Ditton Parish Council
Annual Parish Council Meeting
Minutes, May 2006
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF DITTON PARISH COUNCIL,
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY, 3rd MAY 2006
[Click here for a downloadable version in Adobe PDF file format.]
PRESENT: CLLRS. J D DAY [Chairman], R G W BAKER, MRS A BEADLE, J BEADLE,
MRS J E DESAVE & J E DESAVE(until 9.05pm), A R MULCUCK, MRS M MULCUCK,
P A THORPE, MRS A THROSSELL & MRS J F THWAITES
MRS S J KAVANAGH [Clerk of the
Council], MRS M GRANTHAM [Community Centre Administrator] & MRS N
GREENAWAY [Administrative Assistant]
PART I
OPENING OF MEETING
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm and welcomed all Members to
the first meeting in the new municipal year.
The Chairman READ a letter, received today from Cllr Mrs Jeannette Thorpe
giving her resignation from the Council owing to work commitments.
RESOLVED to accept Mrs Thorpe’s resignation and to thank her for her contribution
to the Council and to declare a casual vacancy.
2 APOLOGIES
Previously notified apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs. Porter,
Mrs Thorpe, PC Matt Roddick and Tom Hawkwood (Community Warden).
3 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN FOR 2006/2007
Cllr. Day was NOMINATED by Cllr. Mulcuck and SECONDED by Cllr. Mrs De
Save.
There being no further nominations, Cllr. Day was duly elected Chairman
of the Council for 2006/2007.
4 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR 2006/2007
Cllr. Porter was NOMINATED by Cllr. DeSave and SECONDED by Cllr. Baker.
There being no further nominations, Cllr. Porter was duly elected Vice-Chairman
of the Council for 2006/2007.
5 DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE - CHAIRMAN
Cllr. Day 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.
6 APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES FOR 2006/2007
The following committee appointments were made:-
[a] Planning - 11 Members
[i] MEMBERSHIP
Cllr. R G W Baker Cllr. Mrs M Mulcuck
Cllr. Mrs A Beadle Cllr. A R Mulcuck
Cllr. J Beadle Cllr. P A Thorpe
Cllr. Mrs J E DeSave Cllr. Mrs A Throssell
Cllr. J E DeSave Cllr. Mrs J F Thwaites
VACANCY
[ii] ELECTION OF CHAIR
Cllr. Mulcuck was NOMINATED by Cllr. Mrs Thwaites and SECONDED by Cllr.
Thorpe.
There being no further nominations, Cllr. Mulcuck was duly elected Chairman
of the Planning Committee for 2006/2007.
Vice-Chairman to be elected at the first Meeting of the Committee.
[b] Community Centre - 8 Members
[i] MEMBERSHIP
Cllr. R G W Baker Cllr. A R Mulcuck
Cllr. Mrs A Beadle Cllr. P A Thorpe
Cllr. Mrs J E DeSave Cllr. M J Porter
Cllr. J E DeSave
[ii] ELECTION OF CHAIR
Cllr. DeSave was NOMINATED by Cllr. Mrs DeSave and SECONDED by Cllr. Baker.
There being no further nominations, Cllr. DeSave was duly elected Chairman
of the Community Centre Committee for 2006/2007.
Vice-Chairman to be elected at the first Meeting of the Committee.
[c] Open Spaces & Amenities - 7 Members
[i] MEMBERSHIP
Cllr. Mrs M Mulcuck
Cllr. R G W Baker Cllr. P A Thorpe
Cllr. J E DeSave Cllr. Mrs A Throssell
Cllr. A R Mulcuck Cllr. Mrs J F Thwaites
[ii] ELECTION OF CHAIR
Cllr. Baker was NOMINATED by Cllr. Mrs Thwaites and SECONDED by Cllr.
DeSave.
There being no further nominations, Cllr. Baker was duly elected Chairman
of the Open Spaces & Amenities Committee for 2006/2007.
Vice Chairman to be elected at the first Meeting of the Committee.
