Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held at the Memorial Hall, School Lane, on Monday, 29th November 2004 at 7.30 p.m.

Present: Cllr. Mrs J.M.Papadopulos (Chairman)
County Councillor:- Cllr. F.Gibson , O.B.E.
Councillors:- J.D.Goring, J.A.Grey, Mrs J.Hinks, A.L.Howard, M.L.James, C.L.Jupp (also Borough), Mrs P.Oakeshott (also
Borough), Mrs S.Saunders, Mrs A.Waugh, and S.Wright.

In attendance: The Mayor of Gravesham, Cllr. John Loughlin, J.P., and the Mayoress, Mrs Bridie Loughlin.
Insp. Pritchard - Kent Police.
Rural Warden Steve Enright.
Mr A. Taylor and 32 Parishioners.

Apologies for absence: Received from Chris Pond, M.P., WPC Duffort and Rural Sgt. Smith.

The Chairman accepted apologies for absence.
There were no alterations to the Register of Members Interests.

Due to the large number of Parishioners present the Chairman proceeded immediately to item 5 of the agenda.

Parishioners Matters.
Mr Taylor, of Dillywood Lane, objected to the lack of support shown to local residents regarding the recent planning application for Little Hermitage. He highlighted the failure of the Parish Council to write to the Borough Council acknowledging the residents' petition. The Chairman reminded Mr Taylor that the copy of the petition, promised at the last Meeting of the Parish Council in October, had never been received. She confirmed, however, that the response had been sent, as promised, although the Parish Council was not obliged to send a copy to the residents.
Mr Pearton, of Chalk Road, reported the contents of a letter written by Mrs Vale, on behalf of the Chalk Road residents. This highlighted the recent fatality on the road and drew attention to the incomplete traffic calming measures, the poor state of repair of the pavements and the last street light to the road not being lit at the present time. Cllr. Oakeshott confirmed that the Borough Council had budgeted for the completion of the traffic calming measures in the current financial year and it was anticipated that work would commence after the completion of the Higham Tunnel works.
Mr Morris, father of Kirsty, who had recently died on the Lower Higham Road, enquired if there were any plans to extend the pavement in this area and highlighted problems with speeding traffic to this stretch of road. He also enquired if it would be possible to plant a tree with a commemorative plaque alongside the highway. Cllr. Oakeshott confirmed that the Parish Council was not responsible for the provision of footpaths, and the monitoring of speed along this stretch of road would have to be referred to the Borough Council. She agreed to speak to Mr Easterbrook personally and report back at the next Meeting. Steve Enright offered to use the SID hand held equipment to monitor traffic speeds on the road so that local residents could also be involved. Cllr. Grey understood that an interactive speed sign was due to be installed somewhere within the village, and suggested that this might be an ideal location.
A large deputation of residents from the Steadman Close area were present at the Meeting.
They reported many incidences of anti-social behaviour to the area with large rival gangs of youths fighting, drinking, smashing windows, leaving large amounts of rubbish (including broken glass), producing graffiti, making a loud noise and verbally abusing and threatening residents. Disturbances often continued until the early hours of the morning, and residents were terrified to leave their properties for fear of confrontation. Cars were being driven on the roads of the estate in a reckless and aggressive manner when children were riding bicycles in the area.
Inspector Pritchard noted the concerns of the residents and confirmed that the Police would work in conjunction with the Borough Council as this was partly a housing issue. A diary of incidents had been compiled and evidence had been taken for possible preparation of anti- social behaviour orders. Cllr. Oakeshottt agreed to liaise further with the Borough Council regarding the current problems.
Mr Taylor, of Martins Close, asked if a decision had been made regarding the pruning of the tree outside nos. 2/3, Alexander Cottages. The Clerk confirmed that the Borough Council would inspect the tree and report back to the Parish Council before any action was taken.
Mr Wenham, of St. John's Road, expressed concern that the two new properties built by the Working Mens Club appeared to have been joined to the private sewer which served the properties in his road and Cllr. Oakeshott agreed to take up the matter with the Borough Council.
Mr Mead, of Taylors Lane, asked if the Parish Council was aware of the Floodscape consultation, and was advised that this would form an agenda item later in the Meeting.

