MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE STOKE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2008 AT 7.00 P.M. AT THE VILLAGE HALL MALLARD WAY LOWER STOKE.



PUBLIC SESSION NOT PART OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING.

Before the commencement of the Parish Council meeting the chairman welcomed the members of the public, Inspector Wharfe, P C Ann Jeffery, PCSO Joe Wilkins, and Cllr Phil Filmer and invited them to speak. Residents raised the following issues: The village has become very noisy recently especially around the High Street, Car Park, and Public House. Very young children are congregating outside the shop opposite this area late at night. A further request for an additional street light in the High Street was discussed. Cllr Filmer said that he would ask for a further survey of the street lights in the High Street to be undertaken. A copy of a letter to the Chief Constable from a resident was read out. Cllr Filmer suggested that a copy should be sent to Medway Councils Community Safety Team to monitor the specific problems. Cllr Filmer said that it would be helpful if all incidents could be logged down so that a true picture could be detailed. Cllr Blackman said that there are special notelets for doing just that. The problems of Trick or Treat at Halloween were discussed. A representative from Stoke Community School said the children had been told about the correct manner in which Trick or Treating should be done and that a letter had gone to all parents stating that all young children should be accompanied by an adult for the child’s safety and to ensure that no-one is subjected to unnecessary harassment. Post cards have been given out which request children not to call. 

The meeting then commenced at 7.08 pm.

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

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
 
Min 352.08. Cllr J Peters, Vice Chairman, Recovering from an operation. This was resolved to accept.

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

Min 353.08. None received.

3. MINUTES. 

Min 353.08: The Minutes of the Meeting 329.08 to 351.08 held on 3rd September 2008, copies of which had been previously circulated to members, were confirmed 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 354.08: Planning Appendix A copies of which had been previously circulated were noted. MC2008/0802 Construction of a two story front/side extension and detached garage to front. Location Hesperia, Grain Road Lower Stoke. REVISED plans were submitted for members’ comments.  The changes constituted of a single garage now in place of a double. Members felt that it is still too close to the highway causing a road hazard at a junction where the sight lines are already very poor. A suggestion was made that there is room to turn the garage 90 degrees which would appear, according to the plans, to have room to fit the site location plan and be much further back from the junction sight line. 

Decisions taken by Medway Council since last meeting.

None reported.

Information received.

In future no hard copy weekly planning lists will be sent out to Parish Councils.

5. CORRESPONDENCE.

Min 355.08: 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. 

6. MONTHLY ACCOUNTS & BANK RECONCILLIATION.

Min 356.08: Proposed by Cllr Mrs M Elmes, seconded by Cllr G Blackman and resolved that the Accounts, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members, as set out at Appendix C be approved for payment. Resolved, that the fee for lunch of £8.50 be agreed for Cllr Blackman to attend the KALC AGM. Action Clerk.

7. ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE VILLAGE.

Min 357.08. The chairman suspended the meeting to allow Inspector Wharfe and residents to comment.  Members of the public said that youths are very intimidating when in groups. Inspector Wharfe agreed but said that statistically the village is very safe and relatively crime free. Only 3 burglaries a day occurred in the whole of Medway, and none in Stoke Village this financial year. Some 29 Antisocial calls have been made since April this year. He said that ASBO`s are not in his view the answer, they are difficult to obtain in court and when this happens we have failed. A better way to handle young children is through the parents. He accepts that the age between 16 and18 is a difficult group. He said that Stoke is a very safe place to live. There is to be an additional PCSO to cover Allhallows, Stoke and Grain. The chairman thanked Inspector Wharfe and Cllr Filmer for attending and reconvened the meeting.


8. REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Min 358.08: It was proposed by Cllr Stone and seconded by Cllr Blackman that Cllr Barron be nominated to be the second representative on the KALC following the resignation of Cllr Mrs Wade on that committee. This was resolved. 


9. PLAY PARKS WORKS & CONTRACTS.

Min 359.08: The clerk reported that all the refurbishment works had now been completed including the tree works. The new seat, funded by EON, has now been fitted in Button Drive Play Park 

10. WEB SITE/IT.

Min 360.08: The number of hits on the web site for September was not available; this will be obtained for the next meeting. 

11. HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Min 361.08: It was reported that the 2 pot holes in the road at Middle Stoke; in Grain Road by Tuff Cottages have still not been marked out for works. Cllr Filmer agreed to progress this. Action Clerk and Cllr Filmer. 

Min 362.08. Medway Councils hedge cutter is leaving parts of the hedge sticking out in the roadway. Clerk to inform Council. Action Clerk. 

Min 363.08. The Dog bin has slipped to the ground on its post by Button Drive. Clerk to request that it is re fixed. Action Clerk.

12. CAR PARK WORKS WALL DAMAGE UPDATE/TENDER.

Min 364.08: The clerk reported that the repair estimates have been forwarded to the insurance company of the person who had caused the damage. 

13. NEWSLETTER.

Min 365.08: Items for inclusion are: Police information. School Halloween information. Trick or Treating. Disappointing that more members of the public had not turned up following the request to talk to the Police at the last meeting. Selection of topical items from the minutes. 

Min 366.08: It is understood from Cllr Filmer that the speed cameras on the A228 are to be recalibrated soon so speeding tickets will soon be issued. 

14. CLERKS REPORT.
 
Min 367.08: The clerk reported that the Parish Council’s shredder has burnt out.  It was explained that it was a very cheap one and gets a lot of use. Resolved, that a more substantial one be obtained. Action Clerk.  

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

Min 368.08. The chairman requested that the clerk writes to both Inspector Wharfe and Cllr Filmer thanking them for attending the meeting. It was suggested that the clerk also asks if P C Ann Jeffery could just pop in for a few minutes sometime during meetings if she is on duty in the village. 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 369.08: None.

The next meeting will be held on 5th November 2008. 

There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.05 pm