Halling Parish Council - April 2006 Minutes

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Meeting of Halling Parish Council held on 13 April 2006 at the Jubilee Hall

Present: Vice-Chairman, Councillors Mrs Weaver, R Underdown, P Wyatt, L Hitchcock and F Howard.
W R Swan – Clerk and 6 members of the public.

1. Apologies for absence
There were apologies from the Chairman – holiday, T Reynolds – holiday and Mrs Coleman – work.

2. Minutes of last meeting
It was proposed by Councillor Howard, seconded by Councillor Wyatt, that the minutes of the previous meeting were a true record. All agreed and the Vice-Chairman duly signed them.

3. Matters arising
Item 17 – Councillor Underdown said that the lifebuoy holder has been replaced. He also said that the word rates should be changed to read “rats in the undergrowth”. The Vice-Chairman said that £2,600 had been received from Medway Councillor Ray Maisey’s Ward Fund and he wished to place on record the Parish Council’s thanks for this.

4. Notification of Any Other Business
Councillor Howard – 1 item; Councillor Wyatt – 1 item and Councillor Underdown – 1 item.

5.(a)Estates Committee
The Vice-Chairman reported that only one Tender for grazing rights on the Marsh had been received and it was proposed by him and seconded by Councillor Howard that the offer of £500 from Peter Lingham be accepted. All agreed. The only quotation for grass cutting this year had been received from Medway Council who are prepared to offer terms at the same price as last year. It was proposed by the Vice-Chairman, seconded by Councillor Hitchcock, that this be accepted. All agreed.

Craigdene Ltd have carried out a survey of the recreations grounds with particular attention being paid to the play equipment. They had obtained quotes on the Parish Council’s behalf for the safety surfacing and it was hoped that work could be started on the Lower rec. soon. Most of the play equipment can be rust proofed and repainted.

(b) Footpaths Committee
The Committee Chairman, Councillor Wyatt, reported that the Warren path fences are in a worse state than ever. He has contacted Viv Kent the PROW officer at Medway Council to report this. He will be walking all footpaths shortly and will be doing a survey for waymarking signs. The Vice-Chairman said that the Parish Council would have to chase the land owners if footpaths become overgrown. Councillor Underdown said that the Ticker Path reinstatement is very steep at the bottom. The Committee Chairman is to take this up with Lafarge and Medway Council.

(c) Planning & Development Committee
The Committee Chairman, Councillor Underdown, reported that no planning applications have been received this month. However revised plans have been received concerning the development at 39 Rochester Road, North Halling to change the plan to 2 detached houses instead of a pair of semi-detached properties. The Parish Council had no problem with this.

6. Harris House
The Clerk reported that the property had been boarded up. The Vice-Chair said that it must be assumed that a detailed planning application will be forthcoming shortly.

7. Halling Association
The Vice-Chairman said the there had been no meeting but that tender documents for the Forge Green project were going out.

8. Jubilee Hall
Councillor Mrs Weaver reported that the garage repairs had been put on hold pending further investigation and the Committee is waiting for the Halling Association to come back to them regarding the hand rails.

9. Community Centre
Councillor Hitchcock reported that the AGM was held on 10 April 2006 and Kevin Parris has been appointed Chairman.

10. Annual Parish Meeting.
Members agreed the draft Agenda prepared by the Clerk.

11. Cemex
The Vice-Chairman reported that the Planning Committee had agreed a draft flyer to go out to all residents shortly pointing out the Parish Council’s concerns about the plans for the west site and promising to keep residents informed of any developments.

12. Lafarge
Councillor Underdown reported that the changes to the new roundabout on the A228 had been completed.

13. Youth Club
Councillor Hitchcock said that the Club will be restarting with 2 groups after the Easter break to include older members but finishing at 9.15 pm.

14. Correspondence
(a) Mid Kent Water – mains replacement from Upper Halling to A228
(b) Medway Council – community transport scheme
(c) Councillor Pat Weaver – resignation letter
(d) Environment Agency- developments along A228 water supply
(e) St John the Baptist Parochial Church Council – cemetery grass cutting
(f) Jubilee Hall Management Committee – accounts for 2004/5
(g) DEFRA – guide to environmental enforcement
(h) KAPC- newsletter and Clerk’s information day 16 May 2006.
(i) Rural Revival grants booklet
(j) Open Space magazine
(k) Kent Police – singe strategic police force
(l) Tonbridge & Malling BC – public enquiry re Peters Pit and bridge 9 May 2006 at Eat Malling
(m) Medway Council – Halling projects for Halling Association
(n) Medway Swale partnership – river clean up 22 & 23 April 2006.
(o) Mid Kent Water – reply re water supply for developments along A228
(p) Michael Parkes Surveyors – information re Chattenden development
(q) Medway Council – notification of ward grant of £2,600 for 2005/6
(r) Medway Renaissance – draft regeneration framework

15. Receipts – none

16. Payments                                                 (£Net      Vat    Gross)
(a) Clive Stanley – webmaster fees (Feb 06)         33.00           33.00
(b) J B Westwood – footpaths maintenance 05/6 250.00 43.75   293.75
(c) J Sutherland – wages                                 213.47           213.47
(d) P Wilkins- Smith – Halling View                     40.00          40.00
(e) Barclays Bank re Letrex – toner for HV           402.15 70.39 472.54
(f) KAPC – subs renewal 2006/7                      547.93 89.06 636.99
(g)W R Swan – expenses                                     89.96          89.96
(h) Clive Stanley – webmaster fees (Mar 06)           22.00         22.00

It was proposed by the Vice-Chairman, seconded by Councillor Howard, that the above payments be ratified. All agreed.

17. Any Other Business
Councillor Howard said that he had met the Officer in Charge of Fire Prevention for North Division of the Kent Fire & Rescue Service and had discussed the fire prevention measures which the personnel from Halling Fire Station were carrying out in the Village eg putting smoke alarms in residents’ houses. He will put an article in the next edition of Halling View reminding residents of this service.

Councillor Wyatt said that although the roundabout on the A228 had been improved since the recent remedial work, there are problems with northbound traffic turning right into Halling. There are no lane markings and vehicles wishing to go straight on are overtaking those preparing to turn right. There needs to be proper lane markings well in advance of this junction. The Clerk is to take this up with Medway Council.

Councillor Hitchcock said that the combined Ray Maisey & Police surgery would be a week later than usual on 15 April 2006 between 12 noon and 2.00pm.

Councillor Underdown understands that residents have been receiving fixed penalty notices for parking on double yellow lines in the High Street which are broken or incomplete. This is to be taken up with the Highway Authorities.

18. Parishioners’ Questions
Points raised by residents at the meeting included the following:
(a) Footpath adjoining A228 at bottom of Plough path
(b) Football in the street.
(c) New policeman
(d) Bus service in Upper Halling
(e) Vicarage Road fence
(f) Rubbish under Cemetery Road bridge
(g) Grass cutting in Cemetery
(h) Stake Lane car park
(i) Dog fouling
(j) Harris House

Last updated ~ 08 May 2006

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