Ditton Parish Council
Meeting Minutes, January 2007
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF DITTON PARISH COUNCIL,
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY, 3rd JANUARY 2007
[Click here for a downloadable version in Adobe PDF file format.]
PRESENT: CLLRS. J D DAY [Chairman],
M J PORTER [Vice-Chairman], R ANGEL, R G W BAKER, MRS A BEADLE, J BEADLE,
MRS J E DESAVE, J E DESAVE, A R MULCUCK, MRS A THROSSELL & MRS J F
THWAITES
MRS S J KAVANAGH [Clerk of the Council] & MRS N GREENAWAY [Administrative
Assistant]
393. OPENING OF MEETING
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm wishing everyone a Happy and
Prosperous New Year and congratulated Cllr. Mrs Thwaites, who will have
served 10 years as a Member of the Parish Council on 13th January.
The Chairman READ a letter from Cllrs. Mr & Mrs DeSave advising that
regrettably because of work commitments and personal reasons they will
not be standing for election in May.
394. APOLOGIES
Apologies, previously notified, were RECEIVED and ACCEPTED from Cllrs.
Mrs Mulcuck & Stone.
395. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllrs. Day, Mulcuck and Mrs Thwaites declared an interest in item 398(b),
Ditton Heritage Centre Ltd, as they are Committee Members.
396. CONFIRMATION & SIGNING OF MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD
4TH DECEMBER 2006
The minutes of the meeting held on 4th December 2007, as previously circulated,
were CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
397. MATTERS ARISING
Cllr Beadle expressed his concern at the inadequacy of the one-way film
recently installed on the outer foyer doors.
RESOLVED this matter be referred to the Community Centre Committee next
Monday.
There were no other matters arising that do not appear elsewhere on the
Agenda.
398. CORRESPONDENCE
For Noting
The following correspondence was CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
Ton & Malling Borough Cncl: Parish Partnership Panel – Notice of meeting
8/3/2007
‘Here & Now’, Issue No 6 Dec/Jan/07
Minutes of Joint Transportation Board 4/12/2006
Kent Air Ambulance Trust: ‘The Kent Flyer’, Winter 2006
KAPC: ‘Parish News’, Issue 321, 11/12/2006
CPRE: ‘A Water Resource Strategy for Kent’
Kent County Council: Countryside Access Improvement Plan
Plus Publishing: Clerks and Councils ‘Direct’, Issue 86,
December 2006
Ditton Infant School: Letter of thanks re Christmas Party
NatWest Mentor: Legal Update, Issue 18 – December 2006
Age Concern: Letter of Thanks
Mrs Dearden – Pop-in-Club: Letter of Thanks
Rural Kent: ‘Rural News’, No 79 – December 2006
‘Oast to Coast’, Winter 2006
Mr & Mrs Martin: Bus Stop Opposite T A Centre – copy of communication
sent to Arriva
NALC: ‘Local Council Review’, Vol. 58, No 5 – Jan 2007
(b) For Decision
Executive Officer to the Kent Lieutenancy: Invitation to Civic Ceremony
20/3/2007
AS THE CHAIRMAN IS UNABLE TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY THIS YEAR, CLLRS. MR
& MRS BEADLE AGREED TO ATTEND.
Ditton Heritage Centre Ltd: Invitation to AGM & Quiz Evening, 24/1/2007
Anyone wishing to attend the AGM and/or enter a team in the Quiz are asked
to contact John Day.
Kent County Council: Tour de France Associated Events
NOTED NEITHER THE PARISH COUNCIL OR TWINNING ASSOCIATION ARE PLANNING
ANY EVENTS DURING THE TOUR.
Local Works: Campaign for the Sustainable Communities Bill
INFORMATION READ & NOTED.
Kent Fire & Rescue Service: Integrated Risk Management Plan 2007/2008
CLLR MULCUCK AGREED TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH
COUNCIL
KAPC: Details of ‘The Progressive Council’ Information Day, 24th January
2007
NOTED, THE CLERK AND CLLR. MRS BEADLE WILL ATTEND THE INFORMATION DAY
AT A COST OF £58.75 EACH.
