MARDEN PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 11TH NOVEMBER 2003

AT THE ALLENS, ALBION ROAD, MARDEN COMMENCING AT 7.30PM

 

1.

PRESENT

Councillors Ballard, Brown, Lutener, Newton, Reed (in the Chair), Reid, Tippen and Tipples.  The Clerk, six members of the public and County Councillor Hotson.

 

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Councillors Adam and Day.  Borough Councillor Nelson-Gracie.

 

3.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

Signed as a true copy by the Chairman.

 

4.

MATTERS ARISING

a)

 

 

b)

 

 

c)

 

 

 

d)

Model Code of Conduct

Vote for Signing the Code of Conduct as follows:

Against 4     For 2           Abstention 1

Borough Councillors

Notes of the meeting held with Borough Councillor Blackmore had previously been circulated.

Traffic Consultation Morning

A very well attended workshop and Cllr Adam will prepare a report following this in the near future and had asked all Councillors who had attended the morning to meet to discuss.  A letter had been received from County Councillor Hotson congratulating the Parish Council on a successful morning.

Angley School

Notes of the meeting with KCC had previously been circulated.  Cllr Reed had received a telephone call from the office of Simon Webb who informed the Council that the bus used to transport the Marden children who have bus passes was not required to have seatbelts due to the age of the bus.  The Clerk to speak with Mr  Webb regarding this together with children being three to a seat.

 Cllr Tipples was still concerned as to the planning decision in Minute 1064, Item 8(b).   Felt that there are three things a Parish Councillor should possess: (i) knowledge of parish; (ii) be approachable; and (iii) have common sense.  They do not need training - before too long they will be over trained.  Cllr Reed responded that the parish council has its own guidelines so as to be consistent with all planning applications.

Cllrs however agreed with Cllr Tipples regarding the three aspects of a Parish Councillor.

 

5.

PARISH MATTERS

a)

Christmas 2003

Cllr Day had contacted the clerk to offer Christmas trees for the library and Marden pre-school.  A date to be arranged for delivery of these.  A letter had been sent regarding shop judging and quote requested from electrical company.  Both responses still awaited.  Church choir to be contacted.  Everything else in hand.

b)

Police Surgery

This was held on Saturday 8th November and very well attended.  PC Carron unable to hold a surgery in December so the next date will be Saturday 10th January.  Cllr Tippen asked whether PC Carron would be able to attend on 20th December. 

c)

Parish Office

The door to the parish office had now been reinstated but a step was needed.  Cllr Ballard offered to cover the costs and the clerk would contact relevant person to undertake work.  It had also been suggested that a spyhole/panic button be provided.  This to be looked into.

Now the building works had been undertaken the clerk asked the Council whether the office could be redecorated.  Cllr Reid to speak with the Clerk to look into.

d)

Parish Noticeboard

The noticeboard at Chantry Road had been removed and sites had been suggested at Chainhurst.  Cllr Tipples to look into.

 

 

Cllr Lutener had been provided with flowers for the horse troughs from a local nursery.  The Clerk to write letter of thanks.

 

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.

·          

The issue of parking outside Marden Tandorri was still a problem.  PC Carron was due to look into this.  The Clerk to contact to see what action had or could be taken.

·          

Junction of Pattenden Lane was a problem with parking outside the hairdressers.  This was brought up at the Traffic morning and would be discussed with Cllr Adam.

·          

A resident was concerned to read of the "apathy of meeting with Borough Councillor Blackmore".  Felt that there were no publicity of this meeting other than a poster being put up that morning.  The Parish Council had advertised the meeting on the parish noticeboards three days before as required by law.

·          

Cllr Hotson attended last meeting and said that he would look into the cutting back of hedges from road signs.  The Clerk to speak with Cllr Hotson and to contact Highways.

·          

Lockable barriers had been placed at the entrance to the station.  The Clerk had been in contact with the Railway who had not mentioned that they would be installed only the possibility of this in the  future.  MBC did not know until the Clerk contacted them this week.  MBC have been requested to move the recycling bins from the station car park but are unable to do so or empty them now that the barriers are in place.  The Clerk to arrange a site meeting.  Query whether a planning issue with the barriers.

 

6.

MEMORIAL HALL

John Banks informed the Council that all works had been completed with a "snagging meeting" booked for six months from completion date.  A breakdown of costs had been circulated previously to all Councillors and it was noted that one payment to the contractors had to be paid before grants had been received from KCC/MBC.  This had been done therefore the Parish Council to reinstate payee now that grants had been received.  Hope to arrange an official opening in January as it is the end of the Millennium project which was started with the building of the stage.

 

7.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

Community Planning Seminar - 15th November.  Any Councillors wishing to attend to contact the Clerk.

b)

Review of Parish Sweeping document.  Cllr Reed and the Clerk were due to meet with Cllr Malcolm Wells on the 20th November to discuss this.

c)

Affordable Housing Policy Review - Cllr Brown to read.

d)

Recycling Banks at Marden Station - discussed within Public Forum.

e)

Road Closure - letter from Mid Kent Water regarding closure of road from the Reservoir at Curtisden Green and opposite Hart Heath Farm Road. For a duration of eight weeks commencing 3rd November.

f)

Marden Station.  This was read out although the police were not in attendance.  A copy would be forwarded to PC Carron and the Clerk to speak with British Transport Police.

g)

Local Councils Update subscription.  Do not subscribe.

h)

Victim Support - Maidstone and Malling have requested donation and volunteers.  A notice regarding volunteers would be placed on the noticeboard and the Clerk would write regarding the donation.  As a Parish Council, although we support all charities we do not donate.  It was felt that if donation was made to one then donations would have to be made to all.  

i)

Comprehensive Performance Assessment - Cllr Newton to read.

