An Ordinary Meeting of Bishopsbourne Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 7 December 2022 at 6.00pm in the Conrad Hall. Present: Cllr R Prestige, Cllr B Dutta. Cllr J Cole, Cllr D Tapley, Mrs Val McWilliams- Clerk.
There were two members of the public present.
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Apologies for Absence
City/County Councillor Mike Sole sent his apologies as he had another commitment.
Cllr K Martin sent her apologies as she was unwell.
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Comments from the Public
There were no comments from the public.
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Report from County/Cllr Mike Sole was received and circulated to Councillors.
The draft Canterbury City Council Local Plan went out for consultation this month. You can take part at by searching “Canterbury Local Plan Consultation 2045” online. The consultation closes at 5pm on 16 January 2023.The Local Plan is quite controversial in places, including traffic zoning in and around the city, and a large number are large housing developments in Thanington, Littlebourne, Womenswold and most significantly a new town at Adisham. I spoke at the CCC cabinet meeting to try to get Adisham new town removed – it is not believed to be deliverable as the owners of the majority of the land do not wish to see it developed. Since then, I have attended the Adisham Parish Council planning sub-committee and chaired a meeting of affected parishes in the Canterbury and Dover area, which included Womenswold, Adisham, Bekesbourne with Patrixbourne, Littlebourne, Aylesham and Wingham. Together these parishes will be opposing the proposed developments in Adisham and Womenswold parishes. My views have been included on BBC Radio Kent and featured in the Kentish Gazette.
At Kent County Council, I seconded and spoke on a motion, which was passed by the council, to condemn the actions of Southern Water and to work to improve our water quality and stop the dumping of sewerage in our rivers and sea. I also raised questions about the lack of capacity on school time buses, and I continue to follow this up. I was delighted to be asked to speak on KCC issues at the Hilltop Community Association AGM (New House Lane, Thanington) and also to hear of the parish council’s concerns about the draft local plan. The Wincheap gyratory scheme (new one-way system along Wincheap and the industrial estate) has again reared its ugly head with developers announcing that work will start on it early next year. This was approved by Canterbury City Council (CCC) around five years ago, hidden away in the planning application for the homes currently being built in Cockering Lane. I am working with other councillors, residents, and businesses to raise concerns, but at present KCC are adamant that as it has been approved it will go ahead as it was approved by CCC.
I have now been appointed to the Kent & Medway Fire and Rescue Authority and attended my first meeting this month. I also attended a meeting of the River Stour Internal Drainage Board.
I am delighted that we are making progress with a 30mph limit in Woolage Village. I started campaigning for this ten years ago, so it is especially satisfying to be able to help bring it to fruition since becoming a county councillor. The reduction in speed limit on Petham Stone Street from 50mph to 40mph is also progressing.
I have also attended Canterbury City Council full meeting, although under the cabinet system these are not as interesting as they once were as most decisions have already been made by Cabinet. In Stodmarsh I’m pleased to have agreed a drainage solution with the KCC team to hopeful stop the huge puddles appearing and this work should be carried out before Christmas.
This month I have spent time walking around Woolage Village and Bridge, knocking on doors and discussing various issues with residents that I am now following up with KCC and Canterbury City Council.
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Acceptance of Minutes
The minutes held on 5 October 2022 were approved: Proposed by Cllr Tapley seconded by Cllr Dutta.
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Members Interests
No notification by members was given of any pecuniary or personal interest in items.
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Matters Arising
There were no matters arising from the minutes not on the agenda.
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Finance
Lloyds Bank £20,792.43)
Monies In
VAT rebate £825.29 (received 22 November 2022)
Monies Out
Val McWilliams Clerks Salary (2 months Oct /November 26 hrs. at £10.50 = £273.00 + 0ffice maintenance £80 Total £353.00
Ed.It Computer Support £25.00 plus VAT £5.00 Total £30.00
Repayment of £30 to Val McWilliams for cash payment to Keith Symes for clearing the weeds by fence on Neame Meadow.
Paperstone Stationary£361.56 VAT £12.31 Total £73.87
Grand Total £486.87
Colin Elliott Notice boards £198.62
AJL Garden Maintenance £920.00
TOTAL £1,605.49
Agreement to pay the above invoices was proposed by Cllr Prestige; seconded by Cllr Dutta.