399. FINANCE
(a) Accounts Received
The following accounts received were READ and NOTED:-
Allotments Holders: Annual Rents 38.00
DAMARA: Payment of Photocopy Account 55.70
Ditton Junior School: Grounds Maintenance 310.03
Ditton Infants School: Grounds Maintenance 219.12
Ditton Minors FC: Line Marking NRRG 44.00
Ditton Junior School: Donation to Clock Repairs 200.00
Ditton Junior School: Grounds Maintenance 310.03
Ditton Junior School: Purchase of Selection Boxes from 93.00
Family Day Committee
Multi Sports: Income 396.00
Gazette Advertisement 28.00
Accounts For Payment
RESOLVED the following accounts be ACCEPTED, APPROVED and PAID:-
Salaries: Gross: 14631.81 Nett 10878.47
DPC Imprest A/C: Reimbursement of December Expenses 5112.83*
Kent County Council: Superannuation - December 2006 2700.00
Astra Security: Additional Multi Sports Keys 45.10
Vat 7.90 53.00
AquAid (Kent) Ltd: Water 18.75
Vat 3.28 22.03
Ditton Community Valentine’s Dance 258.00
Centre:
Floodlighting Ltd: Coin Box – Multisport 66.00
Post and Packing 10.00
76.00
Vat 13.30 89.30
Gala Lights Ltd: Lights for Church 363.50
Vat 63.61 427.11
Initial Fire and Fire Alarm Maintenance 83.94
Security: Vat 14.69 98.63
John Shaw Parts for Toro 338.10
(Machinery) Ltd: Engine Oil Filter 10.29
348.39
Vat 60.97 409.36
Kent County Council: Stationery 14.75
Vat 2.58 17.33
Kent County Council: Lease Fee 29/12/06 – 28/3/07 1071.00
Parish Vehicle Vat 187.43 1258.43
Land Technics Ltd: Engine Oil 23.44
Vat 4.10 27.54
Mower Plant Services: Spares for Ransome & Honda 373.06
Vat 65.29 438.35
Nico Office Ltd: Printer Cartridge 352.75
Vat 61.73 414.48
Parker Merchanting: Linemarker, Hazard & Gaffer 36.84
Tape & Latex Gloves Vat 6.45 43.29
Parkfoot Garage Ltd: Vehicle Diesel 77.45
Vat 13.55 91.00
Peeks of Bournemouth: Blowers & Poppers for NYE 53.26
Vat 9.32 62.58
Dean Pullinger: Locking/Unlocking Play Area 25.00
For December
Travis Perkins: Patch repairs to car park 20.55
Repairs to fencing 10.85
Bolt down seats in playground 21.98
53.38
Vat 9.35 62.73
Three Towns Office Stationery & Envelopes 37.85
Equipment Ltd: Vat 6.61 44.46
Cheque Drawn Between Meetings
British Telecom: Clerks Line, Admin & Fax Line 160.06
Vat 22.75 182.81
Imprest Account – Breakdown of Expenditure during December 2006
Carried Forward 1st December 2006 217.54
Add: PC reimbursement 6282.46
6500.00
Transfer from Capital Reserve 1500.00
8000.00
Peter Eligate – Cash for NYE 1400.00
9400.00
Deduct: December Expenses
Voucher Charge 3.25
Inland Revenue 6124.68
Chairman’s Allowance 225.04
Fire Safety Regulations 6.00
Christmas Decorations 39.75
Christmas Lights Prize 25.00
Petty Cash 65.11
Postage Stamps 124.00
Peter Eligate 1400.00 8012.83
1387.17
Sum to be drawn on 3rd January 2007 5112.83*
BALANCE 6500.00
*Sum required to restore balance to £6500
(c) Direct Debits - Paid During
November 2006
The following Direct Debits paid during November 2006, were READ, NOTED
and APPROVED:-
[i] DITTON PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNT
01.11.06 02 21.89
01.11.06 WPA Health Care 418.18
07.11.06 Nildram 42.82
22.11.06 EBS 43.25
27.11.06 Euphony Communications 16.74
27.11.06 Nat Business Debit Card 21.00
[ii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE BAR ACCOUNT
01.11.06 Sky Business 276.13
08.11.06 Post Office Ltd 58.52
20.11.06 Scottish Courage: - Stock 4845.06
21.11.06 Waverleys 848.39
21.11.06 AMLD – Gaming Machine 156.00
24.11.06 BOC Manchester: - Beer Gas 229.13
28.11.06 Walkers Snacks Ltd 203.07
29.11.06 Nat West Account Charge 55.00
[iii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ACCOUNT
20.11.06 Tonbridge & Malling BC 1266.00
23.11.06 EDF Energy Elec 700.00
30.11.06 BG CGABS 576.10
(d) Financial Arrangements with
Parish Council 2007/2008
A communication from the Borough Council was READ and it was NOTED that
the precept requirement form must be returned no later than 19th January
2007.
