MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2 MARCH, 2011 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING. Present. Sarah Dagwell. Medway Council Head of Waste Services. No members of the public were present. Sarah Dagwell gave members a short presentation and answered questions. Amongst the items discussed were the following. Fly tipping. Questions were asked about the use of the Medway Council vans that tour the area and the fact that fly tipping never seems to be collected unless the Parish Council reports it and even then it sometimes takes more than one request. It was explained that some items, due to their nature and location cannot always be collected quickly and safely and that special vehicles have to be used. A new manager has recently been appointed and a change to working practices for all the operatives has been agreed. It is hoped that this will resolve some of the problems. It was stated that all the mobile van crews will have GPS type mobile phones and will take a picture of fly tipping and pot holes. This will activate a more speedy action to be taken. All residents are encouraged to send in photos as well. A new web link will soon be operational to deal with this new system of reporting. Highways and School parking. The road safety team are looking at extending the existing yellow zig zag line outside the school. The CCTV car has been requested to monitor the parking outside the school. A new road sweeping programme is soon to start and the clerk will be receiving a copy about frequencies of road sweeping in the Stoke area. It was stated that as our refuse collection is on a Friday the road sweeper would come round on a Monday. It was felt that on windy days the litter would just blow about the village. Members said that the new blue and white waste collection bags also just blow away. Some drains are again blocked on the A228 by Upper Stoke and Middle Stoke junction. Sarah has agreed to look into this. PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS (NEW STANDING ORDERS) No members of the public were present. PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr B Stone Chairman, Cllr Mrs M Elmes Vice Chairman Cllr Mrs J Cherry, Cllr Mrs P Wade, Cllr G Barron, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr J Luck, Mr R Morrad Clerk. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Min 809:11. Cllr P Filmer Medway Council ward members. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EITHER PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL. Min 810:11. None received. 3. MINUTES. Min 811:11. The Minutes of the Meeting 795:11 to 808:11 held on 2 February 2011, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade, seconded by Cllr Mrs J Cherry, 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 812:11. MC/11/0376 Gas Main. Stoke Crossing. And MC/11/0541 No 3 Little Oakham Court. Side extension over garage. The clerk was requested to inform Medway Council that they have no objections to the schemes. Action Clerk. 5. CORRESPONDENCE. Min 813:11. 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. It was noted that a new external auditor has been appointed for the accounts 2010/11. 6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. Min 814:11. The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr G Barron seconded by Cllr J Luck, 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. It was noted that the clerk’s annual increment is due on 1st April. 7. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES Min 815:11. No reports were received. 8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS. Min 816:11. The clerk reported that all the equipment is in good working order and the parks are all generally clean. The annual professional inspection is due in April. 9. WEB SITE/IT. Min 817:11. The clerk reported that the Parish web site received 249 hits in February. Cllr G Barron is to report about the use of Facebook with the Parish Council having a page at the next meeting. Clerk to agenda, action Cllr G Barron. 10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION Min 818:11. Concerns were raised again about fly tipping in Cuckolds Green Road, Also the blocked drains on the A228 between Upper Stoke and Lower Stoke. Sarah Dagwell has agreed to report this also. Action: Clerk. 11. VILLAGE HALL REPORT MIN 819:11. 3 new lights have been replaced in the main hall and a cover has been fitted to one of the lights in the kitchen that had not had one. 12. PROPOSED GOVERNMENT CHANGES TO THE STATUS OF HIGHWAYS. Min 820:11. No further information has been received at present. 13. STOKE CAR PARK LEASE Min 821:11. Noted: Receipt of the Lease renewal for the car park from Medway Council. The clerk reported that all the agreed amendments had been included. Concerns about the rubbish and the general cleaning in the car park were raised. It was resolved that the clerk should write to the contractor about the marked deterioration recently in the cleaning contract. Action Clerk. 14. NEWSLETTER. Min 822:11. The following additional items were agreed. Concerns about the rubbish in the car park. The loss of the waste recycling clothing bin. A change to the title was agreed to the following. Stoke Parish Council Newsletter and Stoke School News. Action Clerk. 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 823:11. Agenda Facebook interface with the Parish Council. Cllr G Barron. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 6th April 2011. There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.50pm Signed…………………………………………..Chairman On the………….Day of………………….2011 1 Mins 2010/11 Page 1