[d] Allotment Managers [3]
Allotment Managers were confirmed as:
Cllrs. Baker (Chair), Mulcuck and Mrs Thwaites
[e] Finance & Administration - Chair & Vice Chair of Council &
All Committee Chairs
Cllr. R G W Baker Cllr. Mrs DeSave
Cllr. J D Day (Chair) Cllr. A R Mulcuck
Cllr. J E DeSave Cllr. M J Porter (Vice-Chair)
Vice-Chairman to be elected at the first Meeting of the Committee.
[f] Personnel Committee – 6 Members
[i] MEMBERSHIP
Cllr. R G W Baker Cllr. J E DeSave
Cllr. J Beadle Cllr. A R Mulcuck
Cllr. Mrs J E DeSave Cllr. M J Porter
[ii] ELECTION OF CHAIR
Cllr. Mrs DeSave was NOMINATED by Cllr. DeSave and SECONDED by Cllr. Baker.
There being no further nominations, Cllr. Mrs DeSave was duly elected
Chairman of the Personnel Committee for 2006/2007.
Vice-Chairman to be elected at the first Meeting of the Committee.
7 APPOINTMENT OF K A P C REPRESENTATIVES
Cllr. A R Mulcuck agreed to remain as this Council’s representative for
a further year but would welcome assistance from another member when it
is necessary for a meeting to be attended.
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PART II
8 DECLARATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interest.
9 CONFIRMATION & SIGNING OF MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD
ON 3RD APRIL 2006
The Minutes of the above meeting were CONFIRMED and SIGNED as a correct
record.
10 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Texaco Garage - Licence Application [Page 447, Item 640(e)]
(i) DETAILS OF HEARING DATE AND INVITATION TO BE REPRESENTED
It was NOTED that Cllrs. Beadle and Mulcuck will attend the hearing to
support this Council’s objection to the licence application.
COPIES OF RESIDENTS LETTERS OF OBJECTIONS TO THE LICENSING OFFICER
READ and NOTED.
11 MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD DURING APRIL 2006
(a) Community Centre Committee Meeting, 10th April 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. DeSave and CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
(b) Planning Committee Meeting, 19th April 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Mulcuck and CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
Open Spaces & Recreation Grounds Committee, 19th April 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr. Baker and CONFIRMED and SIGNED
as a true record subject to the wording on page 460, item 671.(c)(i) being
altered to read “trim further trees”.
RECOMMENDATION
(i) EMPLOYMENT OF SUMMER PART-TIME GROUNDS PERSON [Page 362, item 674]
RESOLVED to defer a decision on employing a part-time grounds person until
after the
Grounds Staff work schedule has been completed and reviewed.
12 CORRESPONDENCE
The following correspondence was CIRCULATED, READ & NOTED:-
For Noting
Ton. & Malling Borough Council: ‘Here & Now’, April/May 2006 –
Issue No. 2
Ditton Heritage Centre: Letter of Thanks
Kenward Trust: Letter of Thanks
1st Ditton Scout Group: Letter of Thanks
Victim Support: Letter of Thanks
Malling Citizens Advice Bureau: Letter of Thanks
Ditton Infant School Letter of Thanks
Plus Publishing: ‘Local Councils Update’ April 2006, Issue 78
KAPC: Minutes of Meeting held 16th March 2006
Award Productions: ‘For Queen & Country’, Celebrating 80 Years
Local Works: Campaign for Sustainable Communities
Consumer Council for Water: ‘Drought Update, Spring 2006
Unity Business Press: ‘Public Sector & Local Government’ Magazine,
March 2006
Mr P J S Hills: Enquiry re. Council Tax & Clerk’s reply
DEFRA: Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act 2005 – A Parish Council
Guide to Environmental Enforcement
CPRE: ‘Voice’, Spring 2006 + encls
Kent Parish Councils: ‘News’ Edition 2 -April 2006
Nat West: ‘Mentor News’ Spring 2006, Issue 6
Kent Co. Playing Fields Assoc: Agenda & 79th Annual Report & Accounts
