Ditton Parish Council
Meeting Minutes, October 2006
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF DITTON PARISH COUNCIL,
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MONDAY, 2nd OCTOBER 2006
[Click here for a downloadable version in Adobe PDF file format.]
PRESENT: CLLR J D DAY [Chairman], R ANGEL, R G W BAKER, MRS A BEADLE, J BEADLE, MRS J E DESAVE,
J E DESAVE, A R MULCUCK, MRS
M MULCUCK & MRS A THROSSELL
MRS M GRANTHAM [Community Centre Administrator] & MRS N GREENAWAY
[Administrative Assistant]
245. OPENING OF MEETING
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
246. APOLOGIES
Apologies, previously notified, were RECEIVED and ACCEPTED from Cllrs
Porter and Mrs Thwaites.
247. DECLARATION OF A CASUAL VACANCY
The Chairman READ a letter from Cllr Peter Thorpe giving his resignation
from the Council owing to lack of support on planning issues from the
Borough Council and personal commitments.
RESOLVED to accept Mr Thorpe’s resignation and thank him for his contribution
to the Council and to declare a casual vacancy.
Discussion took place on the matter of this Council’s views not being
responded to by the Borough Council. It was suggested that as a Quality
Status Parish Council, this Council should have more influence on local
matters.
RESOLVED to place an item on the next Parish Council Agenda to identify
the benefits of being a Quality Council and to CIRCULATE the differences
between a Quality and non quality Council, prior to the meeting.
248. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS & EXPENDITURE
Cllrs DeSave and Mrs DeSave declared a personal interest in item 256(a)
Plans for Comment, application at the Old Mill House, as they live nearby
to this property.
249. CONFIRMATION & SIGNING OF MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD
4th SEPTEMBER 2006
The minutes of the meeting held on 4th September 2006, were CONFIRMED
and SIGNED.
250. MATTERS ARISING
(a) NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Proposed Loss of Services at
Maidstone Hospital [Page 109, Item 196]
Letters of support from Platt, Trottiscliffe and Ryarsh Parish Councils
were READ and their support to keep services at Maidstone was NOTED. It
was further NOTED that Aylesford Parish Council had contacted the office
to advise that they would also be writing in support of keeping services
at Maidstone.
251. MEETINGS HELD DURING SEPTEMBER 2006
(a) For Confirmation
(i) COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMITTEE, 11TH SEPTEMBER 2006 – Herewith
The above minutes were presented by Cllr DeSave and accepted as a true
record.
Matters arising
1. Bar Price Increases [Page 125, item 215(e)] - Recommendation
RESOLVED to implement the bar price increases following the next stocktake.
2. T&M BC Grant Application for CCTV [Page 127, item 220(a) - Recommendation
It was NOTED that an application for a members grant had been submitted
to KCC.
RESOLVED to proceed with the application for a grant from T&MBC if
the KCC grant application is unsuccessful.
3. Mrs Frankham – Deposit Refund [Page 125, item 217] - Decision required
RESOLVED to write to Mrs Frankham to advise that £100.00 of the
£500.00 deposit would be retained to cover the additional cleaning
costs incurred following her function.
PLANNING, HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE, 18TH SEPTEMBER 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr Mulcuck and accepted as a true
record.
OPEN SPACES & AMENITIES COMMITTEE, 18TH SEPTEMBER 2006
The above minutes were presented by Cllr Baker and signed as a true record.
For Noting
NOTES OF INVESTMENT WORKING PARTY MEETING, 4TH SEPTEMBER 2006
The above minutes which had previously been CIRCULATED were READ and NOTED.
Cllr Beadle gave a brief outline of the current investment situation and
requested that a meeting be set up for the end of this year when the six
monthly outcome would be known.
(ii) QUARRY WORKING PARTY, 6TH SEPTEMBER 2006
The above minutes which had previously been CIRCULATED, were READ and
it was NOTED that the meeting with TMBC went well and progress on achieving
LNR status for the quarry is being made.
TWINNING MEETING, 14TH SEPTEMBER 2006
These minutes were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED. Cllr Mulcuck REPORTED that
arrangements for the Christmas Fair were going well. He also advised that
the visitors from Rang du Fliers would like to go to London during their
next visit.
(iv) FAMILY DAY COMMITTEE, 14TH SEPTEMBER 2006
The above minutes were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED.
252. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) For Noting
The following correspondence was CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
Rural Kent: ‘Rural News’, No, 76
Ton. & Malling Borough Cncl: Food on the Go ‘Rats’ Campaign
Invitation to attend and Agenda for meeting of Parish Partnership Panel
Community Strategy 2006-2009
Tonbridge Easy Access Guide
Ton. & Malling Crime Prevention Panel: Agenda for meeting on 18th
September 2006 + Minutes of meeting held on 3rd July 2006
Press Publishers: ‘Clerks & Councils Direct’ – September 2006, Issue
47
‘Local Council Update’ – September 2006, Issue 83
NALC: ‘Local Council Review’ – September 2006, Vol 58, No 3
defra: Rural Services Review
Kent County Council: Link to the new Explore Kent Website
Kent Community Rail Partnership: Medway Valley Line 150 Celebrations
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust: Fundraising News
Action with Communities in Rural Kent: 83rd Annual Meeting – 6th October
2006
Kent Police Notice of New Licensing Officers
(b) For Decision
Ditton Twinning Association: Fund-Raising Event
A request for a donation of a prize for the tombola at the forthcoming
Christmas Fair was READ.
RESOLVED TO DONATE FOUR BOTTLES OF WINE UNDER S.144 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ACT 1972.
Ditton Infant School: Christmas Party
A request to hold a Christmas party at the Community Centre and for the
Parish Council to make a contribution towards the cost was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED TO ACCEDE TO THE REQUEST TO HOLD THE PARTY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE
AND TO MAKE A DONATION OF £200.00 TOWARDS THE COST UNDER SECTION
137 OF THE LGA 1972.
Ditton Junior School: Christmas Party
A request to hold a Christmas party at the Community Centre and for the
Parish Council to make a contribution towards the cost was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED TO ACCEDE TO THE REQUEST TO HOLD THE PARTY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE
AND TO MAKE A DONATION OF £200.00 TOWARDS THE COST UNDER SECTION
137 OF THE LGA 1972.
KAPC: Finance Information Day, 14th October 2006
Details of a Finance Information Day for Councillors and Clerks was READ
and NOTED.
RESOLVED Anyone interested in attending should contact the Clerk.
The Chairman moved that the following additional item of correspondence
be taken because it is date sensitive:
Kent Council for Voluntary Rural Youth Conference – Sat 11th Nov 2006
Youth Services: Details of this event were READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED Anyone wishing to attend should contact the Clerk for details.
253. FINANCE
(a) Accounts Received
The following accounts received were READ and NOTED:-
East Malling & Larkfield Donation towards delivering &
Parish Council: collecting Parish Minutes for binding 10.00
Multi Sports: Income 80.00
Dittin Vets FC: Food Prep 5.00
Ditton Junior School: Grounds Maintenance 267.14
Ditton Infant School: Grounds Maintenance 109.56
Photo Copy Users: Income 18.20
Warmlake Bathrooms: Gazette Advertisement 60.00
St Peters Church: Use of Cricket Square 30.00
(b) Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED the following accounts be ACCEPTED, APPROVED and PAID:-
Salaries: September Gross: 14186.68 Net: 10536.39
DPC Imprest A/C: Reimbursement of Expenses 4772.07
British Telecom: Fax Line 48.09
Clerks Line 41.15
Admin Line 41.15
130.39 Vat 22.81 153.20
Initial Fire & Security: Intruder Alarm System 495.02
Annual Charge Vat 86.63 581.65
Kent County Council: Superannuation Subs – September 2699.88
Kent County Council: Internal Audit First Visit 2006/07 250.00
Vat 43.75 293.75
Kent County Council: Stationery 36.50
Brooms & Handles 9.20
Pitch Marker 46.50
92.20
Vat 16.14 108.34
Kent Wildlife Trust: Annual Subscriptions 38.00
Monro Horticulture Ltd: Masks & Filters 49.00
Vat 8.58 57.58
Nico Office Limited: Waste Toner Box – Laser Printer 18.98
Black Toner – Laser Printer 77.85
96.83
Vat 16.94 113.77
Parkfoot Garage: Diesel for Parish Vehicle 41.86
Vat 7.32 49.18
T Parker & Sons Grass Seed & Surrey Loam 333.96
[Turf Management 2003] Vat 48.30 382.26
Parker Merchanting: Cable Ties, Ear Plugs Batteries 43.18
And Latex Gloves Vat 7.57 50.75
Mr D Pullinger: Locking & Unlocking Playarea September 25.00
Travis Perkins: Paint, Paint Kettle & Turps Substitute 28.96
for Posts on Village Green Vat 3.97 32.93
Promotions Account
It was NOTED that the Don Barcott Big Band are unable to perform at the
Halloween Dance owing to illness and that Val Miller will be performing
instead for the same fee.
