PLATT PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 2ND OCTOBER 2012

Transcription

1 PLATT PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 2ND OCTOBER 2012 Present: Mrs P Darby (Chair) Mrs B Uffindell Mr P Scott Mr R Tillett Mr R Searle Mr J Scade Mrs J Weller Mrs S Waterman Mr T Bonser Apologies: Borough Councillor Mrs S Murray and Glen Broad Number 153/12 154/12 155/12 Minute/Planning Application/Correspondence Members of the Public: Mr Carr, Mr Gill, Mr Varley, Mr Ambrose, Dr G Darby and Mr Jones DECLARATION OF INTEREST ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA Cllr Darby, applicant of a planning application to carry out tree work in her garden, and neighbour to an applicant who was seeking permission to remove Hawthorn from a retaining wall. UPDATE TO REGISTER OF INTERESTS None. INVITATION TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE PC ON MATTERS RELEVANT TO THE COUNCIL Mr Gill, landlord of the Blue Anchor, said that he had witnessed 4 or 5 potential accidents during the Summer along Long Mill Lane and fully supported the proposed traffic calming scheme. He said that he was willing to put these views in writing. Mr Jones was also in full support and wished for the scheme to be put in place before anyone was injured. Mr Ambrose (Manager of Platt United FC) had been invited to attend the meeting regarding recent concerns over foul language at football matches in SHF. Mr Ambrose stated that the match held the previous weekend had not been a problem, which was verified by the PC, as a representative had been in attendance. However, Mr Ambrose agreed that the match held on the 15 th September had been a problem. Platt United had been in touch with the Kent County League regarding the matter, as it felt that the referees Action Page 287

2 were not keeping control of the matches. The Clerk was asked to set up a meeting with a representative of Kent County League, Platt United and the PC. At 8.30 pm Mr Ambrose left the meeting. Mr Carr (owner of the Pretty Maid B&B on London Road) had also been invited to the meeting to outline his views on the proposed traffic light installation at the junction of Seven Mile Lane and London Road at Wrotham Heath. Mr Carr was in full support of the proposal and said that the traffic light layout would be similar to that by the Royal Oak on London Road. He would also like to see a reduction in the speed limit to 40mph along the A20. At 8.45 pm Mr Carr left the meeting. 156/12 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 4 th SEPTEMBER 2012 An amendment was made to item 141/12 Tunbridge Wells Meeting. 'Voluntary bus drivers' was amended to 'voluntary drivers' after which Councillor Searle proposed that the minutes of 4 th September 2012 be accepted as a true record. Seconded by Councillor Scott. All in favour. 157/12 MATTERS ARISING Traffic Calming KCC would be holding a second consultation. It was not known when as the consultation had to be advertised in the press. The Chairman had tried to ascertain dates but had had no response from KCC. The PC was in full agreement that it would take no further action in this matter and let KCC carry out the consultation independently. County Cllr Dagger had confirmed that KCC was still willing to financially support this scheme. Speed Limit - Crouch KCC had sent a response advising that the officer assigned to look at reducing the speed through Crouch would be the one currently handling the traffic calming. The Council agreed that a letter should be sent advising that Platt Parish Council had no confidence in this officer and request that an alternative officer be assigned. Beechinwood Farm A meeting was to be arranged for November. It had been ascertained that the landowner had installed pipe work and a drain across KCC land just before the road was resurfaced. SHF/QE II Field A deadline of the end of November would be put in the next edition of the Village News regarding the views of the local residents as to whether SHF should be renamed. Lighting Report 2012 A reminder of the deadline of the end of November would be put in the next edition of the Village News regarding the views of the local residents on the reduction of street lighting. Internet Banking The Clerk had investigated internet banking for the PC with Nat West. It would not be possible unless the Clerk was set up as a signatory on the Parish Council Page 288

3 bank account. Cllr Scott proposed the Clerk be added as a signatory. Seconded by Cllr Weller. All in favour. Road Closure Correspondence had been received that day stating that Long Mill Lane would not be closed for 6 weeks as previously advised. Temporary traffic lights had been installed and would control traffic movement. 158/12 LIAISON WITH COUNTY COUNCILLOR AND BOROUGH COUNCILLOR There were no Borough Councillors present at the meeting Dr Graham Darby, Mr Gill and Mr Jones left the meeting. 159/12 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL Cllr Bonser ran through the month s planning matters listed below: -. PLANNING APPLICATIONS TM/12/02665/FL Beechinwood Lane, Badgers Oast. Extension & external alterations Revised. TM/12/02659/TNCA Comp Lane, St. Marys Lodge. Tree work. No objections. TM/12/02658/TNCA Comp Lane, Old School Hall. Remove Hawthorn. No objections. PLANNING APPROVALS (Parish Council s comments to T&MBC set out first) TM/12/02454/FL Grange Road, Blue Anchor Inn. Extension to existing restaurant. No objections. Approved 25/09/12 TM/12/02371/TNCA Potash Lane, Hope Cottage. Tree Work. No objections. Approved 07/09/12 ENFORCEMENT PROCEEDINGS Beechin Wood Farm Unauthorised change of use to storage of non agricultural materials. T&M had advised that gardening tools only had been stored when a site visit had been made. Therefore, the case had been closed. Karden, Maidstone Road prosecuting Parking and advertising on frontage. T&M in process of 160/12 PLATT WOODS REPORT Volunteer Day 8 th September Page 289

