GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Local Government for Goudhurst, Kilndown and Curtisden Green
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCIL
at The Jessel Room, Goudhurst Parish Hall on Monday 11 March 2013 at 7.30 pm
PRESENT: Councillors Philip Kirkby (Acting Chairman), Ed Bates, David Boniface, Mrs Jo Loveridge,
Clive Roberts, John Ward and Stephen Wickham.
Borough Cllr Edmund Hastie (until 7.50 pm). 1 member of the public.
APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIRMAN FOR THIS MEETING
369/12 In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman, it was agreed that the Chairman for this meeting be Cllr Philip Kirkby.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
370/12 Apologies for non attendance were accepted from Cllrs Antony Harris (away on business), Barry Noakes (holiday) and Tony Richards (holiday). County Cllr Alex King.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
371/12 There were no Declarations of Interest.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS
372/12 It was Resolved that the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2013, copies of which had been previously distributed to members, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS OR PUBLIC
373/12 There were no questions from the public.
AMENITIES COMMITTEE
The Chairman of the Amenities Committee reported:
374/12 Goudhurst Pond Pump. It was noted that the Committee had switched off the pump for a period up to 11 March to avoid any risk of ice damaging the pump.
375/12 Goudhurst in Bloom 2013. Minute 344/12. It was noted that Mrs Angela Broom has accepted the invitation to organise the Goudhurst in Bloom competition.
376/12 The Parish Clean Up Litter Pick 2013. Minute 343/12. It was noted that Mr Clive Stanford has agreed to organise this year’s event. It will be on the weekend of 20/21 April/
377/12 Goudhurst Fete 2013. Noted that this is to be held on 15 June. Cllr Mrs Jo Loveridge volunteered to attend a meeting of organisers on 18 March 2013.
378/12 Kilndown Quarry Pond Tree removal. Minute 337/12. It was noted that work has been carried out at the agreed cost of £420.00 on the chestnut with rot that had been damaged in recent high winds close the Quarry House.
379/12. Chequer Field ownership. Minute 339/12. After a lengthy discussion it was resolved that the Clerk should write to TWBC Legal Services with a copy to TWBC Leader.
- Would any claim under Goudhurst Parish Council’s (GPC) current property and liability insurance of the facility be rejected by underwriters due to lack of insurable interest?
- If this is the case, can GPC as a matter of urgency have confirmation from TWBC that their insurances apply.
- During TWBC ownership should GPC accept responsibility for the running costs and maintenance?
- What is TWBC's explanation for the delay in the completion of the ownership legal papers? Specifically, why has TWBC Legal Services only recently stated in a conversation with the Clerk that the compulsory purchase may not apply to a small part of the land, contrary to information previously received.
BUSINESS LIAISON COMMITTEE including the SUPERFAST BROADBAND COMMITTEE
The Chairman of the Business Liaison Committee reported verbally:
380/12 Broadband. Minute 313/12. Noted that the Golden Thread group had received a positive report from KCC on progress regarding the Superfast Broadband project for Goudhurst Parish and that further news is expected in the next couple of months. It was noted that Goudhurst St Mary PCC is likely to obtain agreement that discreet aerials be installed on St Mary’s Church tower.
HIGHWAYS AND FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE (including Public Transport)
The Chairman of the Highways & Footpaths Committee reported:
381/12 B2079 Lady Oak Lane and Bedgebury Rd traffic remedials. Minute 349/12. It was noted that local residents wish to carry out local Speed Watch campaign, and it was agreed that Council will assist with that where possible. In the meantime Council understands that a Kent Highways engineer will visit the site to check on the suitable location of various recently installed speed limit signs.
382/12 Recent footpath work undertaken. It was resolved to approve expenditure of £232.00 net of VAT for additional materials from Tate Fencing for PROW local maintenance.
383/12 TWBC Public Consultations. It was noted that Council had recently responded to consultations on
HGV speed limit increases, the TWBC draft transportation strategy, and Car Parks (including Balcombes Hill car park, Goudhurst).
384/12 Footways. It was noted that again Council has received several requests from local residents about the lack of footways leading into Goudhurst Village and Goudhurst & Kilndown CE Primary School. Some have indicated that they intend to raise the issues at the Goudhurst Annual Parish Meeting on 22 April. It was resolved that the Clerk should alert County Cllr Alex King to the situation and to invite a Kent Highways Officer to the meeting.
PARISH COUNCIL OFFICE COMMITTEE
385/12 Following Minute 358/12. It was noted that The Chairman, Cllr Bates and the Clerk had held an initial meeting on site at Goudhurst Parish Hall on 07 March 2013 with Mr John Bullock of John Bullock Design. Mr Bullock is providing some initial consultation time gratis.
