SNODLAND TOWN COUNCIL
17th September 2007

Council Members Present: Cllrs Miss A Moloney (Vice Chairman), J Atkins, D Brown, Mrs D Crook,
B Garlick, Mrs B Keeley, J Tucker, 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 P Hickmott, Mr R Mannings, V Thomas, L Hasemore, M Smith, Mr G Miners, Mr B Miners, Mr Lettington, Pc M Stubberfield

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs C Block (Chairman), Mrs S Boakes, Mrs B Brown, C Grayhurst, Mrs K Grayhurst, D Keeley, C King and L Withey.

2. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Mrs D Crook – Chair of the Community Association.

3. Val Thomas – Holmesdale Technology College

Val Thomas gave a presentation explaining the extended schools initiative. Councillors are invited to visit the school on 11 October at the open evening, or if preferred a daytime tour can be arranged. Val is currently trying to get work placements for students within the construction industry and motor mechanics. A request for help from the local community was made.
BBC Radio 4’s ‘Any Questions’ is being hosted by the school on 19 October 2007 and if anyone would like to attend, please contact Val at the school, or there are some cards to complete in the Office. It will begin at 6.45 pm .
Cllr Atkins enquired what the charges would be for the Snodland Nomads this winter, as the rumours of high charges could damage the social aspect of this team.
Val will find this out and pass on the information. The PFI charge for the use of the facilities after 4 pm were yet to be finalised.
Cllr Moloney proposed Standing Orders were suspended for the public to ask questions. Council agreed.
There were no questions so Standing Orders were reinstated.

4. Parking Review

4.1 Cllr Matthew Balfour from TMBC was surprised at Item 3.1 of the Planning and Environment Committee Meeting of 18 July 2007 , as the process for the parking review has not started. The rumours being spread were wrong. TMBC have a duty to see that people are able to park sensibly near their homes, and that local businesses will have a turnover of customers able to park nearby. TMBC has to see that the assets of the public are used properly and parking comes into this. TMBC has taken the responsibility from KCC for non-criminalised parking, although the police are still responsible if a vehicle is parked dangerously. The review will happen in the spring of next year and questionnaires will be sent to all homes, placed on parked cars and people need to be encouraged to complete them. There will be a report prepared from these findings and comments on this will be asked for from members of the public. After this decisions can be made.
Cllr Miss Moloney asked how much funding was available for the parking review. Mr Balfour replied that as it is next year’s project there are no funds at the moment.
Cllr Moloney asked if there were funds to buy extra land for parking? Mr Balfour reported that TMBC has no intention of purchasing extra land.
Cllr Miss Moloney proposed Standing Orders were suspended so members of the public could ask questions. The Council agreed.
Several questions were put to Cllr Balfour, which he answered.
Standing Orders were reinstated.

4.2 Cllr Miss Moloney invited Pc Stubberfield to give a report to the meeting. Crime statistics were given and explained and he informed the Council that Snodland now has a PCSO – Oliver Coppard, who is replacing Chris Hay.

5. To Confirm as a correct record the Part I Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 2 July 2007 (pp 18-20)

5.1 Item 3.3 on page 18 – Members of the Council will attend on a rota basis.

RESOLVED that the Part I Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 July 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Signed...............................................

6. Chairman’s Announcements

6.1 We need to choose another two names for the Holborough development – names chosen: Pollyfield (ancient name) Little Deans (ancient name)
6.2 Cllr Miss Moloney will attend the Holmesdale Trust meeting next week on behalf of the Chairman.
6.3 The Council will be meeting with the new Chief Inspector on Monday 24 September 2007 .
6.4 On 1 October 2007 there will be an unminuted informal Council Meeting for one hour ( 7 – 8 pm ) to discuss ideas.
6.5 Mrs Helen Comber (a member of staff) has both of her arms in plaster. The Council’s regards to be sent with some flowers.

