1.

PRESENT

Cllrs Adam, Brown, Gething, Lutener, Mannington, Newton, Reed (in the Chair), Scott, Spain and Tippen.  The Clerk, 3 members of the public, 1 member of the press, Martin Smith (Community Warden) and Headcorn Community Warden.

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllr Reid.  All councillors approved his reason.

Borough Councillors Paddy Germain and Rodd Nelson-Gracie together with PC Tim Stanley also 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 December 2004 were agreed and signed as a true record.

5.

MATTERS ARISING

a)

Kent Police - contribution for funding bike for PC Stanley.  Marden Parish Council had been informed that the Parish could not purchase own bike for use by the local police and the community warden due to certain specifications.  The Council discussed further but it was agreed that no contribution would be made.

b)

MBC - Winter Service - Email had been received from MBC regarding Sheephurst Lane being omitted from the scheme.  It was felt that this should be placed on the agenda for the Highways Meeting on 17^th January to discuss as this road was main route for buses, lorries, vehicles and emergency rail cover to Paddock Wood.   MBC suggested route to Collier Street/Yalding etc was via Green Lane.  Cllr Tippen asked if this was the case why are there no road signs indicating this.

Other Matters Arising

Land at Railway Station - The clerk to visit Land Registry on Monday to ascertain ownership.

Rural Sweeping - The Clerk to ask MBC for a new list of roads in Marden.

Freedom of Information Act - Cllr Tippen asked that a meeting be held to discuss this further.  It was agreed that this would be arranged with the Newsletter Sub-Group.

6.

PARISH MATTERS

a)

Parish Newsletter - Sub-Group meeting to be held on 26^th January 2005.

b)

Christmas 2005 - It was agreed that this year's celebrations would be held on Saturday 17^th December and the Clerk would contact all concerned.  Sub-Group meeting to be confirmed.

c)

Affordable Housing Needs - Jennifer Shaw from Action with Communities in Rural Kent met with councillors to discuss Affordable Housing Needs in Marden.  A meeting between Parish Councillors was arranged for 25^th January to discuss survey.

d)

List of Council Meetings and Parish Surgeries for 2005 - Distributed to councillors at meeting.

e)

Standing Orders - Cllrs thanked Cllr Adam for the work that he had put into the standing orders.  Cllr Tippen asked questions and it was agreed that the clerk would type up a final draft for distribution and agreement at the February meeting.

Other Parish Matters

SRA Meeting - Staplehurst Parish Council had invited Marden to attend at meeting to discuss SRA.  Date to be confirmed.

Local Board - The next Local Board meeting is to be held on February 2^nd at Sutton Valence Village Hall.  Time to be confirmed.

7.

MEMORIAL HALL

Memorial Hall AGM to be held on Monday 7^th March in the Old School Room.  Keith Hatcher of Maidstone Borough Council would be invited to attend to discuss the new Licensing Act.

8.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

Letters from Citizens Advice Bureau - Two letters had been received.  One thanking the council for their contribution, the second informing the council that they were no longer able to continue operating the Outreach Service in Marden.  The Clerk was asked to write to CAB regarding our disappointment in this.

b)

Letter from Riverfield Fish Farm - The owner of the Fish Farm had written detailing the accidents which have occurred along Staplehurst Road.  The Clerk to obtain accident stats for this road and to place on agenda for Highways meeting.

c)

MBC - Review into Access to Council Services

d)

KCC - Consultation Conference -  18^th February to discuss Regional Assembly's South East Plan and the delivery of Kent's Highway service.

e)

Maidstone Crime & Disorder - Audit Consultation Document - Cllr Gething to read.

Other Correspondence

KCC - Kent and Medway Funding Fair to be held on Thursday 3^rd February.

9.

PLANNING

a)

Minutes of Planning Minutes - previously circulated

b)

MBC Decisions - previously circulated with list attached to minutes in file.

c)

Pattenden Lane - Cllr Brown asked that we look into starting a project with residents and anyone who wishes to take part to ascertain planning history for all of Pattenden Lane.  This will aid everyone concerned when planning applications come forward or if questions are raised.  This was agreed to be taken forward.

Other Planning

KAPC are holding a planning seminar on 22^nd January to discuss the New Planning System.

MBC - Unit 6, Pattenden Lane, was due to go before MBC Planning Committee on Thursday 13^th January.

South East Plan - Public Consultation.  Leaflet had been received regarding this and hopefully we would receive an information pack and a copy of the draft by the end of the month.

10

HIGHWAYS

a)

Kent Highways - Newsletter - Distributed to several councillors.

b)

Meeting with Steve Goulette and Adrian Hygate - This was arranged for Monday 17^th January 2005 at 9am in the Memorial Hall, Marden.  The Clerk was given a list of concerns to be placed on the agenda.

c)

Copy letter re Battle Lane/Overbridge Farm.  MBC still trying to have trackside ditches cleared by Network Rail.  Nothing has been done to date.

Other Highways Issues

The Clerk had received an email regarding sandbags.  Cllr Lutener to speak to MBC re delivery.

11

CEMETERY

Cllr Lutener to contact company regarding the pillar tops and the clerk to write again to Blantyre re work on the fencing and gates.

12

PLAYING FIELD

a)

MBC Report - Rocking Horse still a problem.  Estimate received from a play equipment company of £2,533 for purchase of (not including installation or removal of old).

Other Playing Field Issues

Byelaws - The Clerk speaking to companies regarding metal signage.  It was agreed that A3 would be the preferred size and fitted to the wall of the changing rooms.

13

FINANCE

a)

Balances as at 29^th December 2004

Post Office £14,461.01  Current Account £00.00  Reserve Account £45,606.88

b)

Payments for Approval - all payments agreed and cheques signed (list attached to minutes in file)

Cllr Brown declared an interest in the following item.

The shelves had been installed by Mr D N Smith and invoice of £280 received.  This was agreed for payment.

c)

ROSPA inspection - Cllrs agreed for this to be undertaken at a cost of £59 for five items plus £3 for additional items.

d)

Financial Regulations - Cllrs again thanked Cllr Adam for all his work in reviewing these.  Several questions were asked and it was decided that the clerk would type a final draft for agreement at February's meeting.

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