SNODLAND TOWN COUNCIL
4th February 2008

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, Mrs B Keeley, D Keeley, C King, J Tucker,
L Withey Kent County Cllr Mrs S Hohler, Mrs S Hunter (Town Clerk)

Members of the Public Present: Ms Zee Lephimogile, Mr B Porter.

The Chairman welcomed members of the public to the meeting and our visitor from The Youth Peer project. Kent County Cllr Mrs Sarah Hohler will be attending but is delayed.

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr C Grayhurst

2. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Mrs D Crook – Chair of the Community Association.
Cllr Miss Moloney – Membership Secretary of Community Association.

3. To Confirm as a correct record the Part I Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 17 December 2007 (p82-84)

3.1 Page 82 amended as Mrs B Keeley was not in attendance.
Page 83 item 5.2 should read Town not Parish.
3.2 Item 3.1 the clerk has contacted the play inspector, and the fence around the Play area at Potyns meets the current requirements
RESOLVED that the Part I Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 December 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Signed...............................................

The chairman welcomed Cllr Hohler

4. County Councillor ’s Report

Audit Commission are in at the moment and things are very busy.
The proposed speed humps for Hollow Lane are now going ahead, although not sure of the start date for the work.
Cllr King asked why Highways decide to work on two areas at a time, that create disruption, Cllr Hohler will look into this.
Cllr Atkins asked if there was any further news on the Red Lion Pub. This has been sold at auction, and Cllr Hohler will send any further information to the clerk.
Cllr Moloney asked if there was any progress regarding the Lay By on the A228
Cllr Hohler was not sure, and would send an e mail to try and get some information.

5. Open Forum

5.1 Ms Zee Lephimogile presented The Youth Peer Project. The Chairman thanked her for her presentation. The Council agreed it would be wise to send Zee’s details to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, as her proposal is very similar to the ‘Beat Project’ and Zee could perhaps work with the Beat Project.
5.2 PCSO Oliver Coppard gave the crime figures for Snodland for January which are as follows: - Violence against a person: 13, Robbery: 0, Burglary from a Dwelling: 1, Burglary other: 1, Vehicle Crime: 8, Theft & handling stolen goods: 11, Fraud & Forgery: 1, Criminal Damage: 8, Drug: 0, Other: 5. Undetected: 38 Detected: 10 making a total of 48 Crimes.

PCSO Coppard explained that the CCTV camera at the community centre had been moved in error, and was now back in its correct place.

A ‘Snodland Environmental Audit’ will take place on 11 February 2008 meeting at the Police Office at 11am , with an open invitation extended to anyone who would like to attend.
The idea behind this is for members of the public to notify the police of problems.

The police have already identified three priorities for Snodland East which are: Anti social behaviour in the High street, Saltings Rd. Criminal damage and vehicle crime.
In Snodland West Anti social behaviour at the community centre (especially Friday Nights). Parking outside the schools, and nuisance off road vehicles.

It is hoped that the alcohol exclusion zone will be extended in Snodland in the near future. Cllr Moloney asked if there are enough police to monitor these exclusion zones. PCSO Coppard thinks it will make the task easier. The police frequently confiscate alcohol from under age drinkers.

Cllr Mrs Hohler left the meeting.

6. Chairman’s Announcements

6.1 The Chairman advised members that he had agreed that the following matters would be brought forward under urgent business at the end of the meeting:
1) Snodland Motor Bikes request to hold an event
2) Trees in Nevill Park
6.2 STC has received a copy of the KCC Draft Permit Scheme which relates to a system of permits that will be introduced for contractors who wish to dig up roads.
A copy of the draft is in the office for perusal and comment.
6.3 The Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling invites all members of the Council to attend a Magical Musical evening, on the 29 February. The clerk has the details for those who would like to attend.
6.4 The clerk has contacted Smurfit regarding storage for the gym equipment. The equipment will be viewed next week, to see how much space will be required.
6.5 The legal papers for Potyns were sent to us and signed in error. Our solicitor hopes to send the correct papers through in the very near future.
6.6 Following the resignation of Cllr Karen Grayhurst, an election has been requested to fill the vacancy. The election will take place on the 13 March.
6.7 Kent Air Ambulance trust is carrying out a strategic review. A copy is in the office for perusal and comment.
6.8 STC will need to have an independent survey carried out for the land at Potyns, the Clerk will arrange this.