7. Open Forum

7.1 Mr Mannings asked if the Council could assist him with ensuring the waterboard reinstate the shrubs at Willowside. He was also concerned about the brickwork that had sunk outside numbers 39-41. The Clerk will pass this on to KCC Highways. 7.2 Mr Lettington from Snodland Chess Club thanked the previous and present Councils for their support of the club. They are now in the Kent County chess league with four teams as opposed to last year’s one. They are only a small club which has done so well. An Award of the Year event will take place on 27 October 2007 , and an invitation to a representative of the Council will follow.

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

8.1 Planning and Environment – 18 July 2007 (pp 22-24)
8.2 Amenities and Recreation – 1 August (pp 25-26)
8.2.1 Item 5.5
RESOLVED to accept the re-evaluated rate for the Cemetery of £4000.
8.3 Planning and Environment – 13 August 2007 (pp 27-30)
8.4 Amenities and Recreation – 28 August 2007 (pp 31-34)
8.4.1 Item 5
RESOLVED to allow Mrs Kenyon to place a bench in the Cemetery as it is her own plot, but not to set a precedent.
8.4.2 Item 7
RESOLVED to accept rent from Chess Club of £130 per annum as from 1 October 2007 , subject to the club insuring their own equipment.
8.4.3 Item 9
RESOLVED to go ahead with the scheme at Potyns suggested by the play equipment inspector.
8.4.4 Item 12
RESOLVED that the background colour be green.
8.4.5 Item 14.4
RESOLVED that the plaque be placed in the Cricket Pavilion.
8.5 Policy and Resources – 3 September 2007 (pp 36-37)
8.5.1 Item 5
RESOLVED to round up donations to £700 and £900.
8.5.2 Item 10
RESOLVED to look at Church Field area and the High Street to upgrade the street lighting.
RESOLVED to apply for KCC grant towards air conditioning.
8.6 Planning and Environment – 10 September 2007 (pp 39-42)
8.6.1 Item 6
RESOLVED to support Mr Peter’s proposal.
8.6.2 Item 9
RESOLVED to change the heading to ‘Town Hall Car Parking – Improvements and Repair’.
8.6.3 Item 15
RESOLVED to allow Mr Beswarick to pursue new option.
RESOLVED that the Part 1 minutes of the Council’s Planning and Environment, Amenities and Recreation, and Policy and Resources Committees held since 2 July 2007 be confirmed and accepted as part of the proceedings of the Council.

9. To Receive Details of Cheques Signed Since the Last Council Meeting (pp 43-46)

The cheque list was circulated.
Cllr Atkins asked if there was a contra entry for cheque number 013762. He suggested we check with internal audit regarding the VAT.
Cllr Brown asked what items 013784 and 013789 were. These are for corporate ties and scarves available for purchase by members, and for use as corporate gifts.
Cllr Atkins expressed his opposition and objection to the payment the Council makes to Leybourne Country Park (cheque no: 013783). Cllr Miss Moloney proposed that Standing Orders be suspended to allow Mr Paul Hickmott to speak. This was agreed by the Council.
Mr Hickmott explained that by STC being a contributor to the Country Park , it enabled the Council to have a voice in the management structure and can raise issues that may affect the Snodland people.
Cllr Miss Moloney thanked Mr Hickmott and reinstated Standing Orders.
RESOLVED that the cheque list be accepted.

10. Correspondence

10.1 A letter had been received from Luke and Sam Bulldock regarding the garden at the Museum. They had asked if the Council would allow them to ‘caretake’ the garden for the use of the members of the public. They ask if in return they would be allowed to hold a childrens’ party on occasion.
This was agreed in principle, however the Council would need to ask Dr Ashbee, and look at the Health and Safety aspects of this.

