...in the Garden of England...
July 2008 Minutes
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF DITTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MONDAY 7th JULY 2008
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PRESENT: CLLRS. M J PORTER [Chairman], J A BEADLE [Vice-Chairman], R ANGEL, R G W BAKER, MRS A R BEADLE, M D BRINE, W CORDWELL, M LANDER, A R MULCUCK, D H NUNN, B D STONE, MRS A THROSSELL, MRS J F THWAITES
MRS S J KAVANAGH [Clerk of the Council] & MRS N GREENAWAY [Admin. Asst.]
129. OPENING OF MEETING
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
130. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Neighbourhood Police Officers Roddick and Dalton.
131. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS
Cllrs. Mrs Throssell and Mrs Thwaites declared a personal interest in item 135(b) ‘Cherry Orchard Neighbourhood Watch’ as they both live in Cherry Orchard. Cllr. Mulcuck also declared a personal interest in this item, as the applicant is a fellow member of Ditton Bowls Club.
Cllr. Mulcuck declared a personal interest in item 136(e) ‘Notice of Increase in photocopy charges’, as he is a member of a local club that uses the Council’s photocopying services.
132. CONFIRMATION & SIGNING OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 2ND JUNE 2008
The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd June 2008 were CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
133 MATTERS ARISING
134. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD DURING JUNE 2008
(a) For Confirmation
(i) COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMITTEE, 9TH JUNE 2008
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Beadle and CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
(ii) PLANNING COMMITTEE, 16TH JUNE 2008
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Mulcuck and CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
(iii) OPEN SPACES & AMENITIES COMMITTEE - 16th JUNE 2008
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Baker and CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
Cllr. Mulcuck reminded Members that judging of the gardens for this year’s Best Kept Garden Competition should be undertaken by 18th July 2008 and nominations forwarded to the committee clerk by that date..
(iv) PERSONNEL COMMITTEE, 30TH JUNE 2008
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Mrs Beadle and CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
(b) For Noting
(i) TWINNING COMMITTEE 5TH JUNE 2008
The above minutes were READ and NOTED.
135. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) For Noting
The following correspondence was READ and NOTED:-
T&M Parish Partnership Panel: Minutes of meeting held 29th May 2008
T&M Crime Prevention Panel: Agenda for meeting to be held 7th July 2008
Minutes of meeting held 21st April 2008
T&M Standards Committee: Agenda for meeting to be held 2nd July 2008
Minutes of meeting held 27th May 2008
Ditton Twinning Assoc: Letter of thanks re donation
Liz Short: Letter of thanks
The Rev’d Priscilla Payne: Letter of Thanks
Action with Communities in Rural: Rural News No:87 May 08
Kent
Dept for Business Enterprise &: Low Carbon Buildings Programme
Regulatory Reform
Kent Assoc of Local Councils: Parish News, Issue no 332 - 24th May 2008
Agenda for meeting to be held Thursday 19th June 2008
Computers 4 Africa: Request for donations of unused computer equipment
CommuniCorp: Local Councils Update, Issue 104
KCC: Library Service Aylesford & Mobile Library Service
Press Publishing: ‘Clerks & Council’s Direct – July 2008, issue 58
NALC: LCR News – Volume 60 No, 2, July 2008
(b) For Decision
Local Works: Guide to the Sustainable Communities Act
Information was READ and NOTED.
T&MBC: Leisure & Arts Strategy 2008 – 2013
Cllr. Mulcuck agreed to peruse this document and draft comments for approval at the next meeting.
KALC: Chairmanship Training Day – 17th July 2008
READ and NOTED Members have already received this training.
Councillors Information Day – 26th July 2008
READ and NOTED. Cllr. Beadle will advise the Clerk if he is able to attend.
Cherry Orchard Neighbourhood Request for photocopying of correspondence for members
Watch: of the scheme
An enquiry from the scheme co-ordinator, asking if this Council is able to copy the scheme correspondence for its members up to three times a year, was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED to accede to this request and advise the co-ordinator that the charge for this service would be 6p per copy.
Loic Flory: Kent Downs AONB Management Plan – your views
Members were advised that they can view this document at www.kentdowns.org.uk/managing.html. Any comments Members wish to make on the document can be forwarded to Clerk for submission, or alternatively Members can submit their views directly on-line.
