Ditton Parish Council
Meeting Minutes, July 2005
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF DITTON PARISH COUNCIL,
HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
AT DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ON MONDAY, 4TH JULY 2005
[Click here for a downloadable version in Adobe PDF file format.]
PRESENT: CLLRS. J D DAY [Chairman],
M J PORTER [Vice-Chairman], MRS A BEADLE, J BEADLE, MRS J E DESAVE, J
E DESAVE AND MRS A THROSSELL.
MRS S J KAVANAGH [Clerk of the Council] and MRS N GREENAWAY [Administrative
Assistant].
131. OPENING OF MEETING
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.35pm
132. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Previously notified apologies were received and accepted from Cllrs. Baker,
Mrs Mulcuck, Mulcuck, Mrs Thorpe, Thorpe and Mrs Thwaites.
133. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS & EXPENDITURE
There were no declarations of interest or expenditure.
134. CONFIRMATION & SIGNING OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON 6TH JUNE 2005
Minutes of the meeting held on 6th June 2005 were READ, CONFIRMED and
SIGNED.
135. MATTERS ARISING
The Chairman read a letter from Kent County Council’s Kent Fleet, regarding
an amendment to the terms of the lease for the new vehicle. The amendment
relates to the replacement vehicle (not like for like) and no-quibble
tyre policy which has been deleted.
RESOLVED Kent Fleet be advised that this Council entered into a contract
which included the above and therefore Members expect the contract to
be honoured or a reduction in the lease fee.
136. MINUTES OF MEETINGS HELD DURING JUNE 2005
(a) For Confirmation
(i) COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMITTEE, 13TH JUNE 2005
Cllr. DeSave presented the above minutes which were CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
Cllr. Mrs Beadle expressed concern at the unsightly asbestos stickers
in the toilets and corridor. Members were advised that a full inspection
and report has been undertaken and all asbestos found has to be labelled
by law. All asbestos in the building which has deteriorated has been removed
and the remainder is being monitored to ensure it is safe.
Members felt that when works are being undertaken in the areas containing
asbestos, it should be removed at the same time.
(ii) PLANNING COMMITTEE, 20TH JUNE 2005
These minutes were presented by the Vice-Chair, Cllr. Mrs DeSave and CONFIRMED
and SIGNED as a true record.
(iii) OPEN SPACES & AMENITIES COMMITTEE, 20TH JUNE 2005
These minutes were presented by Cllr. Day and CONFIRMED and SIGNED as
a true record.
(a) Item 128(e) Ditton Bowls Club.
RESOLVED should this work require the hiring of equipment, this will be
chargeable to the Bowls Club.
137. CORRESPONDENCE
(a) For Noting
The following correspondence was CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
C Associates: Accountants & Management Consultants
Tonbridge & Malling Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership: Copy
of Strategy Adopted for 2005 – 2008
NALC: Pointers to Good Practice – A guide for town and parish councils
South East Regional Assembly: A Clear Vision for the South East – Update
on the South East Plan – Number 7, May 2005
KAPC: Parish News – Issue no. 309, 6th June 2005
Clerks & Councils Direct: Local Council Update - June 2005, Issue
68
Campaign to Protect Rural England: Countryside Voice – Summer 2005
Fieldwork – June 2005
KCC: Kent Audit – Irregular Happenings, Issue 16, May 2005
TMBC: Here & Now – Issue 3, June/July 2005
KCC: Out of School Forums – Outdoor Play, 15th July 2005
Your Breakfast Club, 13th September 2005
Ditton Infant School: Letter of thanks re donation for Christmas Party
TMBC: Bulky Refuse Service Timetable
Friends of Kings Wood: A Guide to the Forest and the work of the Friends
Action with Communities In Rural Kent: Oast to Coast
DEFRA: Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005
Mr C Clarke: Priory Park, Aylesford – Copy of communication to Mr Gilbert
Kent Police: Maidstone & Malling Police Newsletter for PC’s June 05
(b) For Decision
KAPC: Councillors’ Information Day – 16th July 2005
READ and NOTED. Any Member wishing to attend is asked to contact the Clerk
without delay.