It was NOTED that the Council Tax Base for 2007/2008 will be 1753 and,
as 2007 will be an election year, the cost of a contested election for
Ditton will be £2,925.46 and £176.12 for an uncontested election.
Details of the scheme of financial Arrangements were READ and NOTED as
follows:-
Parish Council Allocation for 2007/2008: £8,878.00
Cemeteries and Churchyards: £1,385.00
Debt Charges: £3,711.00
£13,974.00
(e) Christmas Dances - Balance Sheet
The balance sheet for the Christmas and New Year’s Eve dances showed a
profit of £5,188.21 on ticket sales and a profit of £976.35
on raffle ticket sales. The profit from the raffles held at the dances
will be placed in the Charities account and used to fund donations to
local charities.
Cllr. Mulcuck advised that he felt the dances were a great success and
the dance demonstration at the two Christmas dances by pupils from Starlite
Dance School was excellent.
Cllr. Beadle suggested that dedicated ‘service areas’ be introduced in
the Oaken Hall bar during busy functions to prevent the problems experienced
by customers at the Christmas and New Year dances.
(f) Investment
Cllr. Beadle advised that there has been no further financial information
from the Council’s investors during December, however, as it stands at
the moment the investment is now worth £728,010.47. This means it
has recouped the initial setting up fee of £21,000 and increased
the original investment by £28,010.47 in 7 months.
400. REPORTS FROM BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
The Chairman READ the following report from Co. Cllr. Rowe, who wished
Members and staff of Ditton Parish Council all the very best of wishes
for 2007:-
T&M Youth Advisory Board and KCC Local Board Meetings – the next meetings
are planned to be held in Wouldham on Tuesday 30th January at 5.30pm
and 7.30pm respectively. If you have any items for the agendas then please
email them to loic.flory@kent.gov.uk
as soon as possible.
Disability Working Party - the next meeting is planned for 7.30pm on Wednesday
31st January at Kings Hill.
Concessionary Bus Passes: The statutory off-peak free travel bus pass
for the over 60s and certain categories of disabled people was made
available from April last year. In the light of the experience and in
preparation for the national free bus pass to be introduced from 2008,
the Kent Countywide bus pass will in future bear photographic identification
of the holder. A letter should have been sent to all passport holders
before Christmas asking them to provide a passport size photograph by
mid January. This photograph will then be scanned into the Faredeal
computer system for a new pass to be issued on March 31st.
If members of the Parish Council know of any concerns they should contact
Customer Services on 01732 876322 as soon as possible.
Flooding Leaflet: This leaflet sets out key points for householders to
bear in mind before, during and after flooding. It supplements the advice
already provided by the Environment Agency. Copies should be made available
to Parish Councils with A3 size display posters.
401. REPORT FROM PARISH CONSTABLE/COMMUNITY POLICE
There were no representatives present to give a report.
402. PLANNING, HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORATION MATTERS
Cllr. Porter requested it be NOTED that his comments and decisions on
planning applications at this meeting are a preliminary view and, in accordance
with the 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/06/03958/RD Details of bricks submitted part pursuant to condition
2 of planning permission TM/06/00615/FL: New dwelling
32 Ditton Place
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/06/03988/RD Details of external materials submitted pursuant to condition
2 of planning permission TM/06/00615/FL (New Dwelling)
32 Ditton Place
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/06/04007/RD Details of foundations submitted pursuant to condition
7 of planning permission TM/06/00615/FL (New Dwelling)
32 Ditton Place
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/06/03896/ORM minor amendment of planning permission TM/03/03415/FL
(erection of 370 dwellings) involving resiting of apartment block ‘W’
Former Frantschach Site
New Hythe Lane
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
(c) Plans Dealt with by Tonbridge & Malling Area Sub-C’ttee No. 3
(b) Plans Dealt with by Tonbridge & Malling Area Sub-C’ttee No. 3
The following decisions were READ and NOTED:-
TM/06/03040/FL Single storey, front, side & rear extension incorporating
bedroom, wc, kitchen enlargement and conservatory
16 Acorn Grove
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/06/03297/RD Details of foul and surface water drainage submitted pursuant
to conditions 13 and 14 of planning permission Tm/03/0341/FL: Erection
of 370 dwellings, including 30% affordable housing, with associated parking,
landscaping and highways, following the demolition of the existing buildings
Former Frantschach Site
APPROVED
TM/06/03515/FL Extend garage and porch and convert rear of the existing
garage into a utility room with access from the house, and to cover the
extension and present flat roof with a cut and pitch tile roof
5 Cherry Orchard
GRANTED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS
TM/06/03549/FL Change of use of garage to study and shower Room.
