Parish Council Minutes 22nd May 2019

PRESENT: COUNCILLORS PHILLIPS (CHAIRMAN), ALDINGTON, HAYWARD, HAWKSWORTH

DOVER DISTRICT COUNCILLOR TREVOR BARTLETT

Clerk Christine Plummer Andy Beeching Paul Allen

APOLOGIES

No apologies

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION TIME

Minutes of the meeting 3rd April 2019

Minutes agreed and signed by the Chairman

APPLICATION FOR COOPTED COUNCILLOR TO PARISH COUNCIL

Andy Beeching was co-opted to Parish Council

Proposed Councillor Kevin Phillips

Seconded Councillor Bill Hayward

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND ELECTION OF OTHER OFFICES

The Clerk asked for nominations for the post of Chairman. The following were duly elected.

CHAIRMAN Councillor Kevin Phillips proposed Councillor Sarah Hawksworth seconded Councillor Bill Hayward

VICE CHAIR Councillor Bill Hayward proposed Councillor Kevin Phillips seconded Councillor Jon Aldington

HIGHWAYS Councillor Bill Hayward proposed Councillor Kevin Phillips seconded Councillor Jon Aldington

FINANCIAL Councillor Jon Aldington proposed Councillor Bill Hayward seconded Councillor Sarah Hawksworth

It was agreed to review other Offices at next meeting

DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE AND REGISTER OF INTERESTS

All Councillors requested to complete documents and return as soon as possible.

ADOPTION OF STANDING ORDERS

Agreed and approved

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR INVITED TO REPORT ON Dover District Council

Councillor Trevor Bartlett reported on the following briefing paper which identifies KEY

PRIORITIES FOR Dover District Council

1. Supporting growth of the local economy and creating skilled jobs for local people by sustaining a high level of inward investment into the District and the delivery of Local Plan Review to identify new sites for employment space and commercial development. Including the Port of Dover and Discovery Park in Sandwich.

2. Growing sustainable tourism economy and supporting investment in our heritage and visitor attractions. This includes investing in Dover District Council owned assets including the Maison Dieu Deal Pier and The Kearsney Parks and maximising the opportunities from hosting Open Golf in 2010. Also seek to support planned investment at Dover Castle and other key attractions.

3. Improving the range and quality of housing including new social housing. Seek to accelerate the development of housing allocations at Connaught Barracks i nDover, Aylesham Garden Village and Whitfield. Investment in new social housing projects to include the redevelopment of William Muge and Snelgrove sites in Dover and Norman Taylor House in Deal. Continue to tackle homelessness including the development of interim housing options.

4. Improving connectivity and local transport. Deliver a Bus Rapid Transit system connecting Whitfield with Dover Priory Railway Station via the Castle St James and Market Square. Continue to lobby for the duelling of the A2 to provide greater resilience to the transport network to the Port of Dover. Press for better rail services for the District as part of the railing franchising process. Continue to plan for Brexiit and continue to argue the case for additional support for the District.

5. Continue to Support Town Centres to adapt to change. Invest in Town Centres with initiatives to support independent traders and the redevelopment of vacant properties into new commercial units or homes. Deliver WI Fi enabled CCTV across the District to support community safety and provide public access WI Fi.

6. Protecting the Environment. Continue to support initiatives to protect and celebrate the District rich natural environment and invest in our parks and open spaces. Strive to further improve District’s recycling as part of the renewal of the waste collection contract in 2021. Initiatives to reduce the Council’s carbon footprint will be prioritised including the introduction of electric vehicles.

7. Delivering efficient and cost effective council services. Continue to strive to make services more efficient cut bureaucracy and make it easier to deal with the Council online.

Councillor Bartlett gave details of results of Dover District Council Elections which will beavailable on Dover District Council website.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Bartlett.

COMMUNITY POLICING

Clerk reported on communications made with new PCSO Luke Sanderson.

Unfortunately to date Officer has not attended any meeting.

ACTION: Councillor Hayward agreed to make contact

GOODENSTONE PRIMARY SCHOOL

A GOODNESTONE CE PRIMARY SCHOOL REPORT

FOR Goodnestone Parish Council meeting held 22 May 2019

Following the school being awarded GOOD following its Ofsted inspection in January this year, the school and the wider community have been working hard to promote the school by leafleting households, revamping the school website and placement of two promotional banners close to local main road route. These were erected with the kind permission of the local land owners – to whom the school is incredibly grateful.

All these Parish community efforts are beginning to have an effect in terms of raising the school’s local profile but Goodnestone still needs to grow in pupil numbers to remain viable long term. Our marketing activities and plans will continue, with the ongoing support of the school’s wider community.

