Ditton Parish Council
January 2005 Minutes
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF DITTON PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE
COUNCIL
CHAMBER AT
DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON WEDNESDAY 5TH JANUARY 2005
[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, J BEADLE, MRS J E DESAVE, J E DESAVE, A R MULCUCK, MRS M MULCUCK & MRS A THROSSELL MRS S J KAVANAGH [Clerk of the Council] & MRS N GREENAWAY [Administrative Assistant]
449. OPENING OF MEETING
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm and wished everyone a Happy
and Prosperous New Year.
450. CASUAL VACANCY
A communication from Mrs Audrey Beadle requesting to be considered for
the Casual Vacancy on this Parish Council, was READ and her previous employment
details NOTED.
RESOLVED Mrs Beadle be co-opted to the Parish Council.
Mrs Beadle duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and undertaking to observe the Code of Conduct adopted by Ditton Parish Council and was invited to join the remainder of the meeting and welcomed as a new Member of the Parish Council.
451. APOLOGIES
Previously notified apologies were RECEIVED and ACCEPTED from Cllrs. Mrs
J A Petts, P A Thorpe and Mrs Thwaites.
452. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
There were no declarations of interest.
453. CONFIRMATION & SIGNING
OF MINUTES OF PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD 6 TH DECEMBER 2004
Minutes of the meeting held on 6th December 2004 were CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
454. MATTERS ARISING
(a) Footpath Leading to Church Gate [Page 229, Item 438(b)]
A response from Kent Highways to this Council’s communication regarding the condition of the above path was READ and it was NOTED they advise that, although Kent County Council owns the path, its maintenance is the responsibility of the Public Rights of Way Office, and not the Highway Unit, and that all future maintenance issues should be referred them. However due to the possibility of further pedestrian falls, the Highway Unit has given instructions for jet washing of the path to be carried out urgently on this occasion.
455. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) For Noting
The following correspondence
was CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
Mentor: Legal Update, Issue
10 December 2004
1st Ditton Scout Group: Letter of Thanks
Dollman Pritchard: Costcutter 4-5 Woodlands Parade – Licence Transfer
Kent Wildlife Trust: Events in Kent, February – May 2005
Membership Survey 2004
‘Caring for Britain’s Wildlife’
‘ Natural World’, Winter 2004
‘ Wild Kent’, Issue 3 2004
KRCC: ‘Oast to Coast’ Winter 2004
‘Rural News’, No. 63 December 2004
Secondment of Crispin Davies to GOSE
Annual Report 2003-2004
Kent County Council: Notification of New Rights of Way Officer
Report & Accounts 2004 Superannuation Fund
Pension Forum Minutes
Local Council’s: ‘Update’ December 2004 – Issue 62
ROSPA: National Water Safety Congress 2005
Age Concern: Letter of Thanks
Ton & Malling Borough Cncl: ‘Here & Now’ Issue no 6 Dec/Jan 2005
Youth Support & Development
CPRE: ‘Fieldwork’, December 2004
Calendar of Events for 2005
SERPA: Newsletter
Kent Police: Maidstone & Malling Newsletter for Parish Councils –
December 2004
Kilnbarn Social Committee: Minutes of Meeting held 13 th December 2004
KAPC: Parish News No 305, 13 th December 2004
Cookies for a Cure
Kent Community Foundation
NALC: Local Council Review - Volume 56 No 5, January 2005
Data Protection: Data Protection Act 1988 – Confirmation of Renewal
Ditton Infant School: Letters of Thanks
Ditton Junior School: Letters of Thanks
Recipients of Christmas Gifts
From Ditton Charities: Letters of Thanks.
(b) For Decision
Kent County Council: Creating Environmental Excellence – an overview of
the Kent Design Guide
RESOLVED CLLR MULUCK WILL READ
THIS DOCUMENT AND REPORT BACK TO THE NEXT PLANNING MEETING
Ton & Malling Borough Council:
Fourth Week Contribution to 2005 Summer Playscheme
NOTED AN AMOUNT HAS ALREADY
BEEN SET ASIDE IN NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET TO MAKE THIS CONTRIBUTION
Invitation to Tonbridge Housing
Strategy Conference 21.01.2005
RESOVLED CLLR MRS DESAVE WILL
ATTEND THIS CONFERENCE.
