Ditton Parish Council
Meeting Minutes, June 2006
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF DITTON PARISH COUNCIL,
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MONDAY, 5th JUNE 2006
[Click here for a downloadable version in Adobe PDF file format.]
PRESENT: CLLRS. J D DAY [Chairman],
M J PORTER [Vice-Chairman], R G W BAKER, MRS A BEADLE, J BEADLE, J E DESAVE,
A R MULCUCK, MRS M MULCUCK, P A THORPE, MRS A THROSSELL & MRS J F
THWAITES. BOROUGH CLLRS. G COURT & MRS SIMPSON, POLICE SARGEANT S
CABLE & MR R ANGEL.
MRS S J KAVANAGH [Clerk of the Council] & MRS N GREENAWAY [Admin.
Asst]
66. OPENING OF MEETING
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm and welcomed Borough Councillors
Mrs Simpson and Mr Court, Police Sargeant Cable and Mr Angel.
67. CASUAL VACANCY
Members were advised that as no election has been called to fill the casual
vacancy on this Council it may now be filled by co-option.
The Chairman read a letter of introduction from Mr Angel of Ragstone Court
who wished to be considered for the casual vacancy.
PROPOSED by Cllr. Porter, SECONDED by Cllr. Baker that Mr Angel be co-opted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Mr Angel duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and undertaking
to abide by the Code of Conduct adopted by this Council on 22nd April
2002.
68. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Previously notified apologies were RECEIVED and ACCEPTED from Cllr. Mrs
DeSave, Community Warden Tom Hawkwood and P C Roddick.
69. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS & EXPENDITURE
There were no declarations of interest or expenditure at this point in
the meeting.
70. CONFIRMATION & SIGNING OF MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING HELD ON 3rd MAY 2006
The minutes of the meeting held on 3rd May 2006 were CONFIRMED and SIGNED,
subject to Cllr. Mrs Throssell’s name being deleted from membership of
the Community Centre Committee.
The chairman moved that minute item 76, ‘Report from Community Police/Warden’
be brought forward to enable Police Sargeant Cable to address the Council
and return to his policing duties as quickly as possible.
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REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICE/ WARDEN
Police Sargeant Cable gave an overview of his duties and responsibilities
as the officer in charge of the Snodland & Malling Neighbourhood Policing
Team. He also advised that there is now an answerphone service at Snodland
for non-urgent out of hours calls (01622 600975), and dealt with questions
from Cllrs. DeSave, Beadle, Day and Thorpe.
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71. MATTERS ARISING
(a) New Road Business Estate (Page 12, item 16(g)
A further communication from T&MBC’s Director of Planning & Transportation
was READ and his comments NOTED.
A letter from Asprey Homes was CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED.
Cllr. Mulcuck requested that his objections be recorded to the way in
which the matter has been handled by Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council
and the division of funds.
Cllr. Beadle also requested this Council’s disappointed be recorded at
the way in which the Borough Council seized the opportunity to take some
of the funds from this development, which the developer wanted spent in
this parish, for another purpose.
72. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD DURING MAY 2006
Cllr. Mulcuck requested that item (iv) be taken first, as the recommendation
contained in these minutes will have an impact on the ratification of
the following minutes.
RESOLVED to accede to this request.
(a) For Confirmation
(iv) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE, 22nd MAY 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Day and accepted as a true record
of the meeting.
1. Profit & Loss [Page29, Item 62] – RECOMMENDATION
RESOLVED to RATIFY the recommendation to freeze capital expenditure pending
a financial review.
2. Data Protection Act 1998 [Page 30, Item 644] - RECOMMENDATION
RESOLVED to RATIFY the recommendation to adopt the Data Protection Policy
and procedures drafted by the Clerk.
(i) COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMITTEE, 8th MAY 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. DeSave and accepted as a correct
record.
1. Refurbishment of Kilnbarn Club [Page 18, item 72(c) RECOMMENDATION
The recommendation regarding the expenditure from reserves for the refurbishment
of the Kilnbarn Club was not accepted.
(ii) PLANNING COMMITTEE, 15th MAY 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Mulcuck and accepted as a true
record.
Cllr. Mulcuck advised Members that the Texaco Licence application is going
to appeal and that Cllr. Beadle and he will attend the hearing.
