Lower Halstow Parish Council
The meeting of the Parish Council was held on Tuesday 5th October in the Memorial Hatl, Lower
7 .1 5 pm for public questions.
Halstow. The meeting commenced at
Councillors: Chairman - David Walker, Mick Drury, Paul Wilson and John Knight.
Members of the public: Mrs. Partridge.
1.
2.
Apologies given for the absence of Emest Tress, Roger Waltham and Margaret Stevens. The
Chairman had asked Margaret Stevens to attend a police briefing on pub clubs/summer clubs instead of
attending the meeting. The Parish Council discussed Roger Waltham's e-mail of proposed resignation.
The Clerk was asked to check how many absences a councillor can have before action is taken.
Signing of September's minutes. It was agreed that the Chairman signed the minutes are
a
true
record.
v
3.
Matters arising
3.1.
Highways
The Chairman had a meeting with Mr. Haratbar, Swale Borough Council Highways Unit (SBC HU) to
discuss the highway issues within the village. Following the questionnaires that were given to all
Parish Councils it was evident that the service provided was unsatisfactory.
3.1.1
Breach Lane. The pavement will not be removed. SBC HU will tidy up the edge opposite the kerbing
and will install a kerb flush to the road. The SBC HU are unable to make any additional repairs as this
is the responsibility of KCC and the soft verge must remain.
3.1.2
Maintenance Checks. The highways within rural areas are checked every six months by SBC HU and
footpaths are checked on an annual basis. Urban highways and footpaths are checked monthly. KCC
fund these maintenance checks and SBC complete the additional maintenance work.
New highways projects are based on needs.
3.1.3
Road sweeping. David Hill is responsible for the cleaning of the village. Mr. Haratbar and the
clerk have attempted to set up a meeting for the Chairman to visit David Hill without any success.
Action
The clerk was requested to arrange this meeting.
3.1.4
Drainage. SBC HU intends to improve the drainage in Wardwell Lane, School Lane and Vicarage
Lane as highlighted in the e-mail previously sent to at the SBC HU.
3.1.5
Road Surfacine. It is proposed that a new grit fibre surface
Cumberland Drive, Breach Lane and Basser Hill.
3.1.6
Siens. SBC HU will not be issuing any new signs in rural areas, as they feel it has become littered
with signs. Mr. Haratbar has informed the Chairman that it is acceptable to have one speed restriction
will
be laid at School Lane, Vicarage Lane,
sign at the approach of The Street. The sign will not be moved back to the village entry point; strong
objections would be given by the police and SBC HU.
3.1.7
Subsidiarity funds. SBC HU would like the Parish Council to enhance the maintenance work in the
village i.e. new paving, additional gully cleansing.
43t2004
3.1.8
Road Calmine. Lower Halstow is still on the waiting list.
Comments. Mick Drury advised that he has been asked to attend a meeting as a representative of Ward Homes to
discuss the possibility of County taking back the responsibilities of highways.
Action
Paul Wilson was requested to give each councillor a copy of the road map of Lower Halstow.
Councillors were asked to identifu the areas of concems and prioritise them for the next meeting.
The clerk was requested to contact SBC HU for confirmation of weight and size limits at Wardwell
Lane.
3.2
Charities Account. The Chairman advised that no progress had been made.
Action
The Clerk was requested to write to Mr. Swift for an update.
4.
Correspondence.
4.1
Letter from the Memorial Hall enclosing their accounts and quotations.
4.2
Remittance advice from SBC, precept f6,000 and lighting f 1300.04.
4.3
KCC - Planning for Minerals in Kent 2004
main issues and options.
4.4
Biffa request completion of the control waste description and transfer notes.
4.5
Kent Highways
4.6
Letter fiom Chris Bradshaw, Freelance Birding Guide and Bird Surveyor requesting permission from
the Parish Council to undertake regular bird ringing in the old brickworks.