9 Scott Close
GRANTED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS
TM/05/00959/FL Erection of two storey extension to Cobdown House and construction
of two additional
buildings all for use classes B1(a) offices B1(b) research and development,
B1(c) light industry, together with associated parking
Cobdown House
548 London Rd
GRANTED SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS
(c) ‘B’ Lists
The following ‘B’ Lists were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
06/46 - 20.11.2006; 06/47 - 27.11.2006; 06/48 - 04.12.2006; 06/49 - 11.12.2006;
06/50 - 18.12.2006
(d) Agenda, Minutes, Notes etc. of Area 3 Planning Committee
READ and NOTED the document contains nothing relating to Ditton.
(e) Surface Water Drains, Kilnbarn Road/New Road
Copies of correspondence from residents and the Borough Council regarding
the frequent flooding at the above location, was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED that Kent Highways Services be asked to conduct a thorough investigation
of the causes of the flooding on this section of the road.
Cllr. Baker reported that someone is laying cables over the culvert on
the A20 by Ditton Place and is concerned that this may cause a recurrence
of the flooding problems at this location.
RESOLVED to ask Kent Highways for reassurance that this cable will not
cause a recurrence of the flooding.
(f) Kent Minerals Development Framework – Development Plan Documents
READ and NOTED.
(g) Publication of the Adopted Kent & Medway Structure Plan 2006
READ and NOTED.
(h) Woodlands Parade – Street Naming
NOTED the Borough Council’s Solicitor sees that the difficulty to change
an address is that they would need the agreement of at least two-thirds
of the occupiers of the premises, both commercial and residential, and
the change of name may cause some disruption for them and they might object.
He does not feel that Premier Parade would be acceptable because of the
proximity of Premier Parade Aylesford within the same ME20 post code area
and The Parade may not be a sufficiently strong ‘brand’.
It was NOTED that a further suggestion of Holtwood Parade, made by a resident,
has been forwarded to the Solicitor.
(i) NHS – Consultations
(i) ‘A NEW DIRECTION FOR SURGICAL & ORTHOPAEDIC CARE’
A copy of Mrs Day’s overview of the proposals, which had previously been
circulated, was READ, together with a copy of West Malling Parish Council’s
response to the proposals.
Considerable discussion took place, during which it was NOTED that this
Council’s acceptance of the Trust’s offer to give a presentation of the
proposals, has not been met. It was FURTHER NOTED that patients from this
area are already being sent to Pembury for operations and Cllr. Day reported
that he has been informed by a member of staff at Maidstone Hospital that
the John Day ward is to be closed.
RESOLVED to write to the Kent Messenger setting out the Council’s concerns
regarding the proposals and urge other local parish council’s to forward
copies of their responses to the proposals to the Kent Messenger.
(ii) ‘CREATING AN NHS FIT FOR THE FUTURE IN KENT & MEDWAY’
A copy of Mrs Day’s draft response to this document, which had previously
been circulated, was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED to adopt the draft and submit it as this Council’s response.
(iii) DISCUSSION EVENTS – DATES AND VENUES
Details of discussion events for the above proposals, were READ and NOTED.
403. DITTON QUARRY/RAGSTONE COURT BOUNDARIES
NOTED a surveyor will be carrying out investigations this week to establish
the correct boundary.
(d) ‘B’ Lists
404. MATTERS ARISING FROM “CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING”
Bus Stop opposite T A Centre
RESOLVED to investigate the progress of the resident’s request to (a)
move the bus stop to a more convenient position and/or (b) for bus drivers
stopping at this bus stop to give more co-operation and consideration
to residents when they are accessing and exiting their drives.
405. PERSONNEL MATTER – CONTRACT CONFIRMATION
It was NOTED that Mr Cooper’s probation period has been satisfactorily
completed.
RESOLVED Mr Cooper’s contract of employment be confirmed.
406. CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 8.55pm.
Chairman
5th February 2007
