MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 5 DECEMBER 2007 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. The Chairman welcomed the members, and 2 members of the public. Prior to the commencement of the meeting representatives from the action group called S.T.A.M.P. (Stoke Turns Against Mast Proposal), gave an update on its activities. It was stated that over 300 signatures against the mast have now been received. Still no response has been received from Shepherd and Neame which was disappointing. English Heritage has now viewed the site and has taken an interest. It was stated that as soon as all the responses have been received or had sufficient time to respond the action group are to launch a full publicity approach. The Chairman and members wished them well and thanked them for all the work they are putting into this activity. Meeting started at 7.10 pm. PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr B Stone Chairman Cllr J Peters, Vice Chairman, Cllr Mrs P Wade, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr B Catton, Cllr G Barron, Mr R Morrad Clerk. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Min 176.07 Cllr Mr J Luck, Personal commitment. Members resolved to accept the apology. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EITHER PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL. Min 177.07. Cllr Mrs P Wade declared a personal interest in Planning application 2007/2128. 3. MINUTES. Min 178.07: The Minutes of the Meeting 157.07 to 175.07 held on 7 th November 2007, copies of which had been previously circulated to Members, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 4. PLANNING APPLICATIONS REGISTERED FOR DECISION, AND DECISION REPORTS FROM MEDWAY COUNCIL RECEIVED. Min 179.07: Planning Appendix A copies of which had been previously circulated were noted. The following was resolved: MC2007/2128. Conversion works on Flat 4 Herberts Court. The clerk to inform Medway Council that they do not have any objections to the proposal. Members discussed the Appeal Decision at New Orchard Farm. The clerk was requested to ask Medway Council if they have a time strategy as to when enforcement is likely to take place, and what is now going to happen following the report. Action Clerk. 5. CORRESPONDENCE. Min 180.07: Appendix B. copies of which had been previously circulated listed all reports and circulars received. The clerk read out items from the list highlighting various issues. A member raised concerns about the fact that Medway Council are not going to clear a drainage ditch in Cuckolds Green Road. Following requests for a dog bin in Allhallows Road, Lower Stoke, due to the amount of dog faeces on the footpath which leads to the school, it was Resolved that the clerk requests that Medway Council puts a bin in this area. Action Clerk. 6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS. Min 181.07. Council Resolved that the Accounts a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members set out at Appendix C be approved for payment. Action Clerk. 7. T MOBILE PHONE MAST Min 182.07: The members were pleased to hear from the action group against the mast that they are still very active in pursuing their objective. 8. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES Min 183.07: Cllr G Blackman and Cllr Mrs P Wade gave a report on a KAPC area committee meeting that they had recently attended. Mr Clive Powel from the KAPC was in attendance and gave a report. Subjects discussed were the number of projects on the Hoo Peninsular. Joined up planning. The future of Parish Councils, possibly to be called Local Councils. They did say that no agendas or minutes of the last meeting were available, this was due to some mix up of distribution it was understood. The next meeting is Wednesday 30 th January 2008 at 7.30pm. Cllr G Blackman also gave a presentation about the KAPC AGM on the 10 th November 2007. This included a talk on KARR (Your Village Shop is Good For You). Review of Roads in Kent. How we help to make our roads safer in winter. Bridging the Gap. Engaging Communities, planning & Community Planning in Kent. 4 motions were received and accepted at the meeting 9. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS Min 184.07: The clerk reported that following his last weekly inspection of the play parks he found that damage to the turf has occurred in the Button Drive Park. Also a small area of wire panel is coming loose. Resolved. The clerk is to try and repair. Action Clerk. 10. WEB SITE/IT. Min 185.07: The clerk reported that the web site hits for November were 487 page views with 270 visits. 11. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION Min 186.07: Members discussed their concerns regarding the hole in the road by the shop next to Brook Lane and Grain Road. This was dug up by the Water Board and has just been left in a dangerous condition. There is no signage and the temporary fencing keeps falling down. This is in a dangerous condition and in breach of Health and Safety Highway conditions. Resolved the clerk write an urgent letter to Medway Council demanding that some action is taken ASAP. Action Clerk. The condition of the Ship P.H. is now dangerous and an eye sore in the Village. Resolved that the clerk ask the developers if they have a commencement date yet for the proposed new development on the site. Action Clerk. 12. NEWSLETTER. Min 187.07: Items resolved for the next Parish Newsletter should be disappointment that someone has damaged the grass in Button Drive Play Park. Any information regarding this would be dealt with in strictest confidence. A dog bin is requested in Allhallows Road, Lower Stoke due to the amount of dog fouling that is taking place on the path to the school. Update on the Mast group work. And a Christmas message from the Chairman. 13. NEW NOTICE BOARD FOR MIDDLE STOKE. Min 188.07: The clerk reported that he is out to competitive tender for a notice board for Middle Stoke. The Parish Council has now received approval from Medway Councils Highways department. 14. PROPOSED VENUE CHANGE FOR PARISH MEETINGS. Min 189.07: The possibility of using the school as opposed from the Village Hall was discussed. Resolved that the Parish meeting should continue in the Village Hall for the present. 15. PROPOSED JANUARY MEETING DATE CHANGE. Min 190.07: Members felt that as the January 2008 meeting scheduled for the 2 nd January is still in the holiday period for some people and members it was resolved that the January 2008 meeting should be held on the Wednesday 9 th. 16. CLERKS REPORT. Min 191.07: The clerk reported that he had attended a recent meeting of interested parties regarding Speedwatch. He outlined the advantages and disadvantages of the scheme. Resolved the Parish Council will monitor the situation when further Costings and the number of other Parish Councils that are to participate in the scheme are known. 17. ITEMS DELEGATED TO THE CLERK FOR ACTION (STANDING ORDER No 30) Min 192.07: A members raised concerns about the dead Ivy on the tree at the side of the Village Hall. The Parish Council had paid to have it killed. Resolved the clerk to get this done. Action Clerk. Also that the grass needed cutting at the side of the village hall. The Chairman said that he would talk to the Village Hall secretary regarding this. Action Chairman. A member informed the meeting that he had placed a number of posts and planted out a small area of the land that Medway Housing owns. Medway Housing has also agreed to place further edge markers on this section of land. 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.