Val Miller : Music for Halloween Dance 900.00
IMPREST ACCOUNT - Expenses during September 2006
Carried Forward 1st September 2006 495.85
Add: PC reimbursement 5504.15
6000.00
Deduct: September Expenses
Voucher Charge 3.25
Inland Revenue 4339.95
Postage Stamps 110.00
Community Centre Expenses 149.75
Best Kept Garden Expenses 32.94
Cllr Mulcuck – Travelling Exp 50.50
Allotment Keys Refund 12.00
Petty Cash 72.40
4772.07 4772.07
1227.93
Sum to be drawn on 2nd October 2006 4772.07*
BALANCE 6000.00
*Sum required to restore balance to £6000
(c) Accounts Paid Between Meetings
It was NOTED that there were no accounts paid between Meetings.
(d) Direct Debits Paid During August 2006
The following direct debits paid during August were READ, APPROVED and
NOTED:-
(i) DITTON PARISH COUNCIL GENERAL ACCOUNT
01.08.2006 WPA 418.18
02.08.2006 O2 22.65
03.08.2006 Mentor 284.34
08.08.2006 Nildram 42.82
22.08.2006 EBS Direct Debits 63.00
29.08.2006 Euphony 11.70
29.08.2006 Nat West Business Card 369.27
[Mobile Top-up (CC);
Steam Cleaner (CC); Payphone (CC)
Football Quiz Cards(KBClub)]
31.08.2006 02 21.73
(ii) COMMUNITY CENTRE BAR ACCOUNT
02.08.2006 Sky Business 276.13
07.08.2006 Post Office Ltd 58.52
21.08.2006 Scottish Courage- stock 4885.85
21.08.2006 Waverley TBS 922.03
22.08.2006 AMLD – Gaming Machine 124.00
25.08.2005 BOC Manchester – Beer Gas 229.13
29.08.2005 Walkers Snacks Ltd 112.91
31.08.2005 Nat West Account Charge 55.00
(iii) COMMUNITY CENTRE ACCOUNT
21.08.2006 T & M BC - Business Rate 1266.00
24.08.2006 EDF Energy Elec 700.00
30.08.2005 Nat West Account Charge 55.00
(e) Report of 1st Internal Audit held for 2006/2007
A letter from the Internal Auditor, which had previously been CIRCULATED,
was READ and it was NOTED that the allotment rents must be reviewed annually
and the allotment register must be kept up to date.
(f) Mentor Service Renewal - Revised Details
A notice of the revised charges for Mentor Services was READ and NOTED.
Discussion took place on the level of increase in charges, which was thought
to be excessive.
RESOLVED to investigate if other companies provide a similar service for
a lesser cost.
254. REPORTS FROM BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Co. Cllr. Geoff Rowe gave a report on the following:-
The Government has begun a consultation on Statutory Guidance on the Civil
Enforcement of Parking Contraventions. TMBC and KCC are working together
to agree responses.
At the Parish Partnership Panel held on 14th September TMBC reported,
again, that it would be happy to assist, financially, any Parish Council
that wished to be involved in progressing the Speedwatch Scheme. It was
prepared to help with purchase of equipment etc.
The Tonbridge and Malling Access Group would be happy to work with any
Parish Council in the production of an access guide to cover the whole
of the Borough, on the lines of the Tonbridge Easy Access Guide. Each
Parish Council is being encouraged to appoint a disability champion to
work with the group to audit access to public premises and businesses
in Ditton.
KCC PROW wish to extend their offer of transferring financial resources
to parishes to encourage you to take over responsibility for footpaths
in your area.
It was NOTED that this Parish Council has already taken on this responsibility.
Section 215 Notices are being investigated by TMBC to bring untidy buildings
and land into better quality use.
KCC have now published their Towards 2012 Report which the Council should
have a copy of/or will get. It includes 63 targets with action plans of
work they intend to progress to March 2010.
Kent’s Local Democracy Week is being held between 16th- 20th October.
Members of Parish Councils are sometimes invited by their local schools
to take part in democracy events during that week.
The Public Consultation on Household Waste in Kent ends on Wednesday (Oct
4th). The Council should have received leaflets and is encouraged to respond.
It was NOTED that Cllr Mulcuck has prepared a response.
As part of the expansion of Neighbourhood Policing, Ditton has been identified
as one that could benefit from the appointment of a PCSO. These appointments are
planned over the next couple of years.
October 31st is regarded one of the busiest nights of the year
for ASB. Local councils are encouraged to provide alternative activity
for your young people, if at all possible, in an attempt to alleviate
possible problems.
Quality Status/Parish Council’s role in planning – Co Cllr Rowe suggested
that the Parish Council should ask for an item to be included on the next
Parish Partnership Panel Agenda. Alternatively, the Parish Council could
ask its Borough Council members to raise the issue. An other option is
that in the Constitution of the Borough Council there is section that
allows for a member of the public to put a question to the Leader of the
Council.
