1.

PRESENT

Cllrs Adam, Brown, Gething, Lutener, Mannington, Newton, Reed (in the Chair), Reid, Spain and Tippen.  The Clerk, 2 members of the public, 1 member of the press and Martin Smith (Community Warden).

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from County Councillor Eric Hotson, Borough Councillors Rodd Nelson-Gracie, Paddy Germain and Annabelle Blackmore and P.C. Stanley.

3.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

4.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meetings of 8^th February 2005 were agreed and signed as a true record.

5.

MATTERS ARISING

a)

KAPC Meeting - Cllr Reid and the Clerk attended.  Cllr Reid raised the subject of the demise in the street cleaning.  Councils are asked to inform MBC of any concerns.

b)

Rural Liaison Meeting with MBC - Cllrs Gething and Reed and the Clerk attended.  Interesting meeting speakers included Keith Hatcher on the Licensing Act, Parish Plans and a representative of BTCV who spoke about rural transport schemes.  It was agreed that the clerk would contact BTCV to arrange a visit to a plans meeting.

c)

Parish and Town Conference - Cllr Reed and the Clerk attended.  Morning session gave details of SEERA and the South East Plan, the afternoon involved questionnaires of what priorities parish and town councils had with regards to highways.

d)

Site Meeting with SE Trains - minutes previously circulated.  Cllr Tippen felt meeting was "hopeful".  Need to keep a rein on what was discussed to ensure works are carried out.

e)

Marden Parish Council Freedom of Information Policy - Cllr Adam had drafted a policy and several amendments were made.  Councillors all agreed to adopt this policy and thanked Cllr Adam for his work in this.

f)

Parish Website - registration is underway and it is hoped that training for clerks would be available in the near future.

6.

PARISH MATTERS

a)

Parish Surgery List - New circulation list was completed.  It was agreed that only one councillor would be in attendance together with either the Chairman or the Clerk and either PC Stanley or Martin Smith.

b)

Lucks Way Play Area - MBC Lease agreement needs to be agreed.  Cllr Spain to review and report back.  No response re funding to date.

c)

Annual Parish Meeting - Tuesday 12^th April.  Speakers Jennifer Shaw or Action with Communities in Rural Kent and Lorraine Hemphrey of Neighbourhood Watch.  Cllr Tippen asked if all in agreement for Graham to speak on the parish website and a local charity.  This was agreed.

d)

Draft Parish Charter - Cllrs Adam and Brown to read.

e)

Cabinet Roadshow - 14^th April at Boughton Monchelsea.  Representatives would attend.

f)

Parish Insurance - The Clerk had contacted Zurich for quotes.  It was agreed that we would await John Elphick's return to discuss with him the best way forward.

Other Parish Matters

Newsletter - gone to print, hopefully returned by next week.

SRA letter - The Clerk to retrieve previous correspondence and discuss at plans meeting next week.

Old Coal Yard - company moving in scaffolding equipment, usually at night.  MBC contacted but chase if no reply received.

Street Sweeping - Stanley Road and Oak Tree Close still had not been swept.  MBC tried to last week but were stopped due to weather.  Due again week commencing 14^th March.  May need to write to landowner re cutting back of hedges.

CCTV - Speak with PC Stanley for ideas/comments.

7.

MEMORIAL HALL

Financial Statement was available.

Keith Hatcher spoke on licensing act and a further meeting was arranged for 4^th April to agree on way forward.

Write to inform Committee that no funding available for hall supplies next financial year.

8.

CORRESPONDENCE

a)

The Rt Hon Ann Widdecombe MP - Telephone Mast.  Has also written to MBC to raise concerns.

b)

Kenward Trust - Funding - It was agreed that the Parish Council would fund this charity again for the same amount as last year.

c)

Copy of MBC letter re Kerbside Recycling Collections

d)

ODPM - Citizen Engagement and Public Services - Cllr Adam to read

e)

Copies of letters re SRA from Pluckley Station Action Group - Cllr Tippen to read.

f)

Standards Board - A Code of the Future - Distributed amongst councillors.  The Clerk to obtain further copies.

g)

Orthopaedic Services.

9.

