MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 7th JULY, 2010 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.


PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.
No members of the public were present.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS (NEW STANDING ORDERS)
No members of the public were present. 

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 707:10. Cllr J Peters. Apologies received regarding a personal/family issue. This was accepted by members. 

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

Min 708:10. Cllr Mrs P Wade declared a personal interest in planning application MC/10/2131 Stoke Stores changes as she works for the owner on a part time basis. 

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 709:10. The Minutes of the Meeting 692:10 to 706:10 held on 2 June 2010, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade and resolved to accept as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

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

Min 710.10: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. As recorded Cllr Mrs P Wade had declared a personal interest in MC/10/2131 Stoke Store development. Members felt that development in the village within the present shops was of value to the residents and support the design changes. The clerk was requested to inform Medway Council.
MC/10/1988 Application to make alterations to number 1 Tuffs Cottages, Middle Stoke. After viewing the plans members had no objections to the Planning Application, and agreed to inform Medway Council. Action Clerk.

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 711:10. 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 actions were resolved: Reply to Medway Council Re: BBQ`s in Heron Way Play Park. Members ask the clerk to inform Medway Council that this area is not insured for such activities and safety issues would arise if someone was to be injured or burned. If a community organisation was to request such an event then this would be looked into at the time after all the safe guards were put into place. Action Clerk.


6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. 

Min 712:10. The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr G Blackman, seconded by Cllr Mr J Luck, 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 713:10. K.A.L.C.:  Cllr G Blackman said that due to the clerk being on holiday both he and Cllr G Barron had turned up for the KALC meeting which had been cancelled and the members had not been informed. The clerk was requested to write to the chairman about the method of informing the representatives. Cllr Blackman will also be raising the issue at the next meeting. Action Clerk.  
RURAL LIAISON:  Cllr B Stone reported on the last Rural Liaison meeting. Amongst the issues raised were Funding Buddies, A talk from the new Police Inspector, Grain’s new security police force, Lodge Hill development, Highway issues still to be resolved and Green Infrastructure.  

8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 714:10. The clerk reported on the quotations received for works in the 3 play parks, also on a new spring type rocker to go into Button Drive Park. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade and seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes that the quotations detailed in the confidential book be accepted. This was resolved. Also as much funding as possible should be requested from Medway Councils Rural Liaison fund with any balances to be applied for from other sources such as EON.  Action Clerk.

9. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 715:10. The clerk reported that the Parish web site received 315 page views for June.  

10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 716:10. It was reported that 2 road/ditch drains are still to be cleaned out; this follows 4 that had been cleaned out last month after repeated requests. The clerk was requested to ask Medway Council highways officer to contact Cllr G Blackman in order to locate the said drains as Medway Highway’s officers obviously cannot find those in question. Action Clerk.

Road side hedge trimming has taken place in some parts but the most dangerous road such as Newhall Farm Road, Cuckolds Green Road, and Hoppers Lane have not been cut. Also the corner by the A228 and Stoke Road/High Street needs cutting back as visibility is very poor.  
The clerk was requested to write to Medway Council with a copy to Cllr Filmer regarding the very high usage of vehicles now using the Stoke/Kingsnoth road to avoid the new roundabout hold-ups. They accept that it is a public highway but request that perhaps a police patrol car could be stationed by the oast house bends to witness the speed at which some of the cars are travelling on this very narrow twisting road.  Action Clerk.

11. NEWSLETTER.

Min 717:10. The clerk reported that he had been notified from the school that Heron Way newsletters had not been delivered this month, and that a new person would have to be found. It was agreed that the clerk write to the lady who had been delivering them and thank her for the work that she had been carrying out. Action Clerk. Also a request for a new delivery person would be placed in the next edition and the school is to be asked if they could find anyone.


12. EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR GRAIN.

Min 718:10. Nothing new to report.

13. PROPOSED USAGE IF OBTAINERBLE OF THE OLD SHIP P.H. SIGN.

Min 719:10. It was agreed that no action for the time being be made to obtain the sign, but that when development starts on the site it could be discussed with the developers/owner that perhaps they would consider calling the development the ship site and keep the old public house sign.

14. COMPLETION OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT 2009/10.

Min 720:10. The clerk reported that the Audit Commissioner’s report had been received and that no actions or discrepancies had been found. He confirmed that all the necessary notices on conclusion of the audit had been duly placed on all the notice boards in accordance with the audit procedures. Members thank the clerk for keeping its affairs in good and proper order.

15. 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 721:10. No motions for the next meeting were received.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 1st September 2010. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.25 pm

Signed…………………………………………..Chairman
On the………….Day of………………….2010