MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 7th APRIL, 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. 

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 651:10. Cllr Mrs M Elmes Vice Chairman. On Holiday. This was proposed by Cllr J Luck. Seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade and resolved to accept by members.

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

Min 652:10. Cllr B Stone declared a personal interest in the proposed Stoke Railway Crossing Bridge. 

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 653:10. The Minutes of the Meeting 636:10 to 650:10 held on 3 March 2010, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr G Blackman 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 654.10: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. The Parish Council has only received a disc relating to Planning Application MC/10/0990. Viaduct Road Bridge at Stoke Railway Crossing. The clerk was asked to remind Medway Council’s Planning Department that it requires hard copies of all planning applications in the Stoke area. Action Clerk. 

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 655:10. 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: Further to a letter received from Medway Council regarding Camera Signs and A228 Incident Planning. The clerk was requested to write to Medway Council and request that the speed is monitored by the school. Copy to Cllr P Filmer. More information should be available regarding Incident Planning at Grain in about two months time, when the Parish Council will be informed about procedures. As the flashing 40 mph sign from Grain on the A228 has still not been turned round to face the road, it was agreed that the clerk also ask Cllr P Filmer to look into why after a number of requests it has still not been done.  Action Clerk. 

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. 

Min 656:10. The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr Mr 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. RECEIVE AND ACCEPT END OF FINANCIAL YEAR ACCOUNTS 2009/10. AND SIGN OFF AUDIT REPORT.

Min 657:10. The end of year accounts were proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr G Barron, and resolved to accept.

Min 658:10. The District Auditor’s return was proposed by Cllr J Peters, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade and resolved that it may be signed by the Chairman. Action Clerk.

8. REVIEW STANDING ORDERS (NEW MODLE 2010).

Min 659:10. The Chairman highlighted the principal changes to the new Standing Orders over the existing ones. Principally the general public participation at the beginning of the Parish Council meetings will, in future, be up to a maximum of ˝ hour, relating to any item on the agenda only. The new Standing Orders as tabled were proposed by Cllr J Peters, seconded by Cllr G Blackman and resolved to adopt.     

9. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Min 660:10. Cllr G Blackman gave a report on the last Police Liaison meeting. Medway Councillor David Brake gave a talk about the Magistrates system. It was reported that Inspector Alland has now moved on. Stoke now only has 1 Inspector and no PCSOs at present. The Isle of Grain is to have its own sergeant and 3 constables with 2 PCSOs. This is due to the added security now required in the area.

Min 661:10.Cllr B Stone gave a report following the last Rural Liaison meeting. Items discussed were an update on the EON money that has been spent on good causes and that more is still available. Also at the open meeting that followed the following items were discussed:  The Power of Wellbeing; A presentation by Medway Councils Standards Officer; A presentation regarding Leadership funding issues. 

10. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 662:10. A quotation/contract for tree works in the three play parks which has to be obtain for insurance purposes, a copy of which had been previously circulated to all members, was proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade and resolved that the clerk let the contract to the named contractor in the report.  Action Clerk



11. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 663:10. The clerk reported that the Parish web site received 224 page views for March.  

12. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 664:10. All of the B T covers on the A228 have now been repaired. It was reported that the ditch by Middle Stoke has been dug out very deeply exposing the drain. A number of the ditch road cut outs have blocked up, which now does not allow the surface highway water to run off the road: Clerk to inform Medway Council. The seven drains in the ditch on the A228 have still not been cleaned out after repeated requests. The clerk is to progress again and ask Cllr Filmer if he can investigate. It was reported that a metal drain cover is blocked in New Hall Farm Road; Clerk to inform Medway Council. The rubbish reported in New Hall Farm Road last month has still not been collected; Clerk to progress.  Action: Clerk.   

13. NEWSLETTER.

Min 665:10. The next newsletter should highlight that the Annual Parish Meeting will be taking place on the 5th May 10, and that it will be followed by the Parish Councils AGM. It was also stated that members had concerns about the Daffodils and Tulips in Mallard Way had been destroyed.


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

Min 666:10. The clerk is to write to Medway Council and inform them that Stoke is happy to have a Rural Liaison Meeting in Stoke if they so wish at any time. The clerk is to invite Chief Inspector Mark Arnold to attend the Annual Parish Meeting as guest speaker: Action Clerk.

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 667:10. None.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 5th May 2010. This meeting will include the AG.M. and the Annual Parish Meeting.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.15 pm

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




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