11. Report from County Councillor Sarah Hohler

I recently attended the meeting of the Joint Transportation Board and asked for a safety survey to be conducted on the A228 – especially the junction with Rocfort Road and the speed on the bypass. I also asked for a meeting with the owners of the snack bar in the A228 lay by to explain the proposed scheme and look at suggestions – the meeting has been arranged for 10 am on the Tuesday morning following your council meeting and I hope that you will be able to send a representative – meeting in the lay by.
I am aware that there have been rumours concerning Snodland library. Because of the increase in housing proposed for the area there will be some funding available to improve library services. I know that the central location of the library is popular. We would also like to combine other KCC services if possible in the library or next to it. If any changes to the library are planned there will be consultation with users and no changes will be suggested before the feasibility and cost of plans are fully investigated.
I have been pleased to help several local groups and organisations through my members grants. Please do direct any local organisations to me if they are looking for small grants for projects and wherever I am able, I will assist.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of help to the Council.

12. Report on Behalf of Borough Councillors

Over the past two months the Borough Councillors from Snodland have attended a wide variety of meetings and represented Snodland and the Borough at these.
All Snodland Borough Councillors are on the Planning Committee for this area. We variously represent Snodland on the following committees: Scrutiny, Policy Overview, Licensing and Appeals, and Standards. Among the other committees and boards that we sit on are: Car Parking Charges, Community Development, Customer Services, Local Environmental Management, Parish Partnership, Planning and Transportation, Strategic Housing, Youth and Children, Electoral Review, Medway Valley Countryside Partnership and the CAB.
The Borough Council has been bringing forward a number of new consultation papers which we hope will have significant benefit for Snodland. Amongst these are the Cycling and Play Strategies, both of which will come to the Town Council for consultation shortly. There is also the ongoing parking review which we hope will be able to commence in Snodland in early 2008.
We have been working closely with the Borough Council and Russett Homes to seek to get an improvement in the overall litter problem in Snodland and have now got agreement for much improved street sweeping and litter picking on the footpaths most frequently used and especially those on school routes. New bins have been installed on several roads and there are more due very shortly. In addition there will be a litter and a dog bin for the open space at Willowside and for Lee Road open space. The dog bin for the entrance to Nevill Park and Holborough Park will be installed soon. There should soon be an extra 76 bins in Snodland. It does not solve the problem, but it helps.
We are working with our County Councillor to get action taken to improve safety on the A228 by pass. We are seeking a reduction in speed and also safety measures on the junctions.
The work on the footpaths in Malling Road is almost completed and we will be urging other repairs.
We have in addition, dealt with a wide variety of questions and complaints from the public. These have mostly been related to lighting and footpath problems as well as public rights of way issues.
Cllrs Mrs S Boakes, Mrs B Brown, L Withey, D Keeley and Miss A Moloney.

13. Snodland Partnership

This will be on the Policy and Resources agenda in future to inform the Councillors of the work that the Partnership is doing. (Copy of minutes for perusal)

14. Staff Committee and Grievance Panel

We need to set these committees up to meet legislation. Councillors cannot be on both committees. Councillors were asked to advise the Clerk which committee if either, they would prefer to sit on.

15. Adoption of New Code of Conduct

It was agreed that the Council would adopt the new code of conduct. New forms to be completed would be sent to Councillors absent at meeting.

16. Grants Work on Cemetery Cottage, Extension of Cemetery and Christmas Lights

16.1 Tonbridge and Malling allocated a sum of £15000 towards the Cemetery extension costs. They will hold this over for next year as the Council has not received the land yet.
16.2 Tonbridge and Malling is holding money towards improvements at the Cemetery Lodge. The Clerk is in the process of obtaining quotations for this work.
16.3 The Council does not have to apply for a Christmas lights grant as in the past. After the event the Council will send in the costs and claim a grant from TMBC.

17. Remembrance Day Parade 11 November 2007

The Remembrance Day Parade will take place on 11 November 2007 . The Clerk explained what the Council has done in past years and asked if this will be continued. It was agreed this would continue.
Cllr Mrs Keeley asked when the firework display would be this year. It will be held on Wednesday 31 October 2007.
Cllr Miss Moloney requested that a list of special events be sent to all Councillors for their diaries. The Clerk will arrange this.

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

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.