1.

PRESENT

Cllrs Adam, Brown, Gething, Lutener, Mannington, Newton, Reed (in the Chair), Reid,  Spain and Tippen.  Borough Councillor Paddy Germain, the Clerk, Revd James Robertson and three members of the public.

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllr Scott.

3.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Cllr Lutener declared an interest in Item 9(d) - owns public right of way into field concerned.

4.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meetings of 13^th July 2004 were agreed and signed as a true record.

5.

MATTERS ARISING

There were no matters arising

6.

PARISH MATTERS

a)

Council Photographs

Cllr Newton had printed off four photographs (two of previous council and two of new).  It was decided that copies of previous council would be given to Cllrs Day, Tippen and Tipples.

b)

Meeting - re Skateboard facilities

Minutes had been circulated and the situation was that a site was needed with a meeting with landowners the next step.  Cllr Tippen asked if a needs analysis had been undertaken.  This has not been done to date but primary school and youth club would be involved in the consultation period.

c)

Action Plan

An updated plan had been circulated and Cllr Lutener asked for help to remove fingerposts to start work on them.

d)

Community Warden

There had been an article in last week's Adscene stating that Marden were due to get a Community Warden in October.  This had not been confirmed in writing but the subject would be brought up at the next Police meeting in September.

e)

Playscheme

Now into their third week with two trips already having taken place.  Cllrs Lutener and Reed had visited and the Chairman encouraged anyone who could visit would be welcome. 

Other Parish Matters

The small rocking horse/cockerel had been restored but still waiting for footpath to be looked at.  The Clerk to chase.

There would be a Parish Surgery this Saturday at the library.  Cllrs Mannington, Spain, Brown and Adam said that should be able to attend during the course of the morning.

Transport to Angley was still an issue Cllr Lutener had spoken to Paul Carter of KCC and would contact him again.

7.

MEMORIAL HALL

The decorators had started work on the main hall which would take up to three weeks and the chairs were due to be ordered this week.

8.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

Resident - Library Car Park - It was agreed that a Sub-Group would be set up just for the car park involving the recycling banks and parking.  The Clerk to speak to MBC to arrange meeting on a Saturday morning.  Suggestions were made of ticket/meter and whether volunteers from the village to enforce.

b)

Resident - Enforcement/Drainage/Gullies - Cllr Reid had made a report in 2001 of all gullies and Highways informed the Council that these had been cleared in March 2002.  The problems arise when cars are parked over the gullies therefore unable to be cleared out.  Need to know problem areas to be looked into.  The Clerk had spoken to Southern Water Authority regarding the drains and is awaiting a reply from MBC Environmental Health Officer.  MBC Enforcement and the Conservation Officer are aware of the situation at The Royal.

c)

Licensing - Alldays - The Clerk to write to Trading Standards with regards to selling of alcohol.  Wine for Home - Agreed transfer.

d)

KCC - Get on-line - KCC offering free website facilities.   Cllr Newton to read. 

e)

BTCV - Tree Wardens - Cllr Lutener receives any information regarding trees.

f)

MBC - Crime and Disorder - Cllr Gething to read.

g)

MBC - Overview and Scrutiny Inquiries - Cllr Adam to read.

h)

Environment Agency - Flood Fair - Cllr Lutener to read and possibly attend.

i)

KCC - Unauthorised Encampment - Cllr Spain to read.

j)

MBC - Inquiry into mobile phone masts - Cllr Adam to read asked to be placed on next planning agenda.

k)

Kent & Medway Structure Plan - Cllr Tippen to read.

l)

Kent Council for Voluntary Youth Services - A Conference is being held in September at Buckmore Park.

m)

MBC response to Marden Society's letter re recycling banks - This would be looked at by the Sub-Group.  Cllr Tippen asked the clerk to contact MBC re cleaning as broken glass/litter around and behind banks.

9.

