Parish Council Minutes 23rd March 2022

PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS CHAIRMAN PHILLIPS, ALDINGTON, TURNER BROWN, STANFORD
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR MIKE CONNOLLY
Clerk Christine Plummer
Members of the public Matt Maendel Paul Allen Ros Beeching Ray Holyer Hattie Locke

APOLOGIES

Kent County Council Councillor Sue Chandler

MINUTES OF THE MEETING 23^rd February 2022

Minutes approved and signed

DISTRICT COUNCILLORS REPORT

1. Budget: On March 2^nd Council approved the 2022/23 Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan. The Budget is balanced (technically with a minor deficit) and includes a smoothing reserve of £4 million to cope with any unexpected shocks in the post Covid (and post war) world. All services are maintained. The DDC share of Council Tax, approximately10% of the total bill, increase by 2.5%, or £4.95 for a Band D property. We remain the lowest council tax authority in East Kent. The Capital Budget for agreed major projects is fully funded. These include the Fastrack bus service, the restoration of Maison Dieu, the upgrade of Dover Market Square and the Sandwich Guildhall forecourt. We also have provision for a major revamp of Tides, details of which are being worked on. It is worth noting that once these projects have been completed our Capital reserves will be seriously depleted.
   
2. Fastrack: the formal groundbreaking ceremony took place last month. Work is expected to be completed by Summer/Autumn 2023.
   
3. Maison Dieu, Dover Town Hall: the restoration work is well underway. This is a highly skilled undertaking, involving experts in fields such as conservation and archivism. On March 19th there was a launch of a time capsule project. Local organisations and schools are being invited to provide suggestions for what should go in it to reflect our District today. The capsule will be buried nearby in September.
   
4. Environmental Hero scheme: following the success of the Pick Deal Clean project, which reached the finals of the Keep Britain Tidy Network Conference 2022, DDC has launched its own scheme to celebrate and reward those unsung heroes who make particular efforts to improve and upgrade their own local environment. here are five categories: individuals under and over 18; schools; community groups and businesses. On April 2nd, at Kearsney Abbey, at the end of the Great British Spring Clean, winners in each category will be announced at a ceremony and will receive an award and a £50 voucher.
   
5. Ukraine: At the meeting on March 2nd Council passed a resolution, agreed by both political parties, condemning the Russian invasion and expressing support for the government and people of Ukraine. Regrettably one member voted against it. He was not popular!

REQUESTED ELECTION TO FILL VACANCY ON PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman Councillor Phillips informed the Councillors of the situation regarding the call for election for a new Councillor. Due to the submission of ten names in support of an election the democratic process to appoint a new Councillor will be in place. The alternative option to co opt is no longer valid. A Notice of Election to be posted on appropriate dates and should nominations be received the Returning Officer at Dover District Council will call an election. In the case of one nomination no election will take place and the person will be duly elected. All costs for this process to be met by the Parish Council.

Councillors discussed the process and held debate on the reasons the election process had been followed and not a co option.

The Chairman decided to close the meeting at 1955 to allow for open comment.

The Meeting resumed at 2010

GOODNESTONE PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT

The Clerk gave a statement received from the school.

• John Dexter executive Head teacher left the school in January 2022
• Mrs Solly has stepped up in the interim and awaiting an interview for the permanent position
• Amelia Donahue will remain in post as Head of School
• Healthy intake of reception children in September 2021
• 49 children on roll with good intake expected in September 2022
• Wednesday morning saplings toddler group in woodland area
• Covid restrictions impacted many activities with absent teachers and pupils
• School now looking forward to happy and healthy new term

FOOTPATHS

Councillors revisited the Application to amend The Definitive Map for C391 (EE269A) A comprehensive report with a detailed objection from a resident had been circulated. Following discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council should submit a statement of no change and current status to remain.

ACTION CLERK TO SEND COMMENT TO KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

HIGHWAYS

1. Councillors voted on the recent update from Kent County Highways which identified a rise in costs of the Civil Engineering works for the 20 MPH reduction project for Goodnestone and Chillenden.

   It was proposed to agree the additional costs of £449.34 for the project and approve the new amount of £3460.61

   All Councillors in favour by show of hands

   APPROVED

   ACTION CLERK TO REQUEST INVOICE FROM KENT COUNTY COUNCIL

2. Councillors discussed a letter from a Deal resident concerning the costs of the project. It was agreed to respond accordingly to clarify the costs and the Parish commitment to the project as identified by the survey results.

   ACTION CLERK TO RESPOND TO CLARIFY

PARISH GROUNDS MAINTENANCE REVIEW

Councillors agreed to continue the existing service with a reduced cut of the Millennium field.

PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

Councillor Stanford gave a slide presentation of the forthcoming planned events for the Parish Celebrations.

All details available on request

The Chairman thanked Councillor Stanford for the information and asked for a request for funding to be placed at next meeting.

KENT COUNTY COUNCIL BUS FUNDING REDUCTION

Councillors discussed the recent consultation paper from Kent County Council on proposed bus reductions and the effect on the local bus service currently serving the Parish. It was agreed to complete the consultation paper and object to the cuts that will impact mainly on the elderly of the Parish

ACTION CLERK TO COMPLETE

FINANCES

1. PAYMENTS
   1. Clerk Salary October 2021 to December 2021 £435.67 Cheque no 443
      Proposed Councillor Phillips Seconded Councillor Aldington
   2. Clerk Salary January 2022 to March 2022 £435.67 Cheque no 444
      Proposed Councillor Aldington Seconded Cllr Phillips
   3. Bridie Birch Payroll £100 Invoice 568 cheque no 445
      Proposed Councillor Turner Brown Seconded Councillor Stanford
2. Clerk submitted the budget for 2022/23
3. The Councillors approved the change of signatories required for all cheque payments from the Parish Council cheque book account.
   It was agreed to remove Sarah Hawksworth and Christine Ottaway
   It was agreed to add Councillor Jon Aldington and Councillor Karen Stanford as signatories for the Parish Council cheque book account.

PLANNING

1. Planning Application 22/000209 received for The Barn at the Ark.
   Councillors agreed to respond positively with no objection
   ACTON CLERK TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY
2. Planning Appeal 21/01260 Lower Rowling
   

   Appeal noted no comment

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

COUNCILLOR REPORTS ON PARISH MATTERS

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION TIME

Members of the public had been given opportunity to comment at the beginning of the meeting.

SIGNED CHAIRMAN KEVIN PHILLIPS……….
DATE………..