Kent County Council: Notice of Local Board Meeting, 10th May 2006
(b) For Decision
NALC: Local Vision Conference, 1st & 2nd June 2006
RESOLVED NO MEMBERS WILL ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE
13 FINANCE
Accounts Received
RESOLVED the following accounts be ACCEPTED, APPROVED & PAID:-
Ditton Vets FC: Food Preparation 5.00
Multi Sports : Income 264.00
Ditton Petanque Club: Food 45.00
(b) Accounts for Payment
Salaries: April 2006 Gross: 13857.69 Net: 10190.10
DPC Imprest A/C: Reimbursement of April expenses 5564.68*
Kent County Council: Superannuation Subs – April 2699.88
AquAid (Kent): Annual Rental & Sanitation & Water 94.50
Supply Vat 16.54 111.04
Astra Security: 78 Keys & Lock for Allotments & Bowls Club 420.06
Vat 73.51 493.57
Collectors Set Printers Printing Spring Gazette 1203.38
Limited: Vat 210.59 1413.97
The Glass Works: Laminate for School Clock 50.00 50.00
Craigdene Limited: Annual Inspections to two Play Areas 100.00
Vat 17.50 117.50
EDF Energy: Unmetered Supply – Street Lighting 65.30
Vat 3.27 68.57
FCS: Spraying of Ragwort in Quarry 540.00
Vat 94.50 634.50
Kent County Cncl: Lease Fee for Council Vehicle 1071.00
Stationery 38.30
1109.30
Less Credit 5.10
1104.20
Vat 193.25 1297.45
Kent County Playing Annual Subscriptions 20.00
Fields Association:
Parker Merchanting: Safety Boots for Graeme Sedgwick 11.95
Vat 2.09 14.04
T Parker & Sons Grass Seed & Esteem – Grounds Maintenance 616.00
Top Dressing – Grounds Maintenance 363.32
Vat 101.38 1080.70
Parkfoot Garage Ltd: Vehicle Diesel 75.15
Vat 13.15 88.30
Mr D Pullinger: Locking Play Area – April 2006 25.00
Sage (UK) Ltd: Payroll Upgrade to Version 12 180.00
Vat 31.51 211.51
Seeboard Energy: Changing Rooms – NRRG 20.17
Multi Sports & Cedar Room 228.12
248.29
Vat 40.93 289.22
Travis Perkins: Repairs to Water Pipe – Allotments 30.64
Vat 5.36 36.00
PARISH COUNCIL IMPREST ACCOUNT – Reimbursement of April Expenses
Carried Forward 1st April 2006 1049.00
Add: PC reimbursement 4951.00
6000.00
Deduct: March Expenses
Voucher Charge 3.25
Inland Revenue 4840.38
Postage Stamps 55.00
Com Centre Expenses 39.01
OSA Expenses 7.34
Unison Subscriptions 439.20
Delivery of Gazettes 75.00
Repairs to School Clock Face 50.00 5509.18
490.82
Sum to be drawn on 3rd May 2006 5509.18*
BALANCE 6000.00
*Sum required to restore balance to £6000
(c) Account Paid Between Meetings
The following account paid between meetings was READ, APPROVED and NOTED:-
HM Customs & Excise: Vat due to 31.03.06 1844.04
(d) Direct Debits Paid During March 2006
The following Direct Debits paid during March 2006 were READ, APPROVED
& NOTED:-
[i] DITTON PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNT
01.03.06 WPA Health Care 380.50
03.03.06 02 20.88
06.03.06 RBS Mentor 284.34
10.03.06 Nildram 42.82
20.03.06 Pace Petroleum 27.39
22.03.06 EBS 40.00
28.03.06 Nat West Business Card 115.99
27.03.06 Euphony 19.61
[ii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE BAR ACCOUNT
01.03.06 Sky Business 246.75
13.03.06 Post Office Ltd 58.52
21.03.05 The Beer Seller 397.43
20.03.06 Scottish Courage – Stock 5132.68
22.03.06 H MC & E Gaming Machine 124.00
24.03.06 BOC Manchester - Beer Gas 229.13
28.03.06 Walkers Snacks Ltd 186.49
30.03.06 Nat. West Account Charge 55.00
[iii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
31.03.06 Nat. West Account Charge 55.00
(e) Internal Audit Report
The internal Audit report on the third visit of the 2005/2006 Audit programme,
which had been previously circulated, was READ and the following issues
raised:-
The introduction of a tender register, as a form of control in bringing
together in one place details of tenders and estimates
Details of cheque payments being attached as a schedule to the minutes,
saving time in preparing each set of minutes.
