MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 3 MARCH 2010 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.


PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.

9 members of the public were present together with Mr Ian Wilson Head of Capital Projects, Medway Council, who gave a talk on the proposed new railway bridge at Stoke Crossing.

The Chairman Cllr Stone welcomed both Mr Wilson and members of the public. Mr Wilson stated that Medway Council are seeking permission to upgrade the old level crossing at Stoke to a new bridge, the part funding for which is part of a 3 year government funding cycle. Contributions are also being sought from new development projects by National Grid on the Isle of Grain. Maps were given out to members and the public showing the site line of the proposed development. Mr Wilson gave a number of assurances about the reinstatement of ditches and wildlife habitat areas that would be disturbed and that they would all be replaced at the conclusion of the works. The old road would be gated but available for emergency vehicles. It was stated that the bridge crossing would not be lit as this was deemed not to be necessary and would interfere with the night wild life in the area. The bridge will have a 9 foot wide footpath on one side for pedestrians and horses to cross. Mr Wilson said that he was very keen to hear from anyone who has views/comments about the proposal as the application needs to be agreed as soon as possible due the government funding ceasing to be available next year after March 2011. Mr Wilson noted the comments that were made by the residents who had attended the open meeting. Mr Wilson can be contacted on 01634 331543 or ian.wilson@medway.gov.uk  

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 636:10. Cllr Mrs M Elmes Vice Chairman. On Holiday. This was accepted by members.

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

Min 637:10. Cllr B Stone declared a personal interest in the proposed Stoke railway crossing bridge. Cllr Mrs P Wade declared a personal interest in Planning Application MC/10/0543 Part change of use of existing retail area to A5 hot food takeaway.

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 638:10. The Minutes of the Meeting 622:10 to 635:10 held on 3 February 2010, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade 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 639.10: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. The Parish Council has no objection to the following applications: MC/10/0543 Part change of use of existing retail area to A5 hot food takeaway. Also MC/10/0153 Part change of use of existing post office retail area to dental surgery. Clerk to inform Medway Council. Action Clerk. 

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 640:10. 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: The new Stoke Church web site link is placed on to the Parish Councils web site links page. Ask for speed cameras signs to be put up in Stoke and that the speed camera mobile unit is used in Stoke on occasions. Inform Paul Pearce about the Parish Councils commitment to supporting a village walk again this year in June preferably on the 26th. Action Clerk. 

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. 

Min 641:10. The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr Mr G Blackman, seconded by Cllr Mr G Barron, 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. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Min 642:10. Cllr G Blackman and Cllr G Barron gave a report on the KALC local advisory committee meeting that they had both attended on the 17th February. Following information at that meeting it was resolved that the clerk writes to Medway Council requesting that a representative comes along to a Parish Council meeting to discuss its emergency plans for the closure of the A228 when major incidents close parts of the road and diversions are put in place by the Police and the many problems that it sometimes causes. Action Clerk.

8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 643:10. No further damage or glass breaking in the parks has been found.

9. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 644:10. The clerk reported that the Parish web site received 243 page views for February. 62.4% were from outside the U.K.  


10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 645:10. All of the B T covers on the A228 are now damaged, one of which is in a very poor and dangerous condition with it side now broken away.  Water has been seen coming up out of them and simply running down the road as the ditches are also blocked including the road side gulley cut out ways. The Z bend road sign between Stoke and Allhallows has still not been straightened. The clerk was asked to progress the A228 road gulley drains again as they are still blocked and were reported over 4 months ago. Both Newhall Farm Road and Cuckolds Green Road need mechanically sweeping following the mud that has been deposited during recent days of heavy rain falls. A large coil of black cable has been dumped in Hoppers Lane. Various notices have been placed in the village advertising ‘Folk on Sunday’ at the Nags Head P.H. As this is fly posting the clerk was requested to write to the land lord of the Nags Head and ask if he will remove them. Action: Clerk.   

11. CLERKS REPORT

Min 646:10. The clerk reported that he had updated the Data Protection act document and requested a £35 payment to cover it. This was proposed by Cllr G Barron, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade and resolved. Action: Clerk

12. NEWSLETTER

Min 647:10. It was agreed that the following information be included: The proposed new bridge at Stoke railway crossing. Play Park. Stoke church web link. Medway Council’s Modern Pentathlon World Cup finals weekend 10-11 April 2010.  Action: Clerk.

13. AGREE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2010/11. 

Min 648:10. The list which members had previously received was agreed. Members resolved that information relating to the Parish web site should be put onto the bottom of the notice and that it be publicised on all the notice boards and the web site. Action Clerk.

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

Min 649:10. None.

14. 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 650:10. None.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 7th April 2010. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.55 pm

Signed…………………………………………..Chairman
On the………….Day of………………….2010   




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