GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Local Government for Goudhurst, Kilndown and Curtisden Green
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF GOUDHURST PARISH COUNCILat Goudhurst Parish Hall on Monday 09 January 2012 at 7.30 pm
PRESENT: Councillors Harris (Chairman), Bates, Mrs Glendinning, Kirkby, Mrs Loveridge, Noakes, Richards, Roberts, Mrs Russell, Ward and Wickham. Borough Cllr Edmund Hastie (until 7.50 pm).
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
425/11 Cllr Boniface (family bereavement). Also County Cllr Alex King.
DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST
426/11 None.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
427/11 Resolved: that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2011, copies of which had been previously distributed to Members, be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
REPORTS FROM COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS
428/11 Borough Cllr Hastie reported that in briefings on the Local Development framework he had learned that there are a number of dwellings in Goudhurst that have been empty for a significant period. Members believe these are all privately owned properties.
429/11 Lurkins Rise Play Area. Borough Cllr Hastie reported that he had received a request for swings and possibly other play equipment to be installed at Lurkins Rise Play Area. Resolved that the Chairman of Amenities and Youth Committees should carry out an initial feasibility study on the request.
AMENITIES COMMITTEE
430/11 Christmas lights: Council acknowledged with thanks the work of Cllrs Bates, Mrs Loveridge, Wickham and Mr Tom Crookall for installing this year’s Christmas lights I the centre of Goudhurst.
BURIAL BOARD
431/11 Tree in St Mary’s Churchyard. It was noted that one of the Elder trees at the west end of the Churchyard had fallen during the recent high winds. The Chairman of the Burial Board reported that the Clerk has arranged for Mr Steve Bryant to remove it.
HIGHWAYS AND FOOTPATHS COMMITTEE
432/11 B2079 Lady Oak Lane. Minute 388/11. Noted that County Cllr Alex King is following up with KCC Highways regarding the funding of the 40 mph signs.
433/11 Pedestrian Sign at the junction of A262 and Tattlebury Lane. Noted: the requested sign has been established by KCC Highways and local residents have indicated that they are very pleased.
434/11 Fallen Trees. Members reported that Kent Highways had responded quickly and efficiently to remove trees that had fallen across roads in the Parish during recent high winds.
SUPERFAST BROADBAND COMMITTEE
The Chairman of the Superfast Broadband Committee presented a report dated 02 January 2012:
435/11 Minute 399/11. Noted: There is to be a meeting in the Star and Eagle, Goudhurst on 20 January for any suppliers to raise questions relating to the bid documents.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
It was resolved to note the following Decisions from TWBC and agree the Representations:
436/11 DECISIONS
TW/11/01855 Village Life The Stores North Road Goudhurst
Removal of redundant outbuildings and construction of a 4 bedroom dwelling
Refused permission
TW/11/02032 Village Life The Sores North Road Goudhurst
Conservation Area Consent: Proposed demolition of outbuildings to the west of the stores
Granted permission
TW/11/02326 Bedgebury Pinetum Bedgebury Road Goudhurst
Reconfiguration of layout to increase parking capacity from 250 spaces to 431 and introduction of substantial elements of soft landscaping; Installation of new pay on exit system comprising entry and exit barriers and a paypoint; Installation of new signage within car park.
Granted permission
TW/11/02457 Whites Bedgebury Road Goudhurst
Creation of a wildlife pond in rear garden
Granted permission
TW/11/02664 Land adj Popes Row Chicks Land Kilndown
Demolition of existing storage building and construction of 3 bed detached dwelling
Granted permission
TW/11/02833 Brandfold Terrace Cottage North Road Goudhurst
Replacement dwelling
Granted permission
TW/11/03139 1 Marlingate Cottages Bedgebury Road Goudhurst
Two-storey side extension
Granted permission
TW/11/03265 Meadow View Jarvis Lane Goudhurst
Installation of bunded oil tank
Granted permission
TW/11/03300 Finchcocks Oast Finchcocks Farm Goudhurst
Tennis court
Granted permission
TW/11/03359 Rickyard Cottage and Hayloft Cottage Risebridge Farm Ranters Lane Goudhurst
Garden lobby and external alterations
Granted permission
TW/11/03360 The Coach House Gore Lane Goudhurst
Demolition of conservatory and replace with a single storey dining room, boot room + cloakroom addition plus double carport with master bedroom suite over and minor alterations
Granted permission
TW/11/03364 Shearnfold Oast Church Road Kilndown
Demolition of farm buildings and erection of four bed detached dwelling. Oast house to be retained as residential annexe
Withdrawn
TW/11/03396 Swan Farm Swan Lane Goudhurst
Listed Building Consent for a flue to central heating boiler works already complete
Granted permission
TW/11.03456 Bricklayers West Road Goudhurst
Listed Building Consent: New door to existing cupboard from bedroom 2 on first floor. Relining the walls and ceiling in the study on the second floor.
