1. |
PRESENT Councillors
Adam, Brown, Lutener, |
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2. |
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Councillors Day, St Clair and Tippen. |
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3. |
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Minutes of the previous meeting signed
as a true copy by the Chairman. |
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4. |
MATTERS ARISING |
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a) |
Model
Code of Conduct Vote
for Signing the Code of Conduct as follows: Against 2
For 2
Abstention 2 The Chairman abstained Other Matters Arising Cllr Tipples asked, through the
Chairman, why Cllr Brown felt Parish Councillors needed training. Cllr Brown responded that parish councillors give
up our time voluntarily and to the best of our ability.
If there is an option to learn more the opportunity is there to take up. Cllr Lutener had asked at the planning meeting
whether training/information was available. The
Clerk looking into. |
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5. |
PARISH MATTERS |
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a) |
Christmas
2003 Cllr
Tipples congratulated all shops on the efforts that they made and on how well the village
looked during the Christmas period. Lord
Cornwallis, who judged the shop decorations, was very impressed. Unfortunately the weather on Saturday morning was
very wet but majority of people still turned out. |
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b) |
Elections The
Parish Council elections were to be held on June 10th and it was asked of the
Council to give thought to whether they wished to stand or not for the next term and to
look into nominations for election. It was
proposed that the Clerk contact KAPC/MBC for any literature and to incorporate into the
Annual Parish Meeting in April. The suggestion
of one or two parish councillors speaking on 'what is a parish councillor' was put
forward. Cllr Tipples was concerned that the
Code of Conduct would have a detrimental effect on people coming forward. Cllr Adam proposed that people should still be made
aware of what is involved. |
|
c) |
Mayor's
Visit Following
the clerk's visit to Staplehurst Parish Council meeting the Mayor had requested that he
visits Marden Parish Council before the end of his term.
This was agreed and the Clerk would write to his secretary. |
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d) |
Historical
Records The
Marden Society History Group had approached the Council to request permission to access
Parish Council minutes. This was agreed and it
was also discussed as to how we can preserve our records.
Cllr Newton to look into possibility of scanning documents. |
|
Other
Parish Matters Cllr
Tipples asked whether any further information had been received regarding the recycling
bins. The Clerk was in contact with MBC as was
Borough Councillor Germain who had received emails as to what was proposed. Bins would be painted and car park cleared. The possibility of land near the station was still
being looked into. Cllr
Tipples raised the subject of allotments. If
ten residents put in writing a request the Parish Council would then discuss. The
ladies toilet had been boarded up for the past three weeks.
The Clerk to contact MBC. Karen
Gipps had contacted the Chairman to thank the Parish Council for all their help in
arranging transport to Angley. All children
are currently getting on the coach at Marden. |
POLICE
PC
Carron reported on the previous three months crime figures:
14/10/03
- 10/11/03 - 21 reported crimes - 1 burglary; 1 theft from motor vehicle; 7 theft (1
detected); 4 common assaults (3 detected); 4 criminal damage; 1 possession of Class A
drug; 1 threat to cause criminal damage; 2 theft of motor vehicle.
9/12/03
- 12/1/04 - 12 reported crimes - 1 burglary other than dwelling; 1 burglary; 1 attempted
burglary other than dwelling; 1 attempted theft; 3 thefts; 1 assault abh; 1 theft from
motor vehicle; 1 production of a Class B drug; 2 criminal damage (1 detected).
The
speed enforcement unit were due to undertake speed trapping in
PC
Carron encouraged the Parish Council to look into the funding for a Community Police
Support Officer as he may be promoted in the near future.
A
member of the public gave PC Carron information regarding the reported crime at Marden
railway station. To be looked into.
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.
·
|
Queried
how Staplehurst PC meetings were quicker than Marden.
They had more sub-committees and this was a possibility with Marden when the
elections had taken place. |
·
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A
member of the public had recently travelled on a train to Marden which was late. Excuse "too many people on train"!! |
6. |
MEMORIAL HALL The official opening of the
"Millennium Project" was taking place on 29th January. |
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7. |
CORRESPONDENCE |
|
a) |
MBC
- Activities for Young People in Marden. The
Clerk to respond to MBC and copy to organisations involving young people. |
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b) |
KCC
- Towards |
|
An
additional letter had been received from a local resident regarding build up of water
opposite the Vestry Hall. This had been
reported to Highways. |
||
Borough
Councillors
Nothing
to report.
