MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2009 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE. PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING. 3 members of the public were present. A presentation was made by National Grid regarding the Proposed Development on the Isle of Grain. It was stated that their goal is to tackle the industrial legacy, reclaim the land and return it to beneficial use, adding value, minimising risk and contributing to brown field regeneration. An outline planning application for the development has been submitted to Medway Council. The local infrastructure was discussed specifically the A228 and its lack of ability to take any more traffic. It was stated that a roundabout at Fenn corner is to be made and a bridge over Grain railway crossing. There will also be further improvement at the entrance to Thamesport Container Terminal. It is envisaged that some 6,000 jobs will be created to work on the industrial site when fully operational. A free phone telephone number has been set up to answer any residents questions, this is 0800 389 2614. The Parish Council meeting commenced at 8.00 pm. PRESENT: Councillors: Cllr Mrs M Elmes, Vice Chair, in the absence of the Chairman took the Chair. Cllr Mrs P Wade, Cllr G Barron, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr J Luck, Cllr J Peters, Mr R Morrad Clerk. 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Min 574:09. Apologies were received from Cllr B Stone Chairman, Business commitment. This was accepted by members. 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA EITHER PERSONAL OR PREJUDICIAL. Min 575:09. None declared. 3. MINUTES. Min 576:09. The Minutes of the Meeting 558:09 to 573:09 held on 1 October 2009, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, with one amendment were proposed by Cllr J Luck, seconded by Cllr G Blackman 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 577.09: Planning Appendix A; copies of which had been previously circulated was noted. Members noted that MC09/1847: Environmental Impact Assessment. Stoke Crossing. Also MC/05/2252: Wind turbine sizes on the Isle o Grain. Approval with conditions has been made. 5. CORRESPONDENCE. Min 578.09: 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 action was resolved. That the request for a further litter bin be obtained for the Car Park, by the bus stop from available Rural Liaison funds that have been allocated to the Parish. This was proposed by Cllr J Peters and seconded by Cllr Mrs Wade. Action: Clerk 6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION. Min 579.09: The monthly accounts were proposed by Cllr Mrs P Wade, seconded by Cllr G Blackman, 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 580.09: No reports were tabled. 8. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS. Min 581.09: The clerk reported that the play parks are all still being used to a large extent, according to the amount of rubbish that is deposited in them. 9. WEB SITE/IT. Min 582.09: The clerk reported that the Parish web site had 382 page views in September, and 406 in October. 10. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION Min 583.09: Cllr G Blackman reported that Mr Swan of Medway Council has agreed to do some remedial edging works to the B.T. inspection plates which need to be raised to the Highway level. Cllr G Blackman requested that the Parish Council should write again regarding the drains that are still blocked. The council had been told that the ditches were being cleaned out starting at Grain but that was 2 months ago and no one has seen the gully cleaner operating recently on the A228. Action: Clerk. 11. CLERKS REPORT Min 584.09: The Police have returned the Parish Office key. 12. VILLAGE HALL CONDITION UPDATE. Min 585.09: Cllr Mrs M Elmes reported that the Village Hall committee had sufficient fund to meet the survey cost at present on the condition of the wall. Also it was reported about the damage done to the Hall at a recent event, and that subsequently some of the booking procedures have been amended. 13 MEMBERS DISCUSSION ON THE NATIONAL GRID PRESENTATION. Min 586.09: Members felt that the A228 will simply not cope with the additional vehicle movement that the proposed development will create. It was said that the volume of vehicles between 6.00am and 8.30am each morning create major problems getting out onto the A228 from the village already. It was accepted that this was not a National Grid responsibility but a Highway one and that the proposed roundabout at Fenn will simply give priority from Allhallows in one direction and cause a traffic build up on the A228. Also when the development at Chattenden is completed with its hundreds of additional vehicles trying to access the A228 it will just be one long traffic jam at times, especially coming from Hoo at school drop off time. 14. NEWSLETTER Min 587.09: It was agreed that the following information be included: The National Grid presentation, and member’s comments. Action Clerk. 15. ITEMS DELEGATED TO THE CLERK FOR ACTION (STANDING ORDER No 30) Min 588.09: The clerk was requested to write to EDF giving dates and time of the last power failures in Stoke, and state that this becoming all too frequent and that new pole/insulations are clearly required practically over the marsh area. Action Clerk 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 589.09: None. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 2nd December 2009. There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.10pm Signed…………………………………………..Chairman On the………….Day of………………….2009