4 A site meeting had taken place to identify some clearance work of Rhododendron as soon as the ground was suitable to have bonfires and an initial discussion had taken place with James Whale in the proposed coppicing area Work had also taken place cutting back Rhododendron in various areas including several paths across the centre, which had become very overgrown. Six volunteers had taken part including four committee members. Contractor Work Spraying identified areas of Rhododendron, where necessary, would take place in the next week. The Clerk was asked to obtain dates from Mr Whale for the coppicing work to be carried out. 161/12 PROPOSED THREE WAY TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT THE A20 LONDON ROAD JCT WITH THE B2016 SEVEN MILE LANE The PC agreed that traffic lights, 2 junction boxes at Teston Road/Seven Mile Lane and Ford Lane/A20 be proposed. Also the Council wished for the speed limit to be reduced to 40mph from West Malling all along the A20 to the proposed traffic lights. Cllr Waterman suggested that cameras could be installed to deter motorists from jumping the lights (as used at the junction by Chapter One restaurant, Locksbottom). The Council agreed that these comments were on condition that the traffic calming scheme was in place in St Mary s Platt to ensure that Platt was not used as an alternative route to using the A20/A /12 FOOTBALL AT SHF The Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting between a representative from the Kent County League, Platt United and Platt Parish Council. Cllrs Searle, Scott and Darby offered to attend the meeting. The Council agreed that the referees should be controlling the games. It was pointed out that if any consumption of alcohol was taking place during the matches then the police had powers to act at SHF Mr Varley left the meeting 163/12 AMENDMENT TO INVITATION TO THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL It stated in Platt PC s Standing Orders that no more than 15 minutes would be given in total to members of the public. There was no legal obligation to allow the public to speak but the PC had been lenient at previous meetings. This had resulted in members of the public reiterating what had already been said at previous meetings. It had been suggested that the Parish Council follow the Borough Council s example and allow speakers no more than 3 minutes per person. If there were numerous residents that wished to speak on the same subject then a spokesperson within the members of the public should be elected. It was agreed that this should also be at the Chairman s discretion. The three minutes would not apply to people who had been invited by the PC to the meeting. Page 290

5 164/12 CHEQUES AND FINANCIAL MATTERS Cllr Scott proposed the following payments be approved. Seconded by Cllr Scade. All in favour. The following payments were received: VAT M Cheale Access Road Payment BGJFC Fees Total The Council approved the following payments: Cheque VAT Wrotham PC Clean/ Insp Mrs M Beale Cleaning Post Office Ltd Tax/NI Mrs J Davies Salary Mr B Baker Grounds Maint Total 1, , Poppy Wreath Cllr Scott proposed that 80 be donated to Royal British Legion for a poppy wreath. No objections. Precept The Clerk reminded the Council that work on the precept would begin in October. 165/12 CLERKS REPORT AND ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE AND INFORMATION Bonfire Night The Council was in full agreement that Platt Primary School be given permission to hold its annual Bonfire Night on 10 th November subject to all usual conditions. 166/12 REPORTS FROM OTHER COMMITTEES BMPOS A draft budget was being prepared. Monies would be released when the Council was satisfied with the budget. It was agreed that all Clerks should receive minutes from the BMPOS meetings in order to pass on to their Council. 167/12 MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS Page 291

6 The Chequers Cllr Scade reported that The Chequers had been re- painted and looked very nice Finger Post Outside Memorial Hall The Clerk informed the Council that the letters for the finger post had been ordered. Traffic Calming Article in Sevenoaks Chronicle Cllr Searle said that he was appalled at the comments made by Borough Cllr David Evans in the press the previous week pertaining to traffic calming in Platt. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests Cllr Searle requested that the Borough Solicitor be contacted to ask why a Councillor s profession was considered to be a pecuniary interest. Blocked Drains The Clerk was asked to advise KHS that drains on LML by the Blue Anchor were blocked. Vandalism at Stonehouse Field Bottles had been smashed on the hard area at SHF on Friday evening. The police had been informed. 168/12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING Tuesday 6 th November 2012 The meeting was closed at pm Page 292