YOUTH COMMITTEE
386/12 1st Goudhurst Scouts Group. It was resolved to grant £790.00 to Goudhurst Scouts so that they can purchase 5 Patrol Boxes for the storage of their essential kit at camps and at the Scout Hut. Members noted that the Goudhurst Scouts Group is a very well run and successful youth organisation
PLANNING COMMITTEE
It was resolved to note the following Decisions from TWBC and agree the Representations:
387/12 DECISIONS
12/02539 The Old Dairy Home Farm Bedgebury Road Goudhurst
Part retrospective – Conversion of the Old Dairy to form dwelling
Granted permission
12/02541 The Old Dairy Home Farm Bedgebury Road Goudhurst
Listed Building Consent – Conversion of The Old Dairy to form dwelling
Granted permission
12/03278 Gore Court North Road Goudhurst
Conversion of single dwelling into two dwellings
Refused permission
13/00079 Woodfield House Jarvis Lane Goudhurst
Conversion of garage and store to annexe
Granted permission
13/00116 2 Evergood Cottages Lidwells Lane Goudhurst
Two storey side and rear extension and loft conversion
Withdrawn
388/12 APPLICATIONS
TW/13/00091 OS Plot 6966 London Road Flimwell
Erection of house, stable block, glasshouse, walled garden and associated landscaping
Neutral
Goudhurst Parish Council (GPC) would ask officers to consider the following issues when determining this application:
• The site lies well outside the limits to build and is within the AONB where there is a presumption against development;
• The ‘dutch barn’ design of the building makes no attempt to respect local building styles;
• Many of the energy-saving measures are required on all new buildings, so cannot be regarded as having special merit;
• The landscape improvements are not dependent on the provision of a new building;
• GPC questions whether this proposal qualify under the provisions of para. 11 of PPS7.
TW/13/00189 Little Mill House Church Road Goudhurst
Extension to existing dwelling and interior alterations. Detached Garage
TW/13/00190 Little Mill House Church Road Goudhurst
Listed Building Consent – Extension to existing dwelling and interior alterations. Detached garage.
Neutral
Whilst appreciating that the owners wish to modernise living conditions in their home, Goudhurst Parish Council (GPC) is concerned that the submitted plans illustrate a somewhat radical approach.
• The eastern extension appears to entail the removal of some of the exterior walls;
• The eastern extension on completion will not be read as an extension;
• The replacement of the somewhat dilapidated extension to the north would appear to be a sensible proposal.
TW/13/00211 Oast on the Green Curtisden Green Lane Goudhurst
Wood burner flue on north elevation of the kiln
Recommend refusal
This is the most prominent location on the oast for the siting of a flue and it cannot be claimed that it reflects the original use of the oast for hop drying. Can officers negotiate a different location or cannot the flue remain within the kiln until close to roof level?
TW/12/03029 Smugley Barn Bedgebury Road Goudhurst
Listed Building Consent: Single storey lean to extension to north elevation
Recommend approval
Subject to the views of the Conservation Architect, and on the assumption that the doorway between the extension and barn is an existing opening (the plans do not show this) GPC is content that the application is approved
TW/13/00293 Blackberry Cottage Rogers Rough Road Kilndown
Replace existing conservatory on rear elevation with an oak frame structure
and extend by 1 metre
TW/13/00294 Blackberry Cottage Rogers Rough Road Kilndown
Listed Building Consent: Replace existing conservatory on rear elevation with
an oak frame structure and extend by 1 metre
Recommend approval
Subject to the views of the Conservation Architect GPC is content that the application is approved
TW/13/00311 Brentwood Chequers Road Goudhurst
Conversion of loft space to two bedrooms and en-suite shower room
Recommend refusal
The form of the roof modification to the south west is in direct conflict with TWBC’s Supplementary Planning Document on Alterations and Extensions 2006 (See para. 5.25)
TW/13/00316 2 Etchinghill Cottages Gore Lane Goudhurst
1. Rear extension to the ground floor and dormer extension to rear roof
Recommend approval
An acceptable scheme to modernise living space which will have little impact on the locality or the AONB.
2. Detached garage
Neutral
The submitted plans show a very high roof with windows in 2 gables, but there are no indications as to how this might be accessed or to what use it will be put.
TW/13/00355 Fairmead Back Lane Goudhurst
Removal of existing timber double garage and erection of oak framed double garage
Recommend approval
A more traditional structure than that which it replaces
NOTICE OF REVISED PLANNING APPLICATION DETAILS
TW/13/00190 Little Mill House Church Road Goudhurst
Listed Building Consent: Demolition of workshop, garage and greenhouse.