8. |
PLANNING |
|
a) |
Decisions - Approvals MA/02/1424 - Land at Change of use of land to provide for
improved HGV access and parking, provision of revised car parking and service road,
formation of additional access and erection of security fence. |
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MA/03/1551 - Nash Oast, Wilden Erection of agricultural building to
replace existing inadequate farm buildings. MA/03/1886 - The Allens, Creation of new access ramp and
handrail. MA/03/1949 - Pattenden Lane, Marden A consultation with Maidstone Borough
Council by Energy Networks for the erection of two replacement poles two metres higher
than existing, which will increase current ground clearance of the conductors running over
industrial yard. MA/03/2097 - 3 Wades Close, Marden Loft conversion and the insertion of two
dormer windows. Refusals MA/03/2037 - 3 Oak Lodge, Certificate of lawful use or
development. The use of the land for the
siting of 2 no. mobile homes used for residential purposes. |
|
b) |
Minutes
of Planning meetings previously circulated to Councillors. |
c) |
Appeals MA/02/1752 - Branden Oast, Change of use of oast house from B1
office use to residential use. Appeal dismissed. Planning Committee The following were due to be presented
to MBC Planning Committee on Thursday 15th January. MA/03/0858 - 1 Ashtree Cottage, Winchett
Hill, Marden MA/03/1908 - Former Old Fire Station, MA/03/1943 - 2 Tanner Cottages, MA/03/2023/2052 - Manor Farmhouse, Cllr Reid to attend the meeting. Appeal re Enforcement Notice for land
adj. And to rear of Beale Farm, |
d) |
MBC - Development Control Re-organisation Letter received from MBC detailing
reorganisation of planning department. |
9. |
HIGHWAYS |
|
a) |
KCC
- Grounds Maintenance quote. The Clerk asked
to contact other contractors for quotes before accepting KCC. |
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b) |
MBC - Copy letter to resident re flooding. |
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c) |
Traffic
Consultation - Cllr Adam asked for comments on draft consultation. For discussion next meeting. |
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d) |
TRAMP
meeting - Thursday 15th January - clerk to attend. |
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10. |
CEMETERY |
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a) |
Fees
to be discussed at next finance meeting. |
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b) |
Cllr
Tipples had trimmed back the oak tree. |
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11. |
PLAYING FIELD |
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a) |
Report
from MBC received. Clerk has obtained "no
dog" signs and will contact Graham Carey to put them in place. |
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c) |
Lighting
near Chestnuts faulty - Clerk to report to MBC |
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d) |
Cherry
Orchard Estate - footpath still not repaired nor play equipment. The Clerk to contact Wimpeys. |
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12. |
FINANCE |
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a) |
Balances
as at Post Office £14,096.89 Current Account
£00.00 Reserve Account £31,083.41
|
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b) |
Payments
for Approval |
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Already
paid
Ian Jones
Alison Hooker
Penfolds
Inland Revenue |
£616.00 £959.46 £100.00 £359.40 |
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c) |
To be paid
Marden Memorial Hall
Konica Photocopier
Petty Cash
Sweepclean
Hollingbourne Property Services |
£15.25 £137.00 £58.30 £50.00 £430.00 722.56 |
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THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO ALL COUNCILLORS
Weekly Lists of
Planning Applications Agenda for Planning
Committees Agenda for Housing
Strategy and Regeneration Agenda for Environment
and Transportation Planning Committee
Minutes Forward Play of Key
Decisions News Releases -
Children's council meets for the first time / Free use of Maidstone Leisure
Centre Joint Transportation
Board meeting Amendments to the
Council Diary |
Others Police Newsletter Clerks & Councils
Direct Parish News Local Council Review Defra - Equine Issues KCC - Vision for KCC - Subsidised Local
Bus Network - Tunbridge Wells Borough |
THERE
BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING CLOSED AT
Chairman
……………………….
Date:
(Mrs
Dorothy Reed)