136. FINANCE
(a) Accounts Received
The following accounts received were READ and NOTED:-
Allotment Holder: Replacement Track & Allotment Key 14.00
Ditton Bowls Club: Water Charges 37.38
Annual Lease Fee 71.51 108.89
Diton Infants School: Grounds Maintenance 455.46
Ditton Minors FC: Water Charges NRRG 14.50
Pitch Marking NRRG 63.00 77.50
Ditton Petanque Club: Piste Fee & Food Prep 104.96
Holtwood Rangers FC: Football Pitch Fees 2008/09 319.00
Multi Sports: Income 552.50
CEF: Reimbursement (Invoice Paid Twice) 46.00
(b) Accounts For Payment
RESOLVED the following accounts be ACCEPTED, APPROVED and PAID:-
Salaries: Gross: 152415.40 Net: 11005.06
DPC Imprest A/C: June Reimbursement 704.71*
Kent County Council: Superannuation Subscriptions – June 2008 TBA
Aquaid [Kent]: Environmental Charges & Water 37.05
Vat 6.48 43.53
Astra Security Systems: 3 x keys for top track gate 26.55
Vat 4.65 31.20
Cobra Insurance Brokers: Additional Items to Policy OSA 187.26
Addition of Trailer 30.74 218.00
Ernest Doe: Ransome Jacobson Gang Mowers 10259.00
Less Discount 1559.00
8700.00
Less Sale of old Gang Mowers -940.00
7760.00
Vat 1522.50 9282.50
Farmura Limited: Filter for Sprayer 20.00
Vat 3.51 23.51
G Haffenden: Allotment Skip (April 3yd) 130.00
“ “ (June 2yd) 100.00
Vat 40.25 270.25
Kent County Council: Ground Marking, Fencing Pins & Gloves 153.49
Stationery 27.10
180.59
Vat 31.60 212.19
MAB Groundscare: Repairs to Toro & Ransome Superbowl 143.05
Vat 25.04 168.09
Maidstone & Tunbridge Provision of Medical Report 50.00
Wells NHS Trust:
Mower Plant Services: Spares for UN21 & UM356 Mowers 62.22
Vat 10.89 73.11
Moreprint: Polo Shirt & Logo – OSA 100.20
Vat 17.54 117.74
Open Spaces Society: Annual Subscriptions 30.00
Parker Merchanting: Safety Boots and Safety Glasses 27.93
Helmets for Scaffold Course 34.00
Waterproof Clothing – Grounds staff 11.24
WD40, Grafisol, Spray Grease 16.53
89.70
Vat 15.70 105.40
Parkfoot Garages Limited: Vehicle Diesel 51.10
Vat 8.94 60.04
Dean Pullinger: Locking Playarea – June 2008 25.00
Sage: Payroll Support to 5.7.2008 275.00
Vat 48.13 323.13
N Saunders Plants for War Memorial & Roundels 70.00
John Shaw [Machinery] Toro Blade 52.90
Vat 9.26 62.16
SSG Emprise: Key Holder Service for Alarms 20.83
Vat 3.65 24.48
Stream Nurseries: Refilling 18 Hanging Baskets 180.00
Southern Water: Waste Water 24.31
South East Water: Ditton Bowls Club (to be reimbursed) 42.12
Three Towns Office White Envelopes 38.94
Equipment Limited: Vat 6.81 45.75
Travis Perkins: Hire of Heavy Stump Grinder 105.00
Macadam repair, sadolin, sandpaper 111.14
Vat 37.83 253.97
Watling Tyres: 350/+375/+400/-6 Tubeline TU (Toro) 12.00
Vat 2.10 14.10
Breakdown of Expenditure from Imprest Account during June 2008
Carried Forward 1st June 2008 1942.83
Add: PC Reimbursement 557.17
2500.00
Deduct: June Expenses
Voucher Charge 3.25
Postage Stamps 63.00
Community Centre Expenses 188.99
Bar Wages 15.40
Flowers 20.00
Gen. Petty Cash Reimbursements 122.89
Bar Petty Cash Reimbursement 106.18
Amusements for 28/6/08 185.00 704.71*
Balance 1795.29
*Sum to be drawn on 7th July 2008 to restore balance to £ 2500.00
(c) Direct Debits - Paid During May 2008
The following direct debits paid during May were READ, APPROVED and NOTED:-
01.05.08 WPA Health 573.48
01.05.08 02 29.13
01.05.08 Sky Business 306.68
06.05.08 RBOS PLC Mentor 365.17
08.05.08 Nildram 42.82
13.05.08 Post Office 70.27
20.05.08 S & N UK Ltd 5335.02
20.05.08 Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council 1143.00
20.05.08 Red Fuelcards 26.94
21.05.08 Euphony Communications 50.00
21.05.08 Waverley TBS 959.39
23.05.08 EBS Direct Debits 20.00
27.05.08 BOC Manchester Acc 235.00
28.05.08 Walkers Snacks 221.82
28.05.08 NW Business Card 122.66
(d) Investment
(i) STRATEGY 2008 – for approval
A draft investment strategy prepared by the Clerk, and which had been previously circulated, was READ. It was NOTED that Cllrs. Beadle and Nunn had previously perused this document and confirmed that it met the legal requirements and was in accordance with this Council’s policy.