(iii) OPEN SPACES & AMENITIES COMMITTEE, 15th MAY 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Baker and accepted as a correct
record.
(b) For Noting
(i) DITTON FAMILY DAY COMMITTEE, 25th MAY 2006
The above minutes were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED. Cllr. Mulcuck informed
Members of the joint ventures planned with the Twinning Committee and
that he was pleased to see more people attending the meetings.
(ii) DITTON TWINNING ASSOCIATION, 25TH MAY 2006 - Herewith
The above minutes were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED.
Cllr. Beadle advised that fund-raising was becoming a problem for the
Twinning association and the 100 club has floundered because of lack of
support.
Cllr. DeSave advised that he felt this is a Council initiative and should
be supported financially by the Parish Council.
(c) For Amendment
Finance & Administration 27th March 2006 – [Page 434, Item 625(d)]
A request from the Council’s Investment Fund Managers to change the word
‘yield’ to ‘income’ in the second paragraph of this item, to reflect both
growth and interest from the investment was NOTED.
RESOLVED to accede to this request.
73. CORRESPONDENCE
For Noting
The following correspondence for noting was CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
Ton. & Malling Boro’ Cncl: Minutes of Council, Cabinet & Committee
Meetings 2006 Vol. 2. 20.2.2006 – 6.04.2006
Licensing Act 2003: Pace Ditton Xpress Budgens, London Road
Summer Playscheme 2006
Anti-Social Behaviour
Alcohol & Entertainment’s Meeting 4.5.2006
Agenda for Annual Meeting
Notice of Meeting of Parish Partnership Panel, 1st June 2006
(Circulated with this Agenda to enable Members wishing to attend to have
the information to do so)
Kent County Council: Notes of Local Boards Meetings
Plus Publishing: ‘Clerks & Councils Direct’ May 2006, Issue 45
‘Local Councils Update’ May 2006, Issue 79
KAPC: ‘Parish News’, Issue 316, 2nd May 2006
NALC: ‘Local Council Review’, Vol 58 No. 1. May 2006
Kent Police: ‘Policing Your Area’
‘We’re Changing’, Update June 2006
PCSO’s
NatWest Mentor Services: Legal Update Issue 15 April 2006
Wildlife Trusts: ‘Natural World 2006’
‘Wild Kent’ Spring 2006
Events In Kent & Medway June – Sept 2006
Rural Kent: ‘Rural News 75’
Minutes of Annual Meeting held 19/10/2006 & Invitation to Strawberries
& Cream Meeting on 22/6/2006
SLCC: Summer Seminars – ‘Inside Neighbourhood Governance’
Malling Volunteer Bureau: Letter of Thanks
Mr C P Clarke: Priory Park, Ditton (Copy of communication to Mr Martin)
For Decision (Copies previously circulated)
Kent County Council: Public Footpath MR100 – Access to St Peter’s Church
Discussion on the proposal to remove the Yorkstone at this location and
replace it with a tarmac path with a top dressing of bonded gravel was
READ and the PCC’s suggestion to replace only the section in front of
the church gate was NOTED.
Members were unhappy with the PCC’S suggestion to replace only a small
section of the path, unless it was with pavior bricks to match the existing
path around the church wall. Members also felt they would like to see
the final effect of tarmac and bonded gravel before agreeing to this option.
RESOLVED TO REQUEST A SITE MEETING TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER FURTHER.
Ton & Malling Boro’ Cncl: Green Waste & Cardboard Collection
RESOLVED TO DECLINE THE OFFER OF A PRESENTATION AS THIS COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY
HAD ONE.
Kent Fire & Rescue Svs: Community Safety Day – Larkfield Fire Station
A request for a donation towards prizes for a poster competition involving
all local schools, including the two in Ditton, in conjunction with their
Community Safety Day on 29th July was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED TO MAKE A DONATION OF £50 FROM THE CHARITIES ACCOUNT UNDER
SECTION 137 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972.
Charter 88: Community Decline & Charter 88’s Campaign for a Modern
Democracy Empowering Citizens and Local Councils
RESOLVED TO OBTAIN FURTHER INFORMATION BEFORE SUPPORTING THIS CAMPAIGN.