Data Protection audits.
RESOLVED that Kent Audit be asked to carry out the annual Data Protection
Audits and a tender register be set up.
(f) Amended Accounts & Audit Regulations – Communication from RBS
Members were advised that the Accounts and Audit Regulations have been
amended and the deminimus level for auditing Councils has risen to £1m
with effect from the 2005/2006 accounts. This means the Council will no
longer have an obligation to prepare full SORP compliant accounts and
will be brought back under the ‘lighter touch’ regime applicable to medium
sized ‘Band B’ councils with a consequent significant saving in audit
fees.
The Clerk advised that because of the Council’s business activities, she
would recommend that the Council continues to have the Financial Statements
prepared in broadly similar lines a previously, but with the removal of
the particular requirements for the complexity of Capital Charges and
the details for compliance with FRS17 (Pension Liabilities).
RESOLVED to adopt the Clerk’s recommendations as outlined above.
(g) ‘Ditton Songs Of Praise’ – Joint Venture 25th June 2006 - Fund Allocation
The Clerk advised that the organisers of the event would like to hire
a Coco Bouncy Castle at £80.00, a Jenga giant game at £10.00,
a snakes and ladders giant game at £10.00 and a 14 seat carousel
at £140.00.
RESOLVED to hire all of the above and the cost be met from the charities
account, under Section 137 of the Local Government Act.
14 REPORTS FROM BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Co. Cllr Geoff Rowe reported on the following items:-
County Lengthman Scheme: In the light of the experience of the scheme,
so far, it is being found necessary to review it.
The Parish Partnership Panel: next meets on Thursday , June 1st. Agenda
items should be sent to Allison Parris asap.
Police Accountability: As from 1st April 2006 Tonbridge and Malling is
being managed from the West Kent Area Police Unit based in Tonbridge.
Chief Supt. Mark Salisbury (formerly Commander of Maidstone and Malling),
has been appointed as Area Commander. Chief Inspector Martin Very, a resident
of Eccles, has been appointed as District Commander for Tonbridge and
Malling.
The Home Secretary has agreed that Kent and Medway should remain as a
strategic force, in its own right and does not need to amalgamate. Sgt.
Steve Cable remains as supervising officer of the neighbourhood team,
based at Snodland.
Police are more than happy to continue to liaise with parish councils
and attend meetings etc. Contact via Chief Inspector Simon Wilshaw (based
at Tonbridge).
The next meetings of the Tonbridge and Malling Youth Advisory Board (5.30pm)
and KCC Local Board (7.30pm) will be held on Wed 10th May at West Malling
Primary School. Anyone from Ditton PC is invited to attend. Any requests
for 2006/07 grant applications are now being encouraged.
Try Angle Awards: Nominations for young people 10-18 years are requested
for their achievements or contributions to their community in a whole
variety of areas.
Other dates involving Parish Council representatives.
o Monday, May 12th - Joint Transportation Board.
o Tuesday, June 15th - Disability Working Party.
o Tuesday, June 20th - Public Transport Panel.
Hearing in respect of licencing application by Texaco Garage tomorrow
at 14.15 at Gibson Building, TMBC.
TMBC & KCC currently working on pilot scheme on neighbourhood issues
with community groups and parish councils.
15 REPORTS FROM POLICE &
COMMUNITY WARDEN
PC Matt Roddick and Community Warden Tom Hawkwood were unable to attend
the meeting but PC Roddick had sent in the following report:
Ditton Crime figures for April 2006:
Total crime: 34
Burglary – 6 (all of which were to commercial or outhouses ie sheds, garages
etc)
Criminal Damage – 6
Vehicle Crime – 3
Last month total crime : 38
Burglary 4
Criminal Damage 14
Vehicle Crime 6
He further REPORTED that the crime figures had reduced this month. A police
contact box will be in place at the community centre tomorrow, to enable
residents to bring matters of concern to the attention of the local police.
A concerted effort was made last month to publicise how, when, where and
what crime to report and to who. This has been made via the Ditton website
and an article in the Gazette and Kent Messenger. PC Roddick will also
be issued with a mountain bike shortly.
