MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2008 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. The Chairman welcomed the members and 2 members of the public. Before the commencement of the meeting the chairman invited the members of the public to speak. Information regarding a fundraising event in aid of The Macmillan Cancer Trust fund that is being proposed to be held in August. A request was made for the use of Button Drive recreational area. Members said that they would consider the request and let the representative have written confirmation of their decision. Concerns were raised by a resident regarding the dumping of rubbish in front of some houses in the estate. Members agreed that they would discuss the problem at the meeting. Meeting started at 7.25 pm. PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr B Stone Chairman, Cllr J Peters, Vice Chairman, Cllr Mrs P Wade, Cllr Mrs M Elms, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr G Barron, Cllr J Luck, Mr R Morrad Clerk. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Min 288.08. All members present. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EITHER PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL. Min 289.08. None received. 3. MINUTES. Min 290.08: The Minutes of the Meeting 260.08 to 287.08 held on 7th May 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 291.08: Planning Appendix A copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. The following was resolved: MC/2008/0802. Two storey side extension, garage to front and internal alterations. To Hesperia, Grain Road, Lower Stoke. Members opposed the positioning of the garage as a loss of view at the road junction would be a hazard. They suggested that if the garage could be placed approximately 2 meters back, near to the existing shed that is shown on the drawing this would help. Clerk to inform Medway Council of the above decisions. Action Clerk. A discussion took place regarding the planning application for the Ship P.H. development and the appalling condition of the building. The chairman said that the Parish Council had written to everyone they could think of regarding the safety of this disused property. 5. CORRESPONDENCE. Min 292.08: 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, a reply has been received from Medway Council suggesting the type of replacement tree they would recommend. Members asked the clerk to enquire if any native trees could be planted. Action Clerk. A letter from EDF Energy has requested the dates and post codes for recent power failures in Stoke. Cllr Mrs M Elms will pass this information onto the clerk. Action Cllr Mrs M Elms and the Clerk. A letter regarding the state of the road due to the gas pipe line works was read out. Members also made a number of comments. The chairman noted all the issues and agreed to see AMEC about them the next morning. Action Cllr B Stone. 6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS. Min 293.08: Proposed by Cllr J Peters, 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. T MOBILE PHONE MAST Min 294.08: Nothing further to report. 8. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES Min 295.08: The chairman gave a report of the last Rural Liaison Meeting: The first of the newly formed Police meetings is to now take place on the 21st July at The Hundred of Hoo School. Information regarding the mass demonstration by Green Peace at Kingsnorth Power Station due to take place in August, More information regarding this is to be distributed by the Police. It is understood. Medway Council are looking into an extension of the Park and Ride facility, this will be from the White Wall Creek area. A proposed wind farm by B.P. may not now be built in the area. A super container port at Essex is proposed. An update regarding the Perry Farm (Grain) waste disposal application was given to members. The next KALC area meeting will be held on 11th July at Frindsbury Memorial Hall. 9. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS Min 296.08: The quotation for works in the 3 play parks following a recent RoSPAR inspection report was proposed by Cllr J Peters, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade. And resolved by the Council. It was further resolved that funding for this should come from the Rural Liaison fund. Action Clerk. Min 297.08: The clerk was requested enquire if any thing can be done to stop the pigeons from messing on the swing seats, such as a canopy perhaps. Action Clerk. 10. TO CONSIDER ARBORICULTURAL REPORT. Min 298.08: It was resolved that the arboricultural report be sent to a contractor for pricing, in addition to the report the ivy on one of the trees next to the Village Hall car park need removing. Also a report on the canker on one of the trees in the public car park. Action Clerk. 11. WEB SITE/IT. Min 299.08: The clerk reported that the web site hits for March were 314 page views with 170 visits. A photo of Cllr Mrs M. Elms was taken for the web site. 12. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION Min 300.08: Concerns again were raised regarding the lack of response from Southern Water regarding the water leak in Cuckolds Green Road as this has been going on for many months now. The clerk was requested to write again expressing members dissatisfaction with a copy this time to the Water Regulator. Action Clerk. 13. HOPPERS LANE. Min 301.08: As Hoppers Lane has now been blocked due to both a crane and a lorry falling off the road both within 6 weeks of each other into the ditches, the last time the road was closed for a week. The clerk was requested to write to Medway Council and suggest that this lane should have signage at each end with something like: Unsuitable for HGV`s, or a width and weight restriction. Action Clerk. 14. NEWSLETTER. Min 302.08: It was agreed that concerns regarding the amount of rubbish that is being left in some front gardens in the village should be placed in the next newsletter. It was further agreed that the clerk should write to Medway Council and MHS and ask if anything can be done about the mess. Action Clerk. 15. CAR PARK ENTRANCE DAMAGE. Min 303.08: The clerk reported that only one quotation had been received and that the second should be available by the next meeting. 16. CLERKS REPORT. Min 304.08: The clerk reported that he had attended a KALC clerks training meeting on 15th May at Lenham and found it very interesting. He said that this helps to keep up with all the new local government changes. 17. INSURANCE ASSEMENT. (VILLAGE HALL) Min 305.08: Following a suggestion from the Internal auditor that some financial savings may possibly be made from having just one insurance policy to cover both the village hall and the parish council. The clerk reported that he had contacted both insurance companies and has been told that only the village hall committee who have the day to day running of the village hall are able to have liability insurance and as the parish council do not carry out this function we could not obtain one policy. 18. ITEMS DELEGATED TO THE CLERK FOR ACTION (STANDING ORDER No 30) Min 306.08: The clerk was requested to inform Medway Council regarding fly tipping in Cuckolds Green Road. A black sack containing toys and a vacuum cleaner. Also a pile of asbestos at the road side neat Tudor Farm, Stoke Road, Upper Stoke. 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 307.08: None. The next meeting will be held on 2nd July 2008. There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.20 pm Signed…………………………………………..Chairman On the………….Day of………………….2008 1 1