Kent Police: Police Community Support Officers
It was NOTED that although there would be no cost to the parish in the
first year of employment, parishes would be expected to fund 25% of the
costs in the second year and 50% in the third year, with the likelihood
of funding being completely withdrawn by the 4th year.
Discussion took place and it was suggested that an attempt be made to
find partner funding to employ a PCSO and also the possibility of sharing
one with neighbouring parishes.
RESOLVED A DECISION BE HELD OVER UNTIL LATER IN THE YEAR WHEN PARTNER
FUNDING HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED.
Ditton Junior School: Release of Funds for Wildlife Garden
A request for the release of the promised donation of £500 was READ
and an invitation to attend the Grand Opening of the Wildlife Garden at
2.00pm on 7th July 2006 was NOTED.
RESOLVED THAT THE FUNDS BE RELEASED AND PAID FROM THE CHARITIES ACCOUNT
UNDER SECTION 137 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972
NOTED that Cllrs. Mulcuck, Mrs Mulcuck and Mrs Throssell will attend and
Cllrs. Mrs Thwaites and the Chairman will check their diaries.
74. FINANCE
Accounts Received
The following accounts received were READ and NOTED:-
Allotment Holders: Deposits on New Key 116.00
C.K. Maintenance: Gazette Advertisement 62.00
Ditton Guides: Energy Charges Guide HQ 14.76
Ditton Infants School: Grounds Maintenance 106.41
Ditton Junior School: Grounds Maintenance - March 259.48
Grounds Maintenance - April 267.14 526.62
KMS: Gazette Advertisement 60.00
Multi Sports: Hire Fees 671.00 Pasquales Hair: Gazette Advertisement 35.00
Photocopy Users: Income 10.00
Accounts For Payment
RESOLVED the following accounts be ACCEPTED, APPROVED and PAID:-
Salaries: Gross: 14018.32 Nett: 10310.74
DPC Imprest A/C: May Reimbursement 5219.06*
Action in Communities: Membership Fee 35.00
AquAid(Kent): Water – 10.04.06 12.50
Vat 2.19 14.69
Audit Commission: Audit Fees 2005/05 6982.00
Vat 1221.85 8203.85
Forge Engineering: Steel Chequer Plate for Workshop 65.00
Vat 11.38 76.38
G. Haffenden Skip Hire in Allotments (March) 85.00
“ “ “ (May) 100.00
Vat 32.38 217.38
Initial Fire & Security: Repairs to Alarm after Intruder 163.80
In Vehicle Garage Vat 28.67 192.47
Kent County Council: Internal Audit 2nd & 3rd Visit 500.00
Vat 87.50 587.50
Kent County Council: Stationery, Fax Machine & Pitch 217.21
Marker Vat 38.02 255.23
Kent County Council: Superannuation Subscriptions - May 2699.88
Kent County Council: Sacks, Envelopes 18.94
Vat 3.31 22.25
Land Tecnics Ltd: Oil Filters & Couplings 196.23
Vat 34.34 230.57
Lawrence Insurance: Traders Combined (Gen) 7557.71
Peter Mackelden: To Break up Toilet Block Base 1150.00
NRRG Vat 201.25 1351.25
Mid Kent Water: Bowls Club , Allotments & Cricket 35.29
Kiln Barn Recreation Ground 37.07
Toilet Block NRRG 12.30 84.66
Monro South: Turf & Grass Seed for Cricket Square 99.84
& Grounds Maintenance Vat 6.18 106.02
Mower Plant Services: Oil & Clutch Cable for Mowers 24.57
Front Adjuster Knobs 15.00
Parts for Masport 500 58.03
97.60
Vat 17.09 114.69
National Soc Allotments Affiliation Fees 50.00
& Leisure Gardens: Vat 8.75 58.75
Netbox5 Ltd: Transfer of Computers 60.00
Server and 5 Work Stations Vat 10.50 70.50
Parker Merchanting: Marker Spray & Safety Boots 48.27
Gloves, Cable Ties & Coverall 35.17
83.44
Vat 14.60 98.04
T. Parker & Sons Overseed Football Pitches 250.00
(Turf Management): Vat 43.75 293.75
Parkfoot Service Station: Vehicle Diesel 34.04
Vat 5.96 40.00
Mr D Pullinger: Locking Play Area – May 2006 25.00
RBS Accounting: To Carry Out Year End Closedown 345.00
