GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCIL Local Government for Goudhurst and Kilndown

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE AMENITIES COMMITTEE
held in The Jessel Room, on Tuesday, 27th November 2007 at 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT: Cllrs Mrs Stafford (Chairman), Mrs Edmonston, Boniface, Kirkby and Ward. Mr Graham Clark for first part of meeting.

Christmas Lights. Mr. Graham Clark briefed members on previous years’ experiences.
Cllr Mrs. Stafford reported that in Kilndown the Village Hall and the Quarry Centre would be glad to be included. Cllr Kirkby had kindly carried out a PAT test and all appliances conformed. Cllr Mrs. Stafford had purchased extra lights, circuit breakers, hooks and cables. GPC is asked to approve payment of £111.11 (pre-VAT).
Portable PA System. Mr. Dennis Knight had suggested, following a failure at last summer’s Goudhurst Fête, that a system be purchased for the use of voluntary organizations in the parish. It would be stored at Goudhurst Village Hall and Mr. Knight would service and lend out the apparatus. It is suggested that no loan charge be made but a suitable deposit be held against damage. As it would be GPC’s purchase, it is assumed the equipment would be added to our insurance. There are three quotes: D & I Pearce Ltd. £1000-1200; Sound Ranger Ltd. £1084; Midland Comm. £1211; all ex-VAT. Mr. Knight is willing to arrange demonstrations at Glebe Field. GPC is asked to approve the purchase of a Portable P A System up to £1300 ex-VAT, with the decision on which model resting with Mr. Knight and any Councillor who wishes to participate.
Pond Warden. Mr Romilly Wallis-Hosken had volunteered for the post of Pond Warden, thus relinquishing the duties of Tree Warden. The Committee were in agreement and favoured a survey of ponds in the parish. It was hoped Lord Cornwallis would agree to act as Tree Warden for the whole parish. GPC is asked to approve.
BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) has sent information of grants available for wildlife and pond projects. Details have been sent on to David Denton in Kilndown and Lynda Shepherd at Finchcocks. It was suggested a mention be included in the Chairman’s report in the Parish Magazine. BTCV, who offer training courses, has asked if GPC would give an annual grant for each Warden to help with their work. It is envisaged that Mr Wallis-Hosken would attend some courses. GPC is asked to consider a grant of £100 for one Warden for 2007/8.
Goudhurst Pond on The Plain. Cllrs Mrs Stafford and Crookall have had discussions re softening the outline of the Pond and introducing more natural shade to counteract algae in hot weather. We await a quote from David Weeks of Merriments for an experimental bed of plants plus water lilies, to be planted in April. Mr Weeks also suggested interspersing the berberis in front of the Village Hall with green, flowering shrubs and GPC’s views are sought on this.
The Plain - Returfing. It was agreed at GPC 12 November 07 that £1200 be spent to returf The Plain but there was a question of funding. TWBC’s Mr Brian Hayward is 80% sure that he can fund it provided other items in the Conservation Appraisal do not overrun. He has suggested that GPC goes ahead with this urgent work and hope that he will be able to grant us the funds later. GPC is asked to approve.
Conservation Appraisal. Since the Committee meeting, the PCC has approved the design for a replacement light in St. Mary’s Churchyard. GPC is asked to agree. Work on the post and railings on The Plain will not begin until the New Year. We have written to the owners of The Vine to seek their cooperation in renewing their posts and rails. A list of projects is attached to these Minutes.
High Weald Forest Design Plan. Cllrs Mrs Chudley and Stafford attended a meeting at Bedgebury Visitor Centre and Cllr Mrs Chudley’s report is attached.
BMX Track at Lurkins Rise Play Area. The area has now been levelled and cleared of shrubs by Mr Chris Watts. The cost of £120 + VAT has already been approved by GPC.
Kilndown Village Hall. The completed Transfer Deed is still awaited from the Solicitor.
CCTV - We are still awaiting quotes.
2008/09 Contracts. We have received a quote from Total Landscapes for work on The Plain and War Memorial (+14.3%) and a quote from KCC Landscape Services for grass cutting at Lurkins Rise Play Area for £183.36 (3.5% increase). These are very modest increases for continuously good work. GPC is asked to approve for 2008/9.
Alcohol Licence. Goudhurst Newsagents have applied to TWBC for an alcohol licence, Monday to Sunday, 0800-2300 hours. GPC’s views sought.

Cllr Mrs. Barbara Stafford
03.12.07

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AMENITIES COMMITTEE
Conservation Area Appraisal for Goudhurst and Kilndown – Progress Report

Work Completed
Goudhurst
The Plain - Chestnut reduced.
Limes pollarded
Oak and a.n.other replaced
Cement bin removed
Manor House - Pleached Limes replace beech trees

Kilndown
Quarry Centre - New Notice Board
Forecourt replenished
Oak bollards to protect notice boards
Quarry Pond - Extensive Tree work

Work in Progress
Goudhurst
St. Mary’s - Replacement Light
The Plain - Replacement Post and Rail Fence
{The Plain - Returfing}
The Plain - 3 Waste Bins
Glebe Field Area 2 Waste Bins
Back Lane Timber Bollards to grass verge on Church side – URGENT.

Work still on Wish List (Some items may be obsolete now)
Goudhurst
The Plain - Replace existing pole with tourist signs with traditional finger post, black lettering on white background. Possibly charge KCC Highways and other users.
Everywhere Replace tubular steel road sign posts with oak. Number will be subject to rationalizing all signs and will need consultation with Highways. Not urgent.
The Plain Uplighting of trees. Not urgent.
The Vine Hotel Replacement of posts and chains, similar to The Plain, and replacement of brick support wall with stone.