Erection of single storey rear extension, two storey side extension, detached
double garage and other internal and external alterations
No need to comment. The additional drawings are for clarification only
NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN WORKING GROUP
390/12 Minute 361/12. The Clerk reported on a meeting held at Brenchley on 26 February 2013. Representatives from Brenchley, Capel, Goudhurst, Hawkhurst, Lamberhurst and Paddock Wood Councils attended. It was noted that there is a need to ‘register the area’ of each Neighbourhood Development plan (NDP) to get the process under way. The meeting discussed the Upper Eden NDP, which is the first to be approved nationally, covering the area of the Upper Eden District Council. That District is geographically large while many of the villages are very small. The NDP had cost £30k. The Hawkhurst Parish Council representative proposed that one way forward would be for the TWBC Parishes to cluster. It was suggested and informally agreed that there would be considerable advantages in this as resources, both financial and in terms of shared expertise and time, would be shared. One cluster could be a cluster of Benenden, Cranbrook, Frittenden, Goudhurst, Hawkhurst and Sandhurst. Lamberhurst may join this group. Another cluster could be Capel, Brenchley, Horsmonden, Pembury and Paddock Wood. Although the Parish and Town Councils will oversee the process, it is envisaged that each NDP will be drawn up by a panel consisting of perhaps 20 local residents led by a professional ‘planning adviser’. Members agreed with the clustering suggestion in principle pending further liaison meetings. Cllr Boniface put forward alternative suggestions for the shape of the cluster that Goudhurst Parish might join. It was resolved to approve expenditure of £1,000.00 to be drawn down as required to fund the early stages of an NDP in this area.
MEMBER VACANCIES
391/12 Kilndown Parish Ward. Minute 362/12. The Clerk reported that two residents in the Kilndown Parish Ward have expressed an interest in filling the vacancy. The Clerk suggested that the candidates could be interviewed at an extra Policy and Staffing Committee. It was agreed that the Clerk should discuss this with the Chairman.
392/12 Goudhurst Parish Ward. Minute 363/12. Members noted that one local resident had submitted a written expression of interest. The vacancy is open until 19 March. If no further applications are received before 20 March, Council can co-opt the applicant with clearance from the Returning Officer.
ACCOUNTS
393/12 Resolved unanimously that the following payments be made:
DDR EDF Energy Electricity at Chequer Field £153.13
3214 AVB Farnfield February 13 pay and expenses £1,064.18
3215 HM Revenue & Customs February 13 PAYE and NI £349.94
3216 Goudhurst & Kilndown School Grant for ‘walking bus’ scheme £200.00
3217 GroundsCare & General Maint Burial Grounds – levelling spoil £168.00
3218 Pearson’s Landscapes The Plain etc Maintenance February 2013 £81.90
3219 Peter Watkins PROW maintenance February 2013 £104.50
3220 B&K Electrical Contractors Maintenance at Chequer Field pavilion £104.39
3221 John Brander Tree work (Chestnut) at Quarry Pond Kilndown £420.00
3222 Goudhurst Parish Hall Energy used for Pond pump 2012/13 £230.00
3223 SLCC Enterprises Ltd (AVBF) Clerk training 3 day WWYC course £150.00
3224 Kent County Council Legal fees £21.60
3225 Microshade Business Consultants Citrix server invoice 7120 £51.60
3226 Kent County Council Legal fees £54.00
3227 Tate Fencing PROW maintenance materials £277.31
3228 JK Business Machines Photocopier maintenance contract £264.00
3229 1st Goudhurst Scouts Group Youth support – camping equipt grant £790.00
3230 Golden Hill Nurseries Tree for Kilndown Millennium green £89.95
DDR Veolia Environmental Services Burial Grounds bin February 13 £119.35
394/12 Receipts in February 2013
Burial Board £300.00
Goudhurst United Football Club £712.50
395/12 Bank reconciliation to end February 13. Noted that Council’s cash book balances total £41,265.89
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
396/12 Monday 11 March 2013. Jessel Room in Goudhurst Parish Hall. 7.30 pm
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
397/12 The following items were noted:
- That the Clerk will be on leave from 27 March to 08 April2013.
- Action with Communities in Rural Kent. Rural News Issue 126 of February 2013
- KALC. Parish News No 68 of March 2013,
The Meeting closed at 8.39 pm.
Anthony Farnfield, Clerk
These Minutes are subject to approval at the next meeting of Council
Freedom of Information policy: download policy document (Microsoft Word®)
Clerk to the Parish Council
Anthony Farnfield MBE
clerk@goudhurst.co.uk
www.goudhurst.co.uk
copyright © 2013 Goudhurst Parish Council