MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2007 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. 

The Vice Chairman welcomed the members, and 6 members of the public. 

Prior to the commencement of the meeting a representative from the newly formed action group called S.T.A.M.P. (Stoke Turns Against Mast Proposal), gave an update on its activities. It was stated that a good response from residents had been received with over 120 people saying NO to date. A pack explaining what STAMP is all about and the way forward has been produced and a copy has been given to the Parish Council. The group is to now contact the media to gain further support. The clerk reported that the Parish Council had received a letter from Medway Council's Development Control section and an Email from the Planning Enforcement section. It was agreed that in the clerks follow up letter, a question as to if the height is really below planning consent should be queried? It was agreed that copies should be forwarded onto STAMP. 

Meeting started at 7.20 pm. 

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

In the absence of the Chairman the Vice Chairman Cllr J Peters took the Chair. 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. 

Min 157.07 Cllr B Stone Chair. Works/Road delay. Cllr G Barron Holiday. Members resolved to accept the apologies. 

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

Min 158.07. Cllr J Peters declared a personal interest in Planning application 2007/1866. 

3. MINUTES. 

Min 159.07: The Minutes of the Meeting 134.07 to 156.07 held on 3 rd October 2007, copies of which had been previously circulated to Members, were confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chairman. 

4. PLANNING APPLICATIONS REGISTERED FOR DECISION, AND DECISION REPORTS FROM MEDWAY COUNCIL RECEIVED. 

Min 160.07: Planning Appendix A copies of which had been previously circulated were noted. The following was resolved: MC2007/1772. Between Yantlet Pit and Stoke Pump Station on the Isle of Grain. Proposal: Screening option to determine the need for an environmental statement to accompany a planning application for the replacement of 8inch oil Pipeline. 

Resolved: Clerk should contact Medway Council and request that an environmental statement should accompany a planning application. Action Clerk. 

MC2007/1866. Land opposite Rookery Nook Vicarage Lane Upper Stoke. Construction of a 3-bedroom dwelling with first floor accommodation. 

Resolved: Members have no objection to this detailed application. Cllr J Peters who had declared a personal interest in this application did not vote on this item. Action Clerk. 

5. CORRESPONDENCE. 

Min 161.07: 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. A considerable amount of correspondence was received this month due to the progressing of unanswered letters. It was felt that the letters to both the chief executive and leader of the council had prompted a response. Members were pleased to hear that a number of outstanding issues are now to be addressed albeit next financial year. 

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS. 

Min 162.07. Council Resolved that the Accounts a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members set out at Appendix C be approved for payment. Action Clerk. 

7. BUDGET/PRECEPT 2008/9 SET OUT COPY ENCLOSED. 

Min 163.07. The clerk highlighted the reasons for the variations in this years predicted spend against the present budget and estimates for next year were discussed. 

Council Resolved that the expenditure figures a copy of which had been previously circulated to members set out in the paper be approved. This sets a precept of £19,000. In real terms as this figure has not been increased in the past 2 years it represents a real reduction of around 6% due to inflation. 

8. T MOBILE PHONE MAST 

Min 164.07: Members said that they were pleased to hear from STAMP that they are working hard to try to get this mast removed. The Parish Council will continue to lobby Medway Councils planning enforcement officer and are going to request that the height of the mast be checked. Action Clerk. 

9. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES 

Min 165.07: No reports at present. 

10. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS 

Min 166.07: The clerk reported that no damage due to vandalism had occurred during the past month and that the equipment is in good condition. However a large amount of polystyrene chipping had been deposited all over the Mallard Way Park causing a considerable amount of clearing up. Also during the last month a damaged bicycle and an office chair had been dumped in the park. 

11. WEB SITE/IT. 

Min 167.07: The clerk reported that the number of page hits since the last meeting was 503. 

12 HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION. 

Min 168.07: It was reported that finally the old chair in the ditch on the A228 at Middle Stoke had now been collected by Medway Council. However Medway Council are still unable to collect the rubbish in a ditch in Cuckolds Green Road which has been there since August. This is we understand a Health and Safety condition due to the depth of the ditch and the inaccessibility to get the grab lorry at present alongside the ditch. 

Resolved that the clerk writes again progressing a previous letter in which the Parish Council offered clear the ditch if Medway Council were prepared to pay our contractor. Action Clerk. 

13. STOKE SCHOOL WALKING BUS ROAD SCHEME. 

Min 169.07: We understand from the school that the scheme and barrier will be in place by April 08 at the latest. 

14. NEWSLETTER. 

Min 170.07: Resolved that information regarding the STAMP work should be included. Also information regarding dangerous car parking by the surgery. 

15. PROPOSED NEW NOTICE BOARDS FOR BOTH MIDDLE AND LOWER STOKE. 

Min 171.07: The clerk reported that only one quote for putting a mesh screen onto the existing notice board at Lower Stoke had been received. 

Resolved that the council should place the contract with only contractor who had given an estimate to the Council at the disclosed sum in the confidential min. Standing Orders allow for single tender action at this value. Action Clerk. 

Min 172.07: The siting of a notice board at Middle Stoke. The clerk reported that Medway Council had confirmed that planning consent is not required but that Highway approval has to be given. We are awaiting there approval at present. 

Resolved that as soon as Highway approval has been obtained the clerk should go out to tender for the new notice board at Middle Stoke. Action Clerk. 

16. CLERKS REPORT. 

Min 173.07: The clerk reported that one of the surfaces in Button Drive small children's area has now become slippery, and that tree inspections should for insurance purposes be carried out soon. 

Resolved that the clerk obtain a quotation for the power washing of the surface in Button Drive Park. Also a tree surgeon should be obtained in January when the trees are not in leaf. Action Clerk. 

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

Min 174.07: Members raised concerns about the parking of vehicles partially during surgery times. Also that the Parish Council is to plant some bushes etc in Mallard Way to stop parking on the grass in one area. 

Resolved that the clerk asks the doctors if they would mind putting up a notice in the surgery requesting that in the interest of road safety would persons using the surgery park in the Village Hall car park as a number of incidents involving young children having to cross between parked vehicles sometimes on both sides of the road have been reported to the Parish Council. 

The clerk to inform Medway Housing of the Parish Councils intentions to plant out a small area of the land that Medway Housing owns. Action Clerk. 

18 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 175.07: None. 

The next meeting will be held on 5 th December 2007. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.32 pm