PARISH CLERK: Sara Archer, 204 Monkton St, Monkton, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 4JN
Tel:01843 821989 E: clerk@monktonparish.co.uk
Monkton Parish Council
Minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2012 at 6.30pm at Monkton Village Hall.
Present Parish Councillors John Way (Chairman) [JW], Nick Cole (Vice Chairman) [NC], Gilly Brown [GB], Graham Constable [GC], Tony Davies [TD]
In Attendance Sara Archer (Clerk/Responsible Finance Officer) [SA], Cllr Charles Hibberd [CH]
22/12-13 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
23/12-13 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
24/12-13 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
It was resolved to accept the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 14th May 2012, which were signed by the Chairman as a true record.
25/12-13 CHAIRMANS REPORT
– Cllr Way confirmed the appointment of the Clerk after successful completion of the probationary period.
– The children’s play area at the Recreation Ground would be discussed in detail under item 29/12-13 of the agenda however Cllr Way apologised for the delay in re-opening the area and advised that parents would be asked to supervise older children using the equipment in order to prevent further damage once re-opened.
26/12-13 FINANCIAL MATTERS
a) Members resolved to approve the Schedule of Payments. Cheques signed as appropriate.
27/12-13 TO DISCUSS & ADOPT THE NEW CODE OF CONDUCT
It was proposed to adopt the new code of conduct with immediate effect. The clerk will retain a hard copy of this document for future reference.
28/12-13 PLANNING
a) Foxhunter– F/TH/12/0111
Cllr Cole advised that he had responded direct to the planning department in the capacity of being a neighbour and strongly opposed the development outlined in the application on the following grounds:
– The development falls outside of the village envelope.
– There would be no economic benefits for the village.
– Additional traffic and parking obstructions on a road which is already overstretched.
– The proposed site id directly behind a designated village gap.
– Finally, the proposed site has been detailed as a sports field, however, planning permission has never been granted for this purpose and thus should still be considered as agricultural land, therefore the proposed development is an intrusion into the countryside.
In view of the above concerns which echo those of the villagers, it was proposed that should the development look to be given permission to go ahead, Cllr Bob Grove should be contacted to call-in the proposal. Action SA
Cllr Hibberd also confirmed that the view of other villagers opposed permanent caravan residences.
Royal Exchange – OL/TH/12/0333
The planning application was discussed in length, objections to the proposal had previously been sent to the planning department. Cllr Brown confirmed that the site plan for the development was identical to that which had been submitted in 2006 and subsequently refused.
MPC encouraged the neighbouring houses to submit their own objections in writing to the planning department. It was agreed that a further letter outlining concerns regarding the contravention of the Thanet Local Plan, inappropriate access and to acknowledge the previous identical site plan should be submitted by MPC. Action SA
It was noted that the applicant made reference to the small triangular piece of land opposite the house as being part of his estate. This was questioned by MPC as it is understood the area in question is common land. The Clerk would contact the Land Registry to confirm. Action SA
b) The Orchards
It was confirmed that a formal response was still awaited from TDC in regard to the complaints received about the improper disposal of trade waste at the Orchards which is a designated area for grazing horses. Cllr Way advised that in the view of the planning department, if the primary use for the land was that which was originally given permission for, in this case, grazing horses, other uses for the land by the applicant, were permitted. However, MPC had requested further investigation into the disposal of the trade waste.
29/12-13 RECREATIONAL GROUND
a) The condition of the Children’s Play Area was discussed. It was agreed that it would be too expensive to replace all of the play equipment at this time as funding had not been secured, therefore, welding was being undertaken and any necessary work was to be carried out in order for the area to be re-opened within the next two weeks. The pedestrian gate at the entrance to the Recreation Ground is to be welded and it was suggested that Robert Jakeman was approached to quote to repair the memorial bench for Charlie Woodcock. Action SA
Cllr Hibberd was then invited to address the meeting with updates from KCC.
– Cllr Hibberd advised that many schools in Kent had recently applied for conversion to academy status which would be financed direct by the government. Most were secondary schools, however, primary schools in the region were also considering the conversion.
– Grant funding from the Local Schemes Grant was available and also from Highways Members Grant. Monkton would be eligible to apply for both grants if completed prior to the end of July. Application forms would be completed and returned as soon as practicable. Action GB
– Cllr Hibberd also confirmed that the closure of Richborough Tip was being considered and he would be formally opposing the proposal.
b) Legal advice had been sought from KALC with regard to the lease payment of the Recreation Ground. The legal department confirmed that there was insufficient evidence to support the view that MPC should not pay the lease. Therefore, it was proposed that MPC should pay the outstanding balance of £1125.00 to TDC in lieu of negotiating a rental agreement with MYFC. It was agreed that the football club would be sent an invoice annually for £1500.00 which should be post-dated from 1st April 2012. Action GB
c) As above. Cllr Brown would inform MYFC of the decision to formalise a rental agreement.
d) The Clerk confirmed that an email had been received from Martyn Cassell with regard to the FIT application which suggested that Monkton Recreation Ground would remain an option for selection if TDC decide to nominate an area for preservation.
e) Cllr Brown confirmed that she had registered as the contact for the Village SOS lottery funding scheme, however, it was suggested that TDC should be approached to enquire whether they would consider the Recreation Ground as an asset for disposal and if so, the value they would expect to receive from its sale. Action SA
f) Cllr Way advised that the installation of CCTV at the Recreation Ground was being explored. There were no objections to the proposal and it was agreed to approach three security companies to provide estimates and recommendations for the type of system to be put in place. Action JW
30/12-13 HIGHWAYS
a) Cllr Constable updated the meeting with regard to the Fingerpost sign which had been re-welded and expected to be re-installed in the next week.
b) TDC had been contacted to replace the damaged signs at Willets Hill and Parsonage Fields which should be completed within four weeks.
c) Cllr Way confirmed that Highways were currently due to spray the weeds within the next day, however, this work was now only being undertaken once a year which was felt to be inadequate.
31/12-13 INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE REPORTS
a) Cllr Way advised that the surplus money from the fundraising for the Jubilee was likely to be put towards a bi-annual fair for the village. Other suggestions included a memorial bus shelter or bench.
b) It was confirmed that the Village Hall redecoration had been completed. The bookings officer was asked to reinforce the time entertainment should finish to those hiring the hall in the evening.
c) There was no update from TRRG.
d) There was no update from the TAG meeting.
32/12-13 KIACC
There was no update from KIACC however Cllr Hibberd confirmed that the Government proposed to put forward their own policy paper on aviation.
33/12-13 LOCAL PLAN – VILLAGE AUDIT QUESTIONNAIRE
The questionnaire had previously been circulated to all Councillors. It was agreed to collate the two responses received and return to TDC. The response would be circulated to MPC for information.
Action SA
34/12-13 CLERKS REPORT
The Clerks report had been circulated and read prior to the meeting.
A member of public enquired as to the Villagers use of the swimming pool at the Foxhunter Caravan Park. It was felt that due to insurance and health & safety concerns this was no longer permissible. It was suggested that the Planning department was contacted to obtain a copy of the original planning regulations. Action SA
Rev Gausden enquired about the direction sign for the Church. Cllrs Brown/Constable would obtain estimates for signs.
35/12-13 DATE/TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting would be held on 24th September 2012 at 6:30pm in the Village Hall.
Future dates are as follows: 19th November and 14th January 2013
The meeting closed at approximately 20:15hrs.