Local Community
STAPLE PARISH COUNCIL
STAPLE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes
of a meeting of Staple Parish Council held on 13th March 2008
Councillors
D Facey (Chairman)
District Councillor
S Chandler
Mrs P Heathfield (Clerk)
3 members of the public
1.
Apologies – Cllr Russell, Cllr
Caspell and Cllr Bartlett. The Clerk explained that Cllr Bartlett was attending
a DDC Planning Committee Meeting to make representations for planning
applications in the ward.
2. Declarations of
Interest for items to be discussed during the meeting –
None.
3. Minutes of the meetings held on 7th and 10th February 2008 - The minutes of both meetings were approved and signed
4. Matters arising from
the minutes of the last meeting
Kent
County Council Draft Permit Scheme –
This document had been circulated from the last meeting. After some discussion,
it was agreed that the Parish Council have no comment to make.
Staple
Signs (Millennium) – Cllr Boorman
reported that one of the signs has been taken down for refurbishment.
5.
Public Question Time
Cllr Facey adjourned the meeting
for the members of the public to speak.
Mr Doble reported that he had
contacted DDC Planning regarding the fence at Barnsole Farm, Fleming Road and it
would appear that DDC have forgotten about this. The Clerk agreed to chase this
up.
Mr Harmer mentioned that the
graffiti on the gate at The Street entrance to the village was showing through
the paint. The Clerk reported that the Parish Council had been aware of this for
some time and that the gate will be sanded down and repainted. This would be
done when the weather improves.
6.
District Councillor’s Report –
Cllr Chandler reported that at the last full DDC meeting discussions had taken
place regarding the progression of the East Kent Cluster of Councils which would
include Dover, Thanet, Shepway and Canterbury. This is being set up for the
councils to work together for the economy of scale of services and will
encourage the sharing of contracted services and expertise between all four
councils. DDC have agreed their budget for the forthcoming financial year which
is a balanced budget with no service cuts. There will be a 4.9% increase in the
DDC proportion of the council tax which equates to 13p per week on a band D
property. Central Government settlement has increased by 1%. Discussion took
place regarding the DDC budget and Cllr Chandler will provide additional figures
to the Cllrs. There has been a meeting of the Joint Transportation Board which
discussed the new scoring system for highway works on traffic schemes. The
criteria to be met for this include access to town centres, congestion, air
quality and safety. It was evident that this worked against rural schemes as it
was nearly impossible to score points in some of the criteria. Cllr Chandler
reported that she had made representations at that meeting concerning this
matter as this would mean that rural schemes probably won’t score anywhere
near enough points to be considered. Cllr Chandler also reported that there are
33 planning appeals in the district of which 17 are in the Little Stour and
Ashstone ward.
7.
Planning including those arising from previous meetings
–
Erection
of two storey side extension and rear conservatory extension (existing
conservatory to be demolished) at Mill Cottage, Mill Road, Staple (TR 276:563) –
After much discussion it was agreed by all Cllrs to positively support this
application
The
Old Nursery, School Lane, Staple (TR 271:566) – This
was discussed at the site meeting. Awaiting reply from DDC.
Renewal
of outline planning permission DOV/04/00960 for the erection of one dwelling at
site at Farthing Cottage, Lower Road, Staple (TR272:567) – The
Clerk reported that this was due to be heard at the DDC Planning Committee
meeting and Cllr Bartlett was to make representations against this application,
however it had been withdrawn earlier today with DDC citing that it was an
invalid application as it requires a design access statement which is indicative
information for this application.
Animal
Farm – The Clerk reported that a
letter had been sent to the Planning Inspectorate which had been based on
previous representations and additional comments made by Cllrs via email after
they had reviewed the appeal details. An acknowledgement from the Planning
Inspectorate has been received.
Barnsole
Cottage – A copy of a reply from Mr Flisher at DDC to residents in the parish
concerning this application had been circulated to all Cllrs for their
information.
The
Lodge - The Clerk reported that she
has received notification from DDC that an appeal has been made to the Planning
Inspectorate concerning this application. Any representations that have been
previously made to DDC have been sent to the Planning Inspectorate. After some
discussion it was agreed to confirm this point with DDC and to write to the
Inspectorate reiterating the original representations.
8.
