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Harrietsham Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 24th June 2009 at 7.30pm
in the Booth Hall
Public Discussion
Several members of the public expressed their concerns over rowdiness and vandalism in the village, claiming that the perpetrators are known, but nothing is being done to stop them. Even the Police failed to respond in a timely fashion after being called, and truancy, generally, is allowed to occur without any sanction against it. Cllr Morris responded by outlining how PACT can help in this sort of matter. The council was also asked whether they had any say in housing people in the village (Cllr Morris said we were consultees only for some, and had no say in others.) It was generally felt that more evidence was required and possible sources of funding for such things as CCTV was enquired about. Cllr Jack suggested that in order to get the Police to respond, each person should write to Insp. Sandwell, who would have to reply. In support of the general tenure of the comments, dissatisfaction was also expressed in the lack of progress in investigating the fatal accident on the A20 a few months ago (and speeding generally), the possible reduction of the 40mph zone proposed by KCC, as well as the apparent use of a caravan for sleeping in Church Lane. (Cllr Morris said that the latter had been reported to both MBC and MHT.)
Just as the public discussion was drawn to a close, Cllr T Sams joined the meeting.
Police report
The PCSO assured the public that writing letters does help to get a reaction.
PCSO Ibbott leaves us on 3rd August. Thanks were offered from the council for all that he has done. Cllr Jack asked that the council writes to the Police to confirm that a replacement is in place.
Community Warden’s report
It was reported that the authorities were well aware of the problems referred to in the discussion, and that steps were being taken. Mr Davy asked that everyone channelled comments and evidence through him, as he had direct contact with the relevant parts of KCC.
68. Present
Cllrs Morris, Oversby, Laffan, Jack, J Sams, Mr Andrew Barr – Lenham, PCSO Mark Ibbott and Colin Davey. Minutes taken by RFO M Cuerden.
20 members of the public, + PCSO + Community Warden
69. Apologies
Cllrs Clifton, Willis and Clerk, Mrs A Broadhurst
70. Minutes of Previous Meeting
These were all accepted as accurate, except for one amendment – the heading of para 56 should have been “KALC”. Acceptance proposed by Cllr T Sams, Seconded by Cllr J Sams, all in favour.
71. Disclosures
Cllr J Sams - Personal Interest in 10.1 (Remix) as she is a volunteer and her children attend the Remix groups
Cllr T Sams - Personal Interest in 10.1 (Remix) as he is a volunteer and his
children attend the Remix groups
Prejudicial Interest in 7.0 (Highways) as he is the Chairman of the Residents Association and is involved with the petition regarding the speed review
Cllr C Jack - Personal Interest in 6.1 (Planning) as he is the neighbour of an applicant
Cllr A Laffan - Personal interest in 10.1 (Remix) as his son attends
72. Matters Arising
No matters were discussed.
72.1 Standing Orders
Amendment to be deferred.
73. Planning
73.1 – 0821; enforcement probably won’t happen as new applications keep being made.
74. Highways
Cllr J Sams reported a positive meeting with the new KCC councillor, covering many issues, specifically the proposed reduction of the 40mph zone and county lengths men. This council is to prepare a fresh list of issues.
Cllr Oversby raised the matter of excess vegetation in Marley Road.
75. Environmental
75.1 None
75.2 Quotes for gates by the sluices have been received by our consultants. The best was £850+VAT. All are to be referred to the Environmental Committee meeting in July.
75.3 By-Laws; a response is awaited from MBC.
76. Finance
The usual monthly spreadsheets were proposed for acceptance by Cllr Oversby and seconded by Cllr J Sams – all in favour.
The clerk was asked to check that all email addresses are correct, and emails sent with read receipts requested, as two or three councillors had not seen the figures before the meeting.
76.1 Pond Warden – A written request for a donation of £100 had been received. Cllr Jack proposed agreeing it, seconded by Cllr J Sams, all in favour. The chair then made a general request to all present for a tree warden – no offers.
76.2 Possible S137 donation to the church – deferred to next meeting.
77. Youth Provisions
77.1 Remix
Cllr T Sams reported that Remix was progressing well.
78. Speedwatch
Cllr J Sams reported that Lenham PC is taking the lead on funding. Once this is in place, training will follow, and the equipment will be kept at Lenham Community hall.
79. Recycling
Cllr T Sams reported that the proposed recycling site at the Texaco garage is running into red tape, which he is seeking to resolve.
80. Housing Needs Survey
Cllr T Sams reported that we awaiting a response.
81. Almshouses
Cllr Morris reported that the almshouses are now in the ownership of Bristol Charities. It is believed that the idea is to sell them, and to use the funds to build a new facility “in the Maidstone area”. Reaction from the residents is mixed with some wanting to move, others not. Thus far, the council has not been consulted, however, in the original incorporation of the houses, it is enshrined that of the 12, 6 are in the gift of the Fishmongers Guild, but the other 6 are for the council to fill. It is therefore felt that the Parish Council should have a strong say in the proposed scheme. A meeting with the Bristol Charities chief executive has been requested, and a response awaited.