NHS: Invitation to Event on
14 th January 2005 to Discuss the Options that have emerged from the recent
review to improve orthopaedic Services
RESOLVED CLLR DAY WILL ATTEND
THIS MEETING WITH MRS DAY WHO WILL THEN PRODUCE A REPORT.
THE CLERK WILL ASK CLLR MRS PETTS IF SHE WISHES TO ATTEND ALSO.
Mrs Eileen Jones Proposed Trip
to Rang-Du-Fliers 13 th /14 th Ditton Twinning Association: July 2005
A communication asking if the Parish Council would like the Twinning Association
to book a minibus on its behalf was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED TO ACCEPT THIS OFFER OF A MINIBUS FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS ATTENDING AND TO PAY FOR IT FROM THE TWINNING BUDGET.
The Chairman MOVED that the following additional item of correspondence
be taken as the date for a response falls before the next meeting of the
Council:
Ton. & Malling Crime and
Disorder Reduction Partnership: Strategic Plan Consultation
RESOLVED CLLR DAY WILL READ THIS REPORT ANDCOMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE.
456. FINANCE
(a) Accounts Received
The following accounts received
were READ and NOTED:-
Multi Sport Users: Hire Fees 443.00
Ditton 50+ Indoor Bowls: Photocopies 9.90
Damara: Photocopies 33.10
Ditton Infant School: Grounds Work 80.00
(b) Accounts For Payment
RESOLVED the following accounts
be ACCEPTED, APPROVED and PAID:-
Salaries: Gross: 12752.96 NETT
9506.01
DPC Imprest A/C: Reimbursement of November Expenses 4262.36*
AquAid: 3 x Still Water 17.97 Vat 3 .15 21.12
Brandon Hire: Credit note sent in error and Deducted from payment in December
186.12
BT: Fax Line 50.25 Clerk’s Line 41.15
2nd Booking Line 41 .23 132.63
Vat 23 .20 155.83
Ditton Elect. Contracts: Electrical Works Scout Hut 475.96 Vat 83 .29
559.25
Ditton Comm. Centre: Hire of Hall NYE Dance 252.00
Glasdon UK Ltd: 2 x Froggo Litter Bins 596.62
2 x Phoenix Seat 710 .88 1307.50 Vat 228 .81 1536.31
Kent County Council: Litter Picker, Rigger Gloves Rock Salt 43.40
Safety Surface Repair KBRG 637.50
680.90 Vat 119 .16 800.06
Land Technics: Rear Light Fault – Tractor 54.20 Vat 9 .49 63.69
Monro South: Border Bark 12.48 Vat 2 .18 14.66
Mower Plant: Drive Belt for Strimmer, 5 Ltrs Oil, Spark Plug Cap 38.91
Vat 6 .80 45.71
Nildram: ADSL Multiple IP Monthly 37.00 Vat 6 .48 43.48
Parkfoot Garage Ltd: November Diesel 37.20 Vat 6 .51 43.71
Popi: Letterheads 210.00 36 .75 246.75
R & D Club Supplies: Plaque for Tree planted in Memory Don Carman
30.00
SERPA: Annual Subscription 2005/2006 20.00
SLCC: Clerks’ Manual 2004 30.00
Post & Packing 5 .00 35.00
Three Towns Office Equip: Year Planner, Cloakroom Tickets Tally Rolls
46.81 Vat 8 .17 54.98
Trident Trailers Ltd: Cable & Jockey Wheel 18.81 Vat 3 .30 22.11
Imprest Account – Breakdown of Expenditure during November 2004
INCOME
Balance carried forward 1st
December 2004 208.05
Add: PC reimbursement 5791.95
6000.00
Peter Eligate - Cheque 1300.00
Chairities Account - Christmas Gifts 750.00
Emergency Reimbursement 2000.00
10050.00
EXPENDITURE December 2004
Voucher Charge 3.25
Inland Revenue 6012.63
Postage Stamps 89.00
B & Q - Christmas Lights Prize 25.00
Lawrence Ins- Temp Cover for Projector 26.25
Community Centre Decorations 52.15
Purchase of Food - Cllrs & Staff Party 54.08
Ditton Charities 750.00
Peter Eligate - Act New Years Eve 1300.00
8312.36
Balance 1737.64
Sum required to restore balance to £6000.00 4262.36*
6000.00
*Sum required to restore balance to £5000.00
(c) Direct Debits - Paid During
November 2004
