Minutes of the Working Group meeting held on Thursday 20 July 2006 at 8pm

At The Memorial Hall, Goudhurst Road, Marden

Present: J Verrall, G Tippen, K Tippen, E Davis, C Turner, C Gosling, R Adam, K Kershaw, I Balmer, E Doswell, M Lutener, J Banks

Min 53: MINUTES of the meeting held on18 May 2006 were agreed and signed as a true record 

Min 54: MATTERS ARISING: OPEN DAYS – The general feeling was that it was a pity that more people had not attended. The Friday evening had a fair attendance but Saturday was disappointing. However, all the questionnaire responses were positive and the “Happys” were encouraging. The “Grumpys” were more or less what was expected, the main being the state of the roads, lorries and paths. Similar responses were received at the Businesses Meeting. G Tippen undertook to provide a resume of the Business Meeting. K Kershaw expressed her satisfaction with the ENVIRONMENT questionnaires, particularly on waste management. Graham Minter, an occasional Group attendee has undertaken to take on Waste Management matters.  

Min 55: PROGRESS REPORTS 

Transport: R Adam reported that the questionnaires had been analysed and the results had proved to be interesting. A ‘snapshot’ had also been done on the subject of parking for disabled drivers. He will prepare a draft summary to go to all Working Group members. 

Social & Community:

C Gosling had e-mailed his findings to Group members. Most responses had been for ‘Dislikes’, which covered such things as, threats, yobs and motorbikes. Chris said that he had taken over from Sally O’Brien and this had taken his attention from other commitments. He will be unable to continue as Stream Leader. The Chairman thanked him for his considerable contribution to the project. Other Group members echoed this. G Tippen undertook to pick up the remaining work. 

Environment: K Kershaw had passed the summary of her 7 questionnaires to G Tippen, co-ordinator

The results had been gratifyingly positive on Open Spaces and the general environment. Kate handed round copies of the results sheet for The Future of Marden questionnaire, which showed positive responses. 

 Economy: I Balmer reported on work in progress. The questionnaire on Work in Marden touched on Catering, Restaurants, Bars etc.   Managerial jobs showed more blanks. Another survey will be going ahead on Training and Development.

E Davis said that G Tippen should be congratulated on the efficient way he had worked to collate and present the analyses of the Open Days to the Working Group Members. This was agreed. 

Min. 56: NEXT STEPS: K Kershaw suggested that the work to date should be co-ordinated into another Draft Report by mid-September to G Tippen, for the November meeting. It was agreed that it be passed to the Marden Parish Council for comment.   Another Open Meeting should be held for public decision on what should be the priorities. A budgeted costing for SEDA will be helpful.

The Chairman and the Secretary had attended a meeting at Tenterden where Sue Beer was present. She stated that the Marden Community Plan was further advanced than any other scheme. 

It was agreed that in view of the work to be done the August Working Group meeting should be cancelled. 

Min. 58: NEXT MEETING: Thursday 21 September 2006, 8 pm at The Memorial Hall, Marden.

 This ended the business and the meeting closed at 9.33 pm.