MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2009 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.




PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.

No members of the public were present.

The meeting commenced at 7.00 pm.

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 542:09. Cllr J Peters was not in attendance.

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

Min 543:09. None declared. 

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 544:09. The Minutes of the Meeting 524:09 to 541:09 held on 1 July 2009, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade, seconded by Cllr J Luck and resolved to accept 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 545.09: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. Members noted that MC2009/0240. Demolition of the existing Public House and redevelopment of the site with 12 dwellings has been refused by Medway Council.

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 546.09: 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 actions were resolved. It was agreed that the clerk should copy recent letters received regarding the Ship and adjacent building for Cllr G Blackman to raise the issues at the next Police Liaison meeting. Action Clerk. The clerk confirmed that he had completed the 2009/10 Business Rates Deferral Scheme.

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. 

Min 547.09: The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr Mrs M Elmes, 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.

7. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Min 548.09: Cllr B Stone reported on the Rural Liaison meeting. It was reported that only 11% of Stoke residents returned the Rural Housing Survey which had been delivered to every house in the village. An explanation of flood plain management was explained. 

8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 549.09: The clerk reported on the quotations received for the raising of the fence height in part of Heron/Mallard Way Park. In view of the very high costs involved it was agreed that the clerk contact Medway Council regarding the recommended fence heights for areas where football is played and to also ask about planning application required for high fences. The clerk is to inform a resident of what actions the Parish Council is taking, as said resident had problems with balls coming over the fence. Action Clerk. 

9. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 550.09: The clerk reported that the Parish web site had received 309 hits in August.

10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 551.09: The clerk was requested to progress the B.T. inspection plates again as they have still not been raised to the Highway level. Also the drains on the A228 are still blocked and have not been cleaned out as promised. On the A228 by the Shant broken steel tubes are projecting through broken concrete posts following numerous accidents. These need to be reinstated as they are a danger if any further vehicles should go off the road and run into the posts head on. Action Clerk.

11. REPORT on PLAY PARK ANNUAL INSPECTIONS

Min 552.09: The clerk informed members of 3 quotations he had received regarding the annual play ground inspections for next year. It was resolved that the lowest of the tenders be accepted. (Name in the confidential memorandum book). The existing contractor is informed of our changes to the contract that they had previously held. Also the new contractor is to be contacted regarding anti fouling pigeon measures that can be taken to prevent the pigeon mess on the children’s seats. Action clerk.  


12. CLERKS REPORT.

Min 553.09: The clerk reported the amount of funding available to the Parish from the Rural Liaison grant scheme. It was resolved that a new rubbish bin be obtained for Upper Stoke Play Park and fitted. Also the new Play Park inspector is asked about the possibility of fitting top covers over the swings and if such a structures would affect the insurance if an accident should occur from its construction. Action Clerk.

13. NEW BANKING FACILITIES.

Min 554.09: The clerk reported that the application to open up an account with Nat West Bank had not been finalised yet. Members felt that this was very disappointing as the new account had been promised to be available by the 1st of September. Clerk to progress.

14. NEWSLETTER

Min 555.09: It was agreed that information regarding the Ship P. H. application by Medway Council to refuse the recent Planning Application be included. Looking at further methods of stopping pigeon mess on the swings, and mention that it was a pity that the very successful and cheap plastic spikes had been cut down after 3 weeks. Also children are to be asked to be more careful about playing football in Heron/Mallard Way Park as balls keep going into gardens, and it is dangerous to climb the 12 foot fence in order to retrieve them. 

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

Min 556.09: None.

16. 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 557.09: None.

The next meeting will be held on THURSDAY 1st October 2009. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.35pm


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



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