| Calendar |
< July, 2008 >
| S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
| 29 |
30 |
01 |
02 |
03 |
04 |
05 |
| 06 |
07 |
08 |
09 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
| 13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
| 20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
| 27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
01 |
02 |
|
|
|
| Challock Parish Council |
COUNCIL INFORMATION
Parish Council Meetings
The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on: July 31st in the Audrey Allen room of the Challock Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.
Meeting dates for 2008 are as follows: January 31, April 2, May 29, July 31, September 25, November 27.
Parish Council meetings are open for the public to attend and you will be very welcome. The public should not speak during the meeting, however, are welcome to discuss issues with the Council during the public session. If you wish to raise an issue to be discussed by the Council at a meeting, please contact the Parish Clerk (see below). Items must be received at least one week before the meeting.
Councillors
Mrs Amanda Cottrell
Mr Roger Spicer
Mr John Ramsden
Mr Stephen Brandon
Mr Nicholas Fox
Mrs Vicky Martin
Mrs Teresa Sellens
Profiles
This section will be completed over the coming months
John Ramsden
John resides at the Challock Post Office on The Lees and has lived in Challock for 15 years. He has been a member of the Parish Council for 12 years.
John worked as an Electrial Engineer with Southern Water Services Ltd but has recently retired.
John’s special interests on he council are: Footpaths, The Lees, being the Parish Council’s representative on the Village Hall Committee and informing villagers what is going on in the parish.
John enjoys clay shooting, target rifle shooting, 10 pin bowling and playing cards. He likes to travel the world and visit national Trust Properties.
Roger Spicer
Roger resides at Portulacea Gardens at High Snoad Wood and has lived in Challock for 7 years. He has served on the Parish Council for 5 years, serving as Vice Chair for the past 4 years. He is married with four young children and works in insurance in The City.
Roger’s work on the Parish Council to date has included project managing the development of the children’s play area (adjacent to the village hall) and initiating and managing the Trafalgar celebrations in 2005. This event was such a success that Roger organised a fireworks display and bonfire on the Lees in November 2007. Roger is also on the Goose Fair committee.
Roger says he follows rugby closely and plays golf badly!
Vicky Martin
Vicky resides on Pested Lane and has lived in Challock for 3 years. She joined the Parish Council in May this year. She is married with two young children.
Vicky worked as a Nursery School Teacher at Kent College before having children. She currently works part time for Page and Wells and is keen to return to Early Childhood Education when her twins start school in September.
Vicky is looking forward to playing an active role on the Council; her areas of special interest are developing facilities and services for children and the elderly in village, and traffic speed reduction.
Vicky enjoys her hot tub and lazy days with the family!
Teresa Sellens (Nee Burch)
The Burch family have been involved in Challock for 75 years. Teresa has been part of this community for 39 of those. Teresa is married to Frank and they have two daughters. All are very actively involved in the village. The girls attend the primary school at which Frank is a govenor and Teresa is vice-chair on the PTFA. They all support and attend the Goose Fair, Church and fairs.
Teresa works at the village pre-school and is a registered childminder. From leaving school studied to be a nanny and now has over 20 years experience caring for children.
Teresa’s reasons for joining the Parish Council are simple....she loves the village, people, community spirit and would like to give something back.
She believes that she is a friendly, approachable person who offers an objective view and looks forward to the various challenges ahead. She has seen many changes in Challock and would like to be part of any in the future.
Teresa loves walking, biking, swimming and a new venture jogging (training for the Race for Life). Spending quality time with her family and friends is a must!
Steve Brandon
Steve and his family are relative ‘newcomers’ to the village having moved to Clevedon Court in November 2002, just over 5 years ago! He is married to Alison and has two boys, one attending the Primary school and the other currently at the Pre-School.
He is glad of the opportunity to stand on the Parish Council and relishes the chance to represent such a close community.
Work sees him travelling to Allington near Maidstone where he is a partner in a long-established family business that designs and fits kitchens and bedrooms.
Steve is a qualified Hypno-Psychotherapist and is keen to get back on his mountain bike now that the boys are a bit older!