16 PLANNING, HIGHWAYS &
TRANSPORTATION MATTERS
Election of Vice Chairman
Cllr. Mrs DeSave was NOMINATED by Cllr. Mulcuck and SECONDED by Cllr.
Mrs Beadle.
There being no further nominations, Cllr. Mrs DeSave was duly elected.
Plans Received for Comment
TM/06/1139/FL Part Single & Part Two Storey
Rear Extension
61 Cobdown Close
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL OBJECTS TO THIS APPLICATION AS IT WOULD LEAVE NO
REAR ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY AND IF THE NEXT DOOR PROPERTY WERE TO HAVE
A SIMILAR EXTENSION IT WOULD LEAD TO A TERRACED EFFECT.
TM/06/01164/FL Installation of a tower crane
Unit 2 Site G
Bellingham Way
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL OBJECTS TO THIS APPLICATION AS IT WOULD NOT LIKE
TO SEE SUCH A LARGE CONSTRUCTION AS A PERMANENT FIXTURE IN THIS LOCATION.
TM/06/01160/FL First Floor Rear Extension
18 Primrose Drive
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION.
Plans Dealt with by Tonbridge & Malling Area Sub C'ttee. 3
The following decisions were READ and NOTED:-
TM/06/00782/TNCA Selective removal of some trees and reduction of others
by one third to one half
Village Green
New Road
NO OBJECTION
TM/05/0487/FL Construction of underpass to all weather training gallop
Kiln Barn Farm
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/06/00832/FL Single Storey Side Extension
12 Fernleigh Rise
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/06/00792/FL Conversion of existing garage into study
6 Cedar Close
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
(d) ‘B’ Lists
The following ‘B’ Lists were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
06/14 - 10.04.2006; 06/15 - 18.04.2006
(e) Agenda, Minutes & Notes of Area 3 Sub Committee
It was NOTED that there were no items relating to Ditton.
(f) Maidstone Local Development Framework – Sustainable Construction Supplementary
Planning Document
READ and NOTED.
(g) New Road Business Estate – Communication from Planning & Transportation
Director
The communication from the Planning and Transportation Director which
had previously been CIRCULATED was READ and his comments on the donation
to leisure facilities in Ditton, NOTED.
RESOLVED to write again expressing this Council’s extreme disappointment
at the distribution of the contribution to the leisure facilities. Also
to write to the developer and Borough Councillors enclosing copies of
the relevant correspondence on this matter.
(h) Kent Aggregate Imports – Minerals and Waste Development Framework
It was NOTED that this document was available to download if any members
wished to read it.
(i) Meeting with Kent Highways Parish Liaison Officers
Cllrs Day, Beadle, Baker and Mulcuck would be happy to attend a meeting
with the KCC
Highways Parish Liaison Officers on Thursday 8th June 2006. The Clerk
will confirm this date.
(j) Planning Enforcement Investigation at Medway House
It was NOTED that a Planning Enforcement Investigation had taken place
at Medway House
and a breach of planning control had occurred by the displaying unauthorised
adverts, It was
further NOTED that the owners have been given 28 days to make an application
to rectify the
situation.
17 LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME – GOVERNANCE & COMMUNICATION POLICY
STATEMENTS
The Clerk will READ this document and REPORT on any items of importance.
18 SECURITY – Requested by Cllr. DeSave
Quotations for CCTV and upgrading of the alarm systems were READ.
RESOLVED in view of the expense involved in installing CCTV, to look at
this item again later in the year when setting next years budgets and
to consider applying for a grant towards the cost. Also to refer the upgrading
of the community centre alarms back to the Community Centre Committee
and the alarms for the Grounds Staff areas back to the Open Spaces and
Amenities Committee, for further consideration.
19 MATTERS ARISING FROM “CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING”
Cllr Mulcuck NOTED that Borough Green Parish Council had implemented Speed
Watch. It was suggested it would be useful to contact Borough Green Parish
Council to enquire whether Speed Watch had had an impact on the speed
of traffic in their village.
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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.
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20. PERSONNEL MATTER
The Clerk REPORTED that a new Assistant Bar Manager had successfully been
recruited and had started today.
21 CLOSURE
The meeting was closed at 9.35pm.
Chairman
5th June 2006