Woodlands Parade – Cllr DeSave asked what was happening with the proposed
development. Co Cllr Rowe advised that it is progressing but is in the
hands of solicitors at the moment. Members commented that it is very unsightly
and needs urgent attention. It was suggested that this could be an example
of a Section 215 Notice being implemented.
RESOLVED to write to the Borough Council enclosing photographs to illustrate
the unsightly area and express this Council’s concern of the length of
time that this matter has remained unresolved.
255. REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICE OFFICER
It was NOTED that no report was available.
256. PLANNING, TRANSPORTATION & HIGHWAY MATTERS
(a) Plans Received for Comment
TM/06/01784/RD
Details of soft and hard landscaping
and children’s play space submitted pursuant to conditions 4 and 16 of
planning permission TM/03/03415/FL (Erection of 370 dwellings, including
30% affordable housing, with
associated parking, landscaping and highways, following the demolition
of the existing buildings
Former FrantschachSite, New
Hythe Ln
DETAILS OF BOUNDARY TREATMENT BETWEEN CYCLE WAY AND CHILDREN’S PLAY ROUTE
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL HAS NO OBJECTION
TM/06/02988/RD
Revised hard landscaping details of the driveway and parking areas submitted pursuant to condition 2 of planning permission TM/01/02287/FL: Restoration of Old Mill House and erection of 2x5 bed detached and 2 terraces of 2x3 bed houses linked by a four bay garage
Old Mill House
51 The Stream
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL HAS NO OBJECTION
TM/06/02040/FL
Single storey front, side and rear extension incorporating bedroom, wc, kitchen enlargement and conservatory to rear
16 Acorn Grove
Ditton
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTERNAL LAYOUT OF THE PROPOSED
EXTENSION BECAUSE THE ONLY DOOR TO THE PROPOSED FOURTH BEDROOM IS VIA
THE KITCHEN.
TM/06/02891/FL Single storey side extension to existing store, removal
of existing flat roof and rebuilding
with new pitched roof
Papas Fish Rest.
497 London Rd
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL HAS NO OBJECTION
(b) Plans Dealt with by Tonbridge & Malling Area Sub-Committee No.
3.
The following decisions were READ and NOTED:-
TM/04/04040/LDCP
Lawful development certificate Proposed: loft conversion
480 London Rd
CERTIFIED LAWFUL
TM/06/02689/TPOC
Coppice one Chestnut tree, TPO
Aylesford
No.1, 1964 (ref. TPO 12-02-14)
78 Acorn Grove
GRANTED CONSENT
TM/06/02572/FL
4.2m long x 8.58m wide single storey Wooden framed shiplap clad felt roofed building to be used as changing accommodation for bowls club members and visiting players
Ditton Bowls Club
GRANTED PERMISSION
TM/06/02696/FL
Conversion of garage for enlarged
living room and erection of enlarged porch
50 Acorn Grove
GRANTED PERMISSION
TM/06/01883/FL
Conversion of garage and first floor side extension
29 St Peter’s Rd
GRANTED PERMISSION
TM/06/02582/TPOC
Lift crown of one sweet chestnut
tree by removing lower branches to a height of 6 metres and reduce remaining
crown by 20%, Tree Preservation Order, Aylesford No.1 1964
ref. 12-02-14
50 Acorn Grove
GRANTED CONSENT
(c) ‘B’ Lists
The following ‘B’ Lists were READ and NOTED:-
06/36 - 11.09.2006; 06/37 - 18.09.2006.
(d) Minutes, Notes, Agenda for Area 3 Planning Committee
It was NOTED that there were no Minutes, Notes or Agenda available.
(e) Kent Waste Development Framework (WDF) Spatial Consultation and Kent
Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy (JMWMS) Headline Strategy
A copy of Cllr. Mulcuck’s report on his attendance at the Meeting held
on 13th September 2006, together with a response to questions raised,
was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED to submit Cllr Mulcuck’s comments as this Council’s response.
257. BONFIRE & FIREWORKS EVENING
(a) Bucket Collection
The Administrative Assistant READ items from the Family Day Minutes from
17th November 2005 and the Parish Council meeting held on 5th December
2005. It was NOTED that the matter was first raised as it was felt people
that donated were not clear who benefited from the donations. It was further
NOTED that the Council RESOLVED that 100% of the bucket collection would
be placed in the Charities account and used to make donations to local
organisations including the Heritage Centre. Discussion took place and
it was agreed that this RESOLUTION should stand to enable any charity
in Ditton to benefit from this collection and the amount collected will
reflect the donation made to the Ditton Heritage Trust, who organise the
collection.
(b) Final Arrangements
Cllr Mulcuck advised that all arrangements were in hand.
258. REMEMBRANCE DAY
Cllr Mulcuck REPORTED that all arrangements were in hand.
259. CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 9.32pm.
