BISHOPSBOUNRE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Council
Wednesday 11th March 2026 at 18:30
Present: Cllr Bryony Dutta, Cllr Emma Homewood (Vice Chairman); Cllr Debbie Tapley; Cllr James Thorneycroft; Roger (Flood Warden); 3 Members of the Public and Mrs Steph Woods (Clerk)
1. Chairman opening remarks, apologies and approval of absences:
The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies were received from Cllr Cole.
2. Declarations of interest:
None were received.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting: Confirmation of the Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 14th January 2026 were approved as a true record, proposed by Cllr Dutta, seconded by Cllr Thorneycroft and were signed by the Vice Chairman.
4. Public Forum:
Members of the Public in attendance were afforded the opportunity to ask a question or make a statement.
None.
5. Report from County/City Councillor:
The monthly reports from Cllr Sole have been previously circulated to all councillors. Flood warden gave a brief update on the Nailbourne which included that the water has recently gone down 3-4 inches and at present they don’t foresee any flooding problems. They are still pumping drains but there are fewer tankers than previous years.
6. Finance:
a. Payments and receipts:
The balance as of 14th January 2026 is £20,319.79 with £7,481.24 in the current account and £12,838.55 in the savings account.
Payments:
Stephanie Woods – Salary (January & February 2026)
Unity Trust Bank – Service Fee (January & February 2026) – £12.00
HMRC – Clerk PAYE – £30.89
The above payments and transfer of £1,000 were proposed by Cllr Thorneycroft and seconded by Cllr Homewood. ALL AGREED.
7. Planning
CA/26/00319 – Neutral with no comments.
8. Highways
a. Crows Camp Road, Woodgate and Rose Lane/The Street – Clerk spoke to KCC and the outstanding issues have now been resolved. Potholes with the Parish was discussed and it was agreed that the PC undertake a coordinated Facebook campaign to encourage as many residents as possible to report to KCC.
b. Hedges – Clerk to get a quotation from Envisage to cut the hedge outside Neame Meadow right back as really preventing parking and access. 56Cllr Tapley reported that there is a footpath where the hedge is overgrown making access difficult for wheel chairs or push chairs. Cllr Tapley to give full details to Clerk so it can be reported to Kent PROW.
9. Neame Meadow/Maintenance
a. Neame Meadow Play Equipment Opening Ceremony – Agreed to host as an easter egg hunt and tea on Saturday 4th April at 2pm. Cllr Dutta to design and distribute posters and arrange food and laminated eggs saying “Easter Bunny”. It was agreed to allow £100 for food and easter eggs.
b. Moles – three quotes received so far but very expensive. Cllr Dutta to speak to some contacts for further quotes.
10. Other Parish Matters
a. BT Telephone Box – it was suggested by Cllr Homewood that we install another defib instead of a library. Cllr Homewood to investigate giving the phone box to The British Heart. It was agreed to speak to residents at the Easter event to gain opinions for future use of the telephone box.
b. Noticeboard – still progressing with installation planned in the next 3 weeks.
c. Parking – Pre planning assessment is £1,500 from CCC. Clerk to speak to KALC/Planning Consultant to see if they can provide preplanning advice/assessment.
d. War Memorial – ongoing.
e. Newsletter – it was agreed to remove this from the agenda until there is more to report to residents.
11. Annual Meeting
It was proposed to hold it at The Duck this year and that there should be a budget of £200 for drinks and food. Cllr Tapley to arrange with The Duck6* and confirm back to all.
12. Matters arising for future discussion
None.
13. Date of next meeting: 13th May 2026
There being no further business, the meeting was closed to the public 19:38.
Please note these Minutes remain as draft until they are approved by the Parish Council at their next Parish Council meeting.
Signed …………………………………………………………………. (Chairman)
Date ……………………………………………………………