Action with Communities In Rural Kent: New Licensing Laws Briefing Session
7.30pm, Tuesday 5th July, Lenham Community Centre
READ and NOTED the Clerk already has this Council’s Licence conversion
application in hand.
TMBC: Bash the Trash 2005
READ & NOTED.
Mrs J Ratcliffe: Village Green
A request from Ditton Church Pre-School to hold a school summer fair on
the village green on Saturday 16th July from 12.noon to 2.00pm was READ
and NOTED.
RESOLVED TO ACCEDE TO THE REQUEST, SUBJECT TO THE USUAL CONDITIONS
Saturday Household Bulky Refuse Service
A request from a resident to T&MBC to have the Bulky Refuse service
in Bell Lane was READ and it was NOTED that they have been advised that
it is not possible to accede to the request for logistical reasons.
Members felt that the current site, in the car park of the Community Centre,
is the best site however it was suggested that the car park at Cobdown
Club could be an alternative location but, as this is privately owned,
the owners permission would have to be obtained.
Mr H G Wingrove: Public Footpaths Maintenance
A request for this Council to carry out maintenance work to footpaths
in the parish without waiting for discussion with Kent County Council
was READ and NOTED.
RESOLVED THIS COUNCIL DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE THE MANPOWER OR FINANCE
TO UNDERTAKE THIS TASK AND EVEN IT IF DID IT COULD ONLY BE DONE UNDER
A FORMAL AGREEMENT WITH KENT COUNTY COUNCIL.
The Chairman asked Members to consider three additional items of correspondence
which are date sensitive.
Kent County Council: Tonbridge & Malling Local Board, 6th July 2005
The above meeting will be held in the Acorn Room at Ditton Community Centre,
commencing at 7.00pm.
Ton. & Malling Boro’ Cncl: Parish Partnership Panel
NOTED next meeting is 1st September 2005, and items for the agenda for
that meeting must be received no later than 22nd July 2005.
138. FINANCE
(a) Accounts Received
The following accounts received were READ and NOTED:-
Ditton Junior School: Ground Maintenance 259.48
Ditton Petanque Club: Piste Fee & Food Prep 60.00
Gullands: Interest Accrued on Court Fee 64.32
Mrs Plummer: Gazette Ad – Summer Edition 28.00
Multi Sports: Hire Fees 319.00
(b) Accounts For Payment
RESOLVED to APPROVED, ACCEPT and PAY the following accounts:-
Salaries: Gross: 13310.94 Nett: 9998.07
DPC Imprest A/C: June Reimbursement 5829.26
AquAid (Kent): Annual Cooler Rental 52.00
Water 18.75
70.75
Vat 12.38 83.13
British Telecom: Fax Line 46.94
Admin Line 41.15
Clerks Line 41.15
129.24
Vat 22.61 151.85
CC Auto Service: Replace Exhaust & Steering Parts 108.00
Bearings Labour 60.00 168.00
D K Skips: 2 x 2 Yard Skips – Allotments 140.00
1 x 4 Yard Skip - General Rubbish 90.00 230.00
Gullands: Legal Fees 247.00
Vat 43.23 290.23
Kent County Council: Councillors Name Badges 8.66
Stationery 29.10
37.66
Vat 6.61 44.37
Monro South: Fertiliser 78.34
Vat 13.71 92.05
Nildram Limited: ADSL Multiple to 7/7/05 37.00
Vat 6.48 43.48
Open Spaces Society: Annual Subscriptions 30.00
Parker Merchanting: Work Boots – A. Wood 24.86
Latex Gloves 13.20
38.06
Vat 6.66 44.72
Parkfoot Garages Ltd: Toyota Fuel 34.04
Vat 5.96 40.00
Pover Photography: Photography Services 79.00
The National Society Affiliation Fees 50.00
of Allotment & Leisure Gardens: Vat 8.75 58.75
Sage(UK) Ltd: Pay Envelopes 39.00
Vat 6.83 45.83
Stream Nursery: Plants for Hanging Baskets 274.00
Travis Perkins: General Sundries 48.75
Vat 8.53 57.28
Breakdown of Expenditure from Imprest Account during June 2005
Brought Forward 1st June 2005 574.36
Add: PC reimbursement 5425.64