To discuss a proposal that the Higham Rural Warden be shared with Chalk.
The Chairman reported that the Parish Council had only been made aware of this proposal when details had appeared in the local press. The Clerk had already made representations to the County Council, and Marilyn Howell, the Kent County Council Community Warden Manager had agreed to attend a future Meeting to discuss the matter with Members.
Steve Enright reported to Members that he had indicated that he would be prepared to cover Shorne Parish in addition to Higham as he felt that there was a certain amount of overlap between the adjacent Parishes and their problems. He had been told however that his hours would be split between Chalk and Higham as no request for assistance had been received from Shorne. Steve Enright expressed concern regarding his proposed new role as he felt that a warden without powers would be ineffective in part of the urban area. Members expressed
support for the excellent job which the Rural Warden carried out in the village and it was agreed that the Clerk would invite Marilyn Howell to attend the next Meeting in January to discuss the matter further.

The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting, held on Monday, 4th October 2004, were confirmed and signed.

Matters arising from the Minutes.

The Clerk reported that:-

a. P.721 Matters Arising - Allotment Gardens. Cllr. Howard had now produced a survey of the allotment gardens which indicated that there were a total of 27 overgrown, and 2 unworkable plots at the present time. Of the 10 plots which were vacant at this
time 8 were overgrown and the other 2 unworkable. After discussion it was agreed to ask Daniel Annal if he would be willing to take the top off the vegetation and Cllr. Howard agreed to make enquiries regarding the cost of hiring a rotovator. As a total of £250 had been budgeted for the allotment clearance, it was agreed to consider clearing half of the number of vacant allotments and see if they could be let, before proceeding with the rest at a future date.

b. P. 721 WPC Duffort. The grant application for the Youth Shelter to the Recreation Ground had been successful and a total of £4177.00 had been awarded from the KCC Small Community Capital Projects Fund. George Webb had been asked to notify St.
John's College. As the Parish Council was unable to reclaim VAT on the project due to the grant aid, there would be a shortfall of £293.88. It was proposed by Cllr. Waugh, seconded by Cllr. Jupp, and agreed by all Members that the Parish Council should meet
this amount from its reserves. It was anticipated that the shelter would be situated backing the school near to the lampost. Cllr. Goring reminded Members that a site survey would need to be undertaken as there were sewage pipes for the Pavilion and the electric cable
to the Orange mast which ran underground.

c. P. 721 Lower Higham Post Office. The Post Office had now confirmed that the closure was temporary.

d. P. 722 Parish. Christmas Lighting. We are indebted to Mr A. Burt, Street Lighting Engineer with Gravesham Borough Council, who kindly found, collected and had safety checked some spare pole mounted Christmas lights for the village at no cost to the Parish Council. The Borough Council had arranged for each street light to have an appropriate connection, but the Parish Council would have to pay connection charges and running costs. The Borough Council had asked that only pole hung lighting be used this year to reduce the risk of vandalism. After discussion amongst Members there was  disappointment that this would mean that the Christmas tree to Lower Higham would not be lit and the Clerk was asked to contact Mr Burt to see if alternative tree lighting would be available for the Lower Higham site, especially for the carol singing event.

e. P. 724 Meeting of Kent Transport Board. The attendance list had already been determined by KAPC and the Parish Council was not included.

Floodscape - open consultation event.

The Clerk reported that Floodscape was a four-year European project which aimed to demonstrate that effective and sustainable flood management could be delivered by "making space for water" and involving people in the planning process. Floodscape was to investigate the opportunity to re-introduce some form of tidal flooding of the North Kent Marshes to reduce the impact of uncontrolled and damaging flooding. The Parish Council had received no notification of the open consultation event held at the Chattenden Community Centre on 23/11, but had been alterted by a telephone call from Ken Harding of DCPS the evening before. Cllr. Jupp reported that he had attended the event and that it was part of a four year study of the area. There were no firm proposals at this stage as the views of local people were sought and questionnaires needed to be returned by the end of December. Cllr. Howard had prepared a report for the Parish Council and highlighted that a further exhibition of the proposals would be held in Cliffe at a later date. It was agreed that Cllr. Oakeshott would complete a questionnaire form on behalf of the Parish Council as soon as one was to hand.

Councillors' Matters.

County.

Cllr. Gibson reported that the current Kent Highways Partnership arrangements would cease from April 2005, when the day-to-day running of the Highways Service would revert back to the County Council. It was hoped that this streamlining of highway operations would make savings in order to put more money direct into road repairs. The successful Joint Transportation Boards, where district and county members jointly take local highway decisions would continue. A new Kent Transportation Board to take decisions on road building, and public transport issues had had its inaugural meeting on 17/11 and membership was made up of County and District representatives as well as three Parish Councillors.

The Regional Plan (SEERA) had suggested an increase in the quota of housing for Kent. Cllr. Gibson was critical of this decision before the public consultation for the Kent and Medway Structure Plan. No meeting had been held as yet regarding the Regional Park.