Nicholas Fox
Nicholas moved to Challock from the Netherlands in 1996; having previously lived in Sheffield, Birmingham and several other places. In fact this is the longest he has lived in one place since he left home to go to university which must say something about Challock!
Nicholas joined the Parish Council on the basis that by joining in the democratic process he could perhaps help shape how the Village develops to make sure it is what we want – rather than having change imposed on us by others. The recent Local Development Workshop being one example of how villages are beginning to regain more control over their own destiny.
Many villagers will also know his wife Kay and daughter, Emma (currently studying back in the Netherlands). If you would like Nicholas to represent your views at the Parish Council do let him know via the Parish Clerk’s office.
Becoming a Parish Councillor
Elections
Elections for the Parish Council are held every four years. The next election will be May 2011. People interested in joining the Council should contact Ashford Borough Council Electoral Registration Officer or Challock Parish Clerk, for a nomination form, in March 2011. If Ashford Borough Council receives an equal number of nomination forms to places on the Council, you will automatically become a Councillor. If there are more nomination forms received than places on the Council, there will be an election.
Co-option
Occasionally, a Parish Councillor leaves before the end of their four year term, or insufficient nominations forms are received at election time. Usually such vacancies are filled by co-option. The Parish Council interview people interested in becoming a Parish Councillor and select the candidate whose skills best match the requirement on the Council at that time. Please contact the Parish Clerk if you are interested in being co-opted.
The role of a Parish Councillor
The role of a Parish Councillor has a number of basic responsibilities which essentially fall within three main categories: representing the whole electorate within the parish; delivering services to meet local needs; and striving to improve quality of life in the parish. Parish Councils can "precept" - raising a sum collected with the Council Tax each year to improve facilities and services for local people.
Individual powers include the provision and maintenance of community transport schemes, traffic calming measures, local youth projects, tourism activities, leisure facilities, car parks, village greens, litter bins, street lighting, street cleaning, burial grounds, allotments, bus shelters, commons, opens spaces, footpaths, bridleways, and crime reduction measures. They can also comment on planning applications.
Councillors have three main components to their work.
1. Decision making - Through meetings and attending committees with other elected members, Councillors decide which activities to support, where money should be spent, what services should be delivered and what policies should be implemented.
2. Monitoring - Councillors make sure that their decisions lead to efficient and effective services by keeping an eye on how well things are working.
3. Getting involved locally - As local representatives, Councillors have responsibilities towards their constituents and local organisations.
The Parish Clerk
The Parish Clerk for Challock is Mrs Kirstie Wooltorton.
You can contact the Parish Clerk on 01233 740351 (answerphone) or parishclerk@challock.org.
Meeting Minutes
Annual Challock Parish Council Meeting - Edited minutes
Memorial Hall, Audrey Allen room
Thursday 29th May 2008, 7.35pm
Members of public present: 6
Apologies
Apologies received from: Richard King (KCC Member – prior engagement)
Present
Amanda Cottrell, Roger Spicer, Stephen Brandon, Teresa Sellens, John Ramsden, Nicholas Fox, Vicky Martin and Kirstie Wooltorton (Clerk).
Election of Chair
Amanda Cottrell wished to remain as Chair. Amanda Cottrell was proposed by Teresa Sellens and seconded by Roger Spicer. There were no other proposals.
Election of Vice Chair
Roger Spicer wished to remain as Vice Chair. Roger Spicer was proposed by Amanda Cottrell and seconded by John Ramsden. There were no other proposals.
Election of Representatives
The following appointments were unanimously agreed:
Footpaths John Ramsden
Challock Primary School Roger Spicer
Village Hall Committee John Ramsden
Parish Council Finance Stephen Brandon
Police Forum John Ramsden
William Oure Charity Nicholas Fox
Play area Teresa Sellens and Vicky Martin
KALC and Parish Forum Amanda Cottrell
Cricket Club Liason Stephen Brandon
Changes to Declaration of Interest
There were no changes to declaration of interest.
Minutes of Last Meeting
Minutes of 2nd April 2008 meeting were signed by Amanda Cottrell as an accurate record.
