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MINUTES OF DETLING PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY 6th
September 2005 AT 7.30PM
Councillors Present: Clayton
Cosgrove
Grimble
Housden
Kennard
McLaggan
Watson
Also Present:
Mrs S Babington, Mayor of Maidstone and Borough Councillor John Horne, Members
of the Public and Mrs Cooke, press representative.
The
meeting was Chaired by Councillor Cosgrove.
1.0
Apologies for Absence.
Apologies were received from PC Gedge and Sir Sandy
Bruce-Lockhart.
2.0
Councillor’s Declaration of Interest.
Councillor Grimble – Showground and Scragged Oak
View Point.
3.0
Approval of the previous Minutes.
It was proposed by Councillor Housden to accept the
minutes as a true record, this was seconded by Councillor Clayton and agreed by
all present.
The minutes were then signed and dated by the
Chairman.
4.0
Matters Arising from the previous minutes (not
reported elsewhere).
Bredhurst Action Group – The Chairman updated
members on the current situation regarding the Bredhurst Action Group and the
recent request received for a financial donation towards land registry
searches.
The Chairman raised concerns about the speed that
the group wished to operate at.
The Chairman stated it was unclear as to why the
Action Group would want to undertake land registry searches when this could be
undertaken by the local authority. He stated that there were a significant
number of owners to be identified and agreed that should the aim be to down
grade the byway then the highways Authority would have to establish the owners
as part of this process
Councillor McLaggan also spoke regarding this
matter, he stated that he too felt that more statistics could be gained if the
group was set up as a Sub-Committee of the Parish Council. .
The request for a financial donation was discussed
further, and it was agreed that although the Parish Council supported the
principals of the group, no financial donation could be considered until the
group was more finalised and more detailed costings and estimates were
available. Councillor Clayton abstained for this decision.
Action: Clerk to write to Bredhurst Parish Council.
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Lynch Bank – The Chairman summarised the advice
given by the Parish Councils Solicitors regarding the land registry of the
Lynch Bank, and he proposed the no further action should be taken regarding
this matter. This was agreed by all present.
5.0
Clerks Report.
The Clerks report was
noted, and the calendar was discussed and updated by members.
1.
Horish Wood Correspondence – noted by members, to be
discussed under agenda item.
2.
BTCV request for financial contribution – Clerk to place
on next agenda.
Action:
Agenda Item.
3.
KCC Consultation re South East Plan – noted.
4.
Consultation Document re Proposed Changes to Regional
Planning Guidance for the SE RPG9 – Waste & Minerals – noted.
5.
ACRK – ‘Defra’s Rural Social and Community Programme’
Consultation Event 28th September 11am –3pm @ Harrietsham Village
Hall – Clerk to book places for Cllrs McLaggan and Grimble.
Action:
Clerk to progress.
6.
Written apology and crime report from PC Gedge – noted.
7.
Written report from Councillor Robin Grimble – noted.
8.
Financial request from Bredhurst Woodland Action Group –
noted.
9.
Report on Local Needs Housing Meeting from Cllr McLaggan –
Agenda Item 15.
6.0
Chairman’s Report and Correspondence.
The Chairman gave his report to all present.
He reported on a meeting he had held with Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart to
discuss the parish and other associated matters.
Councillor Cosgrove stated that to date one quotation had been
received for the proposed work outside of the Cock Horse Public House.
Councillor McLaggan referred to work recently undertaken at the
village hall, and he suggested that the Parish Council approach this contractor
for a quotation.
Action: Clerk to liaise with
Lesley Savage regarding the contact details for the contractor.
Joint Transportation Board Meeting – The Chairman reported that the report for this
meeting identified traffic calming and gateway feature at a cost of £25,000 for
the year 2008/09. He asked the Clerk to write to Highways to establish further
details.
Action: Clerk to establish further
details.
White Horse Woods Opening – The Chairman reported that one place had been
reserved for this event, and he asked for a parish representative. Councillor
Grimble stated that he would attend this event to represent the Parish Council.
Action: Councillor Grimble to
attend.
KAPC Area Committee Meeting – Councillor McLaggan to attend this
forthcoming meeting.