Borough.

There was nothing to report.

Parish.

The Clerk reported that an e-mail from Mrs Humbles regarding what would happen to the Station Car Park after the completion of the tunnel works had been sent to South Eastern Trains, who had promised to let us know a decision as soon as possible.

The Landlord of The Chequers P.H. had a total of 20 free Christmas hampers to give to the needy. He had been referred to the Shaves Charity.

Reports.

a. Planning.

The following planning applications had been received and reviewed by the Planning
Committee:-

Appln. no. 20040907 Mr & Mrs K.Rice, 6, Walmers Avenue.
Erection of single storey front extension to form an enlarged bedroom.

Appln. no. 20040918 Mr M. West, 60, Norah Lane.
Erection of a front porch.

Appln. no. 20040887 Mr & Mrs Miskin, 33, Beech Grove.
Erection of single storey front extension to form an enlarged lounge.

Appln. no. 20040888 Mr G.James, 35, Beech Grove.
Erection of single storey front extension to form an enlarged lounge.

Appln. no. 20040946 Mr M. Watson, 18, Reynolds Fields.
Erection of single storey front extension to form porch and w.c.

Appln. no. 20040964 Mr & Mrs Pocock, "Yaverlands", Lower Rochester Road.
Erection of single storey front and rear extensions to form lounge, enlarged kitchen, bedroom and two en-suite
bathroom/wc's.

Appln. no. 20041006 Mr & Mrs M.Dillon, 34, Ash Crescent.
Erection of single storey rear extension to form an enlarged kitchen.


b. K.A.P.C.
Cllr. Saunders reported that she and Cllr. Hinks had attended the recent AGM held at Ditton.

h. Governors of Higham Primary School.
The Clerk was asked to send a letter of congratulations to the school in recognition of the excellent OfSTED report. Cllr. James confirmed that the number of classes at the school was likely to be reduced by 2 due to a falling school roll.

Finance.
The Clerk asked for approval for the items shown on the agenda, plus the sum of £32.31 for typewriter cassettes from Product Resources Ltd., and £89.98 for Staples UK Ltd. for a photocopier cartridge, this being proposed by Cllr. Oakeshott, seconded by Cllr. James and agreed by all Members.

KAPC (2 lunches for AGM - Sect. 137/139) 15.00
British Telecommunications plc (Broadband/fax) 96.56
Mr B. Howes (ex-gratia payment) 100.00
St. John's Church (Christmas leaflet - Sect. 137/139) 60.00
Mrs J.M.Papadopulos (Chairman's allowance) 30.00
Clerk (ex-gratia payment - extra work re. tunnel/website) 300.00

To receive a report from the Budget and Finance Committee Meeting.
Copies of the report of the Budget and Finance Committee Meeting had been circulated to Members prior to the Meeting. The Clerk asked Members if they wished to ratify the figure agreed at the Budget and Finance Committee Meeting or if they wished to increase the precept by an additional £508.85 to cover for the additional cost of the youth shelter. As only two councillors were in favour of the increased figure the majority decision was carried and the Clerk was instructed to request a precept of £20,863.03 for the financial year 2005/06.

Correspondence.
The correspondence folder had already been circulated amongst Members after "matters arising", but the Clerk drew Members' attention to the following items:-
1. B.T. had agreed to keep the telephone box to the village hall car park, and remove that to Mountbatten Avenue.
2. An ODPM Survey of allotments was passed to Cllr. Howard for completion.
3. Members declined the invitation by Barry Rowbotham to join the Town Twinning Association.

To note the date of the next Parish Council Meeting.
This was given as being Monday, 10th January 2005 at 7.30 p.m.

Any Other Business.
The Clerk reminded Members to compile their reports for inclusion in the 2005 Newsletter to bring to the next Meeting.

The Mayor of Gravesham, Cllr. John Loughlin, J.P., thanked the Members for the invitation to the most interesting Parish Council Meeting that he had so far attended. He recalled a wonderful garden party held at Gad's Hill during the summer and personally thanked Cllr. Oakeshott for all her hard work for the Mayor's Charities.

In closing the Meeting at 9.27 p.m. the Chairman invited Members and guests to her home for some seasonal refreshment.


PARISH COUNCIL MEETING DATES FOR 2005.

Mondays: 21st February, 4th April, 9th May (Annual Parish Council Meeting), 4th July,
5th September, 3rd October, 7th November (Budget and Finance only) and 28th November (Christmas Meeting with the Mayor of Gravesham).

The date for the re-arranged Annual Parish Assembly is now Thursday, 21st April 2005.

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