MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2007 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL 

MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. 

The Chair welcomed the members to the meeting. 

PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr B Stone Chair, Cllr J Peters, Vice Chairman Cllr Mrs P Burrows, Cllr Mrs P Wade, Cllr G Barron, Cllr P Hicks, Cllr Mr J Luck, Mr R Morrad Clerk. 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. 

Min 001.07. All members present. 

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EITHER PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL. 

Min 002.07. None. 

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7 FEBRUARY 2007. 

Min 003.07.: Cllr Mrs P Wade proposed the minutes 358.07 to 377.07 of the previous meeting as a true record Seconded by Cllr J Luck. Agreed by all present. 

4. PLANNING APPLICATIONS REGISTERED FOR DECISION, AND DECISION REPORTS FROM MEDWAY COUNCIL RECEIVED 

Min 004.07. Planning Appendix A was noted. In addition a licensing application from The Nags Head Public House to allow accompanied children access to all licensed and unlicensed areas including garden was discussed. Members had no objection to the request. 

5. CORRESPONDENCE 

Min 005.07.: Appendix B. Listed all reports and circulars received. The clerk read out items from the list highlighting various issues. It was agreed that the clerk should agenda the Village Hall insurance payments. Action Clerk. 

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS. 

Min 006.07. The monthly accounts as listed on Appendix C & C1 (cheques 101386.101387. 101388. 101389 101390 101391 101392 101393.) and the Bank Reconciliation were proposed by Cllr P Hicks and seconded by Cllr J Peters for payment. Action Clerk. 

7. RECEIVE AND AGREE END OF YEAR ACCOUNTS 2006/07 

Min 007.07. The clerk tabled a full set of accounts to all members which included all income and expenditure account headings. Members noted that the roll forward figure was very close to last years and that £2,000 had come from reserves. Also reviewed the effectiveness of our internal auditor. Cllr P Hicks proposed that the annual set of accounts and audit be accepted, seconded by Cllr J Peters. It was resolved to accept by all members present. The chair thanked the clerk for producing the report. 

8. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES. 

Min 008.07: None received. 

9. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS 

Min 009.07: The clerk reported that the locks on the refuse bins in Heron Way parks had been freed off by him. 

10. WEB SITE/IT 

Min 010.07: The clerk reported that the number of site hits for March was 263 visits with 498 page views. It was agreed that the new Outreach drop in centre which meets in the Methodist Church dates should be added to the Notice board web site page. Action Clerk. 

11. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION 

Min 011.07: Members raised again the fact that the road drain reported last month still has not been cleared also the wood and tyres are still in the ditch in Cuckolds Green Road. It was reported that a grab lorry was seen taking only metal from the ditches leaving every thing else. The clerk was requested to contact Medway Council again asking how cost effective is it to send out a lorry and collect only steel in the ditches and still leave fly tipped items in the ditch which had been reported by the clerk two months ago. 

Members requested that the clerk write again in the strongest terms about the condition of all the road surfaces in the Stoke village area, with a copy to Cllr Filmer. 

The street cleaning lorry was observed cleaning New Hall farm road 4 times in one day; this is a very little used road and 2 times in Cuckolds Green Road, but the main roads are still untidy. The clerk was requested to write to Medway Council regarding the road cleaning schedules for Stoke so that the frequency can be monitored. Action Clerk. 

12. STOKE SCHOOL WALKING BUS ROAD SCHEME 

Min 012.07: Nothing further to report. 

13. NEWSLETTER. 

Min 013.07: It was agreed that information on the new Outreach drop in centre which meets in the Methodist Church should be included as well as a report on what the Parish Council is trying to do to improve the roads around the village. Help is required to deliver the news letters once a month. Action Clerk. 

14. SPEEDWATCH 

Min 014.07: Nothing to report. It was commented on the new speed cameras being put up on the A228. 

15. ANNUAL INSURANCE REVIEW/ACCEPTANCE 

Min 015.07: The clerk reported that at present no new items had been purchased last year for inclusion onto the insurance list. He reported that all the existing items had been increased in line with the indices and inflation which had increased the annual premium by £69.03. It was agreed that after the works in Button Drive park have been completed this should be added to the insurance list of assets. Cllr Mrs P Burrows proposed this years' insurance payment as listed in the cheque list be paid. Seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade. It was resolved by all members present to pay the account. Action Clerk. 

16 CLERK REPORT 

Min 016.07: The clerk requested that the council agree to him attending a clerks training day on the 16 th May 07. It was also agreed to allow the clerk to purchase two new items – an electric staple gun as he staples 420 news letters with a hand staple gun each month and also with the importance on documentation being shredded a cross cut shredder. Cllr J Luck proposed the above requests. Seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade. It was resolved by all members present. Action Clerk. 

17. ITEMS DELEGATED TO THE CLERK FOR ACTION (STANDING ORDER No 30) 

Min 017.07: None. 

18. A O B. AT THE CHAIMANS DISCRETION. NO MOTIONS MAY BE PROPOSED NOR DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER THIS ITEM BUT IF MEMBERS WISH THEY MAY BE AGENDERED AT THE NEXT MEETING. 

Min 018.07: It was agreed to agenda for the next meeting the cost of removing the ivy growing around the trees and a general tree inspection in the Village Hall car park. Also report that the cover on the outside vent is missing to the Village Hall Kitchen. Action Clerk. 

Min 019.07: It was agreed to agenda for the next meeting the cost of cleaning up the public car park. The possible use of community services was mentioned. Action Clerk. 

19. RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE PRESS AND PUBLIC. 

Min 020.07: It was proposed by Cllr B Stone, seconded by Cllr J Luck that the business about to be transacted was commercially sensitive. Resolved by all members present. 

20. REVIEW TENDERS RECEIVED BUTTON DRIVE PLAY PARK. 

Min 021.07: Cllr B Stone proposed the tender from M Dowle be accepted and that the costs be taken from the Rural Liaison funds owing to the Parish Council. Seconded by Cllr P Hicks. It was resolved by all members present. Clerk to let the contract and inform Medway Council of the request to draw down funds. Action Clerk. 

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 9 th May 2007. Which are the AGM and Annual Parish Assembly. 2007. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.15 pm 

After the meeting closed the Chair thanked Cllr Mrs P Burrows for the last 4 years service to the council as she had indicated that she would not be seeking re-election back onto the council. He also stated he hoped to see all the other members after the election.