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

7.1 Amenities & Recreation 7 January 2008 (pp 86-87)
There were no recommendations.

7.2 Special Council Meeting 16 January 2008 (p89)
The papers signed at this meeting were sent to SRC in error.

7.3 Planning & Environment 21 January 2008 (pp 90-91)
These are an accurate record of the meeting and there were no recommendations.

7.4 Policy & Resources 28 January 2008 pp (93-95)
There were six recommendations

Resolved: To give age concern £100 (under section 137 of LGA)
Malling volunteer centre £100 (under section 137 LGA)
To have a quarterly Snodland News Letter to go out with Town Talk
To subscribe to Kent Key Link for Burglar Alarm contact
To have flexibility regarding our donation to the Snodland Partnership so either Revenue or Capital may be used to fund when needed in the future.
Not to have poll cards for the forthcoming election thus saving the taxpayer money.
RESOLVED that the Part 1 minutes of the Council’s Committee’s held since 17 December 2007 be confirmed and accepted as part of the proceedings of the Council.

9. KCC Spreadsheet

The spreadsheet was discussed and comments made. The Clerk will update and send to KCC.

10. Report on Christmas Lights Meeting (Cllr Mrs B Keeley)

A meeting took place with members of the Chamber of Commerce to put forward ideas for a special Christmas event in Snodland that will involve the switching on of the Christmas Lights. This would be an all day event with the scouts arrive on his sleigh at 2pm , and he will have a grotto prepared for him in the church, where the smaller children can visit him. At 4.30pm the choral society will sing carols outside Alldays, with the lights being switched on at 5pm .
It would be nice if a Christmas tree could be the focal point, and the clerk is looking at the possibility of hiring a Snow Machine for the event. The event would take place on 29 November 2008 which is a Saturday.
More Christmas Lights would be welcome, and the Snodland Partnership will be asked to fund these. The Clerk has already obtained costs, as well as installation quotes.
STC is asked to support and help to arrange this event, to make it a very special Day
Resolved to help with arrangements and to support this event.

11. Report from ‘Cleaner Snodland Campaign’ (Cllr D Keeley).

Holmesdale students have been preparing a logo.
The litter warden is going into the schools giving talks and involving the pupils, and this is going well.
An article will go into Town Talk informing people of the campaign.
Cllr Keeley suggested the Councillors carry out a ‘Bash the Trash’ in the near future. Resolved, to meet at the TMBC Car Park in Town on 15 March 2008 . The Clerk will purchase some more hoops and litter pickers, and make sure we have enough black sacks available.

11a. To Receive Details of Cheques Signed Since the Last Council Meeting

The cheque list was circulated.
Various questions were asked, which the clerk answered.
RESOLVED that the cheque list be accepted.

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

12.1 Cllr Block has received a reply to his letter from Karen Grayhurst. He will reply to this wishing her well, and sending the Councils regards.

12.2 The request from the bike club to hold an event at Brooklands Lake was discussed, and it was agreed they would be invited to the next Amenities & Recreation meeting to discuss details.

12.3 Trees in Simpson Rd. The clerk has written to the residents close to the trees which are causing concern in Nevill Park , informing them of our proposal to have the large tree lopped. STC will plant bushes to create a barrier between the houses and the park, and when they are established we will remove problem silver birches completely. No responses yet received from the residents.
Resolved the clerk to arrange for the tree to be lopped as soon as possible.

12.4 The trees in Queens Avenue had been replaced by the Town Council, and they were destroyed by a resident who does not want trees near his property. Trees in Nevill Park were looked at, to see if they could be re planted here; however there were none available with small enough roots.
Cllr Keeley will ask if Mr Coomber has any trees available for planting this year.

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.