RESOLVED to APPROVE and ADOPT the strategy for financial year 2008/2009.
(ii) INCOME AND CAPITAL ACCOUNTS TO 15.6.2008
Cllr. Beadle presented the income and capital accounts and NOTED the increase in expendable income.
(e) Notice of Increase to Photocopy Charges
A communication from Kent Photocopy Services was READ and the 25% increase in copy charges NOTED. Discussion took place.
RESOLVED to increase this Councils charges for photocopying services to, 6p for A4 & 12p for A3 for local organisations and 12p for A4 & 24p for all others.
137. REPORTS FROM BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Borough Cllr. Stone reported on the following matters:-
- Local Nature Reserve Designation – the legal requirements to delegate the power to this Council to declare the land at Ditton Court Quarry as a Local Nature Reserve has now been confirmed by the Borough Council. The delegated power will be ratified by the Borough Council this week.
- Woodlands Parade – the Borough Council is holding a meeting with Mr Kooner this week in an endeavour to progress the proposed enhancements. Cllr. Stone will be attend the meeting and will report back to this Council.
- Tourist Information Leaflets – these will include details of the Heritage Days and will be widely circulated.
Co. Cllr. Rowe reported on the following matters:-
- Coldharbour Lane Gypsy Site - Cllr, Rowe has recently been notified that KCC are planning to relocate, expand and improve the site. Further details will follow in due course.
- Aylesford Static Library - is scheduled to close at the end of July, with vacation at the end of August, from the village hall site. A new revised mobile library schedule is being organised to reduce the impact BUT this will have implications for Ditton. The fortnightly Priory Grove stop will cease as from 23rd June. Ditton will be served by a fortnightly stop on Wednesdays 5.20pm - 5.40pm on Woodlands Road and New Road (Ditton Primary School) on the alternate Wednesdays.
- Joint Transportation Board - At the last held on 9th June the following matters concerned Ditton:-
- The section of Bellingham Way from College Road to entrance of ANL was formally adopted this year .ANL funded a TRO to extend plans to deter persistent overnight parking of HGV`s. This has resulted in improved safety, an increase in traffic flows and decrease in litter.
- The following areas have been identified for Parking Plan and analysis:-
a) Priory Grove
b) Acorn Grove/junction with Woodlands Road
c) Bradbourne Lane/junction with A20
d) Cobdown Close/Orchard Grove
e) New Road/vicinity of school
f) Scott Close/junction with New Road
g) Fernleigh Rise
- Flyposting - In order to record and monitor the instances of flyposting, Parish Council Members are encouraged to report such matters to Kent Contact Centre on 08458 247 800.
This will ensure that details and actions are recorded and will enable KHS to gather information regarding the extent of the problem. Action can then follow.
- Parish Partnership Minutes – Minutes of the meeting held on 29.5.08 have now been sent out. The autumn meeting will be providing details of Cold Calling Controlled Zones. If Ditton is interested in setting one up the Council should indicate an interest as soon as possible.