Local Board Meeting – Councillor McLaggan stated that he attended this
meeting and suggested that this was a useful forum. The Parish Council should
ensure that a representative was sent to these meetings. He gave members a
brief report on this meeting.
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6.1
Chairman’s
Meetings – The Chairman asked for
members approval to start holding informal meetings with the Chairman of
neighbouring Parish Councils. He asked for members views on this idea.
Councillor McLaggan stated that in his view this
would be the first step to opening up communications with other Parishes.
Members gave their approval to hold these meetings.
7.0
Horish Wood.
Councillor Clayton
reported on the current situation and the negotiations regarding Horish Wood to
date. He stated that the Parish Council had put in an offer of £55,000, and
this had been accepted by Union Rail.
He reported that the
offer was based on the value of parcels of land being sold at auction, and
stated that it was unrealistic to expect to expect a bid of £30,00 to be
accepted.
Councillor Clayton stated
that the offer of £55,000 was accepted in the proviso that the cash could be
raised within six months of the acceptance of the offer.
The Chairman stated that
he, Councillor Clayton and Councillor Kennard had attended a meeting with the
Chairman and Clerk of Boxley Parish Council, to brief them on the current
situation.
Councillor Kennard
updated members on the grant applications for Horish Wood to date, and she
informed members that the following grants had been applied for:
Esmee Fairbourne Trust -
£20,000 - approved
Phillips Fund - £10,000 –
no response to date.
John Willett - £5,000 –
no response to date.
Kent Downs ANOB - £15,000
– no response to date.
KCC Capital Projects Fund
- £20,000 – approved, but still to be formally notified.
The Chairman stated that
he had also spoken to the County Showground about the possibility of a grant
for the Parish.
Councillor Kennard stated
that she was also hopeful of a grant from the RLI.
She stated that she
anticipated that the full funding would be in place by December 2005.
Councillor McLaggan spoke
regarding the plan of the site and asked about the remaining area of land near
to the site as it could be of use to the preservation of the woodland.
The Chairman responded to
this comment.
The Chairman formally
recorded the thanks of the Parish Council to Councillors Kennard and Clayton.
Councillor Cosgrove
reported on the pub garden project. He stated that he had spoken to local
resident Vernon Hucks about the possibility of designing and planting the
garden. He asked members whether they felt that this area, when completed
should be dedicated to former Parish Councillor Les Huggett.
Members felt that this
was a good idea, however they stated that they should gain the permission of
Les Huggett, and only proceed with the dedication, if he was in agreement.
Action:
Chairman to progress.
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8.0
Web Site.
Nothing to report.
9.0
Financial Report.
9.1
Financial
Statement
The Clerk presented the Financial Statement to members. It was
proposed by Councillor Clayton and seconded by Councillor Watson to accept this
report.
A discussion took place regarding the invoice for Sovereign Forestry
and the long term maintenance of the Scragged Oak View Point.
The Chairman stated that the View Point was the responsibility of KCC
and therefore they should be responsible for the maintenance of the site.
Councillor Grimble spoke regarding this matter and the long term
maintenance of the View Point.
This was discussed further and members agreed that the responsibility
of the View Point at present lay with KCC.
Action: Clerk to follow up with KCC.
Parish Council Savings Account
It was resolved to open a new Savings Account with the Co-operative
Bank for the Parish Council and to transfer over the balance from the National
Savings Account into this account as the interest rate was more preferable.
This was proposed by Councillor Clayton and seconded by Councillor Housden.
The forms were circulated to all members, and it was resolved that the
Trustees for this account would be Councillors Clayton, Cosgrove and McLaggan,
with the Clerk being given the authority to operate the account. This was
proposed by Councillor Housden and seconded by Councillor Watson, and agreed by
all present.
The forms were then circulated to the agreed Trustees for completion.
Action: Clerk to action accordingly.
9.2
Grants Report
Nothing further to report.
10.0 Public
Comment and Observations.
No matters were raised.
11.0
External Reports.
11.1
Police Report
PC Gedge gave his apologies to the meeting.
His report was circulated to all members in his
absence.
Councillor McLaggan raised concerns that youths
were congregating around the bus stop in the village. The Clerk confirmed that
this matter had been reported to PC Gedge.
11.2
Neighbourhood
Watch
Nothing to report.
