Parish Council Minutes 31st July 2024

MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF GOODNESTONE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON WEDNESDAY 31st JULY 2024 AT 7.30PM AT GOODNESTONE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT:
Councillors: Jon Aldington (JA), Paul Allen (PA), Sue Baker (SB), Francis Plumptre (FS), Karen Stanford (KS) 1 Member of the Public, Parish Clerk – Joanna Jones, District Councillor Bartlett (part)

APOLOGIES

County Councillor Chandler and District Councillor Porter.

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION TIME

The meeting closed and one member of the public reported on; the success of the Goodnestone Street Party, the availability of Neighbourhood Watch boards and window stickers and gave an update on the Kent Carriers Bus Service scheme that is being revamped from April with a membership charge of £50 for the year, details will all be included in The Messenger. The Chairman thanked the member of the public and said that support for any community bus proposal would be considered by the Parish Council, the meeting then re-opened.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Declarations of interest in item 15. were declared by Councillors Allen and Baker as they are both members of the Windmill Committee and by Councillor Aldington in item 13ai. planning application DOV24/00634 as the applicants are his neighbours.

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED that Councillor Stanford becomes Vice Chairman. Proposed by Councillor Aldington and seconded by Councillor Baker.

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING

RESOLVED the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 22nd May 2024 be duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record of the meeting.

REPORTS

  1. County Councillor – Chandler – email sent
  2. District Councillors – Bartlett & Porter – June report emailed and Anti-social behaviour reported District Councillor Bartlett reported on the broken streetlight in Chillenden, the repair is now complete Dover District Council will chase for UKPower Networks to reconnect it. He also reported on the tree that was cut down in the Conservation Area without Planning Permission, an investigation has been carried out by DDC, there is no registered owner of the land and DDC can’t do anymore until they have the details of the Tree Surgeon who cut the tree down and the landowners. District Councillor Bartlett also reported on the Dover Beacon Levelling Up, Western Heights and Roman Painted House projects and the recent DDC Planning Enforcement meeting at DDC where Councillors were told there is a huge backlog of enforcement cases and moving forward DDC are only going to work on the cases that are achievable. The report also covered Dover Fasttrack, the proposed new six lane swimming pool at Tides, Kearsney Abbey’s recent Green Flag Award and the Local Plan. Councillor Allen asked how to report the broken mirror on the corner of Goodnestone Road between the Church and the Village Hall, Clerk to follow up with Highways.
    Action Clerk
  3. Parish Councillors – no reports
  4. Community PC – PC Jon Bowler – report emailed Discussions were held, it was agreed to include details of the domestic CCTV Police registration scheme in the next edition of The Messenger.
    Action KS

ACTIONS

Action Owner Status Update
Footpaths Lower Rowling/Knowlton JA On-going Lower Rowling footpaths look to be ok, to inspect Knowlton footpaths and report on the KCC Public Rights of Way Reporting Tool, if needed.
Fixed Asset Register Parish Councillors / Clerk Discharged Fixed Assets register produced and details of volunteers to check the defibrillators provided.
Draft Grant Application Form JA Discharged Grant form now on the website
National Grid Pylons KCC (SC) On-going County Councillor SC will follow up with Kent County Council for an update, Clerk had received consultation details for other Parish Councils -to forward details.
Action Clerk
Speed Indicator Device SB On-going Device has an intermittent fault, SB has estimates for checking/service costs, to arrange delivery of unit to Westcotec, RESOLVED up to £500 worth of repairs agreed.
Defibrillators Clerk Discharged Defibrillators now fully functioning and registered with The Circuit
Election of Vice Chairman Clerk Discharged Added to this agenda
Public Contribution Time Clerk Discharged Overgrown vegetation reported to KCC Highways, all cut back by parishioners.
EE496 & EE497 Map Modification Order 2022 JA, PA, SB, Clerk Discharged Reviewed, no action required as no practical difference made.
Speedwatch Intiative Clerk Discharged Speedwatch can be conducted in a 20mph zone
Goodnestone Noticeboard Clerk, PA Discharged Goodnestone Noticeboard installed
Environmental Fund Clerk Discharged Added to this agenda
Defibrillators PA SB Clerk Discharged Checker details provided, registered with The Circuit
2024/24 Budget Clerk Discharged Budget amended for VAT refunds claimed
Certificate of Exemption – AGAR Clerk JA Discharged Submitted & AGAR on website
Clerk – Pension & Hours Clerk , JA Discharged Clerk forwarded pension scheme details to JA who followed up with KCC
Gov.uk emails JA Discharged Research carried out into .gov email addresses