The following Direct Debits paid during November 2004 were READ, NOTED and APPROVED:-
[i] DITTON PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNT
03.11.04 02 24.05
04.11.04 WPA Health Care 351.99
22.11.04 Kuwait 24.40
22.11.04 Nat West Account Charge 53.00
29.11.04 Euphony Communications 11.39
29.11.04 Nat West Debit Card 238.34
[ii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
BAR ACCOUNT
03.11.04 Sky Business 226.95
09.11.04 Post Office Ltd 58.52
22.11.04 Scottish Courage: - Stock 6797.10
22.11.04 Beer Seller 1411.11
22.11.04 HMC&E – Gaming Machine 124.00
25.11.04 BOC Manchester: - Beer Gas 199.75
29.11.02 Nat West Account Charge 55.00
[iii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE
ACCOUNT
20.11.02 Tonbridge & Malling BC 1541.00
(d) Parish Council Precepts
– Communication from TMBC
Details from the Borough Council
of the Parish Council’s allocation for 2005/2006 under the Scheme of Financial
Arrangements were READ & NOTED as follows:-
Basic Allocation @ £232
assuming a minimum of 1,250 adults 8431.00
Cemeteries & Churchyards 1303.00
Debt Charges 4224 .00
13,958.00
It was NOTED that the 2005/2006
Council Tax Base for Ditton has been calculated to be 1731.8.
FURTHER NOTED that precept requirement
forms, must be returned by 21st January 2005.
(e) Audit of Accounts
[i] NOTICE OF CERTIFICATION
OF COMPLETION OF AUDIT FOR 2003/04 ACCOUNTS
NOTED that Notice of Certification
of Completion of the Audit of Accounts for 2003/2004 has been received
from the Audit Commission and that they have not had to issue any report
under Section 8 of the Audit Commission Act 1998.
The Clerk confirmed that notice
of completion of the Audit, together with the Auditor’s Certificate and
Opinion, has been posted on noticeboards and placed in the AdScene under
Public Notices section, as required.
[ii] APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR
FROM 1ST APRIL 2004 T0 31ST MARCH 2006
Confirmation of the extension
of the appointment of a District Auditor from the Audit Commission as
Auditor to Ditton Parish Council to cover financial years 2004/2005 and
2005/2006 was READ and NOTED.
(f) Christmas Dances - Balance
Sheet
The balance sheet for the 2
Christmas Dances and New Year’s Eve Dance was READ and the profit from
ticket sales NOTED as £5418.87.
Profit from the sale of raffle
tickets at the Christmas dances was NOTED as £656.30, which will
be paid into the Charities Account.
Members were advised that a
raffle and bucket collection, held by guests present at the New Year’s
Eve Dance, raised £822.13 for the Tsunami Disaster Appeal.
(g) Family Day Committee Statement
of Expenditure on Social Events During Financial Year 2004/05
The statement which had previously
been CIRCULATED, was READ and NOTED.
457. REPORTS FROM BOROUGH &
COUNTY COUNCILLORS
County Councillor, Geoff Rowe, reported on the following matters:-
• TMBC Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership comments on this
are requested by Friday 21st January. It gives a breakdown of criminal
activity in Ditton and asks for a response to a series of questions on
positive action and focus for 2005/08.
• TMBC Housing Strategy Conference takes place on Friday 21st January
at Kings Hill. Anyone interested is invited to attend.
• Consultation on the South East Plan – this is planned by SEERA
to run from 24th Jan to 15th April. District Councils have been asked
to arrange a public meeting in each District to which Parish Councils
and others are to be invited.