One amendment to include apologies from Nicholas Fox, who was away on business.
Clerks Report
Landscaping
Eastwell Park has carried out urgent safety work to the trees in Church Lane.
Jim Smith has completed raising the canopies and tidying the trees on the Lees.
Kent County Council will strim and tidy the edges of the Lees and wooded path at the Beech Court end of the Lees. This is in addition to their normal mowing of the Lees and they will visit in May, July and September.
Vandalism
There has recently been a lot of vandalism to the play area fence.
Five fence panels have had to be replaced following vandalism.
The Parish Council purchased new fence panels direct from a fencing supplier and Jim Smith has replaced them.
A concrete gravel board was also broken by vandals. This has been swapped with another concrete gravel board from the outside corner of the play area.
Clerk will place a note in the next edition of the Forester to highlight the vandalism to the play area fence.
Village Spring Clean
The Village Spring Clean took place on Saturday 3rd May 2008 and was well attended. 25 sacks of rubbish were collected. We are very grateful to all who attended and helped.
Bus Shelters
The £2000.00 grant from Kent County Council for the bus shelters has been received.
The new bus shelters were installed on 14th and 15th April 2008.
The new bus shelters have now been added to the Parish Council’s insurance schedule.
Footpaths
The Lees – Walking Bus footpaths
Quotes have been received as follows:
D Love Construction £9,342.00
J Skitt & Sons Ltd £11,155.00
Stevens Civil Engineering £10,235.00
Wilson Tarmac £12,254.00
We are currently applying for an “Awards for all” grant for these footpaths in the sum of £9,342.00. Kerry Akehurst from Kent Funding Buddies is assisting with this application.
As the grant cannot be applied for retrospectively, it would be unadvisable to commence work until funding has been secured.
This grant is being applied for in the name of Challock Primary School which will allow the Parish Council to apply for a grant for proposed play area surfacing.
Funding
The £2000.00 grant from Kent County Council for the bus shelters has been received.
New options for play area surfacing are currently being looked at and funding opportunities investigated.
Play area
Work to rectify a trip hazard at the top of the concrete ramp has been carried out by Stevens Civil Engineering in the sum of £480.00.
See also vandalism.
Clerk to arrange for a ROSPA inspection to be undertaken in July 2008. No problems are envisaged.
The Forester
The Molash Forester contribution for 2008/2009 financial year is £413.60. Clerk to check with Molash Parish Council as payment not received as yet.
Following the copier breakdown at Chilham, which lead to the delayed arrival of April’s Forester, the Forester printing is now carried out by Robin Nicholas of ColourTech who lives in Molash.
Clerk to formalise these new printing arrangements with ColourTech.
Village Sign
The new metal sign is due to be installed at the beginning of June 2008 using the existing wooden post.
The existing wooden sign is to be refurbished and re-sited in either the village hall or Challock church. Amanda Cottrell to approach Challock church regarding this.
Lees track resurfacing
Clerk has sent a letter to each household detailing the options and requesting their preferred option choice. Replies are due back to the Parish Council by Friday 13th June 2008.
Correspondence
• Tenterden and Rural Sites Development Plan Document –Issues and Options Report. Clerk to display letter from ABC on notice boards, which advises that the report can be viewed online and at local libraries.
• Open Spaces Society – request for donation for their “Green Alert” campaign to raise awareness of common land inside local planning offices. Councillors agreed not to make a donation.
• Request from a resident regarding an overhanging hedge onto A251 Faversham Road. Although a Kent Highway issue, the Clerk contacted the landowner and put them in contact with Jim Smith. This work has now been completed.
• Request from a resident to provide an additional notice board at the post office for the display of private advertisements. Councillors agreed not to proceed with this request. Clerk to notify resident of Councillors decision.
• Request from a resident regarding conifer hedge overhanging the footpath in Church Lane on way to the school. Although Kent Highway issue, the Clerk will contact the household concerned.
• Request from a resident regarding cars parking on grass verge outside school. Agreed by Councillors that the Clerk should inform Kent Highways and request additional bollards.