Granted permission
TW/11/03482 Curtisden Green Farmhouse Curtisden Green Lane Goudhurst
Retrospective – Combined garden store, potting shed, log store and attached pergola; Extension to existing terrace; Garden walls and paths
Granted permission
437/11 APPLICATIONS
TW/11/03621 Little Barden North Road Goudhurst
Retrospective: Renewal of garage roof and roller shutter door. Increasing
width of driveway to enable parking of an additional car. Construction of
400mm retaining wall for landscaping purposes above garage roof
Recommend approval
Subject to Highways being satisfied that there are no safety issues to which this application gives rise, GPC is content that the application is approved.
Delegate
438/11 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TW/11/03396 Swan Farm Swan Lane Goudhurst
Listed Building Consent: For a flue to central heating boiler – works already complete
It has been brought to the attention of Goudhurst Parish Council (GPC) that the subject of this retrospective LBC application is causing a loss of amenity to the immediately neighbouring property through the emission of fumes and the generation of noise. GPC urges planning officers to liaise with Building Control and Environmental Services staff to ascertain that this installation is fully compliant with the necessary regulations before issuing a decision notice.
ACCOUNTS
439/11 Resolved unanimously that the following payments be made:
DDR BT Broadband line for CCTV Oct – Dec 11 £158.74
3024 AVB Farnfield December 11 pay and expenses £1,046.26
3025 HM Revenue & Customs December 11 PAYE and NI £354.77
3026 Stryker Communications Upgrade CCTV system £3480.00
3027 KCC Legal fees re Quarry Centre £29.25
3028 David Buckett Interview expenses £190.00
3029 Viking Direct Stationery & laser printer cartridge £189.53
3030 Complete Weed Control Weed control at Chequer Field £180.00
3031 Pearson’s Landscapes The Plain and Tattlebury Triangle maintenance £198.00
DDR South East Water Chequer Field water June – December 11 £83.58
DDR E.On Street light and Kilndown kiosk Oct – Dec 11 £11.31
DDR Veolia Environmental Burial Grounds bin December 2011 £99.88
440/11 Receipts in December 2011:
Interest NatWest £4.74
441/11 Bank reconciliation to end December 11. Noted that Council’s cash book balances total £41,727.96
442/11 Statement of expenditure and receipts against budget for April to December 2011. Members noted that there are no significant unexplained variations from Budget.
POLICE & NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
443/11 KCC Community Warden. Noted: A letter dated 30 December 2011 from the Area Manager for Mid Kent, Kent Community Warden Service informing Council that Krissy Howlett has successfully applied for the job of District Support Warden for Tunbridge Wells. Resolved: that the Clerk should write to her to congratulate her on her new appointment and to thank her for the excellent service she had provided to this community, particularly in the successful way she had engaged with the young people in the Parish.
TWBC PARISH CHAIRMEN’MEETING
444/11 The notes of the meeting held on 15 November 2011 were noted.
PARISH ACTION PLAN
445/11 Following Minute 297/11 of 10 October 2011. The Chairman reported that he had attended a briefing by Borough Cllr Brian Ransley to Lamberhurst Parish Council. Resolved that the Clerk should invite Louise Phillips, Planning Policy Manager TWBC and a representative from AwCiRK to Council 13 February to brief Council on the benefits of producing a Parish Action Plan, how best to go about it and potential sources of funding. Members agreed that our newly appointed Auditor, who has some experience of producing a Parish Action Plan for a Parish in East Kent, could also give advice.
PADDOCK WOOD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
446/11 Parking Charges at Paddock Wood. Members noted the letter dated 31 December 2011 from Mr John Barsley, Vice-Chairman of the Paddock Wood Business Association. They seek Council’s support in resisting the Borough Council’s proposal that the 2 hours Free Controlled Car Parking in Paddock Wood be abolished. Resolved: that the Clerk will write to TWBC to indicate that this Parish Council does not support the proposal as it will do nothing to support local High Street traders.
ELECTIONS
447/11 TWBC Chief Executive and Returning Officer had written to Parishes on 14 December 2011 seeking opinions on proposed local changes to the counting arrangements for the local elections due in parts of the Borough in May 2012. Due to the short timescale for Parishes to respond to the consultation, the Clerk had responded after consulting the Chairman:
Goudhurst Parish Council agrees with the proposed arrangements so clearly set out in your letter of
14 December 2011 relating to the elections to be held in various parts of the Borough in May 2012
with the additional comment:
- It is a 10 year period and then reviewed, so that democracy is not prejudiced
- The time when the Parish count is to take place is made clear
- That it is absolutely clear that this will not give rise to an INCREASE in cost to the parishes (We notice no mention of cost is made and it is always wrong to assume)
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
448/11 Monday 13 February 2012. Parish Council Meeting at the Jessel Room at 7.30 pm
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
449/11 The following items were noted:
- KALC: Parish News No 358 of December 2011
The Meeting closed at 8.27 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 © 2012 Goudhurst Parish Council