Parish Council Minutes 29th January 2020

PRESENT:

COUNCILLORS PHILLIPS (CHAIRMAN), ALDINGTON,BEECHING, HAWKSWORTH, HAYWARD,
Clerk Christine Plummer Matt Maendell

APOLOGIES

District Councillors unable to attend

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION TIME

The Chairman welcomed Matt Maendell to the meeting.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

27th November 2019

24th July 2019

Minutes for meetings approved

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS INVITED TO REPORT ON Dover District Council

Clerk read the following statement from Councillor Mike Connolly

January 29th 2020

District Councillor’s Report

1. Rural Car Parks: Following strong representations from some parish councils concerned about any charging for rural village car parks, (Wingham and Ash in our ward) Cabinet agreed that while the main charging changes across the District as a whole would go through the normal Scrutiny and consultation process, a different approach would apply to the rurals, recognising that there is a problem of car parks blocked by all day parkers.

The amended report reads: ‘ Noting the issues outlined in the report regarding the management of rural car parks and the potential benefits, if any, from the introduction of limited controls, it was agreed to defer a decision on the precise arrangements within each car park to allow detailed engagement with each parish council.’

This indicates that a meeting will be arranged as soon as practical.

2. Application for housing development on Gobery Hill, Wingham: Representations have been received from farming businesses stating that the revised proposals for a pedestrian crossing at the bottom of Preston Hill would make it impossible for their larger vehicles to access their farms. This new evidence suggests that it is now very unlikely that the application will go to Planning Committee in February, as had been expected, while the applicants review their position.

3. East Kent Housing: Following the well-publicised problems with EKH last year the board of the company has been dissolved. An interim board consisting of the chief executives of the four parent councils has taken over. The CEO, Deborah Upton, has resigned and an interim CEO, Vivien Knibbs, has been recruited to oversee the changes needed. Consultations with tenants have now finished and early indications are that they will favour a return to an in-house operation. This option is favoured by the councils but it should be emphasised that this will not be a quick or easy operation, as we will need to maintain acceptable standards of service, largely with existing staff, while the reorganisation is implemented. It is also worth remembering that the reason for the creation of EKH 11 years ago was dissatisfaction with the in-house operation as it then existed.

4. Negotiations continue on the new Waste Collection and Street Cleaning contract as the current contract with Veolia expires at the end of 2020. It has been agreed that we will not take this in-house. A decision and announcement isexpected by the end of June to allow a six month transition period.

5. COMMUNITY POLICING/ NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Neighbourhood Watch Scheme still under investigation. Clerk reported on meeting with the new PCSO Jacqui Brooks who will assist in the set up of the scheme.

Further meetings to be convened.

Clerk agreed to ensure GDPR guidelines are followed and will research relevant information from KALC.

ACTION: CLERK

6. GOODNESTONE CE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Report from Councillor Hawksworth.

GOODNESTONE CE PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT

Goodnestone CE Primary School was visited last term by a Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS) inspector who was considering how effective its distinctive Christian vision was in enabling pupils and adults to flourish. The school is delighted to confirm that the SIAMS inspection found it to be a GOOD church school.

This is following the OFSTED GOOD result in January 2019, the school is going from strength to strength. Any interested families who would like to explore our hidden gem of a school can contact John Dexter, his contact details are on the school’s website http://www.goodnestone.kent.sch.uk and visits can be booked via the school office by calling 01304 840329 .

Goodnestone C of E Primary School’s wonderful woodland space is growing from strength to strength and is in the process of embedding woodland activities into the curriculum at every opportunity, providing a wonderful resource for outdoor learning for all its pupils.

The school would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the wider community in coming together to help with the working days that have taken place.

For the wider community, the school runs Saplings for families every Friday, 9.30am until 11am, all year round during term time. It is open to all children with their parents, and costs just £5 per family. There is also an after school club open to children of all ages held on Mondays during term time which is also held in the woodland classroom, between 3.15pm and 4.15pm and run by Emma Loder-Symonds. More information can be found on https://www.facebook.com/Saplings or for more information please contact the school on the number above.

The school roll is still low and has spaces for children to join our school community of all ages, from Reception to Year 6. Support from everyone in the Parish is as important as ever in getting the word out to the wider local community and to encourage new families to come and visit Goodnestone Primary.

Finally, there is a vacancy for a Parent Governor and several Co-Opted Governor positions currently on the Board. The Parent Governor position is also open to Grandparents and full training and support is provided for all positions on the Board. If anyone has an interest and would like to find out more about either of these very fulfilling roles, please do not hesitate to contact me directly via rwebster@nonington.kent.sch.uk.

Dr Richard Webster

Chair Federation of Goodnestone and Nonington CE Primary Schools

Council to note that Councillor Hawksworth has now resigned as Governor.

FOOTPATHS

Councillor Beeching reported on meeting with Kent County Council PROW Heather Walker (Public Rights of Way) The following pathways were visited and discussed

Chillenden Village Hall rear pathway EE271B Pathway relocated

Pathway north of Griffin Public House working party required for clearance

Pathway adjacent Yew Tree Farm EE 279 Pathway restriction under required width

Short Street public Bridleway EE275 not accessible at top due to pigs

Rowling to Windmill pathway EE228 footpath disappeared due to planting.

Finger post to be installed

Kent County Council to report back and all problems will be discussed further at next meeting

Footpath Maps to be researched for notice boards

ACTION: CLERK TO FOLLOW UP WITH PROW AND CHECK LAND OWNERSHIP

HIGHWAY MATTERS

Councillor Hayward reported on Speed Radar out of action. Read outs to be distributed.

Reports of speeding vehicles in Chillenden have been received.

SPEED CONTROLS GOODNESTONE

Councillors discussed the project and agreed to convene next stage meeting with Kent County Council Highways.

ACTION: CLERK TO ARRANGE MEETING

MILLENNIUM FIELD

No further reports. Continue strimming as required.

STREET LIGHTING

Cave Lane lights fitted with LED lights.

PARISH BROADBAND

Councillor Aldington reported on progress. Chillenden expected upgrade early next year. Rowling residents to discuss formation of small plc community group to further a possible upgrade.

Chairman thanked Councillor Aldington for his continued work in this area.

CHILLENDEN COMMUNITY GROUP

Councillors discussed the request for funding from this group to support the Community Wildlife Project at the Village Hall site.

Proposed by Councillor Beeching to award a grant of £430 to the scheme

Seconded Councillor Hayward

Carried unanimous

COMMUNITY FUND

No action

FINANCE

Clerk submitted accounts update

PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL

1. Dover District Council election expenses cheque reissue £77.51 cheque no 401
2. Goodnestone Music £900 Grant towards staging cheque no 403
3. BTF Fairfield rent £50 cheque no 402

PLANNING

Councillors discussed Rowling development. Concerns raised and a response to be sent to Dover District Council Planning

ACTION: CLERK TO REPOND

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

Request for litter pickers.

Dog bin review requested

PARISH MATTERS

Councillors agreed 21st April 2020 Annual Parish Assembly