PLANNING

a)

Minutes of Planning Minutes - previously circulated

b)

MBC Decisions

Approvals

MA/04/2007 - Fruit Show Warehouse, Pattenden Lane

Change of use of part of warehouse to mixed use B2 and B8

MA/03/1348/01 - Russetings, Albion Road, Marden

Erection of 5 No.3 bed terraced dwellings, submission of reserved matters relating to design, external appearance and landscaping.

Refusals

MA/05/0017 - 2 Dodges Farm Cottages, Goudhurst Road

Erection of a two storey rear extension

MA/04/2071 - 1 Rosemary Corner, Goudhurst Road, Marden

Conversion of existing garage into living accommodation and replacement of existing garage door with bay window

c)

Kent and Medway Structure Plan Examination in Public - Panel Report - Cllr Adam had read through and some interesting items.  Available to view at Marden Library.

10

HIGHWAYS

a)

Land Drainage Funding - MBC funding available for ditch clearing 2005/06.  The Clerk to contact with a list including Winchet Hill, Thorn Road, Copper Lane, Howland Road and Stilebridge.

b)

Marden Car Park - Email received from Jeff Kitson following site visit.  Cllrs agreed to two hour waiting limit in the car park which would be policed by parking attendants.   Also considered corner protection restrictions.  All orders will probably take place in June and will need public consultation.  Bays will also be remarked to try and make more spaces available.  Cllrs wished that 2 hour waiting was Monday to Friday only and notices include No Lorry Parking/Weight Restriction.    Hedges need cutting and a litter pick needs to be undertaken.

Cllr Brown had been lobbied to ask that restricting parking times be reviewed.  The Clerk to contact MBC to see what can be suggested.

c)

Letter from Kent Highways re costings following 31/7/04 meeting -  Costings for short/medium term items from traffic consultation document seem to be reasonable.  Item regarding Tandoori needs to be clarified.  Speed limits (no cost given) but letter received from Steve Goulette to inform Parish that 30mph speed limits would be extended along Goudhurst Road, Maidstone Road, Albion Road/Thorn Road and Howland Road.  Cllr Adam asked clerk to contact MBC re funding made available for Traffic Consultation and to enquire about speed restrictions in Chainhurst.

d)

Cherry Orchard Estate - George Wimpey now has a new contact, Clive Harris, and arranging for contractor to address problems with ponding and the sunken manhole cover.  The clerk to speak to Mr Harris to confirm works.

e)

Cast Iron Signs - Funding received.  Measurements etc need to be taken.  Cllrs Gething, Lutener and Newton to undertake.

Other Highways Issues

Angley School Transport - no one had come forward with problems but clerk asked that parents report any issues as soon as they arise.

11

CEMETERY

a)

Site Meeting - Arranged for Saturday 2^nd April 2005 at 9.00 am

b)

Wheelbarrow Replacement - Wheelbarrow either needs welding or replacing.  Mr Jones feels that welding is the best option.  Cllr Lutener to action.

12

PLAYING FIELD

a)

Site Meeting-  Arranged for Saturday 2^nd April 2005 at 10.00 am following cemetery site visit.

b)

Conifer Trees - The Clerk found correspondence from 1969 which details MBC looking to plant a row of trees along the boundary of playing field and Cranham Square.  Unfortunately Maidstone Housing Trust have not got funding to undertake this at the current time.  Borough Councillor Germain corresponding to try to find funding.

c)

Funding for Play Equipment - MBC has funds available for play equipment.  It was agreed that the clerk would obtain quotes for new slide as current one does not meet European Standards.

Byelaws - Company in Rochester provided quote of £52 plus delivery & VAT to provide A3 aluminium noticeboard to display byelaws.  This was agreed.

13

FINANCE

a)

Balances as at 23^rd February 2005

Post Office £14,461.01  Current Account £00.00  Reserve Account £40,253.90.

b)

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

c)

Agreement for the Clerk's and Mr Ian Jones' salaries to be paid via Standing Order - Standing Order forms signed.  The Clerk to confirm re her salary.

Maidstone Borough Council

Agendas and Minutes for MBC Committees

Weekly Planning Lists

Forward Plan of Key Decisions

Record of Decision

Others

Parish Magazine

The Clerks Magazine

Downs Mail

Local Council Review

Standards Board - Town and Parish Standard

Playing Field Newsletter