MINUTES OF THE MEETING
30th JANUARY 2019
PRESENT:
COUNCILLORS PHILLIPS CHAIRMAN, ALDINGTON, HAYWARD,PLUMPTRE
Clerk Christine Plummer Matt Maendell Sue Baker VivColeman
APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Councillor Hawksworth
PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION TIME
The Chairman welcomed Sue Baker and Viv Coleman to the meeting and they reported on the following.
A request has been made by the parishioners for all salt bins to be inspected and filled as required. Clerk reported the Catsole Hill bin had been reported to Kent County Council Highways.
The Chairman agreed to inspect others to ensure they are full as required.
The light opposite the Church has been reported on numerous occasions. Clerk reported that Dover District Council is responsible for the column and Kent County Council has referred the issue to them. Clerk agreed to get an update.
It was requested that the Council give permission to allow volunteers access to the The Millennium Field and a work day be arranged to start the ‘clear up’ operation.
Clerk agreed to coordinate and ensure all volunteers were health and safety aware.
Date to be agreed.
Chairman thanked Sue and Viv for their contribution.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING 12th December and Extraordinary meeting 21st January
Minutes agreed and signed by the Chairman
MATTERS ARISING NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE ON THE AGENDA
No matters to discuss
DISTRICT COUNCILLORS INVITED TO REPORT ON DOVER DISTRICT COUNCIL
District Councillors were unable to attend however submitted a report.
1. Brexit Issues: Dover District Council shares the general scepticism about the value of the ‘convoy trial’ on January 7th. Only 89 trucks took part (a ferry typically carries 200 and the shipping companies have already said they will not send out half empty ships.) All the drivers were local people who know the roads and were not tempted to use satnavs for ‘short cuts’ through the villages.
There is a radar station at Manston, operated by the MoD, for use in Channel emergencies. Apparently putting more than 1000 trucks at the airport will prevent this working properly and the possible maximum requirement is 6-8000. The MoD has offered to move this if the DfT will pay the costs which they are currently refusing to do!
Dover District Council, both separately and as part of a Kent County Council document, is asking the Government for a £3.5 million grant if we exit the EU without a deal. The large majority of this will be for inspectors at the port and Tunnel as we are the statutory body for ensuring nothing harmful is imported. Somewhere between 20 and 30 inspectors would be needed for us to offer a 24/7 service.
Even if the money is available we still have to recruit and train them, unless some can be redirected from other less vulnerable ports.
2. The Deal Pier Kitchen is now open and has already served over 1000 customers. Currently open between 9.00 and 4.00 but will open longer hours in the summer. It serves mid-market food – not fine dining nor a ‘greasy spoon’ – and it has been very well received.
3. After interminable delays and much pressure from the ‘Save the Regent’ group, the owners of the site which most recently was a bingo hall have submitted an application for mixed use development, to include a cinema, housing and small commercial units. This has been well received in Deal.
4. We have 98% certainty that the Dover District Leisure Centre will open for customers on Feb 22nd, with a formal opening on March 4th or 5th.
5. The pool at Tides is showing its age and usage may well be affected by the pool at the Leisure Centre, though the two pools have rather different purposes. We have had to spend a lot of money on basic running repairs this winter and in fact have had some closures because the water temperature was too low. Once the effect is known we will have a long hard look at the future for Tides and we will be carrying out a review of options and costs.
6. Parking charges have been frozen for 2019/20.
7. As part of our efforts to combat homelessness we are planning to build circa 60 modular homes at three sites in Dover and Deal for use as interim accommodation to help keep people out of B&B. The largest site is in the St Radigunds area of Dover and is currently owned by Dover District Council and leased to a trust which runs a community centre. This is in very bad condition ands the plan is that Dover District Council will provide a grant of £150,000 for repairs and the trust will return the lease to allow building on other parts of the site. We hope to open these in 2020.
COMMUNITY POLICING
No matters to report
GOODNESTONE CE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Report to be submitted at next meeting
FOOTPATHS
Councillor Plumptre had no information to report.
HIGHWAY MATTERS
Members discussed the ongoing problems with potholes. It is acknowledged Kent County Council has a programme of works to repair as quickly as possible.
Clerk reported on the progress made with Dover District Council on dog fouling in the village. A warden has completed an inspection and put up more signs to deter dog owners who do not comply. Poo bags have been left in strategic places. The Dog Warden Service will be carrying out a survey to establish need for more dog bins. It is hoped all these actions will improve the situation.
The ongoing drain problem has now been sorted.
GOODNESTONE SPEED LIMITS
Clerk reported a request for initial funding for the speed survey had been submitted to Kent County Council Sue Chandler. It is hoped a report will be made to next meeting. Councillor Phillips asked that the Bonnington Scheme be given further investigation.
ACTION: PARISH CLERK
VILLAGE POND
The Pond and land will now been returned to landowner as agreed at meeting 21st January 2019. Clerk agreed to write to Agents on behalf of PC. It was noted that Maria Himsworth would like to continue her work at site. This is still possible with the necessary indemnity declaration.
ACTION: CLERK TO WRITE TO AGENT
COUNCILLOR HAYWARD TO CONTACT MARIA HIMSWORTH
MILLENNIUM FIELD
As discussed at start of the meeting a working party to be organised to start work on a ‘clear up’ of the field in the hope it can be used for community use.
STREET LIGHTING
As discussed the street light opposite the Church is under review
DEFIBRILLATOR EQUIPMENT
Councillors discussed the relocation of the defib equipment in Chillenden to the Red Phone Box in the village. Clerk agreed to investigate the Adopt a Phone Box Scheme.
ACTION: CLERK
COMMUNITY FUND
No requests received
FINANCES
PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL
BHIB ANNUAL INSURANCE 660.21 CHEQUE NO 380
PROPOSED Councillor PHILLIPS SECONDED Councillor HAYWARD
CHILLENDEN VILLAGE HALL HIRE 30.00 CHEQUE NO 378
PROPOSED Councillor PHILLIPS SECONDED Councillor HAYWARD
FINNS LAND RENTS 100.00 CHEQUE NO 377
PROPOSED Councillor PHILLIPS SECONDED Councillor HAYWARD
CLERK SALARY 1191.71 CHEQUE NO 379
PROPOSED Councillor PHILLIPS SECONDED Councillor HAYWARD
BUDGET
BUDGET APPROVED AND PRECEPT SET AT 2% INCREASE
PLANNING
No local applications to report
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk reported on a letter from a resident concerning land previously an allotment at rear of garages in The Street. It was reported the land is under evaluation and not for consideration at this time.
ACTION: CLERK TO RESPOND TO RESIDENT
COUNCILLOR REPORT ON PARISH MATTERS
No reports
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD AT GOODNESTONE VILLAGE HALL ON WEDNESDAY 27th MARCH AT 7.30 P.M.