BISHOPSBOUNRE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Council
Wednesday 11th October 2023 at 18:30
Present: Cllr Jamie Cole (Chairman); Cllr Bryony Dutta; Cllr Emma Homewood; Cllr Debbie Tapley; Cllr James Thorneycroft; Cllr Sole (District & KCC Cllr); 1 Members of the Public (Ron – Flood Warden); Mrs Steph Woods (Clerk)
1. Chairman opening remarks, apologies and approval of absences:
The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and apologies were received from PC Simon Reed.
2. Declarations of interest:
None were received.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting: Confirmation of the Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 17th May 2023
The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 14th June 2023 was approved as a true record, proposed by Cllr Dutta and seconded by Cllr Tapley.
4. Public Forum:
Members of the Public in attendance were afforded the opportunity to ask a question or make a statement.
Bishopsbourne PC’s flood warden gave an update on the Nailbourne which was there is no trouble with drains and not been very wet this summer so outlook is positive for next few months/early next year. They have also sludge pumped the pump so this will help as well.
5. Report from County/City Councillor:
September report from Cllr Sole previously circulate to all councillors.
6. Matters arising:
- Green pump box – Chairman has talked to Roger and Cllr Sole and it belongs to CCC. Still not repaired but it has been inspected as more black tape has been put around it. It has been confirmed it has a live electrical feed. Cllr Sole to chase CCC to see if they are going to do a permanent repair.
- Possibility of the PC have a storage cupboard in The Conrad Hall was discussed and the Chairman will speak to Colin to see if this is possible as PC equipment is currently in Chairmans garage.
7. Finance:
a) Payments and receipts
Payments:
Keith Symes – Playground, Neame meadow (tending trees and pressure washing bench) – £45.00
Cllr Cole – Reimbursement for thank you present for departing Clerk – £29.45
McCabe Ford Williams – Inv 43206/PRN34857 (Payroll Provision 2022-23) – £283.20
The above payments were proposed by Cllr Homewood and seconded by Cllr Dutta. ALL AGREED. Provisionally approval was also given for the McCabe Ford Williams payment above (£283.20) once Clerk has spoken to them to check the confirm details of the invoice.
b) New bank account
The new savings account is now open. Cllr Thorneycroft proposed that £20,000 is transferred from the current account into it which was seconded by Cllr Homewood. ALL AGREED.
c) Clerks Contract & Allowance
The Clerks contract and allowance was discussed. The contract will be formally signed at the next meeting once amended. Cllr Homewood proposed that an annual homeworking allowance should be paid to the Clerk of £280, backdated to start date and this was seconded by Cllr Cole. ALL AGREED.
d) Standing orders
Paying the Clerks wages by standing order was discussed in line with the Financial Regulations 2018 and to be reviewed every two years. Cllr Tapley proposed that a standing order was set up for monthly payment by SO for the wages, this was seconded by Cllr Thorneycroft. ALL AGREED.
8. Planning:
No planning applications or decisions have been received.
9. Highways:
a) Frog Lane
No update.
b) Rose Lane
This has been reported by the PC again and although some potholes have been filled, it needs to be followed up again with KCC Highways.
c) Potholes
KCC Highways Been out and marked potholes. If not done within 30 days, Cllr Sole asked for PC to contact him so he can chase with KCC Highways. The missing signage at Woodgate have both been reported CCC (road sign) and KCC Highways (finger post). The water leak had stopped but is now bad again. KCC have completed the soakaway but it is now leaking from another part and is eroding the road. Cllr Tapley to chase this with to SE water.
d) HIP
“SLOW” warning signs at Frog Lane still outstanding so Clerk will contact KCC Highways for an update for next meeting.
e) Parking around pub and telephone box
All agreed that the proposed Planters will help with the parking issues around the pub. Cllr Homewood also confirmed that t bench will go back out which should also help. The previous leaflets that were given out have worked. Also the recent visit from Kent Fire and Rescue made a statement and it was very successful.
f) Planter project
It was agreed these would be place by the telephone box and residents have agreed to look after them, with the pub agreeing to water them. Agreed a budget for planter around £350. It was hoped that topsoil could be obtained from the local allotment. Cllr Cole to confirm prices of planters and purchase. It was suggested that the local vicar could bless them once in place.
g) Book Library
No update.
10. Neame Meadow
a) ROSPA Annual inspection has been completed and report circulated to Councillors. There were a few minor actions but nothing urgent or major was identified.
b) Weekly playground inspections – Clerk to send template inspection sheet to Cllr Dutta (based on RoSPA report).
c) Tree for Daphne – Family have approached the PC to ask if a tree can be planted in Neame Meadow which they would like to fund. All agreed this would be a nice idea. Suitable tree options will be provided to family by Cllr Dutta.
d) Land next to village hall – The pub wants to run bat and trap team so will approach village hall to see if the land next to village hall would be suitable.
d) Hedges
The overgrown hedge by Conrad Hall and the adjacent allotments were also discussed. As neither are owned by the Council, Cllr Cole will speak to the landowners and will to ask that the areas of cut back.
e) Moles
The issue seems to have resolved so this will be monitored moving forward.
f) Cllr Cole has found an old football field frame and suggested this be placed in Neame Meadow. All councillors agreed this is a good idea so Cllr Cole will tidy it up and install onto Neame Meadow.
11. Matters for future discussion:
- Frequency and meeting dates for 2024-25 need to be agreed. It was suggested to move the months of the Bi-monthly meetings so no meeting is due to be held in August. Clerk will provide draft dates for agreement at the next meeting.
12. Date of next meeting: Wednesday 13th December 2023 at 6.30pm at The Conrad Hall, Bishopsbourne
There being no further business, the meeting was closed to the public at 20:10.
Signed …………………………………………………………………. (Chairman)
Date ……………………………………………………………
Please note these Minutes remain as draft Minutes until they are approved by the Parish Council at their next Parish Council meeting on 13th December 2023.
Future meeting dates: TBD