MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2nd JUNE, 2010 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING. Present were Lisa Maryott and Jenny Nichols from Medway Council. They informed the Parish Council about ways in which planning applications can be viewed via a projector. After a discussion it was agreed that hard copies of planning applications would still be sent without additional papers relating to environmental studies etc. If any applications that appear on the weekly list are not received Lisa agreed to send them if requested by the clerk No members of the public were present. PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr B Stone Chairman, Cllr Mrs M Elmes Vice Chairman. Cllr Mrs P Wade, Cllr G Barron, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr J Luck, Cllr J Peters. Mr R Morrad Clerk. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Min 692:10. All members present. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EITHER PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL. Min 693:10. None received. 3. MINUTES. Min 694:10. The Minutes of the Meeting 668:10 to 691:10 held on 5 May 2010, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr J Peters and 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 695.10: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. No actions required. 5. CORRESPONDENCE. Min 696:10. 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. The following actions were resolved: That the Parish Council notify Medway Council they are happy to host a Rural Liaison meeting in Stoke on the 18th January 2011. 6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. Min 697:10. The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade, seconded by Cllr Mr J Peters, 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. 7. REVIEW AND UPDATE CLERKS CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. Min 698:10. The clerk explained that his new proposed contract of employment is in line with the NJC agreement. His level of pay is the same as his old contract. Any pay awards in future will now be in line with nationally agreed pay increases. Also in future any equipment that is exclusively used for the Parish Council would be purchased by the council. Proposed by Cllr Mrs M Elmes, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade, and resolved to adopt the terms and conditions of the new contract of employment tabled at the meeting. 8. REVIEW AND UPDATE CLERKS JOB SPECIFICATION. Min 699:10. The clerk read out the proposed new job specification tabled at the meeting which now takes in a number of additional jobs which were not in the old specification. Proposed by Cllr J Peters, seconded by Cllr G Blackman and resolved to adopt. 9. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES Min 700:10. Cllr G Blackman gave a report on the last Police Liaison meeting. It was reported that Sergeant Duffy the new Grain area police officer was not able to attend. The new police inspector for the area will be attending the next meeting which will be on the 13th July. The new P C for the Wainscot/Cliffe area was present. He is P.C. J Fallon. Our PCSO Tabs McGowan has requested a key to the Parish Council office to store her police bicycle. This was agreed. 10. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS. Min 701:10. The clerk reported that he had been round with a contractor to price up works in the 3 Parks. This follows on from a Health and Safety inspection which had been recently carried out. In addition to the works separate quotes for some new equipment in Button Drive/Allhallows Road Park was requested, as this area is extensively used. Members were pleased to see the high usage of this park. Also a quote for one new safety surface if additional funds can be obtained from Medway Councils Rural Liaison funds. Action Clerk. 11. WEB SITE/IT. Min 702:10. The clerk reported that the Parish web site received 376 page views for May. 12. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION Min 703:10. It was reported that 2 road/ditch drains are still to be cleaned out; this follows 4 that had been cleaned out last month after repeated requests. Road side hedge trimming has not taken place since March. As visibility is now very poor on some of the bends around the village and there had been a recent accident involving the Royal Mail van it was agreed that the clerk write to Medway Council requesting that the hedge rows/verges are cut as a matter of urgency. Following a discussion regarding the road closure at Fenn street, and the subsequent diversion of the Allhallows traffic, and the fact that a lorry container park is at St Mary’s which if a bus and or two container lorries try to pass on the Allhallows/Stoke road the road will soon become blocked, it was felt that the Parish Council should have been informed weeks ago allowing them to make constructive comments regarding the closures and its impact on Stoke village. Action: Clerk. 13. NEWSLETTER. Min 704:10. The next newsletter should say how pleased the Parish Council are that the play areas are being well used. Highlight the play park works and proposed new equipment. Also that the council will be applying for funding from the Rural Liaison fund to cover most of the proposed works. Action Clerk. 14. EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR GRAIN. Min 705:10. Nothing new to report. 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 706:10. The old Ship P H Sign. Proposed usage if obtainable. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th July 2010. There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.10 pm Signed…………………………………………..Chairman On the………….Day of………………….2010 1 1