Audit for 2007/2008
Internal audit was completed by Kevin Funnell on 30th April 2008.
Internal audit report for 2007/2008 has been received from Kevin Funnell.
Kevin Funnell was very pleased with Parish Council procedures.
Clerk to obtain an up to date model set of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations from NALC.
Councillors agreed to review the Parish Council Standing Orders and Financial Regulations at the next Parish Council meeting.
Audit Commission form signed by Amanda Cottrell and the Clerk at the meeting. The Clerk will now send the form to the Audit Commission for the external audit.
When the external audit has been completed the Clerk will place a notice in the Forester and on the notice boards to confirm that the external audit for the financial year 2007/08 has been completed.
Items for information
The Chairman asked Councillors to review the rent currently paid to the Barn Shop, for the use of their car park for the recycling banks. Councillors agreed that the rent paid by Challock Parish Council to the Barn Shop should remain unchanged. Clerk to send a letter to the Barn Shop thanking them for their continued support of the recycling facilities.
Following a review of the Parish Council’s insurance the Parish Council has changed their insurer from Allianz to Came and Company. A three year agreement has been entered into as this provides best value.
The Parish Council will subscribe to Kent Trading Standards to receive information via e-mail regarding doorstep criminals and current scams. These messages can be displayed on our notice boards.
A letter of complaint was received at the meeting from Mrs J Vaughan regarding the canopy raising carried out to the trees on the Lees. Amanda Cottrell explained the reasons why this necessary work was carried out and the Clerk also confirmed that a number of complimentary comments had also been received regarding the work to the trees.
Amanda Cottrell informed the meeting that there has recently been a near accident in Blind Lane at “The Bungalow”. This incident may have been caused by the fact that the premises are being used for trading and vehicles stopping at the premises can make passing in Blind Lane difficult. Councillors asked the Clerk to investigate.
Roger Spicer informed the meeting that the BBC is due to visit Challock on 10th June 2008 to film the Primary School’s preparations for their Literacy Garden at Hampton Court Palace Garden Show.
Diane Sandy advised Councillors that Kerry Akehurst of Kent Funding Buddies feels that it will be very difficult for the Parish Council to obtain a grant for the play area resurfacing. Clerk will continue to investigate new options for play area surfacing and look for funding opportunities.
The Challock Methodist Chapel was due to hold a boot fair on the Lees on Monday 26th May 2008. The Chapel had already paid Challock Parish Council £150.00 for the use of the Lees. The boot fair was cancelled due to the rain. Councillors agreed to refund the full £150.00.
The meeting closed at 8.35pm
The next Parish Council meeting is on 31st July 2008.
Challock Parish Council Meeting
Laurenden Forstal
Tuesday 20th May 2008, 7.30pm
Members of public present:0 closed session
Present
Amanda Cottrell, Roger Spicer, Teresa Sellens, Stephen Brandon, Vicky Martin, Kirstie Wooltorton (Clerk).
Apologies
John Ramsden (holiday), Nicholas Fox (business)
Audit for 2007/2008
Councillors’ reviewed the accounts for the period 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2008 and viewed the Audit Commission annual return form. The Audit Commission form will be officially signed at the Parish Council meeting on 29th May 2008.
Councillors’ agreed to raise the current Standing Order limit for the Clerk to authorise work up to the value of £1000.00 with a single quotation. Unless the work is considered urgent then in the interests of best value the Clerk will seek three quotations when appropriate and inform Councillors.
As requested by internal auditor, Clerk to arrange valuation of the village hall and William Oure field for asset register and to check that the village hall has sufficient insurance cover.
Lees track resurfacing
Councillors’ discussed the pros and cons of each option detailed in the Lees track resurfacing quote report.
Councillors’ agreed that the Parish Council would support options A and C only and it would be for Lees track residents to decide on their preferred option.
It was agreed that the Clerk should write to each household detailing the options and requesting their preferred option. Replies are due back to the Parish Council by Friday 13th June 2008.
Items for information
Urgent work to rectify a trip hazard at the top of the concrete ramp at the play area will be carried out by Stevens Civil Engineering week commencing 26th May 2008 in the sum of £480.00. This was approved by Councillors’.
