MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2009 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.




PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.

The chairman welcomed both Cllr Phil Filmer and 2 members of the public including the owner of the Universal Store shop. Cllr Filmer answered questions relating to the following issues and agreed to take action regarding them. General road drainage problems in Grain Road Lower Stoke. 3 cars have been written off due to flooding. Problems were reported regarding the lack of support by the fire service in pumping out flooded properties. The new fence needs about 30cm removed from the bottom by the public toilet block as this holds back some of the flood waters. The A228 between Middle Stoke and Upper Stoke; the B T inspection pits in the road flood and a better system of drainage for them is to be investigated. Cllr Filmer and the chairman along with the Medway Council's Highway Manager are to inspect the areas of concern and see what can be done to help cure the situation. He also agreed to get Newhall Farm Road swept for mud that has accumulated in parts.  Look into Shepherds Way pavement damage, and drainage at Cuckolds Green Road. Cllr Filmer spoke about Medway Council's recycling programme which is around 40%. The control of the speed cameras on the A228 have now been passed to the Police. Medway Council has a camera car to pick out parking offences, in particular by schools and yellows line on bends etc.  

The meeting commenced at 7.55 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 449.09: Cllr Mrs M Elmes. Personal commitment. Resolved to accept.

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

Min 450.09: None declared. 

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 451.09: The Minutes of the Meeting 427.09 to 447.09 held on 4th February 2009, 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 452.09: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. Members noted that MC2009/0119: Application to moor an accommodation barge at Damhead Creek. Members felt that as the route for the two buses per day will not be going through Upper Stoke the residents of Stoke would not be unduly affected by this proposal so have no objection. They welcomed the added local short term benefits both to work and local shops that the development at Grain will bring to the area particularly at the present time. Action Clerk to inform Medway Council. MC2009/0240. Demolition of the existing Public House and redevelopment of the site with 12 dwellings. The Parish Council objects to the development on the grounds of over development of the site which is out of keeping with the rural village envelope. The area has major problems with drainage of surface water now in the area around this site which floods regularly and is under review with Medway Council's Highway Department. Action Clerk to inform Medway Council.

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 453.09: 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 was agreed. That the insurance quote to cover the car park wall be accepted. Stoke Parish Council would support Allhallows Parish Council in its endeavours to reinstate a late bus for the Peninsula and would try to attend any meeting that is to be arranged by Allhallows. It was noted that Medway Council's Housing survey will go out with the Parish's newsletter this month. It was welcomed that Medway Council are to reinstate the Rural Liaison Grants scheme again.  Action Clerk. 

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION.

Min 454.09: Proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade, seconded by Cllr G Blackman 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 455.09: A verbal report was given regarding the last KALC local committee meeting. Items discussed were Damhead Creek accommodation barge planning application. A talk by Peter Bown Medway Council regarding the reinstatement of the Rural Liaison grant scheme. The KALC Chairman has been nominated to go to the Queens garden party this year.

8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 456.09: The clerk reported that glass bottles still keep being found smashed in Mallard Way Play Park, some in the small children's play area which is particularly disturbing. All three Parks are cleaned up on a weekly basis. RoSPAR have agreed to inspect the Parks this month, (March).




9. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 457.09: The number of hits on the web site for February was 180 visits with 491 page views. Members requested a breakdown of what pages are viewed the most. Action Clerk. 

10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 458.09: Members were pleased that Cllr Filmer had agreed to look into a number of issues regarding highway problems that had been raised by them and the public and thanked him. 

Min 459.09: The clerk was requested to ask Medway Council to collect a number of items that have been fly tipped in Hoopers Lane and Newhall Farm Lane. Action Clerk.

11. NEWSLETTER.

Min 460.09: Items for inclusion are from the meeting minutes; a further request for a new neighbourhood co-ordinator together with information about the proposed walk in June/July - if anyone has a local historic interest in Stoke area perhaps they would like to join the walk or lead such a walk; the glass bottle breaking in the parks and a thank you to Cllr Filmer for looking into a number of highway issues. Action Clerk.

12. NOTICE BOARD REPLACEMENT LOCK.

Min 461.09. It was resolved that a new padlock be purchased for the Lower Stoke notice board to replace the damaged one. Action Cllr Barron and the Clerk.

13. FLOODING LOWER STOKE.

Min 462.09. Cllr Filmer has agreed to have a site meeting with both the Highways Manager and Cllr Stone to discuss and view the problem areas in detail with the view to see what can be done. Action Cllr Filmer and Cllr Stone.

14. LATE BUS REQUEST FROM ALLHALLOWS PARISH COUNCIL.

Min 463.09: Members agreed to support Allhallows Parish Council in its endeavours to reinstate the late bus service to the Peninsular that has been withdrawn.  

15. CLERKS REPORT.
 
Min 464.09: The updated Grievance and Discipline Procedures that had been tabled was resolved to accept and signed by the chairman. 




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

Min 465.09: Agenda car park cleaning.

17. 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 466.09: None.

The next meeting will be held on 1st April 2009. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.45 pm


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



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