 

County Councillor Hotson passed on his verbal congratulations regarding the Traffic Consultation workshop.  It was well organised and a good input was made by all the parish.

The formal Housing Transfer takes place on Wednesday 12th November and as from 24th November there will, officially, be no Council housing as being taken over by the Maidstone Housing Trust.  The same officers will be dealing with the workload.

Cllr Blackmore is trying to ascertain work timescales regarding central heating being installed in Council properties and some only having heating on the ground floor.

Letters have gone out to all parents offering their child/children a place on a bus from Staplehurst.  However, they still need to get them to Staplehurst.  Not ideal situation.

Next Monday the Boundary Commission will sit and it has been suggested a possibility that Marden, Yalding and Staplehurst will be moved to Ashford Borough.  Cllr Hotson against this.

 

8.

PLANNING

a)

Decisions - Approvals

MA/03/1396 - Little New Lodge, Hunton Road, Marden

Erection of first floor side extension

MA/03/1491 - South Oast, Chainhurst, Marden

Enlarge existing landing window to the first floor at the front of the property.

MA/03/1627 - 7 Roundel Way, Marden

Retrospective application for the erection of rear conservatory.

MA/03/1669 - Wentways, West End, Marden

Application for listed building consent for the replacement of existing front door with Georgian six panel pine with three pane fanlight painted black and addition of brass furniture.  Repair door surround and canopy.

MA/03/1855 - Kiln Farm, Maidstone Road, Marden

Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of two storey rear extension.

 Decisions - Refusals

MA/03/1615 - Oast Cottage, Reed Court Farm, Hunton Road, Marden

Retrospective application for loft conversion with the installation of roof lights to the front elevation.

MA/03/1629 - Windens Barn, Park Road, Marden

Erection of two storey rear extension and addition of pitched roofs to bay window and dormer window in west elevation.

 

 

b)

Minutes of Planning meetings previously circulated to Councillors.

 

 

c)

MBC - Enforcement Notice has been served regarding land adjacent and to the rear of Beale Farm, Goudhurst Road, Marden.  This would be discussed at the next planning meeting.

 

d)

Date for next planning meeting arranged for 18th November 2003 in the Committee Room, Memorial Hall.

           

9.

HIGHWAYS

a)

Copy letters from MBC re ditch clearance and maintenance.  Cllr Ballard asked to the Clerk to write to MBC regarding the ditches as the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board were looking into environment issues.

 

b)

TRAMP - notes of the meeting held on 4th November had previously been circulated.

 

Other Highway Issues

The Clerk to inform and chase MBC regarding no junction sign and poor white lines at junction of Green Lane and Hunton Road.

Parking at the school was still a problem.  Cllr Ballard asked whether letters had been circulated to parents.  This was done on a regular basis but would be looked into again.  This issue was raised at the Traffic morning and PC Carron to be informed.

 

 

10.

CEMETERY

a)

Agenda circulated to relevant Councillors regarding site meeting.

b)

An email had been received regarding headstone on late grandparents grave.  Councillors would discuss at site meeting.

c)

Cllr Lutener to install seat this week.

 

11.

PLAYING FIELD

a)

Agenda circulated to relevant Councillors for site meeting.

b)

Report from MBC received.  Only problem is with rocking horse but this is being looked into.

c)

Changing Rooms.  A request had been received from Marden Football Club as to improvements to the changing rooms if they get promoted to a higher division.  The Clerk had obtained the requirements needed.  It was felt that although the Parish Council owned the changing facilities they did not provide funding other than donations to any other sporting organisation in the parish therefore it was proposed that we support them but they would need to undertake fundraising.  Cllr Ballard to speak with representatives.

d)

Kent County Playing Fields Association Newsletter - Cllr Brown to read.

 

 

12.

FINANCE

a)

Balances as at 29th October 2003

Post Office £14,096.89 Current Account £00.00 Reserve Account £59,305.43

b)

Payments for Approval

 

 

Already paid

       Graham Carey

          Petty Cash

          Ian Jones

          Alison Hooker

          Inland Revenue

         

To Be Signed

          Garry Bentley

          Viking Direct

          Konica

          Audit Commission

          KCS

          Alison Hooker

          Bibby Factor Slough Ltd

          Memorial Hall

 

 

£215.00

£50.00

£875.00

£994.32

£383.19

 

 

£2,456.62

£40.69

£66.93

£411.25

£85.16

£79.90

£5,505.21

£75.00

 

Payment regarding Marden Memorial Hall building works of £17,100 (£2,992.50 VAT) agreed.  The Clerk to raise cheque tomorrow.

c)

Date of next Finance Meeting - 24th November 2003 to be held in the Committee Room at 8.00 pm.

  

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE TO ALL COUNCILLORS

 

Maidstone Borough Council

Other

Weekly Lists of Planning Applications

Agenda for Planning Committee - 30th October 2003

Agenda for Environment and Transportation

Agenda for Housing Strategy & Regeneration - 11th November 2003

Minutes of Planning Committee - 9th October 2003

Forward Play of Key Decisions

News Releases - One too many for Maidstone Council / Councillor Resigns / Marden and Yalding By-Election x 2

Mayor's Charity Christmas Cabaret

Police Newsletter

Marden Parish Magazine

Shell Newsletter

Clerks & Councils Direct

KCC - Redesign of Strategic Planning  Directorate

           

           

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9.30 PM

         

 

 

Chairman ……………………….                        Date:  9th December 2003

(Mrs Dorothy Reed)