Councillors’ agreed that the existing wooden village sign is to be refurbished and re-sited in either the village hall or Challock church. Amanda Cottrell to approach Challock church regarding this.
The meeting closed at 8.20pm
The next Parish Council meeting is Thursday 29th May 2008, 7.30 pm.
Challock Parish Council Meeting - Edited minutes
Memorial Hall, Audrey Allen room
Wednesday 2nd April 2008, 7.30pm
Members of public present: 6
Apologies
Apologies received from: John Ramsden and Vicky Martin
Present
Amanda Cottrell, Roger Spicer, Stephen Brandon, Teresa Sellens, Kirstie Wooltorton (Clerk).
Changes to Declaration of Interest
Declarations of Interest were declared by Amanda Cottrell and Roger Spicer regarding their involvement with the Challock Primary School Hampton Court Palace garden project.
Minutes of Last Meeting
Minutes of 31st January 2008 meeting were signed by Amanda Cottrell as an accurate record.
Clerks Report
Landscaping
Portulacea Gardens hedge – completed
Turf on Lees – completed
Jim Smith has cut back the brambles at the Beech Court end of the Lees.
Jim Smith has cut the hedge along the Buck Street footpath with his tractor hedge cutter.
Kent County Council grass cutting and maintenance contract 2008 has been agreed. This includes for gang mowing the Lees fifteen times a year.
Amanda Cottrell requested that Jim Smith raise the canopies and tidy all the trees on the Lees to avoid rubbish collecting beneath them and to make it easier for gang mowing.
Vandalism
Nothing to report.
Bus Shelters
Three new quotes received for an enclosed bus shelter on Halfway House side and a cantilevered version for the lay-by side.
Lowest quote submitted by Garrick Outdoor Shelters. Quote includes perch seating, timetable case, “Challock Parish Council” logo and installation.
Ownership of land established. Land on Halfway House side belongs to Enterprise Inns and land on lay-by side belongs to Kent Highways.
Consent obtained from Enterprise Inns as landowner and also from Nino and Claire Costa as current leaseholder.
Section 50 licence obtained from Kent Highways.
£2000.00 grant from Kent County Council for the bus shelters.
This grant combined with the savings from the new lowest quote for the bus shelters has enabled the Parish Council to save approximately £5000 from the original estimate.
Bus shelters have now been ordered and should be installed 14th and 15th April 2008.
Bus shelters need to be added to the Parish Council’s insurance schedule.
LDF Workshop
The workshop was held on Monday 10th March 2008. The workshop was well attended and very good feedback has been received. A further workshop will be arranged with Ashford Borough Council in autumn 2008.
LDF feedback forms have been received from Ashford Borough Council and will be distributed by the Clerk to the attendees.
Amanda Cottrell wanted to reiterate that the sites highlighted at the LDF workshop were purely for discussion and that Ashford Borough Council has not taken any formal stance on any site at this stage.
Footpaths
A251 Faversham Road footpath
Agreement letters received from households have been sent to Andy Corcoran, Senior Transportation Engineer of Kent Highway Services.
Andy Corcoran has confirmed that this footpath will now be included in their bid for funding.
Clerk to follow this up in May 2008.
A251 Buck Street footpath
Unfortunately there is not enough support from residents for this footpath to proceed at present.
Village hall footpath
Three quotes received for the installation of new footpath.
Lowest quote submitted by Dave Love Construction.
Footpath was installed 31st March and 1st April 2008.
A Thank you card has already been received from parents.
The Lees – Walking Bus footpaths
Quotes are awaited. See Funding.
Play area
ROSPA remedial work and other safety improvement works were completed on Tuesday 1st April 2008.
Various works were undertaken including removal of potential trip hazards, replacement of “wobble boards” and replacement of cradle swing seats and chains and junior swing seats and chains.
The Forester
New arrangements are working very well.
The Forester looks excellent and several positive comments regarding layout and content have been received.
Consultanet has been paid for the production of ten issues.
The Molash Forester contribution for 2008/09 financial year is £413.60.
