MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 1st SEPTEMBER, 2010 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.




PRESENTATION by Jason Cates (Emergency Planning Officer) Medway Council
See Agenda item 12 for his report. 

PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.
8 members of the public were present.
Amongst the issues raised were: Footballs going into a back garden from Heron Way Play Park. It was said that this had been looked into in the past and suggestions to the owner of the property had been made. New dog signs were requested in all the play parks. The clerk reported that new signs had been ordered and would be put up very soon. It was reported that the cable ties that keep being fitted to the top of the swings in Button Drive Park are being cut off as it is understood that a resident was concerned that pigeons may hurt themselves on them. They had been fitted to deter pigeons from siting on the top swing bar and toileting on the children’s swing seats.   

PUBLIC DISCUSSION ON ANY AGENDA ITEMS (NEW STANDING ORDERS)
No members of the public were present for this part of the meeting. 

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 722:10. Cllr G Barron, Apologies received as he is on holiday. This was accepted by members. 

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

Min 723:10. None received.

At this point 7.50pm the Chairman vacated the chair and left the meeting. The Vice Chairman took the chair.

3. MINUTES. 

      Min 724:10. The Minutes of the Meeting 707:10 to 721:10 held on 7 July 2010, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were proposed by Cllr G Blackman, 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 725.10: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. 
MC/10/2131 Stoke Store development. This has been approved by Medway Council.

MC/10/1988 Application to make alterations to number 1 Tuffs Cottages, Middle Stoke. This has been approved by Medway Council.

MC/10/2932 The Ship P H development (Reserved Matters) were noted after viewing the plans. A copy of a letter from a resident was read out for member’s information.

MC/09/2594 The Shant site. Revised plans were submitted to members, no problems were found with them.

The clerk was requested to inform Medway Council of its observation on the above applications. Action Clerk.


5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 726:10. 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: Cllr G Blackman requested copies of the email regarding the lack of notice given to members regarding KALC local meetings.

Stoke is hosting the Rural Liaison meeting on the 18 January 2011. It was agreed to agenda if refreshment are to be provided from the chairman expenses.

Members requested that the notice of the casual vacancy on the Parish Council should not include a request for any applicants to give a reason why they wished to become a Parish Councillor or what they feel they could bring to the community, therefore this part will be deleted from the draft that was presented. Action Clerk.



6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. 

Min 727:10. The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr G Blackman, seconded by Cllr Mrs P Wade, 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 728:10. Police Liaison:  Cllr G Blackman gave a verbal report of the last meeting that he had attended, a precise follows: Police have a speed watch board which volunteers can have training on how to use it. This was demonstrated at the meeting. This has recently been used on the B2000 at Cliffe and it is understood that a number of speeding vehicles were logged down. Nuisance motorcycles in Hoo have been targeted by the police recently. It was reported that part of the old A228 is being used by motorcycle on weekends for very fast riding; the police are looking out for this activity. Also motorcycles are on the Foreshore at Grain. Camp fires are being lit on the beach at Grain.
   

8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 729:10. The clerk reported that all the works in the 3 play parks have now been completed with the exception of the new dog signs. Also the new spring type rocker has been fitted in Button Drive Park, plus a new safety surface. Half the costs have been obtained from Medway Councils Rural Liaison funding.

9. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 730:10. The clerk reported that the Parish web site received 274 page views for July.  

10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 731:10. As a number of fly tipped items still have not been collected after repeated requests it was agreed that the clerk contact Medway Council again and asks if the contractors only pick up exactly what they are asked to pick up, are they limited as parts of the request have sometime been collected and members were wondering why this happens? Action Clerk.

11. NEWSLETTER.

Min 732:10. Members requested that the following items be included in the next newsletter: The sad loss of Cllr J Peters. Co-Option information. Play Park swings cable ties removal. Volunteer for Heron Way newsletter delivery. New Dog signs to be put up in the Parks. New SMALL Childs rocker fitted in Button Drive Park. 8 members of the public were in attendance who raised various housing issues in the village. Request for a volunteer to refurbish the Stoke Sign by Fry’s Cottages. 

12. EMERGENCY PLANNING FOR GRAIN.

Min 733:10. Jason Cates, Medway Councils Emergency Planning Officer, gave a short presentation on the emergency plan at Grain. This included the off site plan, risk assessment. This included the methods of evacuation from Grain by sea and air. There are 2 traffic control points, one of which is at Lower Stoke. Flooding of the Peninsula was discussed including the problems with a number of drains on the A228 that are not kept cleaned out properly. The problem of the time it takes the police to get the A228 reopened after a road accident and the poor diversions that are put in place by them on some occasions. Large HGV’s sent over a 7.5ton bridge at High Halstow. It was suggested that stacking of HGV’s before they get to Hoo would be a good idea but were informed that Health and Safety issues occur when this happens on the highway. 

13. STOKE CAR PARK LEASE.

Min 734:10. It was resolved that the Parish Council would continue with the lease of the public car park with Medway Council for the next year.

14. VACANCY FOR A COUNCILLOR.

Min 735:10. Members had been given a copy of L15-08 Legal Briefing paper which outlines the procedures for Co-Option of a casual vacancy onto the Parish Council. The Proper Officer presented a proposed format for the advertisement. After a number of changes a notice was agreed. This will now be placed on all 3 notice boards. Action Proper Officer.

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 736:10. It was requested that the Cyril Button commemorative Stoke Sign that is in need of refurbishment be agendered. Also Refreshments for the Rural Liaison meeting of Medway Council that Stoke is hosting on the 18 January 2011.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 6th October 2010. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.25 pm

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



4
Min`s 2010/11 Page 




4