Highways Report
Speed
Limit Adjustment – Cllr Facey
reported that both the Clerk and Cllr Bartlett had sent emails and letters to
Cllr Ridings concerning the signs at Barnsole and the issue of speeding traffic
in the village. Cllr Ridings was invited to attend this meeting but had a prior
engagement. A copy of a lengthy reply has been received which was written by Mr
Elvey from KCC Highways. This reply gave a lot of irrelevant information and did
not provide details of the current situation and exactly where we are in the
process for the movement of the speed limit. After much discussion, it was
agreed to write to Mr Elevy thanking him for his reply and requesting details of
how long this will take, when will this be done and what sort of priority we
have. It was also agreed to write to Cllr Ridings with copies of emails,
requesting confirmation that he has seen them as there is no evidence of this
from the paperwork we have received.
Village
Gates – See point 5.
Street
Lighting – Cllr Brooman reported that the light in Lower Road is still not
working. This is due to a fault on the overhead cable for this light and repairs
are to be carried out by EDF. Cllr Facey reported that the light at the top of
School Lane is also not working.
Speeding
Traffic A257 – Cllr Facey read a
copy of a letter sent to KCC Highways by Mr & Mrs Jolin from Shatterling
concerning the speeding traffic resulting in a number of accidents along the
A257, also mentioning traffic calming matters and street lighting. After much
discussion it was agreed to write to KCC Highways highlighting the points raised
and detailing our support of Mr & Mrs Jolin’s letter and to Mr & Mrs
Jolin. It was also agreed to ask if we could be copied in on all correspondence.
9.
Dog Fouling – Cllr Facey reported
that the dog bin at Barnsole has been installed. Cllr Bartlett is to obtain the
leaflets as previously discussed and these are to be distributed with the APM
notices.
10.
Annual Parish Meeting – Cllr Facey
reported that this will be on Wednesday 9th April 2008 at 7.30pm. Mr
Flisher from DDC Planning Department will be attending and giving the talk.
After some discussions it was agreed that refreshments will include wine, soft
drinks and nibbles. The Clerk to organise.
11.
Village Hall Report – Cllr White
reported that a quote has been requested to extend the fencing beside the gates
up to the building. The Village Hall Committee will be discussing hiring rates
shortly. A lively discussion took place concerning the requirements of the
Charity’s Commission for sums to be set aside. Clarification on the number and
style of tables as previously discussed was required by the Village Hall
Committee.
12.
Footpaths Report – Cllr Brooman reported that emails have been received concerning the
parish footpath sign which it is hoped will be completed by the end of March.
The footpath in Barnsole to the side of Owls Hatch is overgrown.
13.
Transport Report – The Clerk read an email she has received concerning problems with
buses arriving late or not arriving at all. It was agreed to pass this to Cllr
Russell to deal with.
14. Finance Report
Payments for approval - Mrs
P H Heathfield - £150.00 – Clerk’s salary for February 2008, Mrs J Raggett
- £272.91 – Churchyard mowing plus expenses, Dover District Council – £awaiting
invoice - Provision of dog bin, it was proposed by Cllr Kirk and seconded by
Cllr Brooman that these are paid. All agreed.
15. Correspondence
Letter from KCC Highways
concerning the draft cycling strategy for the Dover District. To be passed to
Cllr Russell.
Invitation from CPRE to their
AGM on 3 April 2008.
Email from PC Nicola Steele from
Kent Police regarding the Partners and Community Together Process and the newly
allocated PCSO. After some discussions it was agreed that she could attend our
Annual Parish Meeting to talk about this and to introduce the new PCSO providing
she is on shift.
Letter from Cllr Russell
tendering his resignation from the Parish Council as from the APM in April. It
was with regret that the Cllrs accepted this. A letter of thanks is to be sent
to him.
The following items are to be
circulated amongst the Cllrs: -
Dover
District Guide
Stour
View – Spring 2008
Green
Gang – Easter 2008
The Shingle Issue – Autumn/Winter 2007/2008
Dungeness National Nature Reserve leaflet
Dover District CPRE Newsletter – February 2008
KCC Letter regarding Dover Neighbourhood Forums
CPRE Kent Viewpoint – Spring 2008
Letters from Wingham Parish Council regarding the Aylesham Expansion
16. Any Other Business
– Cllr Facey reminded the Cllrs that the Country Fayre will be on Sunday 29th
June 2008 and would ask that all Cllrs help if at all possible. All agreed.
17. Date of next meeting
– the next meeting will be on Wednesday 9th April 2008 at 7.00pm
followed by the Annual Parish Meeting at 7.30pm at Staple Village Hall.