Funding
Kerry Akehurst from Kent Funding Buddies contacted the Parish Council to offer their help and advice in obtaining funding from different organisations.
The Funding Buddies project is a programme to assist community and voluntary groups access funding opportunities.
Clerk and assistant have already had three meetings with Kent Funding Buddies to investigate funding opportunities to help with some of our projects.
Projects currently identified for possible help with funding are the walking bus footpaths and the play area surfacing.
Village Sign
Councillors resolved to purchase the village sign at previous meeting. The order has now been placed with Blackforge Art.
Proof of design has been received and approved.
Village sign currently being made and should be ready for installation early May.
Siting of the new village sign needs to be agreed by Councillors and the Clerk will then check with Ashford Borough Council regarding planning permission.
Clerk to arrange site meeting with Councillors to agree position of new village sign.
William Oure Charity
Alliance & Leicester account closed and new Trust account opened at Nationwide in Ashford in the name of Challock Parish Council.
Account signatories are Amanda Cottrell and Kirstie Wooltorton.
Charity Commission annual update completed and returned. Charity has been updated to allow grants to be given for general charitable purposes.
2008 payment has been received from R H Nightingale.
A252 Canterbury Road verge
Jim Smith has cut the grass with his tractor mower and removed all rubbish from the verge.
Several residents have said how much better it looks.
Richard Abel of Abel Landscapes has confirmed he will provide a couple of big pots to be sited on the verge at the roundabout.
He will also give the village two bags of daffodils to plant in the autumn.
Richard also confirmed that he is going to give the school the shingle and bark for their Hampton Court Palace garden.
Correspondence
• Letter from Jim Watson – request to hold cricket club boot fair on the Lees on 25th August 2008.
This was agreed by Councillors. Any damage caused to the Lees must be rectified by the hirer.
• Request from Challock Primary School for donation towards their “literacy garden” at Hampton Court Palace garden show.
Amanda Cottrell and Roger Spicer left the meeting for this item as they had previously declared an interest. Councillors agreed to a donation for this project.
• Request from Freedom Group on behalf of EDF Energy to install a new micro substation and a new compact substation on the Lees in order to boost the power supply.
Councillors expressed reservations over these proposals and consent cannot be given at this stage. Clerk to arrange site meeting with Freedom Group and Councillors to discuss a less visually intrusive location.
Amanda Cottrell confirmed that she has received a letter from Catherine Hughes Associates regarding a planning application for conversion of a former stable and outbuilding to residential annexe at Ivy Farm, Church Lane and problems the applicant was having with Ashford Borough Council.
Amanda Cottrell requested permission from Councillors to speak to Ashford Borough Council on the applicants behalf. This was granted.
Items for information
Kent County Council playground inspection regime has been agreed for 2008. This includes for twenty five visits to be made during the year.
The Councillors are aware of the extra hours the Clerk has worked recently and advised the Clerk to claim for any overtime due.
Amanda Cottrell informed the meeting that a Village Spring Clean will take place on Saturday 3rd May meeting at the village hall car park at 10.00am.
Clerk to place advert in Forester and posters on notice boards and approach Ashford Borough Council for support.
Clerk confirmed that Kevin Funnel will be visiting the Parish Council on 21st April 2008 to carry out the Annual Audit for the year ending 31st March 2008.
Clerk informed Councillors that parents had requested that a small muddy area adjacent to the footpath, close to the school entrance be surfaced. This was causing a problem for children, one in particular who uses a walking frame and parents walking to school. This work has been completed and several parents have thanked the Parish Council.
Mrs Miller-Thomas requested, via Amanda Cottrell, that the Parish Council contact Mr Goodman (landowner) regarding safety concerns about the trees on either side of Church Lane, on the hill leading to the church. Clerk shall contact Mr Goodman to request that urgent action be taken.
Amanda Cottrell confirmed that the Goose Fair will be held on 14th September 2008.
Amanda Cottrell also confirmed that the Goose Fair boot fair will be held on 6th July 2008.
