Committee Members present: Cllrs C King (Chairman), D Keeley (Vice Chairman) K Atkins, Mrs S Boakes, Mrs B Brown, D Brown, Mrs D Crook, C Grayhurst, Mrs K Grayhurst, Mrs B Keeley, J Tucker, L Withey

Council Members present: Cllrs B Garlick, C Block, Miss A Moloney, Mrs S Hunter (Town Clerk)

Members of the Public present: Mr J Boyes, Mr R Comber, Mr A Aindow, Mr M Baldwin, M Smith,
H Simmonds

1. Apologies for absence

2. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meetings held on 25 March and 2 April 2007

2.1 Cllr Miss Moloney asked about Item 3.1. It was suggested that she talked to PC Riley.
It was agreed the minutes were a correct record of the meeting.

3. Open Forum

3.1 Mr Comber was present at the site meetings with the Clerk and various companies who we are looking to assist with the eradication of the problem. Mr Comber said he felt ‘Complete Weed Control’ offered the best solution.
3.2 Mr Baldwin complained that there were a growing number of foxes on the allotments. They are not statutory pests, so we are unable to use ‘pest control’ to remove them. It was suggested the Clerk contact Smurfits as they had a similar problem. 3.3 Mr Baldwin asked that the time for bonfires could be clarified. It is half an hour before dusk, and being courteous to others at all times.

4. Declaration of Interest

Cllr Mrs Crook – Community Association
Cllr Miss Moloney – Allotment Holder
Cllr King – mows the grass at the Alms Houses

5. Cemetery

We are currently having graves dug by W R Browns, using a mechanical digger where possible, as an experiment. It has proved to be a good way of digging the graves, and we will discuss competitive tendering in Part II.

6. Allotments

We have received a very high water bill for the Birling Lands Allotments. We had this checked last year and were assured there were no leaks. This needs to be looked at again, and the Clerk will contact Mid Kent Water.
Cllr Miss Moloney asked why some allotments appear to be unused, and the list does not agree with the Council’s list. Also could we change the billing date to October to coincide with planting.
The allotment association at Sloughfields inform the Council if anyone is not keeping their allotment tidy, and asks the Council to contact them, which they do. Council staff are currently trying to work with the allotment association representatives at Birling Lands to sort out any current issues.

7. Website

The website has been updated with new councillors’ information. The Clerk has issued new councillors with a copy of last year’s business plan and would like them to look at it and if they would like to alter or add anything, to please let the Clerk know within the next couple of weeks. This can be updated and then put on the website.

8. Carnival

We are having a final Carnival meeting on Friday 25 May 2007.
Cllr Withey asked what had happened to the other festival sign across the road.
The building owner was unwilling for the sign to be put up again.
Cllr Block said that something will go out in Town talk, inviting residents to decorate the outside of their houses for the festival. We are unable to decorate the highways due to the health and safety implications.
Cllr Atkins asked if we had councillors who would commit their services for the Carnival and Festival.
Cllr Miss Moloney – Potyns
Cllr Keeley – Holmesdale College
Cllr Grayhurst – Bull Corner
Float/Fancy dress. Cllr Moloney asked if we could allow the council float to be used by the Melanie Anne Trust, as Derek Edwards had passed away this year. This is a nice idea, however we need to see if they would like to use the truck, and we need to check with our insurance company.
Cllr Mrs Crook will set up the hall for the ‘Big Band Evening’, and the Council Office staff will operate the door, collecting and selling tickets.
Cllrs Tucker and King will cover the Cricket Meadow and co-ordinate with the cricket team and the café.

9. Parking in Waghorn Road

9.1 We have received a letter from John Curran from the Almshouses asking if we can assist in any way with the problems they are having with parking. Unfortunately we are unable to assist, as these are Borough Council and police matters.
9.2 The TMBC ‘Proposed New Off-Street Parking Order’ is in the Office for perusal. Any comments to be made should reach Tonbridge and Malling by 25 May 2007 .

10. Play Equipment

We have received our annual play inspection report and wish to know if the Council are happy to use our existing play equipment repair company, Safe Play, to carry out the minor repairs.
RECOMMENDED to continue to use Safe Play.
There is a course at Ditton on 30 May 2007 regarding inspection of play equipment if anyone is interested.

11. Snodland 5’s

There is an invitation for councillors to attend the Nomads Presentation Evening this coming Saturday. Cllr King said someone would attend.
Someone needs to take on the responsibility of the Snodland 5’s. This will take place on 30 June 2007 , the week before the Carnival. Cllr King will look into arranging this.

12. Any other items which the Chairman has decided are urgent owing to special Circumstances

12.1 Cllr Atkins said we would need to look at the Twinning Association as an urgent matter, as Snodland are visiting Moyeuvre this coming weekend. We need to invite them to the festival and arrange next year’s return visit.
12.2 Cllr Atkins gave a presentation to Cllr King regarding the extension at Potyns. Cllr King said it is a very exciting project and will be wonderful for Snodland. A working party was agreed, and this will be Cllrs Atkins, Mrs Brown and King.
12.3 Cllr King looked into the KCC Emergency Plan. This will be updated in due course.
12.4 The barrier at Potyns was hit by a van on Friday night. W R Browns have carried out a temporary repair, and will be sending in a quote for double gates in the near future. The bar has had to be welded shut temporarily.
12.5 Cllr Mrs Sarah Hohler, our County Councillor , called today to say KCC Highways should be repairing the paving along Malling Road , Rocfort Road and St Katherine’s Lane within the next couple of weeks.
12.6 Cllr Tucker would like to carry out a survey regarding public transport, this will be via Town Talk.
12.7 Cllr King has been nominated to stand for the Town and Parish Councils Sub-committee at TMBC.

The Chairman moved that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.