The Precept bid for 2023/2024 was discussed and it was unanimously agreed to request £8,000.00 which is the same amount as 2022/2023.
We will receive a concurrent funding allowance of £2,144.00 from CCC for the year 2023/2024 this is a 10% increase on last year amount which will be paid in April 2023.
Online banking is ready to go but in view of the forthcoming Election it was agreed to wait until the new Parish Council in May 2023 had been elected before changing over.
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Planning/Trees
New 22/02039 Two roof lights to front and rear and windows to first floor side elevation to existing out building. Braeburn Barn, Middle Pett Farm, Pett Bottom Road, Bridge, Canterbury CT4 5PD. Granted.
CA/22/01083 Garage and storage with associated parking together with the repositioning of existing access. Little Pett Farm, Pett Bottom Road, Bridge, Canterbury, CT4 5PD. Granted.
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Highways
The Clerk has been in contact with Annaliese Mortlock who has replaced Sebastian Bures at Kent Highways. She has attached the Highway Improvement Plan (HIP) template which Kent Highways are encouraging all parish councils to use going forward. This form is for logging in Highways Improvements and not day to day issues. The HIP has been found to be a constructive way forward to channel, collate and prioritise highway issues within a Parish for which they are seeking advice and assistance. The Clerk will complete the form and forward it to Annaliese. We have still not got the slow signs up for Frog Lane put up yet. The Clerk will chase.
The hedges around Neame Meadow and Conrad Hall have now been cut back. The hedge running from Conrad Hall down to the Forge has still not been cut. Although not officially the responsibility of the parish council it is so unsightly, Councillors unanimously agreed to cut it back this time but will investigate getting it cut back by the owner in the future. It has been booked to be done. The Clerk will chase.
Cllr Prestige reported the fence has fallen by the river. Keith Symes has removed the brambles and weeds from the area. Cllr Prestige has got new posts to repair the fence which he will do shortly.
It was agreed to mow the side and rear of the churchyard twice a year. The Clerk has made the necessary arrangements.
Canenco are now emptying regularly, the bins by The Mermaid, outside the Church just by the gate at Neame Meadow these are street bins not for household waste.
The clerk has reported more potholes on Rose Lane and will write to Highways asking if there is any chance of getting the road resurfaced as the potholes are an ongoing problem.
Potholes have been reported in the middle of the road in The Street opposite the Mermaid. The Clerk will report them to KCC.
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Flood Awareness
The drains now are good but there has been very little rain. However, the flood Warden will be keeping a watchful eye over the coming months to check that KCC fulfill their promise to check all surface drains and gullies are clear every six, twelve months that have been scheduled to take place.
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Neame Meadow
Cllr Cole agreed to do the necessary repairs to the play equipment following the ROSPA report. He will check the Wet Pour but thinks he has enough If not he will order some more.
Work around the new beech tree is still to be carried out it will be cleared of all the weeds and brambles and then reseeded. The Clerk will chase.
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Website
Cllr Dutta reported that the website was up to date.
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Correspondence
Emails sent to all.
All councillors have been circulated with the correspondence.
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Councillors Responsibilities
Cllr Prestige Nothing to report.
Cllr Martin. – Nothing to report.
Cllr Dutta – Website – Nothing to report.
Cllr Tapley – Nothing to report.
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AOB
The Salt bins should now of all been filled. The Clerk will drive round and check.
Cllr Cole offered to become the Salt Bin Warden and we will keep a check on them.
The Election takes place in May anyone wanting to stand as a Councillor again will have to apply to CCC. Notices will be placed on the website and notice boards. It was agreed to discuss the best way of attracting new councillors at the February meeting. The Clerk will forward be joining forms to anyone wanting to apply. It is going to be easier to join by email as otherwise you would have to go to Canterbury City Council you cannot post the forms it has to be done in person and include a photograph of yourself. If you join by email you don’t have to go to CCC or include a photograph.
The clerks notice of retirement will be placed on the notice boards asking if anyone would like to apply for the vacancy to contact the clerk if they would like to know details of the job and are interested in applying.
The Rambler’s Association has written to the Clerk asking if we would like them to check the footpaths in our area. The Clerk will write and thank them and are delighted to accept their help.
The Coronation of King Charles III was discussed, and it was agreed to put it on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting Parish Council meeting.
There was no further business.
The meeting closed at 7.20pm
17 Date of next meeting
Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 6.00pm in the Conrad Hall.