Vat 60.38 405.38
Sage (UK) Ltd: 1000 x Pay Envelopes 39.00
Vat 6.83 45.83
John Shaw: Belt & Tyres – Toro Mower 198.64
34.76 233.40
Clive Stanley Associates: Webmaster Services 1st March – 31st May 297.00
Top2Bottom: Emergency Repair to Tractor Shed 140.00
Supply & Fit Privacy Screen 325.00
Roof After Intruder 465.00
Vat 81.37 546.37
Three Towns Office Equip: Fireproof
cabinets, Storage Wall
Desk, etc. 4060.95
Vat 710.66 4771.61
Travis Perkins Trading: Hire
of Hammer Drill &
Seat & Cover plus PTFE Tape 119.48
Materials to repair workshop roof 115.87
Vat 41.20 276.55
Breakdown of Expenditure from Imprest Account during May 2006
Carried Forward 1st May 2006 490.82
Add: PC reimbursement 5564.68
6055.50
Deduct: May Expenses
Voucher Charge 3.25
Inland Revenue 5155.31
Postage Stamps 55.00
OSA Expenses 16.00
Welding – Hydraulic Lift 40.00
SLCC fee return of Portfolio 5.00 5274.56
780.94
Sum to be drawn on 5th June 2006 5219.06*
BALANCE 6000.00
*Sum required to restore balance to £6000.00
(c) Direct Debits - Paid During April 2006
The following direct debits paid during April 2006 were READ, ACCEPTED
and APPROVED:-
[i] DITTON PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNT
03.04.06 O2 19.46
03.04.06 WPA Health Care 418.17
05.04.06 RBS Mentor 284.35
07.04.06 Nildram 42.82
20.04.06 Pace Petroleum 15.01
27.04.06 Euphony Communications 13.75
28.04.06 Siemens Financial Services 564.00
26.04.06 Nat West Bank Line 46.50
28.04.06 Nat West Business Card 414.94
[ii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE BAR ACCOUNT
03.04.06 Sky Business 246.75
10.04.06 Post Office Ltd 58.52
20.04.06 Scottish Courage – Stock 808.83
21.04.06 Beer Cellar 1159.33
24.04.06 AMLD - Gaming Machine 124.00
25.04.06 BOC Manchester – Beer Gas 229.13
28.04.06 Walkers Snacks Ltd 302.40
30.04.06 Nat West Account Charge 55 00
[iii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ACCOUNT
11.04.06 BG CGABS (Gas) 2672.04
20.04.06 Tonbridge & Malling BC – Business Rate 1261.81
25.04.06 Seeboard Energy Elec 980.00
30.04.05 Nat West Account Charge 55.00
75. REPORTS FROM BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
County Cllr. Geoff Rowe reported on the following matters:-
Joint Transportation Board – At the meeting scheduled to be held on 12.6.06
the following Ditton projects will be reported as planned maintenance:
Resurfacing of Pear Tree Ave and Chestnut Walk.
Community Warden – Ditton’s Warden, Tom Hawkwood, is undertaking additional
duties at Burham, on a temporary basis to assist with cover for their
Warden who is on secondment to Swale. Tom`s work at Burham means that
he is unable to give full-time to Ditton for the time being. Co. Cllr.
Rowe requested comments on this matter to be passed to him.
Members expressed concern and disappointment that Kent County Council
had neither consulted nor informed the Council of this matter and requested
Kent County Council be advised of this Council’s dissatisfaction with
the way this was handled.
Tour De France 2007 - This is scheduled to come to Tonbridge & Malling
on Sunday 8th July 2007. Parish Councils are being asked to consider laying
on a special village event as part of the celebrations. T&MBC will
be contacting Parish Councils in due course. Perhaps Ditton may like to
consider involving their twin town.
New Road Business Park Housing Development - The Borough Council’s rational
for the division of funds and the 15k being given to Larkfield Leisure
Centre.
‘Walks in Kent` Pack – These are available free of charge from www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent.
