MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER 2008 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.

The meeting commenced at 7.00 pm.

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 385.08. Cllr J Peters, Vice Chairman (reason not given) 

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

Min 386.08. Cllr B Stone declared an interest in a letter received regarding farm issues in the area.

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 387.08: The Minutes of the Meeting 370.08 to 384.08 held on 5th November 2008, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman. An update from the minutes was given by the clerk to members questions.

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

Min 388.08: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. No objection to MC2008/1807. Erection of a brick building for electrical equipment located at the pumping station near Lower Stoke. Clerk to inform Medway Council. It was noted that the applicant of Clacket View, Upper Stoke has appealed regarding the conditions that were placed on his application by Medway Council.

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 389.08: 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 and answered members' questions. 



6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION.

Min 390.08: Proposed by Cllr Mrs M Elmes, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade and resolved that the 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 391.08: A verbal report was given regarding the KALC, AGM. A talk by the environment agency, and Kent police on extended policing. A new president has been appointed to the KALC.

Min 392.08: A verbal report was given regarding the Police Liaison Meeting which included a talk regarding the work of Crime Stoppers. It was stressed how anonymously the service really is and its full functions. A copy of this was handed to the clerk.  It was reported that 5 burglaries had occurred recently in Allhallows. Also 3 robberies with violence had occurred on the Peninsula. 

Min 393.08: A report about the local KALC meeting was given. A discussion was held around the fact that some Parish Councils no longer receive the full plans for all planning applications in the parish. The clerk said that at present he was receiving all applications for Stoke. It was agreed to monitor the situation. Action Clerk. 

8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 394.08: The clerk reported that the swing chains keep getting wound up and the seats thrown over the swing frame. This will damage the chains and they will have to be replaced much earlier than normal wear and tear. This vandalism costs a lot of money in play park repairs each year. This is money that could be spent on other items around the village. 2 more bicycles were dumped in Heron Way Park which also cost the Parish Council time and money. All 3 parks are cleaned once a week this includes washing of the swing seats in Button Drive Park following a request from residents. The litter bins are often only half full but the field is covered in rubbish including broken beer bottles. 

9. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 395.08: The number of hits on the web site for November was 142 visits with 291 page views. The clerk reported that the new Freedom of information act will be placed on the web site. Action Clerk.

10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 396.08: It was reported that a pot hole in the highway on the A228 25 yards before St Mary's road sign coming from Stoke will be repaired soon. Clerk to monitor. A pot hole by Denison Mews off the High Street is to be reported Action Clerk.

Min 397.08: Concerns were raised regarding both the mud on the road and the condition of the road caused by AMEC laying the new gas pipeline in Allhallows Road, Lower Stoke. It is understood that the works are due to be finished by the 19th December 2008. The clerk was requested to write to AMEC and state that the road needs washing not just sweeping which only spreads the mud. Also to ask when the road repairs are to be undertaken and will this include the reinstatement of the road edging. 

Min 398.08: Concern regarding the lack of ability for members of the public to be able to talk direct to a highways officer when you can only get through to customer services. Clerk to ask if the public can talk to officers direct. Action Clerk. 

11. CAR PARK WORKS WALL DAMAGE UPDATE/TENDER.

Min 399.08: The clerk reported the wall damage had now been completed and that he was out to tender for re-pointing the wall. Action Clerk.

12. NEWSLETTER.

Min 400.08: Items for inclusion are from the meeting minutes. With emphasis on the cost of damage to the play areas which are costing a lot of money each year. The precept has been held the same now for 3 years running in spite of the increased damage. Information regarding a proposed tree replacement in Upper Stoke. Action: Clerk. 

13. BUDGET/PRECEPT SETTING FOR 2009/10.

Min 401.08: A copy of the expenditure prediction for this financial year had been sent to all members in advance of the meeting. Members discussed various headings and it was proposed by Cllr G Barron and seconded by Cllr Mrs M Elmes that a precept of £19.000 be set for the next financial year 2009/10. This was resolved unanimously. It was pointed out by the chairman that this will be the 3rd year running that we have been able to keep the budget to this figure which in real terms is a significant decrease when inflation is taken into account. It would be even better if the vandalism was not occurring on such a regular basis.

14. PROPOSED NEW TREE. UPPER STOKE.

Min 402.08: Quotations have been received from garden centres for a replacement tree (Bird Cheery) to be planted in Upper Stoke. Permission will have to first be obtained from Medway Council as they own the highway verge that it is proposed the tree be planted on. Action Clerk. 

15. ADOPTION OF THE NEW FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PUBLICATION SCHEAM.

Min 403.08: A copy of the scheme which had previously been given to all members was discussed. With a few minor points of clarification on the document regarding the clerks costs for supplying the information it was resolved to adopt. A copy will be put onto the web site by the 1st January 09. Action Clerk. 


16. CLERKS REPORT.
 
Min 404.08: The clerk reported that an article which appeared in the Clerks & Council Direct magazine had highlighted information regarding the legality of councillors taking photographs of criminal acts with the intention of pursuing a conviction.  This seems to be still a grey area with the police, but it does not seem to be unlawful for a member of local government to take a photograph as evidence of an intention to prosecute. 

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

Min 405.08. The clerk was requested to write to EDF and ask for an explanation as to why the power was interrupted on the 3rd December at approximately1.00am for about 3 hours, this included all the street lights. 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 406.08: None.

The next meeting will be held on 7th January 2009. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.35 pm


Signed..................................................Chairman
On the.............Day of......................2009   



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