C/fwd 6000.00
B/fwd 6000.00
Deduct June Expenses
Postage Stamps 51.00
Inland Revenue 4775.41
Payment of Salary 555.39
Com Centre Refurbishment 313.22
OSA Expenses 39.99
Personal Licences – Bar 111.00
Voucher Charge 3.25
5849.26
Less Cancelled Cheque -20.00 5829.26
170.74
Sum drawn 4th July 2005 5829.26*
BALANCE £6000.00
*Sum required to restore balance to £6000
(c) Direct Debits - Paid During May 2005
The following direct debits paid in May 2005 were APPROVED and ACCEPTED:-
[i] DITTON PARISH COUNCIL ACCOUNT
01.05.05 Mobile Telephone 17.65
04.05.05 WPA Health Care 380.15
10.05.05 RBS Mentor 284.35
20.05.05 Pace Petroleum 45.14
24.05.05 Nat West Bank Line 40.00
27.05.05 Euphony Communications 17.26
[ii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE BAR ACCOUNT
04.05.05 Sky Business 227.95
20.05.05 Scottish Courage – Stock 8531.03
23.05.05 Beer Cellar 1089.36
23.05.05 HMC &E- Gaming Machine 124.00
25.05.05 BOC Manchester – Beer Gas 211.50
31.05.05 Walkers Snacks Ltd 514.09
31.05.05 Nat West Account Charge 55 00
[iii] DITTON COMMUNITY CENTRE ACCOUNT
20.05.05 Tonbridge & Malling BC – Business Rate 1408.00
31.05.05 Nat West Account Charge 55.00
(d) Accounts for Year Ended 31st March 2005
The accounts for year ended 31st March 2005, were READ and it was NOTED
that they had only been received via email this evening, leaving no time
for the Clerk to look at them.
RESOLVED to approve the accounts subject to the scrutiny of the Clerk
and Chairman, and subject to audit.
(e) Notice of Audit for Year Ended 31st March 2005
NOTED the audit of the above accounts will commence at 9.30am on 10th
August 2005. Accounts, deeds and all other documents will therefore be
available for inspection by electors from 12th July 2005.
139. REPORTS FROM BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS
Borough Councillor Mike Porter gave a report on the following items:-
• Parish Partnership Panel – date of the next
meeting is 1st September 2005.
• Masts – Notice has been validated for a free
standing mono pole with 3 antennae outside the T A Centre.
County Councillor Geoff Rowe reported on the following matters:-
• Annual Triangle Award Ceremony – Ditton Community
Centre, Friday 8th July 2005
• Kent Highways – As from 13th June 2005, all
highway maintenance service calls will be transferred to the KCC call
centre on 08458 247800.
• Woodlands Parade – the £50K improvement
programme 2005/2006 is still scheduled.
• Highway Maintenance Works Programme 2005/2006
- Kiln Barn Road is to be resurfaced in 2 areas and New Road is to be
resurfaced. Birch Crescent and Wilton Drive are scheduled to have some
footway improvements.
• Licensing Act 2003 – last date for submission
of applications 6th August 2005
• Speedwatch – this will be launched at Kent
Police College on 17th August 2005., one Member of the parish council
is invited to attend. A second presentation will be held at the KAPC AGM
on 5th November 2005 in Ditton Community Centre.
• Local Boards grants – Ditton Parish Council
is encouraged to apply for 2 grant sources: Local Members Grant and Small
Community Capital Projects.
• Public Rights of Way – Graham Rustling will
be happy to discuss PROW maintenance with the Council and is happy to
fund parishes who wish to take ownership of their own PROW, however, funding
would be at KCC level.
Clearance has now started and the second cut is due to take place August/September.
• Parish Partnership Panel – will be held on
Thursday 1st September. Items for the agenda should be sent to Allison
Parris TMBC no later than 22nd July.
