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




Before the commencement of the meeting the vice chairman in the absence of the chairman welcomed and invited a member of the public to speak, Mrs Wright the secretary of the village hall management committee, presented two quotations for some minor electrical works within the village hall and requested if any funding was available from the Parish Council. The vice chairman agreed to agenda the request for the next council meeting.

 Meeting started at 7.08 pm.

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 308.08. Cllr Mrs M Elms. Personal reasons. This was resolved to accept.

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

Min 309.08. None received.

Cllr B Stone joined the meeting at this point and took the chair.

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 310.08: The Minutes of the Meeting 288.08 to 307.08 held on 2nd July 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 311.08: Planning Appendix A copies of which had been previously circulated were noted. The following was resolved: MC/2008/0935. Proposed garage at side of Clacket View, Vicarage Lane Upper Stoke. No objections were raised. Clerk to inform Medway Council of the above decisions. Action Clerk.  

Members were pleased to note that the planning application for the Ship P.H. development had been refused.




5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 312.08: 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. Further to the proposed tree replacement in Upper Stoke, the clerk was requested to suggest that a bird cherry could be an ideal replacement which would complement the Rowan's in the area. Action Clerk.

A request for financial support towards the Children's Peninsula Summer Activity scheme at Allhallows Primary School was rejected. Clerk to inform the school. Action Clerk.

A letter from EDF Energy stating the reason for the long power cut that occurred on the 10th March was due to a pole that snapped in half.

A Kent Coastal Network public meeting on Flood Risk management is to take place in Allhallows Village Hall on Wednesday 13th August 6-9pm. Also again on Sunday 17th August 10am-4pm drop-in session also at Allhallows village hall.

Confirmation from the water board has been received stating that the water leak in Cuckolds Green Road will be attended to soon.      

A letter from National Grid regarding the state of the road due to the gas pipe line works was read out by the chairman which answered a number of members question from the last meeting. 

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION.

Min 313.08: Proposed by Cllr G Barron, seconded by Cllr G Blackman and Resolved that the Accounts a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members set out at Appendix C be approved for payment. Action Clerk.

7. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Min 314.08: None received.

8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 315.08: The quotation for the tree works in the 3 play parks following a recent Insurance tree safety inspection report was tabled. The quotation for the works as listed in the confidential note book was proposed by Cllr J Peters, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade, and resolved by the Council. Action Clerk.

Min 316.08: More damage to the fence in Mallard Way play park has occurred and the clerk was requested, as it is a safety issue, to get it repaired as soon as possible. Action Clerk.

Min 317.08: A small hole in the fence of Button Drive play park is to be repaired. The clerk offered to undertake this. Action Clerk. 

Min 318.08: A request for a seat in Button Drive small children's section has been requested. It was agreed that the clerk should obtain prices for the seat and fitting, also ask RoSPAR about the concrete base that would be needed as only soft surfaces are allowed in this area. A request for funding this project should be made to the EON community investment fund. Action Clerk.    

9. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 319.08: The clerk reported that the web site hits for July were 181 page views with 166 visits. 

10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 320.08: Concerns were raised regarding the school hedge row that needs cutting back as it is causing pedestrians to walk further out in the road as there is no footpath at this point. Also vehicles have to park further out in a narrow part of the highway making it difficult for the bus to pass safely. The clerk is to write to both Medway Council and the school requesting that this is seen to as soon as possible. Action Clerk.

Min 321.08: Members requested that the clerk writes again to Medway Council about the lack of road verge cutting which has not been done this year. Usually by now at least two cuts would have taken place. Action Clerk.

Min 322.08: A complaint has been received regarding the unsafe speed of one of Clarks Coaches which occurred at 18.38pm on the 2nd July by the school and the play park in Allhallows Road, Lower Stoke. The clerk was requested to inform the operator of the incident pointing out that the school has after school activities and at this time of the year young children are playing in the play park. Also there is no pavement at this point and it is a 30MPH speed area. Action Clerk.  

11. CAR PARK WORKS UPDATE/TENDER.

Min 323.08: The tenders for the proposed works in the public car park as listed in the confidential note book were discussed. A slight change to the specification of the barrier was agreed. If this did not affect the lowest quote then it was proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade and seconded by Cllr G Blackman in consultation with the chairman that the clerk lets the contract to this contractor. Also part of the tender is let to another contractor. This was resolved by the council. Action Clerk.

12. NEWSLETTER.

Min 324.08: The following items were agreed should go into the next newsletter. Information regarding the availability of the village hall. Repairs to the car park barrier. Funding for a seat in Button Drive small children's area. Cost of vandalism in the play parks. Date for the public meetings re the flood defences. Action Clerk.



13. CLERKS REPORT.
 
Min 325.08: The clerk reported that in consultation with the chairman and Medway Council he had completed a request for information return, Non-Domestic Rating. This document relates to the rent the Parish Council pays Medway Council for use of the public car park. 

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

Min 326.08: Safety items re the play ground fence. Action Clerk.

Min 327.08: Concerns were raised about the possible use of both the public car park and the old closed Ship P.H. during the Green Peace demonstration. Clerk to write to both the Police and Medway Council regarding the concerns. Action Clerk.

19. 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 328.08: None.

The next meeting will be held on 3rd September 2008. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.43 pm


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



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