SNODLAND TOWN COUNCIL
23rd April 2007

Council Members Present: Cllrs C Grayhurst (Chairman), B Miners (Vice Chairman), J Atkins, C Block, J Burt, G Chapman,
Mrs K Grayhurst, J Hayes, P Hickmott, Miss V Hickmott, Mrs G Hutchinson, C Miners, Miss A Moloney, Mrs S Hunter (Town Clerk)

Members of the Public Present: Ms G Hutchinson, Mr J Boyes, PC D Riley, M C King, Ms H Simmonds, Ms M Smith,
Mr R Mannings

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs D Laverty and D Keeley.

2. To Confirm as a correct record the Part I Minutes of the Council Meeting held on

12 March 2007 (pp 121-123)
Cllr J Burt proposed the minutes are a correct record of meeting, seconded by Cllr Mrs K Grayhurst
RESOLVED that the Part I Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 March 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
Signed...............................................

3. Chairman’s Announcements

3.1 Cllrs C and Mrs K Grayhurst attended the Scouts presentation dinner and the St Georges Day celebration.
3.2 Cllr Grayhurst, Cllr Mrs K Grayhurst, Cllr B Miners, Mrs J Miners and Mr P Rimmer (on behalf of the Partnership) attended the Commissioning Service of Rev’d Elaine Northern as Associate Rector of Snodland.
3.3 We have received a letter from Cllr Sarah Hohler in reply to our letter of 14 December 2007, regarding the state of the paving in the Malling Road . Cllr Hohler states in the letter that the paving will be improved in Snodland, including the Malling Road , in the next two years. The Clerk will send a letter of thanks.
3.4 We have been advised of a TPO at 50 Brook Lane Snodland.
3.5 The Chairman thanked the Council for their hard work as this is the last Full Council meeting prior to the election.
Cllr P Hickmott proposed we thank our retiring Councillors and Cllr B Miners said this would be appropriate with a round of applause.
Cllr C Grayhurst said we will meet again later in the year regarding this.

4. Open Forum

4.1 Mr Mannings raised the subject of the overgrown shrubs etc at Willowside. He will bring a letter stating that this work will be carried out on a regular basis to the Clerk, who will take up the issue with the Highways Inspector.
4.2 Mr Chris King is still unhappy about the litter in the town. As had previously been pointed out to Mr King, the cleaning up of litter on the highways/byways is the responsibility of the Borough Council, not the Town Council. However Cllr P Hickmott called a site meeting with TMBC, who have agreed to look into cleaning their areas more than once a month where possible. STC has two grounds maintenance staff, who clear and remove litter, flytips etc on a regular basis, which is over and above the responsibility of the Town Council. We also employ on a casual basis, a person to litter pick over the summer/holiday periods.

5. Declarations of Interests

Cllrs P Hickmott and C Miners – Carry out work for W R Brown.
Cllr J Hutchinson – works for Samays- S Hutchinson is a relative who is doing casual work for STC.

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

6.1 Planning and Environment – 14 March 2007 (pp 125-127)
6.1.1 The tree planting in Queen’s Avenue will remain on the agenda for this year.
6.1.2 Item 2.3 – Disappointment at the loss of the appeals. There is a widespread problem over ‘privacy standards’, in the new Kent Design Guide. This needs a close eye kept on it.
6.2 Amenities – 25 March 2007 (pp 128-130)
6.2.1 The mechanical digging of graves will need to be put out to tender over the next four weeks for the best price.
6.2.2 Item 8.2
RESOLVED to ask TMBC for a second Dog Warden.
6.2.3 Item 8.4 – we are still waiting for a reply.
6.2.4 Item 8.5
RESOLVED – to order corporate wear for staff/Councillors.
6.3 Recreation – 2 April 2007 (pp 132-133)
6.3.1 The 10k Run will be taking place as part of the Snodland Festival; this will be on 22 July 2007, which is a Sunday.
6.3.2 The theme for the Carnival is ‘anniversaries and celebrations.
6.3.3 The Boundary Walk will take place on 13 May 2007. There are a couple of problems with the route. The Clerk will contact David Simms regarding this.
6.4 Policy and Resources – 11 April 2007 (pp 134-135)
6.4.1 P C Riley has spoken to Mr Calkin regarding the problems with youths in the Cricket Meadow. The bench is being moved at night and this seems to resolve the problems. The bins will still be moved.
6.4.2 Item 6.3 – Cllr Hayes feels we should renew this annual subscription of £27.00. A vote was held.
RESOLVED – to renew CPRE Subscription.
6.5 Charities – 11 April (p 137)
6.5.1 Cllr Hickmott said that we will wait for the outcome of the rates for the museum, and will then meet again.
6.5.2 Cllr Atkins suggested some of the Section 137 requests for donations could be taken to the Charities Committee.
6.6 Planning and Environment – 16 April 2007 (p 138)
This was a very short meeting.
RESOLVED that the Part 1 minutes of the Council’s Planning and Environment, Amenities, Recreation, Policy and Resources and Charities Committees held since 12 March 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 139-141)

The cheque list was circulated.
Cllr Hayes asked about the ‘tree removal’. This fell from the Recreation Ground onto Home and Hobby’s workshop.
Cllr Atkins said that EDF Energy was expensive. We need to monitor this.
Cllr Moloney asked what cheque number 013639 was for. This is the payment for the twinning coach trip to Moyeuvre. The Twinning Association will reimburse the Council.
Cllr Atkins proposed correct and seconded by Cllr Mrs K Grayhurst.
RESOLVED that the list be accepted.

8. Correspondence

No correspondence.

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

9.1 P C Dave Riley said that PCSO Chris Hay has now left to take up a post in the prison service. We will get a replacement PCSO for Snodland on 5 May 2007.
The crime rate is very low again this month, with only 26 crimes reported.
P C Riley has contacted Mr Calkin, and Kim Hatchard (PCSO) will visit on a regular basis, to keep a close eye on any issues with the Cricket Meadow.
P C Riley would like to thank the local youth for their information regarding a ‘drunk driver’. Their information helped in the arrest of this irresponsible individual.
9.2 Cllr P Hickmott has requested more Councillors sit on the Twinning Committee when the new Council is formed, as this has been successful over the years. We have thirty people visiting Moyeuvre in May and this is something that must be kept going.

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.