• Neighbourhood Policing - Telephone number for
the PC and Community Warden should be publicised throughout the parish.
140. REPORT FROM COMMUNITY POLICE/PARISH WARDEN
PC Graham Ford attended and advised that PC Nickels is on extended compassionate
leave. PC Ford gave a report on crime in the parish and the launch of
Speedwatch.
141. PLANNING MATTERS
(a) Plans Received for Comment
TM/05/01849/FL Conversion of garage to kitchen, replacement of existing
flat roof with pitched roof to match existing and replacement conservatory
34 Fernleigh Rise
RESOLVED NO OBJECTION
(b) Plans Dealt with by Tonbridge & Malling Area Sub-Committee No.
3
No decision notices were received during the past fourteen days.
(c) ‘B’ Lists
The following ‘B’ Lists were CIRCULATED, READ and NOTED:-
05/23 - 13.06.2005; 05.24 - 20th June 2005
(d) Minutes/Notes/etc. of Area 3 Planning Sub-Committee
NOTED this document had not been received.
(e) Planning Enforcement Investigation at Q8 Petroleum, London Road
NOTED the site investigation carried out by the Borough Council’s Development
Control on 21st April found that a breach had occurred with regard to
change of advertisement. FURTHER NOTED the owners have been contacted
and given 28 days to submit an application on a without prejudice basis.
(f) Kent Highways Services – Service Requests
The new arrangements for service requests, a copy of which had been previously
circulated to Members, was READ and NOTED.
142. TWINNING MATTERS
The Chairman advised that this year marks the 10th Anniversary of the
twinning with Rang-du-Fliers. He requested permission to mark the occasion
by presenting the Mayor with an engraved decanter during his visit for
the Bastille celebrations.
RESOLVED to accede to the request and the gift be purchased from the Chairman’s
allowance.
143. LICENSING ACT 2003
Information regarding the conversion/variation of the Council’s licences
for the Community Centre and Kilnbarn Residents Club, which had been previously
circulated to all Members, was READ, and NOTED.
Discussion took place on the various options and it was NOTED that the
Community Centre already has a ‘Special Hours’ Certificate which would
be converted with the Licence.
RESOLVED to apply for a conversion only for the Community Centre.
Members NOTED that the Kilnbarn Club currently has a ‘Childrens’ Certificate’,
until 8.00pm, which will be converted with the licence unless the Council
applies for a variation. Discussion took place on other variations to
be considered as follows:-
1. Permit children until closing time, but embed in the Club Rules that
children will only be permitted in the club until 10.00pm, except on special
occasions when there is a social or sporting event in the club.
2. Include entertainment for twelve discos and four live performances
per year.
3. Remain a club or become a ‘pub’
4. Abolish the 48 hour rule.
5. Extend evening closing times to 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and 11.00pm
Sundays, but embed in the Club Rules that closing times of 11.00pm Mondays
to Saturdays and 10.30pm on Sundays will normally apply and the extended
hours only used for special social and sporting events.
RESOLVED to remain a club and apply for a variation as set out above.
The Clerk agreed to amend the Club Rules to reflect the variations.
144. MATTERS ARISING FROM “CORRESPONDENCE FOR NOTING” [Item 7(a)]
There were no matters arising from correspondence for noting.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
The Chairman moved that in view of the confidential nature of the following
items, the remainder of the meeting will be closed to the press and public
in accordance with Standing Orders 27 & 50.
145. PERSONNEL MATTERS
The Clerk advised Members of a meeting held during the afternoon with
the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Personnel Committee at which bar matters
were discussed. A report of that meeting will be presented to the Community
Centre Committee at its meeting next week.
146. EX-CLEANER CARETAKER
NOTED this matter has now been concluded.
147. LAND AT BELL LANE
NOTED no further information was available.
148. CONFIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM BOOK
(a) Appointment of Administrative Assistant – Ref CM321
Confidential Memorandum Ref. CM321 was READ, CONFIRMED and SIGNED.
149. CLOSURE
The meeting closed at 10.15pm.
Chairman
1st August 2005