their offer of a survey and report back to the Council. 


400 Finance 

(a) Recruitment of new Clerk 

The Clerk reported that there had been over twenty requests for application forms and to date four had been returned. She had asked Mr Martyn Harris, Democratic Services Manager, SDC, for advice regarding the interviews and hoped that someone with HR experience could assist councillors. There should not be more than four people on the panel. 

It was Resolved that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Clerk and Cllr. Avery prepare a short list of candidates and interview them.

(prop. Cllr. Trice, sec. Cllr. Hodgson) Votes: For 7 Against 0 Abstention 1

(b) Payments

The following accounts were approved for payment (prop. Cllr. Heasman, sec. Cllr. Avery) Votes: all in favour

£ 
Victim Support Kent (donation) 10.01.07 100.00 
Mrs B.M.Hardy (salary) 747.94 
Mrs B.M.Hardy (expenses) 14.37 
CRC (Tasktron Ltd.) p.copier 91.06 
SDC rates (football ground) DD 21.00 
SDC rates (SL) DD 99.00 
NatWest EBS DD 10.00 



401 Correspondence

(a) The following correspondence was received and noted:

Kent & Medway Structure Plan 2006 – one copy received 

Kent & Medway Fire & Rescue Authority’s Integrated Risk Management 

Plan 2007/08 – 3 copies received

Shepway Local Board - Notice of local meeting to discuss Kent Fire and Rescue

Service 9th January 6.30 pm in Assembly Rooms, New Romney. 

Area Youth Officer, KCC – Youth Advisory Groups: dates of meetings 

Zurich Municipal – letter dated 22nd December that enclosed a copy of a letter written by Cllr. Peter Hogben and their reply regarding the cover provided to individual councillors under the Public Liability section of the Council’s policy. 

(b) Mrs Belson, Scouter-in-Charge, 3rd Hawkinge Scout Group: to celebrate the 

centenary of scouting the Group asked if the Council would agree to a tree being planted in Hawkinge and could councillors suggest a suitable site.

Cllr. Trice proposed that the tree should be planted on Parish Council land and suggested a corner of the football ground next to Incinerator Road. It was agreed that the Council ask the Tree Warden to look at the site and recommend a suitable species.

(c) Mr Martyn Harris, Democratic Services Manager, SDC, advised that the 

Standards Committee had agreed to provide training to all HPC councillors on the Code of Conduct. He suggested some alternative dates. The session will be held on Tuesday, 23rd January at 7 pm in the Civic Centre. 


402 Sub Station outside 85 Canterbury Road

Cllr. Punnett said the sub station had been erected on the grass verge in Canterbury Road outside his property. He complained that it was unsightly and the company should have given him notice. The Council agreed to advise EDF Energy that there had been complaints about the location chosen for the sub station. 


403 Annual Parish Meeting 2007

The Council agreed that the meeting would be held on Wednesday, 30th May 2007 at 7.30 pm in the village hall (subject to availability). 


404 Plans

The following planning applications had been received:

Y06/1324/SH 4 Widgeon Walk: erection of a rear conservatory.

No objections

Y06/1538/SH Gas Governor Station, Elvington Lane: erection of two permanent kiosks and one temporary kiosk to contain gas regulation equipment together with alterations to access gates, security fence and access road.

No objections

Y06/1545/SH 34 Proctor Walk: non-compliance with condition 3 of planning permission 99/1143/SH to allow continued use of garage as living accommodation together with retention of conservatory to rear.

Comment: The use of the garage as living accommodation limits the car parking space to below the minimum for this type of property. No objections to conservatory.

Y06/1571/SH 4 Angel Heights: non-compliance with condition 10 of planning permission Y05/0359/SH for the installation of a velux window to the rear elevation of the existing garage. No objections

The comments sent by the Planning Group were approved. 


405 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. 


406 Hawkinge Community Centre

The Council decided to wait until 2amase publish the final document; the Business Plan can then be discussed in open session at the next meeting or an extraordinary meeting, if necessary. 


407 Sale of the Spitfire Leisuredrome

The Council’s Agent had been advised that the Development Control Committee, SDC, had refused outline permission for residential development following demolition of the Leisuredrome (21st November 2006) contrary to the recommendation of Planning Officers. 

The Chairman had spoken to the Agent, and he reported the options open to the Council namely (1) launch an Appeal against the decision (2) put the SL out to tender without planning permission, with or without a covenant to protect the Council’s longer term interest in an Appeal (3) re-apply for planning permission (no charge for submission). 


Cllr. Avery proposed that the Council meet the costs to launch an Appeal and at the same time re-apply for outline planning permission (sec. Cllr. Hodgson) 


At this point Cllr. Hogben left the meeting 


Cllr. Punnett proposed an amendment - that a decision be deferred until the next meeting (sec. Cllr. Smith)

The amendment was put: Votes: For 2 Against 5 Abstention 0

The motion was not carried 


At this point Cllr. Punnett left the meeting 


It was Resolved that the Council meet the costs to launch an Appeal against the decision of the Development Control Committee, SDC, on 21st November 2006 to refuse planning permission on application number Y06/0497/SH Spitfire Leisuredrome, Aerodrome Road: outline application for residential development following demolition of the Leisuredrome. The Council will instruct its Agent to re-apply for planning permission. (prop. Cllr. Avery, sec. Cllr. Hodgson) Votes: For 5 Against 1 Abstention 0

Cllr. Smith voted against the motion and asked to be named. 


The meeting closed at 9.40 pm