The Clerk agreed to order packs for the Council
76. REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICE/ WARDEN
Apologies for absence had previously been RECEIVED from Community Warden
Tom Hawkwood and P C Matt Roddick.
77. PLANNING MATTERS
Plans Received for Comment
TM/06/01366/FL New Security Fencing & Gates to Perimeter of Site
Target Express Unit 2 Bellingham
Way
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/06/01160/FL First Floor Rear Extension to existing dwelling: ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION- NORTHERN ELEVATION
18 Primrose Drive
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/06/01443/FL Double Storey Pitched Roof side extension & single
storey pitched roof extension to front porch providing extended facilities
3 Fernleigh Rise
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL OBJECTS TO THIS APPLICATION AS THERE IS NO PROVISION
FOR REAR ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY. IT IS ALSO CONCERNED THAT IF THE NEXT
DOOR PROPERTY WERE TO BUILD A SIMILAR EXTENSION UP TO THE BOUNDARY THEN
THIS WOULD CREATED A TERRACED EFFECT.
TM/06/01164 Installation of a tower crane – Photo - Montage showing proposed
crane in relation to Building
Unit 2, Site G Bellingham Way
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL OBJECTS TO THIS APPLICATION AS IT WOLD NOT LIKE
TO SEE SUCH A LARGE CONSTRUCTION AS A PERMANENT FIXTURE AS IT WOULD IMPAIR
THE VISUAL AMENITY OF THE AREA. THIS COUNCIL WOULD ALSO HAVE LIKED MORE
INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSED USEAGE AND NECESSITY OF THE CRANE.
TM/06/01062 First Floor side and single storey rear extensionREVISED PLANS
SHOWING 1.8M HIGH
OBSCURE GLAZED PANELS EITHER SIDE OF PROPOSED BALCONY AREA
45 Ragstone Court
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/06/01699/FL Car Park Extension EM Research Stn
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION, HOWEVER THE COUNCIL WONDERED IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE
TO INCORPORATE A SCHEME TO RECYCLE RAIN WATER WHEN THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM
FOR THE CAR PARK IS BUILT.
(b) Plans Dealt with by Tonbridge & Malling Area Sub-Committee No.
3
The following decision was READ and NOTED:-
TM/06/00632/RD Details of drainage submitted pursuant to Condition 8 of
planning permission TM/05/01040/FL: Seventeen B1(c) B2 & B8 Buildings
with associated yards, parking areas, Hard and soft landscaping
Site 2 and Former DPC Allotments
APPROVED
(c) ‘B’ Lists
The following ‘B’ Lists were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
06/19 - 08.05.2006; 06/09 - 15.05.2006
(d) Minutes/Notes/etc. of Area 3 Planning Sub-Committee
The above document was not available.
(e) Property Numbering – New Dwelling at Bradbourne Lane
The new dwelling at this location will be known as ‘High Bank, 43 Bradbourne
Lane, Ditton, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6PD’.
(f) Kent Highway Services Parish/Town Council Briefings
The above briefing will take place on 28th June at the Gravesend Office
and will take the format of an open afternoon. A short presentation will
be given at 3.30pm and repeated at 5.00pm and 6.30pm.
NOTED no Member is available to attend.
78. INSURANCE REVIEW
The Clerk advised that she is currently undertaking a review of all the
Council’s insurances and has been unhappy for some time with the level
of service being given by the current Insurance Broker.
The Clerk advised that she wished to change Brokers and place the Councils
insurances with Cobra.
RESOLVED to accede to this request.
79. MATTERS ARISING FROM “CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING” [Item 8(a)]
There were no matters arising.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
In view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted,
the Chairman moved that the press and public be excluded from this part
of the meeting in accordance with Standing Orders 27 & 50.
80. PERSONNEL MATTER
The Clerk advised Members that Mr Paul Rothwell had given in his notice
and left the Council’s employ on the 28th May 2006. He would, however,
be willing to help out and cover weekend evening shifts, if needed.
Several applications have been received to fill the vacant position and
a short list drawn up. Interviews have been arranged for this Friday,
9th May.
RESOLVED the interview panel will be the Chair and Vice-Chair of the personnel
Committee and the Clerk.
81. CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 9.25pm.
Chairman
3rd July 2006