1.

PRESENT

Cllrs Adam, Brown, Gething, Lutener, Mannington, Newton, Reed (in the Chair), Reid, Scott, Spain and Tippen.  Borough Councillors Rodd Nelson-Gracie and Paddy Germain, the Clerk and one member of the public.

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no apologies for absence.

3.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest

4.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meetings of 10^th August 2004 were agreed and signed as a true record.

5.

MATTERS ARISING

a)

Community Warden - A letter of confirmation had been received from KCC and it was anticipated that he/she would commence in the role as from December 2004.  Sites for an office had been looked into and both the library and fire station had space available.

b)

Playscheme - The playscheme had run for four weeks this year and was very successful.  Thanks were expressed to Helen Verrall and all the staff for their excellent work.

c)

Gulley Cleaning - Cllr Reid was in the process of looking at the condition of the gullies.  He would then produce a report to be sent to MBC highlighting the worse areas.

d)

Not on agenda

Drains - MBC had visited the parish to check the drainage system along Albion Road.  There were no environmental health issues and were all clean.

Angley School - An appeal for free transport by one parent had been won and no further parents have come forward with any problems to date.  There are concerns for next year and the "nearest appropriate school" needs to be looked into.

Skatepark - Cllr Scott had information and help available once a suitable site had been found.  The clerk to contact landowners.

6.

PARISH MATTERS

a)

Lucks Way Play Area - Cllrs Brown and Spain and revisited the file regarding the area and a letter had been sent to MBC.  A copy would also be sent to Graham Steady and Morel D'Souza.

b)

Newsletter - draft was circulated previously.  Comments made re colour, content etc and it was decided that a sub-group would be set up to discuss further.  Cllrs Brown, Scott and Tippen agreed to sit on this.  Help was also offered from Cllrs Adam and Mannington.

c)

Local Board Meeting - Cllr Lutener attended.  Discussion points were youth grants available, drug awareness.  Unfortunately not well attended by parishes.

d)

Neighbourhood Watch - covered in Police report

e)

Parish Surgery - it was agreed that a rota would be set up for cllrs attendance at the surgeries.  This was circulated and returned to the clerk.

f)

Parish Plan - Cllr Tippen suggested that this be looked into in the new year.  Research was needed into whether we as a village want to consider this.  MBC are preparing a new planning framework.  We would therefore wait until the outcome of this before proceeding further.

g)

Parish Website - Cllr Newton had applied to KCC for inclusion into their website.  The Clerk would undertake training as necessary.

h)

Complaints Procedure - draft previously circulated.  The clerk to confirm content with KAPC and report back to cllrs.

i)

Email re off-road motorcyclists - covered in Police report.

j)

Youth Club funding - Cllr Reid had received confirmation from County Cllr Alan Chell that £1,000 was available to Marden for part funding an Outreach Worker.  Cllr Reid had also obtained £1,000 for a local businessman.  Therefore we could go ahead with the funding until February 2005.

7.

MEMORIAL HALL

The next meeting of the Memorial Hall Management Committee was to be held on Monday 27^th September 2004.

8.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

Complaint from resident and related correspondence - A complaint had been received from a resident regarding dumping of rubble on land.  A letter had been sent to landowner and a reply had been received.

b)

Medway Valley Countryside Partnership - Ponds  - A young resident had approached the Partnership with a view to clearing the ponds to the rear of the playing field.  Marden 2000 helped undertake the clearing of these a few years ago and the Secretary would be contacted for any assistance available.

c)

MBC Clean Sweep - It was decided that we would continue with the clean-up in February 2005 as agreed previously.

d)

MBC Quality Parish Councils - A letter had been received regarding QPC and Cllrs Mannington and Spain were to read documentation.

e)

MBC Community Safety and Social Inclusion Roadshows - dates were given for this roadshows for any interested cllrs.

f)

Consultations - draft Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees - Cllr Adam to read.

g)

Letter from local resident - Letter and photos received regarding HGVs using Roundel Way to turn around.  Copies would be sent to Highways Department.

h)

KAPC Area Committee Meeting - Agenda and date of next meeting for attendance by a representative of MPC.

i)

Community Development Borough Cllr Nelson-Gracie had contacted the clerk for a representative to attend meeting on 28^th September.  Cllr Reid would try to attend.