The currently school roll remains at just over 40 pupils. The high teaching staff to pupil ratio provides a highly supportive environment which enables each individual child’s needs being met and strengths, abilities and aspirations being brought to their full potential. The school has spaces for pupils of all ages from Reception to Year 6. With current pupils hailing from the village to the wider community, pupils from everywhere can apply.

All state schools are funded on a ‘per pupil’ basis and this can create challenges for settings such as ours where numbers are very low and we do not have the protection of economies of scale of larger schools, who are better able to weather the financial impact of a gentle fluctuation in pupil numbers.

Goodnestone School continues to celebrate 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 your 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.

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

No reports.

HIGHWAY MATTERS

Councillors discussed pot holes and the need to report where necessary. KCC have a schedule of works which is ongoing but it is agreed all potholes should be reported. Clerk will continue to do so as required.

Various signs in the Village need cleaning. Councillors agreed to provide this service.

Sign at Hospital Meadows reported broken.

ACTION: Clerk to report.

ROADSIDE BOLLARDS SHORT STREET

Councillors discussed the erection of protective bollards outside a house in Short Street.

Concerns were raised about the principal and safety issues of the proposed works.

Clerk reported KCC guidelines on verge protection. It was agreed to investigate further with a supplier and organise a site visit and report back with costings.

CLERK: To arrange site visit.

SPEED CONTROLS GOODNESTONE

Clerk reported on receipt of Grant from KCC to initiate the survey. Councillors agreed the location and preferred date of the week when the survey is to be carried out in The Street Goodnestone.

CLERK : To arrange survey and monitor.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE

Clerk reported on an email from Dover District Council which confirmed the Parish Council’s ongoing interest and involvement in any future discussions.

MILLENNIUM FIELD

Clerk reported on a progress in the clearance work and hard work by the enthusiastic volunteers of the Parish. It was recommended that the Tree Officer from Dover District Council should be asked to inspect trees. Clerk confirmed an event has been arranged for 21st July ‘Bring and Share Picnic’. Details to be advertised.

ACTION: Clerk to contact Dover District Council about tree inspection.

STREET LIGHTING

Clerk reported on Light outside Church. Column is faulty and Dover District Council still under investigation.

VILLAGE HALL NOTICEBOARD

Councillors discussed the remaining works to be carried out on the notice board including the lowering of the board. Councillor Aldington confirmed the Village Hall Committee had no objection to the shortening of fence posts to accommodate the change of height. Councillors approved an estimate of up to £200 to carry out the necessary works.

Contractors to be engaged and work to be completed on 28th May 2019.

ACTION: Works to be completed as agreed and expenditure authorised up to £200.

PROPOSED Councillor Hawksworth SECONDED Councillor Hayward

GOODENSTONE VILLAGE HALL FUNDING REQUEST

In order that a member of the Village Hall Committee could speak on this matter the Chairman was asked to authorise the report from Paul Allen. Chairman Councillor Phillips accepted reason for late attendance and authorised the report.

Councillors debated the report and the evaluation of the Village Hall Accounts. There was some disagreement raised on various aspects of the report including the appropriation of funds, daily use of the hall by the School and associated costs. The request for funding towards essential repairs completed 2018/2019 was discussed by the Councillors. It was noted that current fund raising had been limited to support the Village Hall finances and The Chairman suggested that a ‘match funding’ proposal may be more appropriate. Following further debate The Chairman requested that the Village Hall report back to the Parish Council for further discussion.

The Chairman thanked Paul Allen for his attendance and report.

COMMUNITY FUND

No action

FINANCES

PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL

1. Subscription KALC 205.63 cheque no 383 proposed Councillor Hayward seconded Councillor Phillips
2. Bridie Passmore 60.00 cheque no 384 proposed Councillor Hawksworth seconded Councillor Aldington
3. Goodenstone Village Hall £65.00 cheque no 385 proposed Councillor Beeching seconded Councillor Hayward
4. Roger Austin £ 446.40 cheque no 386 proposed Councillor Phillips seconded Councillor Beeching

Financial Orders Approved

PLANNING

No applications to discuss

WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE

No matters to discuss

COUNCILLOR REPORTS ON PARISH MATTERS

Councillor Hayward reported on a matter from Chillenden concerning commercial waste problem behind Village Hall. PC agreed to investigate further and report back to the next meeting.

Councillor Hayward reported that he intended to hold surgery meetings in Chillenden prior to PC meetings.

A Map of the Parish was discussed and PC agreed to investigate and locate map.