Clerk informed Councillors that the Parish Council’s insurance renewal has been received. Roger Spicer agreed to investigate alternative insurers.
Amanda Cottrell confirmed that the Challock Parish Council AGM will be combined with the Parish Council meeting on 29th May 2008.
The meeting closed at 8.28pm
Closed meeting for Councillors to discuss the Lees track resurfacing.
The next Parish Council meeting is Thursday 29th May 2008, 7.30 pm.
Challock Parish Council Meeting -Edited minutes
Memorial Hall, Audrey Allen room
Thursday 31st January 2008, 7.30pm
Members of public present: 3
Apologies
Apologies received from: Nicholas Fox (away on business)
Present
Amanda Cottrell, Roger Spicer, John Ramsden, Stephen Brandon, Vicky Martin, Teresa Sellens, Kirstie Wooltorton(Clerk).
Changes to Declaration of Interest
No new Declarations of Interest were declared.
Minutes of Last Meeting
Minutes of 6th December 2007 meeting were signed by Amanda Cottrell as an accurate record.
Clerks Report
Landscaping
Portulacea Gardens – Quote received from Rob McGee & Son in the sum of £473.53 for planting of a double row of hawthorn, hazel, willow, wild rose, holly and dogwood hedge. Councillors agreed to go ahead with this quote.
Turf on Lees – Jim Smith has this in hand.
Trees at Chequers end of The Lees – This work has been completed.
Vandalism
Nothing to report.
Bus Shelters
The bus shelter that was previously selected is too big to be sited on the Ashford to Faversham side of the A251. Quotes are awaited for a cantilevered version for this side of the A251.
Ownership of the land also needs to be established. Replies are awaited from Land Registry and Kent Highways.
A licence also needs obtaining from Kent Highways. Planning permission is not required.
Purchase of the bus shelters has been put on hold until these matters have been resolved.
Footpaths
A251 Faversham Road footpath
Seven letters were delivered on 30th December 2007. Clerk will chase up the two households who have not replied. Once all replies are received Clerk will forward the agreement letters to KCC, so they can include it in their funding programme.
A251 Buck Street footpath
Thirteen letters were delivered on 14th December 2007. Nine replies have been received. Clerk will chase up the remaining four households who have not replied.
Village hall footpath
Awaiting quotes – Stevens Civil Engineering has been asked to quote for a footpath leading from the village hall car park.
KCC quote has already been received.
Another contractor is due to meet the Clrek this week to quote for this work.
The Lees – Walking Bus footpaths
Stevens Civil Engineering is also quoting for the footpaths to link the Lees tracks.
Another contractor is due to meet Clerk this week to quote for these paths.
Clerk has contacted Kent Walking Bus to enquire if any funding could be made available. They advised to contact KCC as there is a possibility that if the Parish Council funds one of the paths, match funding may be made available. Reply awaited from KCC.
Turn left sign
Kent Highways confirmed a turn left sign cannot be erected on Blind Lane as there is not a Traffic Regulation Order for this. However the Parish Council is permitted to erect an advisory sign on Parish Council land at the exit of the village hall car park.
A turn left sign has now been erected at the exit of the village hall car park. Once the new footpath has been installed, possible conflict between pedestrians crossing Blind Lane and vehicles turning left will be closely monitored.
Play area
ROSPA remedial work.
New signs have now been erected.
A contractor has visited site and quote awaited for equipment repairs.
Safety surfacing for play area – four quotes that have been obtained are all in excess of £30,000.00. Big Lottery fund application forms to be submitted by Clerk.
Drainage work at Barn shop recycling bins
This work has now been completed and the problem of flooding around the recycling bins has been solved.
The Forester
Consultanet has produced the February edition and several positive comments have already been received.
Invoicing to advertisers’ will remain with the Parish Council. Advertisers’ will be invoiced by the Clerk and payments made to the Parish Council.
Consultanet confirmed they will produce the Forester at cost.
The Clerk will place a notice on the notice boards advising that Consultanet should be contacted to place items in the Forester.
Correspondence
Village of the year 2008 application – Councillors’ agreed not to apply this year.