9.

PLANNING

a)

Minutes of previous Planning meeting circulated prior to meeting.

b)

Decisions

MBC Approvals

Former Granary at Great Tilden, Tilden Lane, Marden - application for listed building consent for alterations  to building to provide accommodation ancillary to the main dwelling and for tourist accommodation.

15 Lucks Way - conversion of existing integral garage into living accommodation.

Landscape Plants, land adjacent to 1&2 Nursery Cottages, Staplehurst Road - erection of agricultural barn.

Great Cheveney Farmhouse, Goudhurst Road - application for listed building consent for the replacement of existing windows with double glazed units.

Decisions

MBC Refusals

Old Chapel, Plain Road - erection of a single storey side conservatory.

c)

Applications to MBC Planning Committee

Warehouse No.6, Pattenden Lane

2 Laurel Villas, Goudhurst Road

52 The Cockpit.

Cllr Mannington to attend.

d)

Enforcement

MBC Enforcement Officers were investigating Hammons Court and the Royal Indian Restaurant.

e)

Appeal

Oakhurst, Stilebridge Lane - this was to be discussed at the next planning meeting.

10

HIGHWAYS

a)

Highways Meeting - minutes previously circulated

b)

Traffic Consultation - The Clerk to chase MBC re response to meeting

c)

Lorry Route Map - Cllr Adam had circulated a draft map for all businesses within the parish.  Comments requested asap.

d)

Kent Highways - Strengthening schemes - These would be taking place along Copper Lane, Stilebridge Lane, Summerhill Road, Park Road and Tilden Lane.  Works are proposed to start from 4^th October.  Some road closures will take place and residents will be informed.

e)

Email from MBC - The Clerk had contacted Highways regarding the lines along Goudhurst Road.  These would be done within the next couple of weeks.

Other Highways Issues

Jeff Kitson of MBC had agreed to meeting with MPC on Thursday 23^rd September at 8.30am to discuss the car park and parking issues.

Talk with Revd Robertson to ask whether there are still parking problems on Sundays outside the church.

11

CEMETERY

a)

Site Meeting - This was agreed for Saturday 18^th September at the cemetery commencing at 9.00am.

b)

Correspondence - A letter of thanks was received regarding the grave of S/L Brian Hitchings.

12

PLAYING FIELD

a)

Rospa Report - to be discussed at site meeting.

b)

MBC safety report received

c)

Site Meeting - Agreed to follow on from cemetery meeting on Saturday 18^th September at 10.00am.

13

FINANCE

a)

Balances as at 1^st September 2004

Post Office £14,461.01 Current Account £00.00 Reserve Account £47,660.68

b)

Payments for Approval

Invoices were agreed for payment and cheques signed.

c)

Internal Audit - Cllr Lutener to speak to Mr Dore regarding date for Internal Audit.

d)

Finance Meeting - this was agreed to take place on 5^th October.

e)

KAPC Finance Information Day - this was due to be held on Saturday 16^th October and the Chairman and clerk had agreed to attend.

Maidstone Borough Council

Agenda for Planning Committees

Agenda for Environment and Transportation

Agenda for Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Maidstone Joint Transportation Board - 11 October 2004

Forward Play of Key Decisions

Weekly Planning Lists

Mayor of Maidstone Barn Dance

Maidstone Borough Update

Newsletters - Leaner council / Maidstone wants a route to success / Optimistic Ombudsman overview / Tandoori boss takes-away hefty fine / Contact the Cabinet / Burger van man has his chips / Wake Up to DMTV

Others

Kent Police Newsletter

Parish Magazine

Downs Mail

Parish News

South East Roadworks and Traffic Information Summer 2004

A Clear Vision for the South East

Local Council Review

Kent County Playing Fields Newsletter

Kent Youth And Community Newsletter

Clerks & Councils Direct