Bray’s Alley Replace steel guard rail at Clayhill end with timber version. Highways not helpful on this.
Balcombes Hill Car Park Possible cobble stone edging. Rule out tree planting.
Hunts Lane Replace steel tubing with oak posts at North Road end.
Bedgebury Road Pedestrian access to village. Possible footway through trees on land to the west of Whites and below the car park.

Kilndown
Quarry Pond Reduce hedge between Church Road and pond to allow views through.
Christ Church Upgrade path across Churchyard.
Christ Church Improve slippery steps from Churchyard into Rogers Rough Road.
Christ Church York Stone step to Lych Gate threshold.
Bus stop Replace fingerpost.

 

Cllr Mrs Barbara Stafford
03.12.07

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REPORT OF AMENITIES COMMITTEE
for the Parish Council Meeting on 10 September 2007

Area between Bus Shelter and Wheelwright’s in North Road. The new owner of the Wheelwrights, Mr Peter Wain has offered to tend the gravelled area. He would like to plant lavender to continue the display at Rose Villa and Culpepper Mews. The committee recommends acceptance of this kind offer, and suggests the Clerk write to Mr Wain accordingly.

Vine Hotel. The annual live music event took place on Bank Holiday Monday, 27th August. The steel band music was softer than usual and ended at 9 pm promptly. Neighbours are in touch with TWBC Environmental Services concerning late night/early morning noise on other occasions.

Cllr Mrs. Barbara Stafford
31.08.07

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ADDENDUM TO AMENITIES COMMITTEE REPORT
for the Parish Council Meeting on 10 September 2007

Town & Country Housing Response. James Briggs, District Housing Manager, has promised action on all the points raised in Amenities Report of 04.07.07 at John Stacey Heights, High Ridge and Mary Day’s except the question of lowering the lights at John Stacey Heights. T & C consider that dimming them has solved the problem. GPC does not agree and the views of residents who had previously complained are being sought.

Citizens’ Advice Bureau. GPC contributes annually to the CAB which is well used by parishioners. A paper listing previous payments has already been circulated with the Agenda. GPC is asked to approve payment of £300 for 2007/08.

Kilndown Village Hall. The transfer of the hall in trust to Kilndown Village Hall Committee has still not been completed. The Clerk’s eagle eye spotted two very important omissions in what had been hoped was the final form.

Goudhurst in Bloom. Presentation of prizes will take place at The Vine Hotel on Wednesday, 12th September, at 6.30 p.m. This competition has gone from strength to strength in the last 10 years since Mrs Marian Sargeant conceived the idea and organized the annual event which now judges summer floral displays in three categories:
Dench Cup Private gardens
Hugo Cup Business premises
Jonica Fox Plate Public houses
Sadly, Marian has said she is handing in her trowel so GPC will need to think of who will continue this work.

Cllr Mrs. Barbara Stafford
06.09.07

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AMENITIES COMMITTEE
Report for the Parish Council Meeting of 12th November 2007

Conservation Area Appraisal - After discussion with Mr Brian Hayward, TWBC’s Senior Design and Heritage Officer, the following has been agreed:
Waste Bins will be installed outside Glebe Field and the Church Rooms and will be serviced by TWBC.
Turfing of The Plain. It is 80% possible that this can be funded by the Appraisal so long as other committed works do not overrun budget.
Quarry Centre, Kilndown. The oak posts have been installed to protect access to the notice boards. Richard Crumpling is to be thanked on an excellent job. Clerk to write.
Post and Railings at The Plain and Village Hall. Work is planned to begin end November/early
December 07.
Post and Railings at The Vine Hotel. Replacement to match The Plain (except with traditional spike chain instead of tubing) and new stone wall to replace unsightly low brick wall surrounding car park is priced at £2,355 ex-VAT. GPC to consider if owner or manager of The Vine should be approached for permission to carry out works and if a contribution can be made to the cost. GPC to consider if the cost can be carried in this year’s budget.

Lurkins Rise Recreation Area. Arrangements have been made for the disposal of arisings on the removal of bushes when the BMX area is levelled.

Goudhurst Pond – a meeting has been arranged with the Curator of the Pinetum, Mr. Chris Reynolds, on 12th November. This is to discuss possible renovation work.

CCTV - A separate report by Peter Rolington follows this report.

Public Announcement System - It has been suggested by Mr. Dennis Knight that an indoor/outdoor PA System should be purchased and be available for hire by all parish organizations. He has submitted a quote for £1,226 and the Clerk is obtaining further quotes. This will be discussed at the next Amenities Committee meeting on 27 November.

Payments - Cllr Mrs. Stafford has expended £45.91 on plants, bulbs and compost for the Trough and £6.45 for copies of keys to the Village for PCSO Newman. For a total of £52.36. GPC is asked to approve payment.

Kilndown Village Hall - The Clerk has signalled an end to this lengthy legal saga of purchase by Goudhurst Parish Council from the Diocese and handover to the Kilndown Recreation Hall Trust and that papers should be ready for signature by mid-November.

Cllr Mrs. Barbara Stafford
05.11.07

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AMENITIES COMMITTEE
Addendum to Report for Goudhurst Parish Council Meeting of 12.11.07

Conservation Area Appraisal - TWBC has proposed the attached design of the light for the path leading to the steps in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Back Lane entrance. There is an urgent need for GPC to comment as the PCC’s approval must be sought and the contractor has already been engaged by TWBC to install the light. Cllr Mrs. Stafford has also asked Mr Brian Hayward to consider a black rim for the light on the steps – if all else fails perhaps the present rim could be painted black.

Specifications are: 4 metres in height
Anti-vandal glass cover (of bulb)
Movement sensor
Colour – Black (suggested by GPC)

Cllr Mrs. Barbara Stafford
09.11.07

clerk@goudhurst.co.uk

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