Challock Parish Council Meeting (Edited Minutes)
Memorial Hall, Audrey Allen room
Thursday 16th January 2014, 7.30pm
Members of public present: 3
Apologies
David Robey (ABC Cabinet meeting)
Present
Roger Spicer, Stephen Brandon, John Ramsden, Akile Clinton, Michael Fisher, Diane Ashworth, Nichola Fox, Kirstie Wooltorton (Clerk), Diane Sandy (Assistant Clerk)
Minutes of Last Meeting
Minutes of 28th November 2013 meeting were signed by Roger Spicer as an accurate record.
Peter Willows
Peter confirmed he has been carrying out high visibility patrols. A property undergoing renovation in Church Lane has had tools and equipment stolen.
Diane Ashworth asked Peter if he knew when the Police Forum would be re-started. Peter will find out and inform Clerk.
Parish Council Budget 2014-2015
Parish Council Budget 2014-2015
Budget report given to Councillors for approval at meeting (This had been previously emailed to Councillors to consider)
Councillors considered the 2014 - 2015 Parish Council budget
Ashford Borough Council is cutting the grants it gives to Challock Parish Council by approximately £4,000 over the next two years
The Parish Council has responded by making cuts of its own but it will be necessary to increase the Parish Precept. The Precept will increase by £1,000 to £16,000 for the 2014-2015 financial year to help offset the cuts
This small increase actually represents less than 0.2 per cent of the average family’s Council Tax bill which is less than 5 pence a week
The Precept form must be returned to Ashford Borough Council by 24th January 2014
Clerk to complete and return the Precept form
Clerk’s Report
Landscaping
The Groundsman cut the hedge along the walking bus footpath
The Groundsman cut the hedge along Canterbury Road near the Barn Shop
Highway Issues
The Groundsman has filled potholes on all three Lees tracks
Clerk reported potholes in Blind Lane and Canterbury Road to KHS
Clerk reported fallen tree on Canterbury Road to KHS
Salt bag from Kent Highways has been delivered to the verge at St Cosmas Close
Vandalism
Nothing to report
Funding
Nothing to report
Play area
Nothing to report
Correspondence
Letter from Village Fund Trustees confirming award of grants. Noted
Email from ABC regarding budget consultation paper. Noted
Email from NHW liaison officer regarding theft of tools from a property in Church Lane. Noted
Parish Precept form from ABC. Clerk to return form
Email from resident reporting dangerous trees on the hill in Church Lane. Clerk reported this to Eastwell Park and they cut and removed the trees. Noted
Planning applications
Planning application update given to Councillors. Application discussed at meeting
Leesview House, Canterbury Road, Challock, Ashford, Kent, TN25 4DF
Erection of garage extension
Councillors supported this application.
Items for Information
Village Confines
The report will be submitted to Ashford Borough Council’s Cabinet on 13th February for approval
Goose Fair storage container
The Clerk will arrange for the delivery of the storage container as soon as ground conditions improve
Parish Council Audit
Kevin Funnell, the Parish Council Auditor, will be carrying out the Parish Council Audit on 25th April 2014
William Oure Charity
Letter has been sent to Mr Nightingale to request the £150 rent payment for the Poor Field. Clerk to send résumé of the Charity to Nicholas Fox
Christmas power cut
Approximately 40 properties in the village were left without power for six days over the Christmas period, following stormy weather on 23rd December 2013.
Clerk checked that the elderly were being looked after and arranged for the Red Cross to visit elderly St Cosmas Close
Trees on Post Office road
Clerk has arranged for UK Power Networks to disconnect the power on Friday 24th January to enable the Groundsman to cut two leaning trees
The work should take approximately two hours. UKPN will be notifying affected properties
Parish Council phone line
The phone line has been dead since 23rd December 2013. BT have had numerous problems in Challock and the phone line will be fixed as soon as possible
Kent Association and Local Council (KALC)
Akile Clinton updated Councillors with the latest news from the KALC Ashford Area Committee meeting
Renewal of domestic water supply pipe to Haverbrack
The owner of Haverbrack needs to renew their water supply pipe and has requested permission to cross the Lees with a new pipe. Councillors agreed to this request providing the trench is suitably fenced and reinstated to the satisfaction of the Parish Council
Hazard assessment of trees on the Lees
Clerk is meeting Envirocology Ltd, tree care specialists, on Friday 17th January, who will undertake a free hazard assessment of trees on the Lees
Remaining Parish Council meeting dates for 2014
Thursday 20th March
Thursday 29th May
Thursday 24th July
Thursday 18th September
Thursday 27th November
The meeting closed at 8.25pm
The next Parish Council meeting is on Thursday 20th March 2014
