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WALTHAM PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 09 MAY 2012
Present: Parish Cllr Sue Browne Parish Cllr Jenny Oram Parish Cllr Alastair Bailey City Cllr Rosemary Doyle City Cllr Robert Thomas
Miss Chenice Sparkes, Clerk to the Council 1 member of the public was present Apologies received from Cllr Ben Grillet.
1. ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR THE COUNCIL YEAR 2012-2013 Cllr Oram proposed and Cllr Browne seconded that Cllr Wilton should be Chairman for another year. Cllr Wilton accepted the position. 2. ELECTION OF THE VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE COUNCIL YEAR 2012-2013 Cllr Browne proposed and Cllr Wilton seconded that Cllr Oram should take up the position. Cllr Oram accepted the nomination.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest.
4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 APRIL 2012 The Minutes were signed as a true record of the meeting.
5. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING MINUTES 18 APRIL 2012 The minutes were discussed and Cllrs decided that a number of alterations to both the body of the text and contributors’ reports for grammar and wording were needed to be made before they can be published. Amendments to be resolved after the meeting by email.
6. INFORMATION MATTERS ARISING (i) Cllr Wilton reported that an article had been published in the PAWS magazine asking for residents’ comments on where to plant the purchased Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Oak tree. No comments have been received to date.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE MEETING (i) An applicant spoke to Cllrs on behalf of his retrospective planning application CA/12/00262/FUL, presenting photographs showing how the property is viewed from the road. The Cllrs had a number of questions for the applicant which were answered and they thanked the applicant for attending the meeting.
7. Planning Matters CA/12/00262/FUL – A change of use of annexe to separate residential dwelling and single-storey extension to former annexe at Ashfield Lodge, Ashfield Farm. It was understood from the applicant the measure was only temporary until such a time as they can build their “dream house” although the application did not state that the permission sought was a temporary one. The Parish Council discussed the application and was concerned about the impact the disposal of additional waste water and sewage of the dwelling would have on the ground water supply. The Clerk was asked to write to Canterbury City Council to voice concerns about ground water contamination and ask for a condition that the division of the property into two dwellings should only be temporary.
CA/12/00262/FUL – Replacement of store and pig shed with detached building to provide domestic storage/garaging and a self-contained annex; alterations to vehicular access at Oast House Farm, Stone Street. The Parish Council have no objections to the proposals. They believe the building to be well designed and that there is a lot of space to accommodate the proposal. They did however ask the Clerk to write to Canterbury City Council to request a condition that the new development should not be sold into separate ownership from the Oast House.
CA/12/00679/FUL and CA/12/00683/LB – Single storey extension to rear of dwelling at Sheepcourt Farm, Duckpit Road. The Parish Council have no objections to the proposal but requested that the Clerk to write to Canterbury City Council to ask for the windows to be wooden instead of UVPC to be in keeping with its listed building status.
CA/12/00708/FUL and CA/12/00709/LB – Extensions and alterations to farmhouse and barn and erection of freestanding barn. The Parish Council have no objections to the proposals but would like a condition that the site remain in single ownership.
8. Finance (i) A cheque for Richard Barton – internal auditor fee totalling £40 was authorised at the meeting but not raised. (ii) At the last statement received, the Account balances at 30 April 2012 were: Deposit £1464.29 Current £10,473.47 Reserves £3252.21 (iii) The Chairman took the Annual Return for closer scrutiny and signature. (iv) The Parish Council decided to update the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations dating back to 2003 through a sub-committee. The sub-committee will consist of Cllr Wilton and Cllr Oram with the invitation to other Cllrs to attend committee meetings if they wish. (v) The Office and Finance Risk Assessment and the Statement of Internal Control adoption will be decided at the next meeting. (vi) Decision whether to outsource the Clerk’s pay was also deferred until the next meeting.
9. Reports from County and City Councillors (i) Cllr Doyle reported that she had attended a tour of The Beaney library on Tuesday 8 May and reported the restoration work has been carried out well and the new gallery is very light and airy. The Beaney is due to open on Tuesday 4 September 2012. (ii) Cllr Doyle also reported that next week a new Lord Mayor will be chosen at the Mayor Making ceremony. (iii) Cllr Thomas reported that the planning legislative changes including the Local Planning Framework are starting to make an impact at Canterbury City Council. A decision is also being made next week concerning changes to planning committees –fewer members but more experts. (iv) Cllr Doyle reported that the tourist visitor site, the City Gaol has now been reopened after an agreement was reached between the joint owners. It is hoped that now the Westgate Towers are closed to traffic it will make it easier for people to access the Gaol. (v) Councillors expressed their concern about the considerable inconvenience to traffic as a result of the closure of the West Gate Towers to private vehicles and the ensuing traffic congestion and emission levels concentrated in the alternative routes of London Road and Military Road. Cllr Doyle explained that the changes were an experiment for one year only and the effect on traffic and the City will be reviewed during this period. (vi) Cllr Thomas also reported that in the next six to twelve months the housing requirement of the Local Plan will be considered and decided. Cllr Doyle reported she had attended a workshop on Saturday 5 May 2012. (vii) Cllr Doyle reported she had visited a new Traffic Management Centre in Aylesford. She also reported that pollution testing of certain roads around Canterbury is being carried out to gauge where the most polluted areas are and what vehicles pollute the most. The testing ends Friday 11 May 2012.
10. Update on Committees (i) Waltham Sport and Recreation Ground Committee (WSRA) Nothing new to report
(ii) Village Hall Committee Cllr Bailey reported that he had obtained copies of all the documentation from Petham Village Hall to use as a basis for Waltham. Cllr Oram reported she had been given a contact number for the ex chairman of the previous Village Hall Committee who was in post in the 1980’s. Cllr Bailey also reported that repairs have been made to the Village Hall. A rotten fascia board has been removed and subsequently new guttering has been installed.
11. Correspondence The Clerk reported that she had received a letter from the Lord Mayor asking for any nominations for the Lord Mayor’s Award 2012. The award is given to members of the public who have committed selfless acts for others in the community. If any members of the public wish to nominate someone in the community then they should email the Clerk at c.sparkes@waltham.org by 20 June 2012.
12. HIGHWAYS None
13. THE VILLAGE MAP AND STAND Cllr Browne reported that a resident in the village has taken a copy of the draft map and volunteered to provide pen and ink drawings of houses in the village. The drawings will be of both old and new houses to reflect the character of the village.
14. THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE Cllr Wilton and Cllr Browne reported that most of the events will be carried out on Sunday 3 June 2012 on the field opposite the Hall. A marquee has been offered. Villagers are invited to bring their own picnic and a cake or dessert. The cakes and desserts will be on display tables for the community to share and help themselves. This will be followed by traditional games on the field. A bonfire will be lit on the Recreation Ground on the Monday evening. Cllr Oram reported that the insurance company, Came and Company, have quoted to insure the marquee for the weekend celebrations for £25.
15. CHANGE OF MEETING DATE IN AUGUST The Parish Council decided to change the Parish Council meeting date in August from Wednesday 8 August to Wednesday 22 August.
16. Environment Nothing to report.
17. Any Other Business Nothing to report
The meeting closed at 10.23pm. The next monthly meeting will be held at Waltham Village Hall on Wednesday 13 June at 7:30pm.
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