BISHOPSBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL

An Ordinary Meeting of Bishopsbourne Parish Council was held on Wednesday, 5 October 2022 at 6.00pm in the Conrad Hall. Present: Cllr R Prestige, Cllr K Martin, Cllr B Dutta. Cllr D Tapley, Mrs Val McWilliams- Clerk.
There was one member of the public present.

1. Apologies for Absence

City/County Councillor Mike Sole sent his apologies as he had another commitment.
Cllr J Cole sent his apologies as he was feeling unwell.

2. Comments from the Public

There were no comments from the public

3. Report from County/Cllr Mike Sole was received and circulated to Councillors.

City/Cllr Mike Sole sent the following report (an update on what he had been doing in September): This month of course started with the historic and moving events surrounding the death
of Queen Elizabeth II. I attended the proclamation in Canterbury and the service of
remembrance in Canterbury Cathedral. Events surrounding the Queen’s death meant that
a number of council meetings were postponed, but things are now returning to normal. I
am very keen to ensure that the parish councils in my division are updating their
Highway Improvement Plans and then working with KCC to get them assessed and
costed so that I can also help with funding that I have available. Last month I attended
parish council meetings in Kingston, Womenswold, Waltham, Littlebourne and
Thanington.
The long-awaited Canterbury Local Plan will be published in October before going out to
consultation. I attended a meeting with Kingston residents to explain the Local Plan
timetable in respect of land that has been put forward in the village in the Call for Sites.
As part of my work with the KCC Growth & Economic Development and Communities
Committee, we visit districts to see what they are doing, and this month it wasn’t far to
travel as we were shown around the Canterbury District. We also had a committee
meeting this month and I ask about changes to guidance on the Stodmarsh neutrality
issue that has delayed housing development in the district and questioned support that is
being made available through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport.
At the City Council Scrutiny Sub Committee, I questioned the council on the problems
around staff recruitment, but also noted the significant improvements in dealing with the
back log of housing safety checks since the council took the service back in house from
East Kent Housing.
I’ve been dealing with issues around overgrown vegetation in St Augustines and have
been in contact with both KCC and Greenbelt Energy Limited who own some of the land 2
on the site to try to get areas tidied up. I was delighted to able to join volunteers from Love Hambrook Marshes on a basket weaving event.
The KCC Detached Youth Bus visits Littlebourne every week and I joined with young
people as part of Democracy Day to discuss what they would like to see changed in their
area. In Stodmarsh I hope that we have finally got the recycling bins collections back on
track. It’s been a poor month’s service from Canenco with a number of public litter bins
left overflowing and residential bins missing collections in some areas. I keep chasing up.
I also visited Stodmarsh to look at some road flooding issues that I have asked the KCC
drainage team to investigate.
Finally, I attended the City Council special planning meeting about the South Canterbury
development at Mountfield for up to 4,000 homes and spoke about the impact that this
will have on the local villages, especially from increased traffic.

4. Acceptance of Minutes of the Minutes

The minutes held on 3 May 2022 were approved: Proposed by Cllr Martin, seconded by
Cllr Dutta.

5. Members Interests

No notification by members was given of any pecuniary or personal interest in items.

6. Matters Arising

There were no matters arising from the minutes not on the agenda.

7. Finance

Lloyds Bank £22,464.41 (September 30/2022)
Monies In
We have still not received the £825.25 VAT rebate. The Clerk will chase.
Monies Out
Val McWilliams Clerks Salary (2 months March/April 26 hrs. at £10.50 = £273.00 + 0ffice
maintenance £80 + Audit Expenses (£24.83 +VAT £4.97) = £29.80 TOTAL £382. 80
Conrad Hall Hire £140.00
Keith Symes For clearing behind the barriers on Bonny Bush Hill £60.00 paid cash
Val McWilliams Repayment for cash paid to Keith Symes
Total £582.80
Money paid out July- August
Total £170.00 Eyelid Productions (Web site)

8. 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. There were no objections raised by the parish council to the
proposed plans who are happy for them to go ahead. The clerk will let CCC know.

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

9. Highways

Sebastian Bures is no longer with KCC so the slow signs on Frog Lane have still not been
installed. A new manager has now been appointed to replace him. The Clerk will make
contact and rearrange for the slow signs to be done.
The hedges around Neame Meadow and Conrad Hall are booked to be cut back in
October. Cllr Prestige suggested that we ask for the hedge running from Conrad Hall
down to The Forge to be included, although not officially the responsibility of the parish
council it is so unsightly, and the owner does not cut it. Residents are having difficulty
parking their cars. Councillors unanimously agreed to cut it back this time but will
investigate getting it cut back by the owner in the future.
The two drains either side of the Manor House and the one opposite are fully blocked
again. The Clerk will write to KCC and ask for them to be cleared. She will also ask them
to check the one by the bridge on Frog Lane.
It was agreed to mow the side and rear of the churchyard twice a year. The Clerk will
make the necessary arrangements.
The three street bins are still not being emptied on a regular basis. The one by the
Church yard was an absolute disgrace, there was a lot of filth thrown around the area
Colin Elliott very kindly went and cleared it all up. The Parish Council were very grateful
to Colin for doing this as it was a disgusting job.
Canenco have since been and inspected the three sites where the bins are placed, these
are The Mermaid, outside the Church just by the gate at Neame Meadow these are street
bins not for household waste. Canenco have promised that all three bins will be emptied
once a week in future.
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. Some of these are quite deep and residents have complained of twisting their
ankles on them. The Clerk will write to KCC.
The large horse chestnut by the church, half of which collapsed a week or two ago, has
now been reduced to the main fork, about 15 to 20 feet above ground. It can now
regrow over long period of years.

10. Flood Awareness

The Flood Warden reported that Highways had emptied the sump bins below the grilles
in Frog Lane. Sadly, they did not finish the job as the pipe from the sumps to the stream
remains blocked. It should have been jetted clear under water pressure. The Clerk will
report it to Highways.
The drains now are fairly 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.

12. Neame Meadow

ROSPA have inspected the play equipment there is not very much that needs doing. The
Clerk will ask Cllr Cole for a quote to do the necessary repairs and enquire whether he
has got any Wet Pour. If not, the Clerk will order some.

13. Website

Cllr Dutta reported that the website was up to date

14. Correspondence

Emails sent to all
All councillors have been circulated with the correspondence

15. Councillors Responsibilities

Cllr Prestige Nothing to report
Cllr Martin. – Nothing to report
Cllr Dutta – Website – Nothing to report
Cllr Tapley – Nothing to report

16. AOB

It was agreed to contact parishioners informing them of the forth coming Election in May
2023 asking if they might consider standing as a councillor. Notice to be put on the
website, notice boards, and village magazine. The clerks notice of retirement could also
be placed on the 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.
There was no further business

17 Date of next meeting

Wednesday 7 December at 6.0pm in the Conrad Hall.
Please not that in future the Parish Council meetings will be held on Wednesdays at
6.00pm in the Conrad Hall.