Minutes of the Working Group Meeting held on Thursday

23 February 2006 at 8 pm at The Memorial Hall, Marden

Present: G Tippen, K Tippen, E Davis, M Lutener, S O’Brien

 K Kershaw, C & S Turner, C Gosling, I Balmer, R Adam

 Apologies: J Verrall (Chairman), M Brown, E Doswell, J Banks

Min 33: in the absence of the Chairman, G Tippen chaired the meeting 

Min 34:  MINUTES of the previous meeting were agreed and signed after the alteration of the word ‘overturned’ to the word ‘clarified’ in the last line of Min 30 

Min 35:  MATTERS ARISING: Min 30 – Constitution agreed 

Min 36:  REPORTS

 Environment: Kate Kershaw reported that the Scouts Group is keen to be involved and she thought that perhaps later, they could be. She said that Environment is cross-referenced to the other groups and suggested that all topic groups to discuss and discover commonality. Kate is keen to have a local survey.

 Social & Community: Sally O’Brien reported that her topics are more difficult than expected. Her ‘feelers’ to Fire Service, Marden Medical Centre and the Media have all received the responses that it would be ‘sensitive’. She has received no returns from her helpers. Sally went on to report that because of her professional involvement in a new project, expected to take about 6 months, she must stand down as Group leader. Sally was thanked for her work so far.

 Economy: Ian Balmer said that he had no further progress to report.

 Transport:  Edith Davis reported slow progress.

 Min 37: PROBLEM QUESTIONS & SUGGESTED ACTIONS

Following a discussion on the problems encountered, it was agreed that the Workstream leaders should meet to work out areas of commonality. It was felt that this would prevent any duplications in the progress reports. To that end, a meeting hosted by Sally O’Brien, will be held at Old Church Cottage on Wednesday 16 March at 8 pm. This will replace what would have been the ordinary Working Group meeting scheduled for 16 March at The Memorial Hall, which is cancelled.

 Min 38: NEXT STEPS: It was agreed to arrange a Public Meeting to be held in May or June. The April Working Group meeting will discuss ideas for the date, venue, form and agenda for the proposed meeting.

 Min 39:  AOB: G Tippen reported that Sue Beer would attend the Marden Parish Annual Meeting on 11 April.

Other Parishes have been contacted and Staplehurst will be hosting a meeting on Transport on 2 March. Ian Grimes is the Marden contact for this. Richard Adam offered his apologies for absence; he will be attending another meeting elsewhere.

Chris Turner, the Treasurer, reported that a Bank Account has been opened with NatWest and that the MCP has received a Grant of £3000 from Kent Rural Towns. Those present expressed their appreciation.

 Min 39: NEXT MEETING: 20 April 2006, 8 pm at The Memorial Hall, Marden

 All were thanked for their attendance.

 This ended the business and the meeting closed at 8.50 pm