- Issue 123 Inside Track - gives opportunities for applying for grant aid including Local Members Grants and Small Community Capital Projects Fund.
- Newsletter of Alzheimer`s Society – copy left with Clerk.
Members expressed concern that KCC has discontinued the mobile library stop in Priory Grove without consulting the residents or parish council. Cllr. Rowe explained that it had been assumed that Priory Grove was in Aylesford and would therefore have been included in the initial consultation, but this was not the case. He advised, however, that the residents have now been informed of the discontinuation of this service.
138. REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICE/PARISH WARDEN
PC’s Roddick and Dalton had previously tendered their apologies for being unable to attend the meeting. PC Roddick’s report on crime figures in Ditton were READ and NOTED as follows:-
- Total Crime during June 2008 = 18. This figures was broken down as;
- Criminal Damage – 4
- Vehicle Crime – 7
- Theft of a Motor vehicle = 1 (This has now been recovered)
- Theft From Motor Vehicle = 6 (All of which could have been avoided if people took their valuables out of their vehicles! – 4 of these were SATNAV’s)
- Burglaries Total = 3
- Sheds/Garages = 2 (Flymo stolen from shed on 1, nothing stolen from the other)
- Dwelling =1 (window left open and computer stolen)
- Other Crime: 4
The crime figures for the same period last year = 11 and the previous months total crimes = 9
- Year on year since April, Ditton has an overall reduction in crime by 34.9% which equates to 22 less crimes.
- An article has been put in the latest edition of the Gazette which makes particular mention to the theft from vehicles and reminds people to remove valuables from sight.
- Laminated posters also going up around the estate in an effort to remind people.
139. PLANNING MATTERS
Cllr. Stone requested it be NOTED that his comments and decisions on planning applications at this meeting are a preliminary view and, in accordance with his Code of Conduct, he will look at all applications afresh at Borough Council level and consider them solely on the basis of evidence placed before him at that meeting.
(a) Plans Received for Comment
TM/08/01669/FL Demolition of existing conservatory and construction of replacement conservatory
36 Station Road
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/08/01772/RD Details of contamination investigations submitted Pursuant to condition 5 of planning permission TM/08/00237/FL: change of use of ground floor (No.18) and two storey extension to rear to form 4 self-contained flats (RE-SUBMISSION)
16-18 New Road
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/08/01766/FL Two storey rear extension.
65 Pear Tree Ave
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/08/01777/FL New entrance gate, new fencing, extensions to form storage, new roof opening, new openings to front elevations and new door, Motor Vehicle Workshop is to be VOSA compliant for MOT testing
Unit 6 Larkfield Mill Bellingham Way
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
(b) Plans Dealt with by Tonbridge & Malling Area Sub-Committee No. 3
The following decisions were READ and NOTED:-
TM/08/01389/TPOC Removal of two sweet chestnut stumps covered by Tree Preservation Order Ditton No.2 1992 (ref.12-06.26)
8 Cedar Close
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/08/01203/FL Amend condition 6 of planning consent TM/07/03375 for sale of alcohol – terminal hour 23.30. Closure of premises – terminal hour 00.00
42 New Road
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/08/01450/TPOC Sweet chestnut (multi-stemmed) lift crown, reduce selected branches and balance
55 Primrose Drive
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/08/01539/FL Two storey side extension
573 London Road
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/08/01374/FL Ground floor extension to rear and garage to side
81 Priory Grove
GRANTED WITH CONDITONS
TM/08/01384/FL New chimney stack on north-east elevation
19 Scott Close
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
(c) ‘B’ Lists
The following ‘B’ Lists were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
08/23 - 09.06.2008; 08/24 - 16.06.2008; 08/25 - 23.06.08
(d) Agenda, Notes & Minutes from TMBC Area 3 Planning Committee
The above agenda, minutes and notes were READ and the following permissions NOTED:-
Bradbourne House – Removal of undergrowth from around trees north of the lake and removal of 5 American Blue Cedar trees.
Larkfield Priory Hotel – Change of use to residential/nursing home.
140. MATTERS ARISING FROM “CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING”
There were no matters arising.
141. CLOSURE
The Meeting closed at 8.35pm.
Chairman
4th August 2008