• Larkfield Library is to be closed for 4 weeks from Monday 17 th
January to enable access improvements to be carried out. Special arrangements
have been made for anyone who would normally use that Library.
• The proposed Community Warden will hold information on the nominated
neighbour scheme and handy van scheme, to assist with making vulnerable
resident’s homes secure.
Cllr Day expressed concern about the cycle lanes and the condition of
many of the road surfaces in Ditton.
Co Cllr Rowe said he would welcome photographs of any problem areas to support requests for work on these areas.
Borough Councillor Porter, advised he had nothing to add to the above
apart from the matter of the proposed bus lanes on the A20. He had not
yet received a reply about his concerns. The Parish Council had not received
a reply either.
458. REPORT FROM PARISH CONSTABLE/COMMUNITY
POLICE
It was NOTED that PC Graham Ford was unable to attend the meeting because
of other duties.
459. 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/04/03840/FL Revised submission
for two-storey Side Extension & first floor rear
Extension 44 Orchard Grove
This plan had been looked at, at the December meeting and was included
in error.
TM/04/04288/FL Conservatory
22 Ditton Place
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
TM/04/04320/FL Ground Floor
extension to form cloak room 26 Primrose Drive
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
(b) Plans Dealt with by Tonbridge
& Malling Area Sub-C’ttee No. 3
The following plans dealt with
by Tonbridge & Malling Area Sub-Committee No. 3. were READ
and NOTED:-
TM/04/03723/TPOC Cut back to
the crown one Ash tree and remove low branch from one Sycamore tree [TPO
12.06.05] 26 St Peter’s Road
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/04/03537/FL Loft conversion
with rear and front Dormers 23 Oak Road
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/04/03584/FL Erection of a
UPVC rear Conservatory 1 Kilnbarn Cotts.
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/04/03374/FL Application under
section 73A for A rear conservatory 43 Ragstone Court
GRANTED
TM/04/03761/FL Bay window extension
Orchard Rise Kilnbarn Road
GRANTED WITH CONDITIONS
TM/04/03735/TNCA Works to Sycamore
Tree & Various The Rectory Conifer trees 2 The Stream
NO OBJECTION
TM/04/03653/FL Change of garage
to study and Proposed kitchen extension 3 Scott Close
GRANTED
(c) ‘B’ Lists
The following ‘B’ Lists were
CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
04/48 - 29.11.2004; 04/49 -
6.12.2004; 04/50 - 13.12.2004
(d) Agenda, Minutes & Notes
of Area Planning Sub0 Committee No. 3
It was NOTED that there were no items relating to Ditton.
(e) Tree Preservation Order: Ditton No. 1 2004 - 649 London Road, Ditton
The above Tree Preservation
Order was READ and it was NOTED that the above order has been confirmed.
(f) Visit to Hermitage Quarry
- Gallagher Aggregates Ltd
A response to this Council’s
communication was READ and it was NOTED that Gallaghers would be happy
for members to visit the quarry in the Spring.
(g) Kent Highways Partnership
Details of the new Kent Highways
Partnership were READ and it was NOTED that the Kent Transport Board met
on 17th November and agreed the terms of reference.
460. WEB SITE
A communication from Mr Clive
Stanley setting out the two phases for the proposed Web Site was READ.
RESOLVED to instruct Mr Stanley
to proceed with Phase 1 of the web site.
461. MATTERS ARISING FROM “CORRESPONDENCE
FOR NOTING”
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 the remainder of the meeting in accordance
with Standing Orders 27 & 50.
462. LAND AT BELL LANE
(a) Current Situation
It was NOTED that there was
nothing further to report.
(c) Notes of a Meeting
Notes of a meeting that took
place in December, which had previously been CIRCULATED, were READ and
NOTED.
463. EX-CLEANER/CARETAKER
Cllr Beadle advised that a payment
had now been made into court and a response was awaited from Mr Chapman.
464. CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM
BOOK
The following confidential memorandum
was CONFIRMED and SIGNED as a true record:-
Ex-Cleaner/Caretaker : Ref CM319
465. CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 9.26pm.
Chairman
7th February 2005