FOOTPATH OFFICER REPORT

  1. Report – nothing specific to report
  2. Kent County Council Restricted Byway – confirmed order EE269A. Noted by members.

HIGHWAY OFFICER REPORT

  1. New position for SID pole – Agreed by Kent County Council, cost £1,080.01 Nothing more to discuss.
  2. Speedwatch initiative No volunteers have come forward, the sandwich board has worked to slow traffic, Councillor KS to research different options for a weather-proof type of board, Clerk to request more 20mph bin stickers from Kent County Council.
    Action KS and Clerk
  3. Station Road, Chillenden, closed 31st May
  4. Rowling Road – closed 3rd June up to 2 days
  5. Short Street – closed 5th June
  6. Boyes Lane, Goodnestone – closed 20th June up to 7 days
  7. Highway Improvement Plan Pack & Kent County Council Highways Newsletter– emailed out
  8. A256 Temporary Road Closure – C237 Venson Road to Entry A256 Roundabout – 5th to 10th August
  9. Kent County Council Local Transport Plan Consultation All of the above noted by members.
  10. Dangerous junctions Discussions were held, it was agreed that the Clerk is to report to the Community PC the accident at the top of Griffin Hill on 31st July at 5.15-5.30pm to ensure that it is included in accident statistics and the Clerk to report the overgrown vegetation/hedgerows near Copman’s Hall, coming out of Chillenden to Kent County Council Highways.
    Action Clerk
  11. Construction traffic in Rowling Discussions were held about the lack of a Construction Management Plan for the DOV/19/01525 building works and the lack of passing places on Rowling Roads, Clerk to report concerns to Dover District Council Planning Department.
    Action Clerk

COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

  1. Parish Noticeboard for Goodnestone – installation costs Discussions were held, RESOLVED to pay £75 for labour and materials for the installation of the noticeboard, Clerk to set up to pay between meetings, once invoice received.
    Action Clerk

    Parishioner concerns about the location of the noticeboard were noted.
  2. New litterbin for Goodnestone Discussions were held, it was agreed to locate the new litterbin in front of the telegraph pole, near to the noticeboard, Clerk to inform Dover District Council.
    Action Clerk
  3. Millenium Field – How to maximise usage and add value to the village
  4. Environmental Fund – Options for spending budget held over from previous year Discussions were held about both items together and it was decided that a working party would be formed who would feedback proposals to the full Parish Council Meeting, KS, SB, Christine and a representative from the school to form the working party.
    Action KS, SB
  5. Mowing Contract It was agreed that the frequency and extent of mowing would be discussed by the working party.
    Action KS & SB
  6. Defibrillators – nothing more to discuss.

FINANCE

  1. Natwest Bank Deposit account The Natwest Deposit Account is still open, KS to arrange for funds to be transferred to Unity Trust and to close the account.
    Action KS
  2. Accounts 2024/25 – Actual v Budget to 30th June 2024 The Clerk went through the figures, RESOLVED to adopt the Accounts – Actual v Budget to 30th June 2024.
  3. Clerk – Local Government Pension Scheme & Hours The Clerk reported that she was currently owed approximately twelve hours this would go on the agenda to be reviewed after a full year of employment, JA to follow up with Cty Councillor Chandler the high costs of joining the Kent County Council pension scheme.
    Action Clerk & JA
  4. Financial Services Compensation Scheme Unity Trust Annual Review – Eligibility confirmed by clerk Noted by members.

