Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held Tuesday, 12 August 2003 in The
Allens, Albion Road, Marden at 7.30 p.m.
1. PRESENT
PRESENT
Councillors Adam, Brown, Lutener, Newton, Reed (in the Chair), Reid, St Clair, Tippen and
Tipples. The Clerk, Borough Councillor Nelson-Gracie and three members of the public.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Ballard and Day.
3. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Signed as a true copy by the Chairman.
4. MATTERS ARISING
Model Code of Conduct
Vote for Signing the Code of Conduct as follows:
Against 4 For 2 Abstention 2 5. PARISH
MATTERS
a) Visit by Jan Benson, Interim Chief Executive of Kent Air Ambulance. Ms Benson gave a
brief résumé of the Air Ambulance asking for volunteers and support from the village of
Marden, currently running costs exceed income and there is a need to boost financial
support. National Air Ambulance Day is on 26th September 2003 when the base is open to all
residents.
b) MBC Support for Parish Councils – Borough Councillor Nelson-Gracie had spoken to
councillors prior to the meeting to complete a questionnaire from MBC regarding support. A
copy would be sent to the Clerk for file.
c) Parish Sweeping – The clerk had attended a workshop with MBC (notes had previously
been circulated). The Council felt that the situation would need to be looked into before
agreeing to the proposals of MBC taking over the contract.
d) Lucks Way Play Area – the funding for this play area had not been carried over but
Borough Councillor Berriman was looking into the situation for us.
e) The Elections for 2004 were to be held on 10th June 2004 due to European elections.
POLICE
Total crimes since last meeting –13 – 1 attempted burglary other than dwelling;
1 burglary; 3 burglaries other than dwelling; 1 theft of vehicle; 3 thefts; 2 assaults
(ABH); 1 common assault; 1 criminal damage.
PC Carron had informed the Council that Collier Street and Yalding area had experienced
visits from gypsies going the Horsmonden Horse Fair, not realising that it had been moved
to Dartford.
It was proposed that a Police Surgery would be trialled at Marden Library the second
Saturday of the month commencing on 13th September to include two councillors.
PC Carron asked about the Youth Club – it was currently closed for the summer –
but he asked whether there was any possibility of it opening more frequently. Cllr Reid
would speak to youth leader.
PUBLIC FORUM
The Parish Council meeting was adjourned and the Chairman invited members of the public to
ask questions or make statements. The public must not take part at any other time.
A resident informed the Council that vegetation was growing over the pathway along
Maidstone Road. The Clerk to look into.
6. MEMORIAL HALL
The Clerk informed the Council of the progress in the Memorial Hall. The builders had run
over by about four days due to the bad weather at the beginning of works. The first half
of the invoice was due and grant would be made available from MBC shortly. Work was due to
commence in the Long Room week beginning 18th August.
Cllr Tipples asked about the gardens in front of the hall. The Trustees would take this to
the next Hall Committee.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
a) Licence Transfer – the Licence at Alldays had been transferred.
b) MBC have written to the Parish Council informing them of the death of Mrs Sarah
Haskett.
c) KCC – Reconstitution of School Governors. New regulations state there is no longer
a requirement to appoint a minor authority representative as an additional co-opted
governor.
d) MBC – letter defining “What is a friend?”.
e) Documents received from Tovil Valley Conservation Society regarding development at
Tovil. Cllr Brown informed the Council that if they wished to comment on this that she
would advise them to look at the planning history.
f) Consultation Paper from ODPM – Cllr Adam to read.
Borough Councillor Nelson-Gracie present. Nothing to report.
Cllr Adam made comment of articles both in Downs Mail and KM regarding Borough Councillor
Blackmore.
8. PLANNING
a) Decisions
Approvals
MA/99/1980/C04
Melbury Barn, Goudhurst Road, Marden. Installation of below
ground swimming pool including engineering operations to excavate the soil and re-grade
the land into the garden.
MA/02/0345/C01
Nash Oast, Marden Thorn, Marden. Extension of residential
curtilage, provision of fenced tennis court and erection of 2.5 metre high ragstone wall.
MA/02/2049/C01
The Old Chapel, Dairy Lane, Chainhurst, Marden. Change of use of
land from agricultural to domestic garden.
MA/03/0227/C01
Longridge Farm, Thorn Road, Marden. Change of use of land to
construct a hard surface tennis court.
MA/03/0414
The Old Coach House, Cedardene, Hunton Road, Marden. Certificate
of lawful use or development.
