MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 6 APRIL, 2011 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.


PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.
Present: One member of the public.

PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS (NEW STANDING ORDERS)

A member of the public asked to speak on a specific item in agenda item 5. The Chairman agreed to take this after item 2.  

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 824:11. All members present.

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

Min 825:11. None received. 

2A. Min 826:11. A presentation following a written request from the local Group Scout Leader for financial assistance from the Parish Council: It was for a short period of time to see them over a financial short fall and the moving of location due in the summer. As a number of children live in stoke it was proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade, seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes that a sum of £400.00 be made available to them to cover just the rent. This was put to the vote and resolved to give them the funding. Action Clerk. 

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 827:11. The Minutes of the Meeting 809:11 to 823:11 held on 2 March 2011, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr G Blackman seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes, 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 828:11. MC/11/0376 Gas Main, Foul Rising Main and Surface Water Drainage Ditch Works at Stoke Crossing. Decision of Approval with Conditions has been made.

MC/10/4548 Outline application for demolition of site workshop garage, plus garage block and the construction in lieu of 2 No pairs of semi-detached 3-bedroom houses and a single detached 4 bedroom house, all with associated off-road parking, waste storage and private amenity space. Decision of Refusal has been made. Members requested further information regarding the reasons for the refusal decision. Action Clerk.

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 829:11. 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. It was noted that at the close of nomination to Stoke Parish Council. 7 persons (The maximum number) had completed forms which had been received by Medway Council therefore no election will take place.

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. 

Min 830:11. The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr G Blackman seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes, 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. 

The chairman had to leave the room at this point and vacated the chair to the Vice Chairman Cllr Mrs M Elmes.

7. AGREE CLERKS INCREMENTAL PAY AWARD 1ST APRIL 2011.

Min 831:11. The clerk’s annual increment as per the NJC agreement was proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade. Seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes and it was resolved to agree to the payment.

8. AGREE AND ACCEPT FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS REPORT 2010/11.

Min 832:11. A full set of accounts had been previously given to all members in advance of the meeting. It was proposed by Cllr Mrs M Elmes; seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade to accept the accounts. This was resolved to accept by the council.  

9. AGREE ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT.

Min 833:11. Cllr Mrs J Cherry proposed that the chairman be given permission to sign the Audit return. This was seconded by Cllr G Barron. The Council resolved to agree to this action.

The Chairman Cllr B Stone returned at this point and took the chair.

10.  REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Min 834:11. KALC Area committee report. Two items were discussed. The Census form and the cost of holding Parish Elections.

Min 835:11. Police Report. Stoke now has a new Police officer P C Graham Smith, with 2 PCSOs. There is additional cover in an emergency from the additional security cover officers stationed at Grain, but it was pointed out that their first priority is to cover the Grain installations that are of national security.  It was stated that one of the local PCSOs recently raised £18K for a Ball Park in Allhallows. It was stated that PCSOs have been given more responsibilities recently, but that their powers still fall short of others in other parts of the country.  Trouble had been reported in the Allotments at Stoke. It was stated that shed alarms are available from the Police (John Haddaway) at £4 each.

11. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 836:11. The clerk reported that all the equipment in its 3 play parks are to have their annual professional inspection on the 14th April. 

12. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 837:11. The clerk reported that the Parish web site received 268 hits in March. 

13. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 838:11. It was not sure if a number of road drains on the A228 have been cleaned out yet. Cllr G Blackman is to check and report to the clerk if any further action is required. Cllr B Stone said that he had seen a lorry cleaning out the drains in the area recently. 

Min 839:11. Concerns were raised regarding the parking of vehicles across the public footpath in Allhallows Road and Marshland View by some of the allotment holders. The clerk was requested to contact the Chairman of the Allotment Association and ask if its members could park in a more suitable location as the public have to walk in the road to pass the obstruction. Action: Clerk.  


14. VILLAGE HALL REPORT

MIN 840:11. No report was tabled.


15. PROPOSED GOVERNMENT CHANGES TO THE STATUS OF HIGHWAYS.

Min 841:11. No further information has been received at present.


16. STOKE CAR PARK CLEANING.

Min 842:11. Following concerns about the rubbish and the general cleaning in the car park a letter from the cleaning contractor was read out. The clerk was asked to obtain a quotation for the removal of the open top wire litter bin and to move the existing large one in its place, but place it on a plinth so that the filling slot is in line with the top of the stone wall. Action clerk.



17. FACEBOOK WEB SITE INTERFACE.

Min 843:11 Cllr G Barron as previously requested gave a report about the use of Facebook as another possible means of advertising the Parish Council. Following a general discussion it was resolved not to advertise on Facebook at the present time.

18. AGREE EQUAL OPPORTUNITYS POLICY.

Min 844:11. All members had previously been given a proposed Equal Opportunities Policy. This policy was proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes and resolved to adopt.  

19. NEWSLETTER.

Min 845:11. The following additional items were agreed. Advertise the football club at Grain. Also the donation to the Scouts and cubs.  Annual Parish Meeting and the Parish Council AGM. Action Clerk.

20. 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 846:11. None.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10th May 2011. This will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.25pm

Signed…………………………………………..Chairman
On the………….Day of………………….2011   



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