4.7
KCC
4.8
Local Council Review
4.9
Clerk & Councils
4.10
E-mail from Sally Woolley writer for the Kent Messenger, she would like the to clerk to forward the
minutes direct to her home address and will reimburse the cost of postage.
Action
The clerk was requested to send minutes.
4.ll
Mr. Bradshaw vrrites to the Parish Council requesting permission to ring birds at the brickfields. Bird
ringing involves the trapping of wild birds in order to place a metal ring on the leg. The bird is
promptly released back into the wild.
Action
The clerk was requested to reply to Mr. Bradshaw requesting further information on this proposal and
to raise the following questions: a) how long will the nets be put up, b) will the nets be tendered, c)
how frequently will they visit, d) who will supervisor this scheme, e) how many people will help with
the bird catching. Mr. Bradshaw must give a detailed response with the possibility of attending the
-
-
-
2021: Building the evidence base first consultation on
Improving service delivery and the maintenance plan summary.
Improving your local path network.
-
Information only.
Direct
Information only.
next meeting.
4412004
4.12
L.A.Landscapes (Kent) Ltd quotes f,550 to repair fence and f,450 to reset the rockers.
Action
The clerk was requested to contact the insurance company to claim the repair work. Should they agree
to the claim then the clerk should notify L.A.Landscapes to commence work. The clerk was requested
to arrange for the two rockers to be reset.
It was agreed that the clerk would obtain quotes for two signs for the play arca for the next meeting;
wording "This play area is for the use of children under 1 2 years of age".
4.13
SBC writes to give the Parish Council the opinion to omit "Borough of Swale" from all replacements
signs.
Action
The clerk was requested to send the completed form stating that the Parish Council wish to omit
"Borough of Swale" from all replacement street nameplates.
5.
5.1
Planning.
Action
SW 10411203 JRW, case 05886 extension to provide additional residential accommodation and the resiting ofvehicle crossing at I School Lane.
No objections subject to highways being satisfied with the access.
5.2
Action
SW/04/l 135 JRW, case 00516 construction of sand memege and bund at Callum Park Equestrian.
No objections.
6.
finance & Cheques.
Cheque a/c
NSB
Bank Deposit
8381.78
4422.42
1318.06
14122.26
Cheque list
900954
900955
900956
900957
900958
900959
900961
900962
900963
Biffa
wages
Street cleaners wages
Gardening club donation
Colas
MHTF
Poppy Appeal
Memorial Hall Trust Fund
Mother & Toddler Group
Clerks
64.31
304.25
100.00
50.00
118.36
15.75
30.00
1,000.00
500.00
A cheque was written to the Gardening Club 900957 for the donation of f,50 towards the planting in
the village. The cheque was prepared and payee left blank, clerk to contact Ken Woolacott to confirm
who the cheque should be payable to.
Action
The clerk to order the poppy wreath. It was agreed that John Knight would take the wreath to the
organised church service.
6.1
Subsidiarit)'.
6.1.1
Memorial Hall The accounts for the Memorial Hall were checked and it was agreed that the grant
money should be released, cheque 9AA962.
4512004
7.8
Tutts path. Ownership is Mr. Stevens.
Action
The clerk to contact KCC for clarification of the use of the path i.e. bridle or pedestrian path.
7.9
Communitv. No progress.
Action
Paul Wilson to report at the next meeting.
8.
Any other business.
S
l
Floodins. The predicted flood area might be expanded within the village. The Environment Agency
has produced a map highlighting the new areas of flood risk.
Action
Mick Drury to progress.
t'2
Bin
Action
The clerk to make the necessary arrangements.
8.3
Parish Council Newsletter. Agenda item for next meeting.
B.+
Fencing by church path way. The fence by the pathway at the church has fallen down and looks untidy.
This is the responsibility of the Parish Council
i
Next meeting: Tuesday 2nd November.
at
Youth Shelter. The bin has been vandalised and needs repairing.
The meeting closed at 10pm.
Jr4
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47/2004