MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 9 JANUARY 2008 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. The Chairman welcomed the members, and 1 member of the public. Concern was raised about the condition of the bus stop shelter windows in Lower Stoke; it would seem that a solvent to clean off the graffiti on the sides of the shelter has now made the windows unable to see through. Meeting started at 7.05 pm. PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr B Stone Chairman, Cllr Mrs P Wade, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr B Catton, Cllr G Barron, Cllr J Luck, Mr R Morrad Clerk. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Min 194.08. Cllr J Peters, Vice Chairman, Personal commitment. Members resolved to accept the apology. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EITHER PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL. Min 195.08. None received. The Chairman suspended the meeting at 7.08 pm as a number of the public had just arrived. Members of STAMP gave an update of its activities which included copies of some correspondence regarding the phone mast in the village. It was reported that it is only used for phone users in the village as its range is very short. Responses have been received from the local M.P. Local Medway Council members and officers, also Shepherd and Neame. A reply is still awaited from English Heritage. The Chairman thanked them for keeping the Parish Council informed. The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 7.16 pm. 3. MINUTES. Min 196.08: The Minutes of the Meeting 176.07 to 193.07 held on 5th December 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 197.08: Planning Appendix A copies of which had been previously circulated were noted. The following was resolved: MC2007/2194. Replacement Offices at Medway Microlites. The Parish Council has no objections. Clerk to inform Medway Council. Action Clerk. Application MC2007/2278 as no detailed drawings had arrived at the time of the meeting; it will be discussed at the next meeting. 5. CORRESPONDENCE. Min 198.08: 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. It was agreed that a request from the Air Ambulance would be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Action Clerk. 6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS. Min 199.08: 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 200.08: The members were pleased to hear from the action group against the mast and wished them well in pursuing their objective. 8. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES Min 201.08: No reports given. 9. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS Min 202.08: A quotation has been received for power washing the rubber surfaces and swings in Button Drive Play Park. It was resolved to accept the quote and the clerk was requested to let the contract. Action Clerk. Also the clerk reported that a lot of large rubbish items had been deposited in Heron Way Play Park. (See clerks report). 10. WEB SITE/IT. Min 203.08: The clerk reported that the web site hits for December were 391page views with 135 visits. 11. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION Min 204.08: Members were pleased that the hole in the road by the shop next to Brook Lane and Grain Road had been swiftly filled in following a letter, but asked the clerk to enquire when the road surface is to be replaced. Action Clerk. 12. NEWSLETTER. Min 205.08: Items resolved for the next Parish Newsletter should be items raised by the clerk following his inspection of the Play Parks; the contracts have now been let for a new Parish notice board at Middle Stoke and the refurbishment of the Lower Stoke one. Members felt that the village street cleaning was now much better and a request for residents to use the bins provided. Action Clerk. 13. NEW NOTICE BOARD FOR MIDDLE STOKE. Min 206.08: The clerk reported that he had now received two quotations for the new notice board for Middle Stoke. The Parish Council resolved to accept the lowest tender. Clerk to let the contract. Action Clerk. 14. UPPER STOKE ROAD SIGN Min 207.08: Members felt that the recently erected road sign at Upper Stoke was very misleading for any drivers that do not know the location. It simply states STOKE and not Upper Stoke. It was resolved that the clerk writes to Medway Council and asks if it could be replaced or the word Upper added. The Stoke sign could be used in Lower Stoke area so would not be wasted. Action Clerk. 15. CLERKS REPORT. Min 208.08: The clerk reported upon his inspections of the Play Parks. On the 21/12/07. in the Heron Way Park, a tape recorder had been smashed into small sharp items and thrown all over the place. Recording tapes had been tied up to the slide and swings. A vacuum cleaner was in bits again with sharp edges exposed. Some old bills and personal details were found some shredded. Signs of a fire and exploded gas can were found under the skate area. Small drawer wooded unit in pieces had been left in the park. Dog mess was found inside the small gated area. As the gates self close it was asked how the dog without its owner can get in. On the 4/1/08. A wooden bed head was also found. A commercial blue waste wheelie bin with most of it private papers had been destroyed. A small scrap bicycle and an old Sky dish were found in Button Drive Park also. This type of cleaning up operation is costing money that would better be spend on other things around the village so it was agreed to ask residents if they see this happening then report it to the police who will contact us. This may not be the highway but it is still fly tipping and if caught appropriate action will be taken. 16. ITEMS DELEGATED TO THE CLERK FOR ACTION (STANDING ORDER No 30) Min 209.08: The clerk was requested to get the tree in the car park checked over when the next contract is let for tree inspection works in the area. Action Clerk. 17 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 210.08: None. The next meeting will be held on 6th February 2008.