PLANNING

a)

Minutes of previous Planning meetings circulated prior to meeting.

b)

Decisions - Approvals

MA/04/0930 - Holders Hall, Copper Lane, Marden - Variation of condition 1 of permission MA/99/0586 to allow a further five years in which to begin development.

MA/04/0926 - Little Hickmotts Nursery, Summerhill Road, Marden - Listed Building Consent for the construction of a new conservatory to the front of the nursery.

MA/04/1908/C03 - Former Old Fire Station, Maidstone Road, Marden - written details of hard and soft landscaping.

MA/03/1400/01 - Lords Field, Goudhurst Road, Marden - details of reserved matters and other details of outline permission MA/03/1400 for the erection of an agricultural dwelling.

MA/04/1023 - 4 Rainham Villas, Hunton Road, Marden - first floor extension to existing flat roof and new roof to rear dormer window.

Refusal

MA/03/1908/C04 - Former Old Fire Station, Maidstone Road, Marden - written details of a contaminated land assessment (The Clerk to contact MBC)

c)

Visit from Ann Rollinson, Chairman of Chart Sutton Parish Council.

Mrs Rollinson visited the planning group and discussed how Chart Sutton initiated their Affordable Housing Scheme.  An open afternoon has been arranged for 28^th September at their village hall to show plans etc and all councillors are welcome to attend.  Mrs Rollinson also explained their newsletter.  The Clerk asked for any ideas for Marden's newsletter for next month's agenda.

d)

Enforcement - Letter from resident.  Concerns have been raised regarding land to the west of Beale Farm.  Marden Parish Council have asked residents to be vigilant regarding movements on this site.  MBC Enforcement Team are aware of the situation.

e)

Planning Applications

It was agreed that a planning meeting would be held next Tuesday to discuss these items and the telephone mast document.

10

HIGHWAYS

a)

Highways meeting  - This has been arranged for Tuesday 17^th August at 11am in the Committee Room.

b)

Email from Goudhurst Parish Council - regarding Winchett Hill.  The Chairman to speak to Goudhurst PC.

c)

Letter from resident - road signs.  Photographs had been given to the Council of some road signs within the parish that were in need of repair.  This is an ongoing problem and following the meeting with Jamie Hare of Highways Unit on 30^th July several of these issues had been raised and hopefully would be dealt with.  These photographs/letter will be placed on the agenda for the meeting on 17^th August.

Other Highways Issues

Traffic Consultation meeting - A meeting was held on 30^th July with two representatives of MBC Highways Unit together with several Parish Councillors.  Seemed fairly positive.  Discuss at next month's meeting.

11

CEMETERY

Ian Jones had asked for a warning sign which would be used when cutting and strimming along the road side of the cemetery.  Cllrs also felt that he should wear a high visibility jacket which would be purchased for Ian's safety and for Health and Safety reasons.

12

PLAYING FIELD

a)

Playground Inspection Training - The Clerk had attended a day's training for inspection of play equipment.  This would be in addition to MBC's free inspection and to ROSPA's annual report.  A risk assessment of all equipment would also need to be undertaken.

b)

Safety report from Maidstone Borough Council received.

13

FINANCE

a)

Balances as at 4^th August 2004

Post Office £14,461.01 Current Account £00.00 Reserve Account £53,590.04

b)

Payments for Approval

Invoices were agreed for payment and cheques signed.

c)

External Audit - This had been received back from the Audit Commission and all information given was in accordance with the Commission's requirements.  Copies of this report were on noticeboards or could be viewed in the parish office.

Maidstone Borough Council

Agenda for Planning Committees

Agenda for Housing Strategy and Regeneration

Agenda for Joint Transport Board

Agenda for Environment and Transportation

Agenda for Local Development Document Advisory Group

Forward Play of Key Decisions

Planning Out Deprivation Report

Weekly Planning Lists

Borough Update

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Others

Kent Police Newsletter

KCC - Annual Plan 2004/05

Parish News

Parish Magazine

NHS - Shaping your local health services