Parish Council Minutes 3rd April 2019

PRESENT:

COUNCILLORS PHILLIPS CHAIRMAN, ALDINGTON, HAYWARD, PLUMPTRE, HAWKSWORTH

DOVER DISTRICT COUNCILLOR MIKE CONNOLLY

Clerk Christine Plummer Viv Coleman

APOLOGIES

No Apologies

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION TIME

The Chairman welcomed Viv Coleman to the meeting and a report was given on progress on fund raising and activities in the Village. Two events are planned for Easter Holidays. An Easter Egg Hunt on 11th April and Tea and Bingo on the 16th April. Both to be advertised and all donations will be for the Village Hall. Viv confirmed that enquiries are being made to arrange for mowing of the Millennium Field.

Chairman thanked Viv for her contribution.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING 30^th January 2019

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

1. Brexit: Both the port and Eurotunnel say they are as ready as they can be. Traffic lights have been installed at two points along the A256 in case they are needed to control HGV traffic from Manston. Operation Brock in place on the M20.

2. Dover District Leisure Centre opened for customers on Feb 25th and was formally opened by Sir Hugh Robertson, chair of the British Olympic Committee, on March 4th.

The facilities have been well received.

3. Two recent funding disappointments: The Heritage Lottery Fund has turned down the application from Sandwich Town Council for funds to upgrade the forecourt of the Guildhall; the Coastal Communities Fund has placed the application from Dover District Council and Dover Town Council for funds for regeneration of Dover town centre on the reserve list.

4. Work on the new Local Plan continues. We are coming towards the end of the ‘intelligence gathering’ phase and an initial draft should be available in the summer for the first round of consultation in the autumn.

5. The Deal Pier Kitchen continues to be very successful and the pier itself has been entered in the ‘Pier of the Year’ competition

6. Dover District Council finances: We ended 2018/19 with a small surplus against budget. The 2019/20 budget is balanced, with no reductions in front line services and shows a Council Tax increase of 2.95%, though the Kent County Council and Police increases are significantly higher, the latter to allow recruitment of 180 more officers. Considerable uncertainty continues to surround the future of Business Rates and the New Homes Bonus, which have become increasingly important in local authority finances as the Revenue Support Grant is phased out completely. However we expect reserves to stay above £2.5 million by year end.

7. A reminder that district council elections take place on May 2nd with only two councillors for our ward.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Connolly for his contribution

COMMUNITY POLICING

Clerk reported on appointment of new PSCO Luke Sanderson. A request had been made for a meeting but to date no response. Clerk agreed to follow up.

ACTION: PARISH CLERK

GOODNESTONE CE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Councillor Hawksworth reported

Goodnestone School continues to go from strength to strength following its GOOD Ofsted rating awarded earlier this year and is celebrating its fabulous activities and achievements with the wider community via its Face Book page ‘Goodnestone CE Primary School’. For FaceBook members, we urge you to like and follow the school for these regular updates and share with you friends and family as much as you can. This really helps to spread the good news and raise the school’s profile with our local community and beyond.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been working so hard to get the message out there about Goodnestone School to date, and to those volunteers who helped by distributing leaflets to the local community and beyond. All these Parish community efforts are beginning to have an effect but Goodnestone still needs to urgently grow in pupil numbers.

At Goodnestone, everyone counts and the school has spaces for pupils of all ages from Reception to Year 6. With current pupils hailing from Canterbury to Folkestone, pupils from everywhere can apply. The pre-school breakfast club that the school offers from the Village Hall is very popular. We need everyone’s help to continue to get the word out to the wider local community and to encourage new families to come and visit. 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.

Sarah Hawksworth

Parish Councillor for Goodnestone Parish Council and Vice Chair, Federation of Goodnestone & Nonington C of E Primary Schools

FOOTPATHS

Councillor Plumptre had no information to report.

HIGHWAY MATTERS

Councillors discussed fly tipping on private land in Chillenden. Clerk to investigate.

ACTION: PARISH CLERK

ROADSIDE PROTECTIVE BOLLARDS CHILLENDEN

Chairman reported on request by a resident in Short Street to investigate Roadside Bollards as protection from reversing vehicles. The flues on the wall need protection from the traffic. After discussion it was agreed the matter should be referred to Highways for advice.

ACTION: PARISH CLERK

BONNINGTON GOODNESTONE SPEED LIMITS

Clerk reported that grant from Kent County Council has been approved for initial survey work. Councillors agreed survey should be put in place in The Street Goodnestone. Location at Hospital Meadows. Clerk to progress the matter and report back with date.

ACTION: PARISH CLERK

DOVER DISTRICT COUNCIL GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY

Clerk reported on Dover District Council working party attended by Clerk and Maria Himsworth on 27th March 2019. The aim of the working party was to understand and agree the priorities and opportunities for Green Infrastructure in Dover District. The discussions at this meeting were led by a Consultant Company who agreed to give feedback in due course on the submissions made by Parish Councils including Goodnestone and the development of the Dover District Council Strategy.

The Chairman asked for a letter of thanks to be sent to Maria for her valuable input.

ACTION: PARISH CLERK

MILLENNIUM FIELD

Report made by Viv Coleman with progress of maintenance and use as above.

STREET LIGHTING

Clerk reported on progress with Kent County Council / Dover District Council on light by the Church. Kent County Council are not responsible for fault as it is the column that is in need of repair and comes under Dover District Council.

A Job number has been issued by Dover District Council and Clerk will report back with progress.

ACTION: PARISH CLERK

COMMUNITY FUND

No requests received

FINANCES

Amendment of GPC Financial Regulations (“GPCFR”) provision for emergencyexpenditure

It was agreed that the provision for authorised emergency expenditure previously accommodated for within the GPCFR was insufficient to be practical. A resolution to increase the limit from £50.00 to £500.00 was passed by the Council.

The GPCFR will be amended by Councillor Hawksworth, circulated and ratified at the next Parish Council meeting. 

PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL

1. Finns re issue £50.00 Fairfield land rent Cheque no 381 Proposed Councillor Phillips   approved Councillor Aldington
2. Jaxon Joinery £250.00 fabrication of new  notice board  door   cheque no 382 Proposed Councillor Hayward approved Councillor Hawksworth  (see note below)

(note: In accordance with GPC Financial Regulations, the works in relation to 15.2(ii) was  authorised pursuant to inherent provisions for emergency funding powers, the procedures and disclosure requirements for which were adhered to fully prior to the meeting.   Any  further works required to install door will fall under this remit to avoid further damage. Councillor Aldington to report to The Clerk in this regard)

PLANNING

Application for erection single storey front porch 12 Short Street Chillenden. Councillors raised no objection.

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

Clerk reported on a letter from The Village Hall Committee to request funding from the PC for ongoing repairs at the Hall. Councillors discussed the request and agreed to request that the Village Hall Committee submit supporting accounts of their current financial position and proposals for ongoing fundraising activity.

Clerk reported on a second letter of enquiry regarding land at rear of garages in The Street. Councillor Plumptre agreed to contact resident with update.

ACTION: Clerk to request information for next meeting of PC

COUNCILLOR REPORT ON PARISH MATTERS

No reports