SNODLAND TOWN COUNCIL
14th May 2007

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

Members of the Public Present: Mrs S Hohler (KCC), P Hickmott, Miss V Hickmott, J Hayes, B Miners, Mr R Mannings, Mr B Porter, Mr J Boyes, Ms H Simmonds, Mrs M Smith, M J Coomber, Mr & Mrs O’Connell, Mr P Rootes, Mr B Trott, Ms D Burt, Mr M Langridge, Mr A Totham, Mr M Rayfield, Mr P Rimmer, Mrs A Hayes, Ms K Woolfe, Mr P Gunning, D Dooley

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs B Garlick and C Grayhurst.

2. Election of Chairman

Barry Miners asked if there were any nominations for Chairman.
Nominations: Cllr C Block, proposed by Cllr D Keeley - seconded by Cllr L Withey.
No other nominations.
RESOLVED that Cllr C Block be Chairman of the Council for the civic year 2007/08.
Barry Miners vacated the Chair.

Cllr C Block thanked the retiring Council and hoped that the new Council can do as well.

3. Election of Vice-Chairman

Nominations: Cllr Miss A Moloney, proposed by Cllr Mrs S Boakes - seconded by Cllr Mrs Mrs D Crook.
RESOLVED that Cllr Miss A Moloney be Vice-Chairman of the Council for the civic year 2007/08.

4. Election of Committees and Chairman of Committees

The membership of each standing committee would be as follows:

Amenities and Recreation Committee

C King (C)
D Keeley (VC)
J Atkins
Mrs S Boakes
Mrs B Brown
D Brown
Mrs D Crook
C Grayhurst
Mrs K Grayhurst
Mrs B Keeley
J Tucker
L Withey

5. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Mrs D Crook is Chairman of the Community Association.

6. To confirm as a correct record Part I Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 23 April 2007

6.1 Item 2.2 – we have had no response regarding the extra dog warden from TMBC to date.
6.2 The Boundary Walk has been postponed, with the new date to be decided.
Cllr Miss A Moloney proposed the minutes were correct – seconded by Cllr D Keeley.
RESOLVED that the Part I Minutes of the Meeting held on 23 April 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Signed...........................................................

7. Chairman’s Announcements

7.1 Cllr Block said he would like to make a proposal that the Council consider that the Chairman changes every two years. This would be decided at the next Council meeting, after being discussed at Policy and Resources.
Cllr Atkins feels that the proposal to amend the Standing Orders to state the above may not be in the best interest of the Council. Cllr Block said that what was in mind is for people to gain experience.
7.2 The Clerk has asked that the Council consider sending out summons for meetings within three clear working days and not five as the current Standing Orders state. We will have to send out the coming meeting next week in three working days under a temporary change in the Standing Orders in this instance. This will be discussed at the next Policy and Resources meeting.
7.3 We would also like to investigate the possibility of joining the local branch of the National Association of Local Councils (KAPC). The Clerk will get the costings for the next Policy and Resources Committee.

8. Open Forum

8.1 Mr Coomber is interested in the views of the new Council regarding Brookland Lake and the footpaths. Cllr Block replied that we have a limited number of staff; however we will try to look to sort something out if possible. We will do our best.

10. To receive details of cheques signed since the last Council Meeting

The cheque list was circulated.
Cllr Withey asked what item 013687 – Polo shirts was. These are for Councillors and staff to advertise and assist at the Snodland Festival. (24 shirts for all plus two spare.)
Cllr Miss Moloney asked what a flat mate was; the Clerk replied it is for repairing flat tyres for vehicles. The charge from W R Brown for grave digging was questioned. The Clerk informed the Council that she is still waiting to receive competitive quotes. RESOLVED that the list be accepted.

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

11.1 The Japanese Knotweed is something we need to deal with urgently. Cllr King will take a closer look at the knotweed and we will see if we can obtain further quotes for the work.
11.2 Cllr Block is concerned about where we will house the Gym, as the church is up for auction again. We may need to find somewhere to store the equipment in the meantime. Cllr Atkins asked if we had received notice to quit from the County Court. The Clerk replied, no, although we have received notice to quit from the owners of the church’s solicitors. As things stand this should give us some leeway over the date to quit.
11.3 The Community Association will be taking back their changing rooms and the Sunday sides need to be catered for. Cllr Mrs Crook will raise this at the Community Association’s Annual General Meeting and will liaise with the Clerk.
11.4 There was supposed to be a Carnival Meeting on 18 May, which is next Friday. Several people are unable to attend, so the meeting will take place on the following Friday, 25 May 2007 in the Moyeuvre-Grande Suite at 7.30 pm.
11.5 We need to look at the business plan and update this for 2007-2008; a copy is in the new Councillors folders.
11.6 The bank mandates need to be signed for the new signatories of the Town Council’s bank accounts. Cllr Miss Moloney requested that current signatories on the account assist us until the bank process the new information. Paul Hickmott said he would be happy to assist.

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.