PAYMENTS

  1. Payments to be approved
    RESOLVED the following payments should be made.
    Payee Service Invoice Amount
    Joanna Jones Clerk’s Net Salary June
    		£156.60
    HMRC PAYE – June
    		£39.00
    Unity Trust Quarterly Fee – 30/06/2024 Stat. £13.65
    Set up to be paid
    Roger Austin Mowing of Playing Field & Millenium Field – 11/06/24 2397 £255.00
    Roger Austin Mowing of Playing Field & Millenium Field- 01/07/24 2404 £168.00
    Roger Austin Mowing of Playing Field & Millenium Field- 12/07/24 2410 £168.00
    Joanna Jones Clerk’s Net Salary July
    		£156.40
    HMRC PAYE – July
    		£39.20
    Roger Austin Mowing of Playing Field & Millenium Field- 28/07/24 2420 £168.00
    Joanna Jones WH Smiths – Magnets for Noticeboard
    		£7.98
    Dover District Council Printing of The Messenger Newsletter 1016159 £22.32

PLANNING

  1. Planning Applications To discuss any planning applications received prior to the meeting i)DOV/24/00634 Proposal: Erection of an outbuilding Location: The Oast House, Cave Lane, Goodnestone, CT3 1PB Members were most concerned that despite an extension being granted until 1st August the decision to grant planning permission was made on 30th July. Discussions were held, it was agreed that the Clerk is to inform Sarah Platts, Head of Planning at Dover District Council, that the Parish Council are concerned about the lack of opportunity to consult on this application and feel that due process has not been followed and they would like the decision to be re-visited.
    Action Clerk
  2. Planning Decisions To note any planning applications received prior to the meeting
    1. DOV/24/00354 Proposal: Works to facilitate change of use to residential dwelling with the erection of a single-storey rear extension, minor external alterations, extensive repair and renovation works. Location: The Forge, Goodnestone Road, Chillenden Kent – Granted Listed Building Consent
    2. DOV/24/00353 & Dov/24/00354 Proposal: Change of use to residential dwelling with the erection of a single-storey rear extension, minor external alterations, extensive repair and renovation works and associated parking. Location: The Forge, Goodnestone Road, Chillenden Kent – Granted
    3. DOV/24/00337 Proposal: Erection of a garage car port Location: Pear Tree House, Orchard Court, Chillenden, CT3 1YA – Granted All of the above noted by members.
  3. Planning Correspondence To discuss any correspondence related to planning None.
  4. Report None.

CORRESPONDENCE

  1. KALC (Kent Association Local Councils) & NALC (National Association Local Councils) – all updates emailed. Noted by members.
  2. Kent County Council – The Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Kent & Medway – Survey Agreed that SB would review.
    Action SB

CHILLENDEN WINDMILL

  1. Proposed Kent County Council Consultation to Divest Councillor Allen reported that Kent County Council had voted to continue to try to divest themselves of the windmills by a method that ensures they will continue to be sustainable and will be community assets, there is a Kent Mill Managers meeting on 29th August, support had been requested from MP Roger Gale.

COMMUNICATION

  1. Gov.uk – website & emails – £100 grant available Discussions were held, RESOLVED to spend up to £300 on .gov email addresses and website, JA to forward contact to Clerk so that she could enquire if the Parish Council can register for a .gov domain themselves rather than having to go through an intermediary and then JA and Clerk to organise .gov emails addresses and website.
    Action JA & Clerk

EVENTS

  1. Training – Kent Association of Local Councils & Local Meeting 24th July– Minutes emailed. Noted by members.

PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION TIME: A short session set aside for parishioners to raise matters. Individual contributions should be kept to less than 5 minutes.

It was reported that Aylesham Heritage Group had very successfully attended the Street Party and it was decided that a heritage/historical winter event should be organised with the archives to celebrate the Goodnestone, Chillenden, Aylesham connection.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING 25th September – 7.30pm – Chillenden Village Hall

20th November – 7.30pm – Goodnestone Village Hall
22nd January – 7.30pm – Goodnestone Village Hall
26th March – Goodnestone Village Hall
14th May – 7.30pm – Chillenden Village Hall

Meeting was formally closed at 21:23