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

MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. 

The Chair welcomed the members and Mr B Catton to the public to the meeting. 

Prior to the commencement of the meeting Mr Catton gave a brief statement as to why he would like to be considered for co-option onto the Parish Council. The Chairman read out correspondence from Mr Moreton who had also applied to be considered for co-option. 

Meeting started at 7.10pm. 

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. 

Min 080.07. All members present. 

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

Min 081.07. None. 

3. CO-OPTION VACANCY. 

Min 082.07: Members discussed correspondence from Mr Moreton and in view of the contents it was proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade seconded by Cllr J Peters that Mr B Catton be co-opted onto the Parish Council. This was resolved by all members present. The clerk acting in his position as Proper Officer duly asked Mr B Catton to sign his declaration of acceptance of office. He was also given a copy of the Registration of Interests to be completed within 28 days, and a copy of the Code of Conduct which had been accepted by the Parish Council together with other information regarding the duties of a Parish Councillor. It was agreed that the clerk should write to Mr Moreton thanking him for his interest in becoming a Parish Councillor. Action Clerk. 

Cllr B Catton joined the table. It was agreed that as he had not had an opportunity to read the Code of Conduct he would not take part in any voting at this meeting. 

4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 June 2007. 

Min 083.07: Cllr Mrs P Wade proposed the minutes 056.07 to 079.07 of the previous meeting as a true record Seconded by Cllr J Peters. Agreed by all present. 

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

Min 084.07: Planning Appendix A was noted. Receipt of the letter has been received from T-Mobile (UK) for the installation of Flagpole Antenna and Radio Equipment Cabinets at The Nags Head, High Street, Lower Stoke. 

6. CORRESPONDENCE. 

Min 085.07: Appendix B. Listed all reports and circulars received. The clerk read out items from the list highlighting various issues. Item raised by members was a copy of an e-mail received regarding anti social behaviour issues in Lower Stoke. Members requested that the clerk contacts the Police and Medway Councils Safer Community Officers. Action Clerk. 

7. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS. 

Min 086.07. The monthly accounts as listed on Appendix C & C1 (cheques 101405 101406 101407 101408.) and the Bank Reconciliation were proposed by Cllr J Peters and seconded by Cllr G Barron for payment. Action Clerk. 

8. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES. 

Min 087.07: Police Report. It was reported that the next Neighbourhood Watch meeting will take place on 9 th July at 7.00pm at Hoo School. The clerk was requested to enquire why the Parish Council clerk is not informed of the meetings? Action Clerk. 

Min 088.07: Rural Liaison Report. Medway Estuary and Swale Shoreline Management Plan. The clerk was requested to write to the Environment Agency regarding E2 section in the plan, pointing out that Lower Stoke and Middle Stoke are not all on higher ground, and are liable to flooding, in particular the seawall at Middle Stoke is very low, 1 in 100 years only defence. 

9. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS 

Min 089.07: The clerk reported that all the refurbishment works had now been completed in all 3 play parks. Also he had received a letter from 2 children requesting more play equipment to be installed at Upper Stoke. The clerk was requested to reply and explain that due to financial restrictions they are unable to install any further equipment this year. Action Clerk. 

10. WEB SITE/IT. 

Min 090.07: The clerk reported that the number of site hits for May was 265 visits with 579 page views. June was 140 visits with 293 page views. 

11. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION. 

Min 091.07: The clerk reported that he had contacted Medway Council again regarding the fly tipping in Cuckolds Green Road. Also he had informed them that the white paint marking out the pot holes in Allhallows Road were now nearly warn out as they had been marked out some time ago and no action to fill them in had taken place, however some patching had been done. The clerk also reported that he had again contacted M H S Homes regarding the promise of more posts in the grass area in the estate. Concerns were raised regarding the road drainage on the A228 from Fenn corner to Lower Stoke, as the water just runs down the centre of the road at times. Action Clerk. 

12. STOKE SCHOOL WALKING BUS ROAD SCHEME. 

Min 092.07: Nothing further to report. 

13. NEWSLETTER. 

Min 093.07: Nothing special was requested to be put into the next newsletter. 

14. SPEEDWATCH. 

Min 094.07: This was reported at the last Rural Liaison meeting. No further action seems to now be taking place since 2 more Parish Councils are now no longer interested in participating in the scheme. 

15. QUOTE FOR DOG WASTE PRODUCTS. 

Min 095.07: As requested at the last meeting members had received a financial breakdown regarding the cost of supplying dog glove poop scoop bags. Following a discussion the general consensus was that it was financially prohibiting and any system of distribution could be fraught with abuse. Resolved no further action. The clerk reported on information received from Medway Council regarding the possibility of supplying a dog bin at the bottom of Burrows Lane, Middle Stoke. Medway Council said that financially the lane does not meet the criteria for the positioning of a bin and that many other locations rank a higher priority. 

16. CLERK REPORT 

Min 096.07: The clerk stated that it had been reported that rats have been seen in Button Drive, Lower Stoke. The clerk was requested to inform Medway Council. Action Clerk. 

17. STOKE CAR PARK CLEANING 

Min 097.07: It was proposed by Cllr J Peters and seconded by Cllr G Barron that Allhallows Parish Council be asked to supply their contracted cleaner to Stoke Parish Council for a total of 2 hours per month, made up of 1 hour per fortnight to clean the public car park in Lower Stoke, suggesting that it should be on a Monday or Tuesday morning for an agreed hourly rate of £10.00 per hour. This was resolved. The clerk was requested to write to Allhallows Parish Council to make the necessary arrangement. Action Clerk. 

18. PUBLIC TOILET DAMAGE 

Min 098.07: The clerk reported that Medway Council officers had inspected the toilet block and that it was understood that repair costs are being sought. 

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

Min 099.07: None. 

21. 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 100.07: None. 

The next meeting will be held on September 5 th 2007. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.18 pm