Cllr Oversby asked about possible development of the land behind, Cllr Morris observed that the whole property lies within a conservation area, so any development may prove tricky.
82. Asset Register
Cllr Oversby reported that this is currently with the Environmental Committee, Amenity Manager and Clerk.
83. Signs and Signposts
Cllr Oversby reported that the proposed signs were proving to be very expensive, and so may prove not to be cost-effective. It was suggested that we could try contacting the Royal British Legion Industries – Cllr Oversby or the Clerk to do so, and report back to the July Environmental Committee.
Cllr J Sams reported that, as a council, we have no say in the placement of brown tourist signs – so long as the business pays KCC, it can have one.
Cllr Oversby asked about the process for licensing A-Frame signs, and asked if one in particular, at the end of Church Road, was licensed. Cllr T Sams undertook to find out if it was a KCC or MBC responsibility.
84. KIG
Cllr Morris reported that the majority of parish councils in the existing group were to continue with the current consultants. There are 14 councils in the group, and at the forthcoming public inquiry, the JPG will have 11 witnesses – not quite 1 per parish – and volunteers are being sought. However, members of the public wishing to appear are unlimited in numbers, so anyone can go and have their say. It was noted that at the inquiry, the JPG can only represent “views of our parishioners” – planning considerations etc are to be left to others.
A second representative is needed, from Harrietsham, to attend the group’s meetings. Cllr Jack offered.
85. Village Appraisal
Cllr J Sams reported that there is an article submitted to Network magazine asking for volunteers to help with the appraisal. He already has one volunteer.
86. Seats and bins in Church Road
Cllr Morris reported that he is still looking for a supplier of metal bins, and there is also a requirement for seating in a bus shelter. He is in the process of getting costings.
Cllr Jack noted that MBC seem to be dishing out bins, especially in Bearsted, and wondered if we could get some. Cllr T Sams undertook to investigate.
87. Lighting
Cllr T Sams reported that this was now waiting for the Village Appraisal to judge demand because the recent PACT survey had proved inconclusive. It was suggested that whilst discussing the Church Road project, a budget figure could be sought for Church Lane, as lighting here would help combat the issues raised at the start of the meeting.
88. Freighter Location
Cllr T Sams reported that this issue now seems to be resolved.
89. KALC
There had been no meeting to report on.
90. Glebe Field
Cllr T Sams reported that indicative prices for play equipment had been obtained, and observed that £42,000 wasn’t going to go as far as hoped. He was now in the process of getting more quotes, and hoped to bring proposals back to July’s council meeting. He will also contact MBC’s planning department to see if we will need permission.
91. Lenham Parish Council
Cllr T Sams reported that the relatively new Lenham Business Association is changing its name to the Len Valley Business Association to represent and market local businesses.
92. PACT
Cllr T Sams reported that 91 survey responses had been received. Analysis and documentation is underway, and it is hoped to present the results to July’s meeting.
93. Anti-social Behaviour
Cllr Laffan observed that actually quite a lot can be done about this, and referred interested parties to the various government web sites he found by using Google.
94. Policing
Cllr T Sams reported that a recent meeting with Insp. Sandwell had proved unsatisfactory. In the light of the public discussion earlier, it was proposed to invite the Inspector and his Sergeant down for the next meeting.
95. Web Site
This was deferred to the next meeting.
96. Emergency Planning Procedure
Cllr T Sams said that we should create a contact list in the event of an emergency. Actual emergency response is the responsibility of MBC/KCC. This may be a result of the PACT meetings.
97. Wish list
Cllr Oversby recalled the creation of a list some time ago. Cllr Morris produced a copy that he had found and went through the items. It transpired that almost all had been done or were in progress. It was felt that a similar exercise might be worthwhile, but we should wait for the review of the Parish Plan and Village Appraisal.
98. Correspondence
Noted.
99. Available for Inspection
Noted.
100. Future Events
None mentioned.
101. Items for Future Consideration
Cllr Laffan – Bridal Way (enforcement)
Cllr Oversby – Floating duck island for lake
Cllrs Morris, T Sams, J Sams and Jack – nothing
Date of next meeting: Wednesday 29th July 2009 at 7.30pm in the Booth Hall
Meeting closed at 9:46pm
Public Discussion
A local resident complained about being disturbed in the night by a neighbour’s dogs howling. A number of people agreed, and 15 had decided to sign a petition if it would help. Cllrs J and T Sams recommended keeping diaries (as requested by MBC noise abatement) but would also see if it was possible to get some recording equipment to try and speed up the process. They would also see what else could be done.
It was noted that the premature leaving of items for the freighter service seemed to have ceased (Cllr Laffan commenting that he had explained the situation to some local residents, and felt that had helped). There was general concern that the service was not now taking some forms of refuse, and that this may lead to an increase in fly-tipping.
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