Parish Plan Support Grant – Councillors’ agreed to apply for a grant for the bus shelters. Clerk will submit claim request.
Charity Commission Annual Update 2007, William Oure Charity – Clerk to complete and return.
Village Sign
The previous quotes that had been advised to Councillors’ were unfortunately for the manufacture of a single sided metal sign only.
Three new quotes were obtained for a two sided metal sign:
Rednaus Ltd £6156.00 plus vat
James Hoyle £4727.58 plus vat
Black Forge Art £3600.00 plus vat
Councillors’ resolved to proceed with the Black Forge Art quote.
A252 Canterbury Road verge
Quote received from Rob McGee & Son in the sum of £5428.50 to plant the area with non fruiting trees, shrubs, bulbs and wild flower seed.
Clerk asked Councillors’ to consider asking Jim Smith to tidy the area.
Richard Abel from Abel Landscapes, Faversham Road contacted the Parish Council enquiring about sponsoring the roundabout. Coincidentally after his approach signs were erected on the roundabout asking for businesses to advertise. Richard Abel contacted Marketing Force and they wanted over £2500.00 to advertise.
The Clerk contacted Richard Abel with a possible solution. It was suggested that there could be a possibility, subject to Parish Council approval, that he could improve the verge area.
He confirmed that he would like to give the village 4 large planters and maintain them with seasonal plants for free, but he would like to erect a small sign.
Councillors’ resolved to ask Jim Smith to tidy the verge and ask Richard Abel if he would also be prepared to plant bulbs in this area.
Clerk to obtain details of planters and sign from Richard Abel and discuss siting.
William Oure Charity
The Clerk has now gathered all the information regarding the William Oure charity. It is a field of approximately 2 acres called the “Poor Field” that was left to benefit the poor people of the Parish in 1618.
The Clerk is to change the names of the account trustees from Alan Bruce and Trevor May to Challock Parish Council. Councillors’ agreed new signatories would be Amanda Cottrell and Kirstie Wooltorton. Clerk to complete and return the Charity Commission Annual Update 2007.
Councillors resolved to use the money to continue to support elderly villagers’ who are in need. Other suggestions are to send a present or token to villagers’ or their families who have suffered a tragic accident or bereavement. Support an educational/travel initiative or to fund an event that the whole village can enjoy.
Items for information
Lees track resurfacing
The Parish Council will clarify with residents that the Parish Council is not responsible for the maintenance of the Lees track but it will continue to support residents with the organising of the Lees track re-surfacing. It was also agreed that the Goose Fair should donate £1,000.00 per year and that boot fair fees should also be set aside to help residents pay for any ongoing maintenance of the track.
A suitable specification has been agreed for the resurfacing and also a specification that would offer a cheaper alternative. The Clerk will obtain three quotes from suitably experienced contractors for these new proposals. The majority of residents did not wish to have speed ramps, so these will not be included in the quotes. When these new quotes have been received the Clerk will arrange a meeting with the residents to discuss and hopefully agree their preferred option.
Village advertising phone line
It was agreed to put messages on the Parish Council answer phone to advertise forthcoming events in the village.
Walking Bus
The official launch of the Walking Bus is on Tuesday 5th February 2008 at 9.30am. The Kent Messenger newspaper will be attending. Teresa Sellens, Stephen Brandon and Amanda Cottrell agreed to attend for the Parish Council.
Councillor of the Month
It was agreed that Stephen Brandon will write a small article about himself for the March edition of the Forester. Stephen will e-mail his article to Consultanet and to the Clerk, who will update the website.
The meeting closed at 8.55pm
The next Parish Council meeting is Wednesday 2nd April 2008, 7.30 pm.
2007 Council Minutes are now Available to Download in Adobe PDF Format
Just click on the link to the meeting you wish to view
22 February 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
26 April 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
16 May 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
21 May 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
21 June 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
25 July 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
16 August 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
25 October 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
6 December 2007 - Edited Minutes (PDF Download)
Meeting Minutes
Created on 02/04/2003 10:24 AM by admin
Updated on 06/06/2008 03:55 PM by parcon
|
|
|
|
|
