MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2 APRIL 2008 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.



The Chairman welcomed the members. 

Before the commencement of the meeting the chairman called for a one minute silence as a mark of respect for Cllr Catton.

Meeting started at 7.01 pm.

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 243.08. Cllr J Luck, Family commitment. Members agreed to accept his apology.

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

Min 244.08. Cllr B Stone declared a personal interest in planning application MC/2008/0416. The redevelopment of the garage site, as his company has a debit account with the land holder. Also Cllr G Blackman as he uses the garage for his repair work.

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 245.08: The Minutes of the Meeting 228.08 to 242.08 held on 5th March 2008, 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 246.08: Planning Appendix A copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. The following was resolved: MC/2008/0416. The redevelopment of the garage site. Members agreed in principal with this proposed development and stated that they are not anti to development within the village envelope, but wished to make the following comments to Medway Council. Overdevelopment/density of a rural site, with what is effectively 3 storey accommodation.  
MC2008/0514. Demolish existing and redevelop providing 12 in number of 3 bedroom houses on the site of the Ship P.H. The members object to this proposal most strongly. It was felt that this new application was totally unsuitable in the present form as it is not in keeping with the village rural scene and is more akin to a town development in which this density is perhaps more acceptable. The village drainage system both foul and flood are at their limits with frequent problems in this area.   

MC2008/0520. Erection of a new build 2 bedroom bungalow on land adjacent to Chapel Rise. Members have no objections to the proposed development.
Clerk to inform Medway Council of the above decisions. Action Clerk.  

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 247.08: 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. Following a letter from a resident in Upper Stoke regarding the possible replacement of a tree that had fallen recently, it was suggested that a replacement could be planted in memory of the late Cllr Peter Hicks. Members agreed to investigate the possibility with Medway Council. Action Clerk. Information has been received regarding a Junior Disco Club that is to be set up in the village. The members wish the organiser well. Medway Council have asked if the Public Conveniences could be relocated to another part of the village to allow the site to be developed. Members said that the existing location is a safe one for commercial vehicles to park and that no other location in the village could offer this facility. The Parish Council is to write to Medway Council and request especially in view of the recent total refurbishment that the toilet block remains where it is. Action Clerk.  

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS.

Min 248.08: Council Resolved that the Accounts a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members set out at Appendix C be approved for payment. It was also resolved that a donation of £25 to the RNLI from the chairman's expenses be made in recognition of Cllr B Cattons. Action Clerk.


7. T MOBILE PHONE MAST

Min 249.08: Nothing further to report at present.


8. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Min 250.08: The date for the next Police Liaison meeting has not been set yet as following a recent village survey, it is understood that a new format has been agreed. A copy of the Youth service structure was distributed at the last Rural Liaison. A new working party has been set up to identify and regulate planning development within the rural area. Information regarding EON donation trust fund was given out. The proposal to have a bridge from Cliffe to Essex is still under discussion. Information regarding the recently held Groundwork Trust and Medway Council partnership meeting was discussed. This was mostly about funding areas. 
A Rural Liaison open meeting to all Parish Councils took place on 25th March. The two guest speakers were: Stephanie Durling, Business Manager for Produced in Kent, on the work of Produced in Kent. And Brian McCutcheon, Local and Regional Planning Manager, Medway Council regarding Section 106 Agreements as part of the local planning process.  




9. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS

Min 251.08: The result of the recent RoSPAR annual inspection of all the play parks is awaited.


10. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 252.08: The clerk reported that the web site hits for March were 313 page views with 128 visits. A photo of each of the members now appears on the web site. 

11. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 253.08: Concerns again are being raised by residents regarding car parking on footpaths, this is made especially bad on Friday's when the black and blue waist sack's are put out for collection. It is not reasonable to expect pushchairs with very young children inside to have to walk in the road; this also applies to wheelchairs with the disabled. The parish Council is to write to Medway Council's Safety Team regarding the problem as we have been informed that the Police no longer control this. Action Clerk. It was suggested that the clerk makes enquiries regarding the free dog mess bags that are available from Medway Council. Action Clerk. The condition of the grass around the village hall entrance was discussed. The chairman agreed to contact the village hall secretary regarding the issue. Action Cllr Stone.   

12. NEWSLETTER.

Min 254.08: Items listed in the Highways and Transport report should all be included. Action Clerk.

13. CO-OPTION. 

Min 255.08: The clerk reported that following the statutory notice period, following the unfortunate death of Cllr Bernard Catton, the electoral officer of Medway Council had confirmed that no one had requested that an election for his replacement as had been requested under the act so the Parish Council could co-opt. As only one application from Mrs Marilyn Elmes had been received it was proposed by Cllr B Stone and seconded by Cllr G Blackman that Mrs Marilyn Elmes be co-opted; this was resolved. The clerk was requested to give Mrs Elmes all the necessary forms and councils standing orders etc. Action Clerk.  

14. Arrangements for the AGM & ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY.

Min 256.08: Members agreed that an invitation to attend the Annual Parish Assembly Meeting should be sent the following: The 3 Ward Members. Headteacher of Stoke School. The clerk of the Village Hall Committee. The Church Representatives. P.C.S.O. Action Clerk.


15. CLERKS REPORT.
 
Min 257.08: Nothing to report.

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

Min 258.08: The clerk was requested to obtain a quote for the statutory insurance tree inspection works required in both the play parks and village hall 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 259.08: None.


The next meeting will be held on 7th May 2008. This will be the AGM, which will follow the Annual Parish Assembly Meeting.

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.05 pm


Signed..................................................Chairman
On the.............Day of......................2008   



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