SNODLAND TOWN COUNCIL
2nd July 2007

Council Members Present: Cllrs C Block (Chairman), Miss A Moloney (Vice Chairman), J Atkins,
Mrs S Boakes, Mrs B Brown, D Brown, Mrs D Crook, B Garlick, C Grayhurst, Mrs B Keeley, D Keeley, C King,
J Tucker, L Withey Mrs S Hunter (Town Clerk)

Members of the Public Present: Ms G Hutchinson, Mrs G Hutchins, Mr J Boyes, Mr B Porter, H Simmonds, Mr and Mrs O’Connell, M Hawkridge, P Rootes, Mr P Hickmott

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mrs K Grayhurst.

2. To Confirm as a correct record the Part I Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 14 May 2007 (pp 1-3)

RESOLVED that the Part I Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 May 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Signed...............................................

3. Chairman’s Announcements

3.1 Item 9 will be - The signing of the Annual Return for the year ending 31 March 2007.
Item 10 will be – Any other business.
3.2 The play equipment in Nevill Park will be repaired within the next two weeks. Wicksteed Leisure has been delayed due to the weather.
3.3 Three members of the Council should be appointed to be on the Twinning Association Executive Committee.
3.4 The gate at Potyns will be completed by this weekend.
3.5 Jonathan Shaw MP will be unable to judge the Carnival floats, as a member of his family is taking part on one of them. Members were asked to consider who else might be asked to do this.

4. Open Forum

4.1 Cllr Mrs Boakes asked why Holborough Park was so difficult to find and asked if it could it be made more accessible to the public
4.2 Mr O’Connell asked why the Council had moved him out of the Gym at the New Jerusalem Church , as he has been told this was unnecessary and he could have remained until a court order had been received. Cllr Block advised that he had received notification of a notice to quit from the owners solicitors, which had to be adhered to, as the owners were selling the property and wished to do so with vacant possession. As soon as the new gym is built the equipment will be removed from storage and into the new building. There have been delays in the building that are out of the Council’s control. Mr Hickmott said that the previous Council had encouraged Mr O’Connell to enter into a partnership with the for the gym and that there had been an agreement that the gym equipment would become the Council’s and the Council would replace and renew equipment as and when necessary. The Clerk had been unable to find a record of any letter or minute agreeing to this as this dated from eight years ago. There is a record in the minutes of the time that refers to the offer of gym equipment to the council.
Cllr King advised that the Council had looked into alternative temporary accommodation at the school. This was not suitable. Cllr Garlick suggested that STC liaise with the new owners of the church to see if Mr O’Connell could move back in, but this was not seen as a viable option. Cllr Atkins felt that STC should have waited for a notice from the County Court and Cllr Block should not have made the decision to move the gym equipment. Cllr Block advised that the decision was not his alone, and the Council were put under pressure to remove the equipment.
Cllr Grayhurst asked the Clerk if she remembered him suggesting Cllr Block call him regarding plan ‘B’. The Clerk’s recollection was that Cllr Grayhurst had suggested Cllr Block call him, however she had no knowledge of plan ‘B’. Mr Hickmott commented that he believed the situation had not been the fault of the Council, and when the gym is in the new building perhaps the Council would assist with new equipment.
Plan ‘B’ was elaborated on and explained by Cllr Grayhurst. The Council will look to assist the gym when the time comes.

5. Declarations of Interests

Cllrs Mrs D Crook is the Chairperson of the Community Association and the licensee of the premises.

6. To receive Part I Reports of the Council’s Committees

6.1 Amenities and Recreation – 21 May 2007 (pp 5-7)
6.1.1 The Japanese Knotweed is being dealt with by a company that gives a guarantee to eliminate it. This is a reputable company used by KCC. STC has received a letter from one of the neighbouring properties, saying they have found a company who can eradicate this weed in a much shorter time scale, however it would cause damage to the surrounding plants etc.
6.1.2 The Clerk is still gathering quotes for grave digging.
6.1.3 The leak at Birling Lands Allotments has been resolved. This should result in significantly lower water bills.
6.1.4 Cllr King asked the Clerk why the website had not been updated,. This would be done after the meting.
6.1.5 The Carnival is organised and should be a great success.
6.1.6 The Snodland 5’s has taken place.
6.1.7 The new sports facilities at Potyns should be under way soon.
6.1.8 The KCC Emergency Plan is being updated and will be available on their website in the near future.
6.1.9 The barrier at Potyns is nearly complete and the paving in the Town is in hand.

6.2 Planning and Environment – 14 June 2007 (pp 9-11)
6.2.1 The Committee had discussed fourteen main items, three were covered in Open Forum, Twenty three plans were considered. The Committee objected to one and observations were made about two others.

6.3 Policy and Resources – 18 June 2007 (pp 13-14)
6.3.1 We are in a good financial position and a bank reconciliation was presented. There were three recommendations.
RESOLVED - £100 to Malling Playscheme under Section 137.
RESOLVED – to accept the amendments to the Standing Orders.
RESOLVED to join KAPC (KALC).
6.3.2 Code of Conduct training will be arranged with TMBC after the festival.
RESOLVED that the Part 1 minutes of the Council’s Amenities and Recreation, Planning and Environment and Policy and Resources Committees held since 14 May 2007 be confirmed and accepted as part of the proceedings of the Council.

7. To Receive Details of Cheques Signed Since the Last Council Meeting (pp 16-17)

The cheque list was circulated.
Cllr King asked if 013694 is for the part to repair the laptop. He took this opportunity to thank Cllr Garlick for his help in repairing this, saving the Council a great deal of money.
RESOLVED that the cheque list be accepted.

8. Correspondence

8.1 There is an invitation to all Councillors to attend the church services during the festival.
8.2 A letter had been received from TMBC asking the Council to comment on a highways report regarding satellite navigation systems and the problems they are causing with large vehicles ignoring road signs.
8.3 Four street names are required for the Holborough development. The Clerk will check with Mr Mike Rushman of Berkeley Homes to see exactly where they will be.
8.4 Mrs Kenyon had requested permission to place a bench next to grave no. 2517 at the Cemetery. The Council decided this is not viable as it is near to the bend and other grave spaces.
8.5 Code of Conduct report from TMBC (in folders).

9. Signing Off of the Accounts (Annual Return) for Year End 31 March 2007

The annual return was signed by the Chairman of the Council and the Clerk.

10. Any other items which the Chairman has decided are urgent owing to special circumstances

10.1 The Clerk is seeking quotations for air conditioning for the Moyeuvre-Grande Suite.
10.2 It was decided that the proposal for the Chairman of the Council to hold this position for a two year period only, was unnecessary as a new chairman is elected annually.
10.3 Holborough Park – signage, gates and the obligation of Lafarge to provide footpaths/cycle ways would be discussed at the Planning Committee.
10.4 A copy of the Snodland Lake briefing was put before all Councillors. It was decided not to pursue the issue of purchasing the Lake because of the costs.

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.