1.

PRESENT

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

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllrs Brown and Mannington gave their apologies.

3.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest

4.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meetings of 14^th September 2004 were agreed and signed as a true record.

5.

MATTERS ARISING

a)

KAPC - Complaints Procedure.  A letter had been received in response to query regarding appeals procedure.  Resolution - Cllrs agreed to adopt the Complaints Procedure and Chairman signed.

6.

PARISH MATTERS

a)

Adoption of Revised Standing Orders.  Councillors had raised concern of content.  Agreed to defer to further meeting for discussion.

b)

Library Car Park.  The Clerk met with Jeff Kitson (MBC), following non-attendance at meeting with councillors earlier in the day, regarding commuter parking at library.  Options were discussed but problems arose with all.  It was agreed that it would be relined and hopefully this would create some more spaces.  Cars were parking across entrance to Cherry Orchard estate.  This would be looked into by MBC and lines placed for no parking.

Cllr Adam asked the Council to write to the station owners to discuss options there.

Cllr Tippen asked for a survey to be undertaken regarding spaces in the station car park.

c)

Community Development Meeting.  Attended by Cllr Reid.  Both Yalding and Marden gave a brief resume of community life and full minutes would be circulated in November.

d)

Parish Surgery.  Several residents attended mostly for concern of speeding traffic.  Police in attendance.  Next surgery to be held on 13^th November.

e)

Parish Council Meetings:

(i) Committees - to be deferred to separate meeting for discussion

(ii) Minutes - draft minutes to be circulated within 10 working days to councillors.  All other parties to receive with agendas.

(iii) Agendas          - To be circulated the Wednesday prior to the full council meeting.

7.

MEMORIAL HALL

Nothing to report

8.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

KCC Local Board - The next meeting to be held on 1^st November 2004.  Cllr Lutener took papers to read.

b)

Environmental Agency - River Medway - Cllr Lutener to read.

c)

KCC - Planning for Minerals in Kent 2004-2021 - Cllr Lutener to read.

d)

Citizens Advice Bureau - request for funding.  It was agreed to write to CAB requesting a breakdown of attendance in Marden.  Once in receipt put before Finance Committee.

e)

Draft Licensing Policy - Still in circulation with councillors.  Presentation to be held at Coxheath Village Hall on 27^th October at 5pm.

f)

Association of Small Historic Towns and Villages - Cllr Adam to read.

g)

South Eastern - re Marden Station - Letter received in response to complaint of flytipping and rats.  Rubbish has been cleared away.  The Clerk to write to South Eastern requesting a site meeting.

h)

MBC - Code of Conduct - Cllr Adam to read.

Code of Conduct for Local Government Employees - Cllr Adam had read and points raised as to Declaration of Interest.  Cllr Tippen to read and pass back to Clerk.

9.

PLANNING

a)

Minutes of previous Planning meeting circulated prior to meeting.

b)

MBC Decisions - list previously circulated.

The next planning meeting would take place 19^th October commencing at 7.30pm at Unit 6, Pattenden Lane.

10

HIGHWAYS

a)

Traffic Consultation/MBC Joint Transportation Board - MBC meeting was held last night Cllr Adam concerned that Marden's scheme was not included in TRAMP's proposals.  Cllr Adam to attend TRAMP meeting on Thursday, clerk to write formally with concerns.

Awaiting response from Jamie Hare re costings - end of October.

b)

Highways Change-over.  Papers received regarding KCC's take over of Highways in April 2005.  Cllr Adam to read.

c)

Ditch Maintenance - copy correspondence of MBC's letter to Tunbridge Wells BC received regarding Winchett Hill.

d)

Cherry Orchard Estate - still awaiting works to be undertaken re "ponding".  Adoption cannot take place until this completed.  The Clerk to look at play equipment to ascertain whether works to be carried out  before MPC adopt area.  Paul Fisher to be contacted regarding legal aspect.

Other Highways Issues

Work was being carried out on several roads in the parish.  KCC had allocated additional funding of £300k, works in Marden costing £239k.

Email received from local resident regarding parking in Howland Road.  Place on next Highways agenda for discussion.

11

CEMETERY

a)

Minutes of Cemetery meeting previously circulated.

Cllr Lutener arranged for delivery of beech trees and cutting of hedges.  Local company looking into cemetery wall repairs.  Blantyre to be contacted regarding fencing.

b)

Cemetery Rules - Councillors agreed for these to be circulated to all concerned.

Cllr Adam had advised the clerk what safety wear was needed for Ian Jones.  Cllr Adam would undertake a risk assessment for hedge cutting and report back to council.

12

PLAYING FIELD

a)

Minutes of Playing Field meeting previously circulated.

Awaiting for quotes re roof and heating.  Wiring needs to be made safe.

b)

Conifers - Cllr Spain had spoken to Maidstone Housing Trust re maintenance of conifers (7/10month waiting list just to look at trees).  Ownership uncertain as trees on boundary.  It was agreed that as MBC planted trees they should be their responsibility.  The Clerk to write to MHT.

A lot of glass and litter around sports wall and benches.  A local resident picks up litter as well as Sweepclean.  Look into financing two litter picks a week.

13

FINANCE

a)

Balances as at 29^th September 2004

Post Office £14,461.01 Current Account £00.00 Reserve Account £44,701.04

b)

Payments for Approval

Invoices were agreed for payment and cheques signed.

c)

Internal Audit - Undertaken for first quarter.  The clerk asked if a rota could be produced for two councillors of the Finance Committee to undertake Internal Audit.  This was agreed.

d)

Adoption of revised Financial Regulations - deferred to discuss at further meeting with Standing Orders.

e)

Minutes of Finance Meeting - previously circulated.

f)

Youth Club Funding - Cllr Reid asked councillors if the Parish Council would fund the television licence for the Youth Club at the Vestry Hall.  It was discussed that the owner of the property should purchase the licence therefore all councillors agreed that funding would not be made available.

Maidstone Borough Council

Agenda for Planning Committees

Agenda for Environment and Transportation

Agenda for Cabinet Member for Regeneration

Minutes - Planning Committee

Weekly Planning Lists

Mayor of Maidstone Murder Mystery

News Releases - Time to think big / Springer at the opera

Others

KCC - Enhancing Access to Kent's Countryside

Parish Magazine

South East England - A Clear Vision

Copies of Community Warden Job description