MA/03/0565
1 Dorma Cottage, Pattenden Lane, Marden. Retrospective change of
use of farm land to domestic garden incorporating car parking and turning area.
MA/03/0615
The Grange, Maidstone Road, Marden. Erection of extension to
existing pool house.
MA/03/0691
4 Spring Grove Cottages, Goudhurst Road, Marden. Erection of
part two- storey and part single storey rear extension.
MA/03/1046
18 Sovereigns Way, Marden. Certificate of lawful use or
development.
MA/03/1126
12 Lime Close, Marden. Single storey rear extension and
conservatory.
Refusal
MA/02/1009/C01
Reed Place Barn, Dairy Lane, Marden. Conversion of existing
garage to a bedroom with en-suite and erection of a detached garage with shed and log
store.
b) Minutes of Planning meeting previously circulated to Councillors.
c) Correspondence from MBC – Parishes had asked whether the 21 day period for reply
could be extended – this was not possible due to the timescale MBC have.
d) Planning Applications – these were deferred to a planning meeting to be held on
Tuesday 19th August.
9. HIGHWAYS
a) Minutes of Highways meeting with MBC. Cllr Brown requested that the Clerk chase
Highways periodically on issues raised at the meeting.
b) Correspondence from MBC – ditch clearing in Goudhurst Road, Meades Close and
Battle Lane.
The Highways Seminar would now be held on 1st October at Sutton Valence.
MBC were proposing to set up a spreadsheet that would be “live” between parish
councils and MBC – to go live in September.
Cllr Brown had read the Draft Policy Guidance Note regarding change of use of buildings in
the countryside. This was being circulated to all councillors on the planning committee
and the clerk would ask MBC to provide Marden with a copy once agreed.
Other Highways Issues
Cllr Adam had written to Wimpeys and MBC regarding the highway at Cherry Orchard Estate.
The Clerk also written to Wimpey regarding grass mowing and repairs to play area.
Cllr Newton asked who was responsible for fly tipping. If on public highway – MBC
Environmental Services and if on land – landowner.
10. CEMETERY
Cllr Lutener would install the tree seat at the cemetery with the help of one of his
students. Councillors were in agreement to pay his student for time taken. A new strimmer
had be purchased as previous one was uneconomical to repair.
11. PLAYING FIELD
The MBC monthly report had been received. Graham Carey had completed some of the work
requested of him following the playing field meeting. The Clerk had the toddler swings in
the office and would get them to Graham for installation.
The Clerk had spoken to KCC Landscape Services who will cease cutting the football pitch.
12. FINANCE
a) Balances as at 30th July 2003.
Post Office £14,096.89 Current Account £00.00 Reserve Account
£66,761.41
b) Payments for Approval
List attached.
c) The Internal Audit had been carried out in the presence of the clerk, Cllrs Lutener and
Newton and the internal auditor. The insurance cover needs to be looked into.
Other Parish Issues
Cllr St Clair asked whether the railings opposite the school could be looked at as coming
away from frame. Clerk to contact MBC.
Cllr Brown had read Service Review on Arts Development and commented that nothing was
mentioned of rural areas. Clerk to look into.
Cllr Adam asked that 1st November be booked for the Traffic Calming morning and would send
out letters to relevant people.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE TO ALL COUNCILLORS
Maidstone Borough Council
Weekly Lists of Planning Applications
Agenda for Planning Committee
Agenda for Environment and Transportation Committee
Agenda for Joint Transportation Board
Agenda for Housing Strategy and Regeneration
Planning Committee Minutes
Forward Plan of Key Decisions
Arts Development - On Reflection (Service Review)
Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2002-03
News Releases - Watchful Eye on Whatman Park / Get Sporty this Summer / Meeting of the
Maidstone Local Strategic Partnership / Maidstone health chief warns about dangerous
sweets / Get your skates on! / Cabinet stops off at Marden / Law-d of the rings /
Tomorrow's talent tee-off / Free film - just bring your popcorn / Nuisance noisy
neighbours / Tributes to public service
Other
KCC - Framework for Community Safety 2003/2006
KCC - Local Transport Plan for Kent 2001/2006
Highways Agency - Traffic Information in Sussex and Kent
Parish News and enclosures
Kent Police Newsletters
Downs Mail
Kent Rural Community Council leaflets
Around Kent
Clerks & Councils Direct
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust
River Medway Clean Up Weekend
Medway Valley Countryside Partnership
Marden Parish Magazine
DEFRA - Rural Services Standard 2003
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9.30 PM
Chairman ……………………….
Date: 9 September 2003
(Mrs Dorothy Reed)
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