MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2009 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.

PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.

It was regretted that no members of the public were present, therefore the Parish Council meeting commenced at 7.00 pm.

PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr B Stone Chairman, Cllr Mrs M Elmes, Vice Chair, Cllr G Barron, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr J Luck, Cllr J Peters, Mr R Morrad Clerk.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 590:09. Apologies were received from. Cllr Mrs P Wade, Personal Reasons: This was accepted by members.

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

Min 591:09. None declared, other than those recorded in the record book. 

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 592:09. The Minutes of the Meeting 574:09 to 589:09 held on 4 November 2009, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, with one amendment: National Grid Presentation:  This should read Stoke railway crossing not Grain, were proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr G Blackman and resolved to accept as a true record and signed by the Chairman. An update from the minutes was given by the clerk to members questions.

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

Min 593.09: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. No new planning applications have been received.

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 594.09: 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 and answered members’ questions. The following action was resolved. 
A request for advice on youth funding had been received; it was agreed that the clerk would find out from Medway Council and contact the person who made the request: Action Clerk
A request regarding Christmas lights in the village had been received. Members felt that it was a good idea but was financially beyond the Parish Council to fund but the clerk was asked to let the resident know who on Medway Council to write to as they are responsible for all the town Christmas lights: Action Clerk. 

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. 

Min 595.09: The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr Mr J Peters, seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes, and resolved that the said Accounts, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members, as set out at Appendix C be approved for payment. Action Clerk.

7. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Min 596.09: Cllr G Blackman gave a report on the KALC AGM that he attended. Mr Mike Sutch (Transport Strategy Manager) spoke about issues in Kent, but not Medway. All motions were passed. The new chairman is Mr Michael Charter. Only 3 Medway members were present, and he was the only one from the Peninsular. Cllr Blackman said that he was disappointed that no Medway issues were included on the agenda especially as issues like the Chattenden development and the Grain National Grid proposals will have a very large impact on the highway infrastructure. 

Cllr G Blackman gave a report on the last Police Liaison Meeting. 2 new PCSOs are being trained; one will be in our area. Bobby Mahay who covered our area has moved to Rainham. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 19th January 2010.

Cllr B Stone gave a report on the last Rural Liaison meeting. Items discussed were: A presentation by National Grid on the planning application at Grain; A presentation by English Heritage on the Hoo Peninsular growth area historic landscape project; a presentation by Land Securities on Chattenden.  Policing Issues were discussed. It was also reported that John Hucks will now be able to use a speed gun in this area. It was used on the B2000 and resulted in 31 speeding tickets. A presentation from the Medway Credit Union was given, but this, at present, is currently limited to Chatham. A Youth activities update was given at the meeting. Mr Roy Smith is the area supervisor.

8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 597.09: The Parish Council is looking into the problem of footballs going into one of the gardens that backs onto Mallard Way Play Park. The clerk is looking into the legal fence requirements and the bylaw that the Parish Council have regarding ball games in the park: Action Clerk.  

9. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 598.09: The clerk reported that the Parish web site is still being used, but last months usage figures were not yet available from the ISP provider, these will be given at the next meeting: Action Clerk.

10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 599.09: Cllr G Blackman reported that he had been in contact with one of Medway Councils Highways officer regarding the drains that are still blocked on the A228. The front valance of a car is in the ditch at North Street farm Hoo. Rubbish is at both ends of Hoopers Lane, Stoke. An inspection cover is still missing on Norwood corner. This has been reported by Cllr Stone; the clerk was asked to progress. No reply has been received from Medway Council re: A request to extend the zig-zag road markings outside the school. The footpath in Mallard Way by Numbers 5, 6, 7 &.8 is in a poor uneven condition.  This is to be reported to Medway Council. All items are to be actioned/progressed by the clerk: Action Clerk.  

11. CLERKS REPORT

Min 600.09: The clerk reported that on one weekend most of the dead fireworks had just been left on the football pitch and had to be cleared up. But that the following week most of the dead fireworks had been cleaned up and all placed in the rubbish bin. It is only assumed that a different group of people set off fireworks that weekend, but the members would like to thank who ever did it.

12. PRECEPT/BUDGET 2010/11

Min 601.09: The clerk spoke to the budget paper that had previously been circulated to all members highlighting this financial year’s variations and the reasons why.
It was good to note that less vandalism had occurred this year which has helped the council to hold its precept the same for the 4th year in a row.  Cllr J Peters proposed that a precept figure of £19.000 be set for the financial year of 2010/11, this was seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes and resolved to accept by all members present: Action clerk to inform Medway Council.

13. RURAL LIAISON FUNDING.

Min 602.09: Cllr Mrs M Elmes proposed that urgent essential works to the Village Hall, and a new large litter bin is placed in the car park.  Funding is to be requested from the allocation of Rural Liaison money made available from Medway Council to the Parish. This was seconded by Cllr J Luck and resolved to accept by all members present: Action Clerk.

14. NEWSLETTER

Min 603.09: It was agreed that the following information be included: Church service; Precept being held for the 4th year running; less vandalism in the village; £1,600 had been collected from Allhallows, Stoke and Grain, for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal this year: Action Clerk.  

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

Min 604.09: None.

16. 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 605.09: None.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 6th January 2010. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.50 pm


Signed…………………………………………..Chairman
On the………….Day of………………….2009