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11.3
Police Liaison
Meeting
Nothing to report.
11.4
Kent County Council
: Councillor Paul Carter
Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart gave his apologies to the meeting.
11.5
Maidstone Borough
Council: Councillor John Horne
Councillor Horne gave his report to the meeting.
He reported on the Environment and Scrutiny
Overview on mobile phone masts.
He also reported on the Green Spaces Committee.
11.6
Village School
Councillor McLaggan reported on the Village School.
He stated that the new term had started and things were looking up for
the school.
11.7
Liaison with other
outside parties
Nothing to report.
11.8
Community Award.
Councillor Cosgrove reported on his suggestion for a Community Award
such as a ‘Villager of the Year’ Award.
This was discussed by members and the idea was well received.
Councillor McLaggan stated that if agreed that this should be done on
an adhoc basis.
Councillor Housden stated that he was in agreement with this being on
an adhoc basis and suggested that it should be advertised in the newsletter to
ask for nominations for the award.
Following the discussion, it was proposed to seek nominations for the
award and that the Parish Council would judge the nominations and present the
award.
Action: Chairman to draft article for newsletter
inviting nominations for the award.
12.0
Parish Sub-Committee Reports.
12.1
Planning
Nothing to
report.
12.2
Highways
It was reported that there was a large pot hole
outside of the village shop.
Action: Clerk to report to Highways.
Councillor McLaggan passed a plan to the Clerk for
forwarding onto Cluttons identifying the missing hedges along Church Lane.
Action: Clerk to send plan to Cluttons.
13.0
Public Open Space.
13.1
Hockers Farm
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Nothing further to report.
12.2 Open
Spaces
Councillor McLaggan reported on a recent meeting he
had attended with MBC to discuss local needs housing and an open space for the
village.
He reported that a new housing survey of the
village needed to be undertaken to establish the current need for local needs
housing in Detling.
It was agreed that this survey should be undertaken
as soon as possible. It was further agreed that these should be sent out to all
households by post and the Parish Council would finance the postage costs.
Councillor McLaggan stated that the Parish Council
also needed to identify some possible sites for local needs housing and inform
MBC of these.
Possible sites were discussed by members and it was
agreed that these ideas should be put forward for consideration.
The following sites were considered:
·
Hockers Farm site.
·
Metal Works Site –
Hockers Lane.
·
Land next to the
cricket field, Pilgrims Way.
Action: Clerk to liaise with the Rural Housing
Trust regarding the Housing Needs Survey and possible sites for housing within
the village.
Councillor McLaggan stated that the issue of an
open space for the village needed to be dealt with separately and possible
sites also needed to be identified.
This matter was discussed and the following sites
were suggested:
·
Hockers Farm Orchard.
·
Land next to the
village hall.
·
Scragged Oak View
Point?
The management of any possible open space was
discussed and it was agreed that the Parish Council needed to have a policy on
what to do with an open space.
Councillor Grimble left the meeting at 9.30pm.
It was resolved to extend Standing Orders to allow
the meeting to continue past 9.30pm.
14.0
Parish Plan.
Nothing to report.
15.0
Local Needs Housing.
Discussed under agenda item 13. Open Spaces.
16.0
Rural Transport Wardens.
Councillor
McLaggan reported on this matter and he submitted a report for inclusion in the
next newsletter asking for volunteers for rural transport wardens.
Action: Clerk to include item in
next newsletter.
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17.0
Newsletter.
The draft newsletter was
discussed and agreed.
Action:
Clerk to finalise Newsletter and send for printing.
18.0
Future Business.
It was reported that there was flytipping at the
bottom of Harple Lane and half way up Hermitage Lane.
Action: Clerk to write to MBC.
Councillor Clayton informed the meeting that the
notice board had been delivered.
It was agreed that the Parish Council would ask Mr
Elcome to install the notice board.
Action: Clerk to liaise with Mr Elcome re
installation of notice board.
Action: Clerk to write to land owner regarding
installation of the board.
19.0
Date of Next Meeting.
Tuesday
4th October 2005.
There being no further business the meeting closed
to the Press and Public at 9.34pm.
Signed:___________________________________________
Chairman
Dated:____________________________________________
