Meetings 9 January 6
February 13 March 8
May 19
May 12 June 10 July 11
September 9 October 13
November 11 December
Subject Index Accounts
May Annual Report May Ash
Road Jan, Feb, May,
Jul, Oct,
Nov Barnett,
Cllr May Beechlands
Close Mar Benefits Surgery May2 Book "One Hundred Years"
Mar Burial Ground Mar,
May, Jul,
Oct Buses
May2 Castle
Hill Mar, May2, Jul,
Sep, Nov Chantry
Avenue Nov Chantry Avenue Park Nov Cherry Trees Mar,
May, Sep,
Nov, Dec Church
Road Jan, Feb,
Nov Churches - All Saints Dec -
RC Mar Committee Membership May Community
Warden Nov Conifer Avenue Nov Council
Meetings Jul Council Tax May2 Councillors - Interests
Feb Cricket Feb,
Mar, Sep Crime May2 Development
Sites May2 Donations May,
Dec Fairby
Lane Feb, May,
Nov Finance May2 Football
Feb, Mar, Sep,
Nov Gaywood,
Cllr May, Sep Global
Warming May2 Gorsewood Feb,
Mar Green Way Jul,
Nov Hartley
Court Green Jul, Sep,
Oct, Nov,
Dec Hartley Wood May,
Sep, Dec Health May2 Hearing
Aids May2 Hextable
Feb Horse Riding Jul,
Nov Horticultural Society May Hoselands
Green Jul, Sep,
Dec Hoselands
Wood May, Nov Kenward Trust May Longfield
Hill Nov Manor Field Jan,
Feb, Mar, Sep,
Nov, Dec Manor
Lane Mar Meeting Calendar May Minutes
(Historical) Jan New Burial Ground Feb,
Mar Northfield Jan,
Mar, May2, Jul,
Sep, Oct,
Nov Oast Way Nov Oxtoby,
Cllr Jan, May Parish
Office Jan, Jul Parkfield
Nov Parking Feb,
Jul, Sep Playgrounds Feb,
Nov Policing
May2, Oct Pond Sep Post
Office Nov Power Cables May2 Precept
Dec Primary
School Nov Protection
of Gardens Bill Jul Road Verges
Jul Round
Ash Way Nov Quakers
Close May,
Nov Rectory
Meadow Mar, Dec Round Ash Way Mar Salting
of Roads May,
Nov Sevenoaks
Council May2 Skateboarding
Mar Smoking May2 Snowboarding Mar Speeding
Mar, May, Jul Springcroft Mar,
May, Jul,
Sep, Oct,
Nov Stack
Lane Feb, Mar Standards
Board Sep Taxi
Vouchers Feb United Reformed Church Feb,
Mar, May, Sep Woodland
Avenue Nov Woodland Avenue Park Mar,
Nov Youth Jan,
May2, Jul, Sep,
Oct
|
11 December 2006 -
Parish Council Meeting 8pm
Present Cllrs Gaywood
(chairman), Abraham, Barnett, Mrs Burns, Mrs Coutts, Mrs Oxtoby,
Ramsay, Sewell, Mrs Solman, Tremain. Cllr Brazier (KCC), Mrs
Hoad (clerk), 7 members of the public.
Apologies - Cllrs Alford,
Harris, Ward (reasons approved)
1. Interests Cllr
Solman - The Briars, 1 Springcroft (prejudicial); Maryfield (personal). Cllr
Oxtoby - Planning Gorsewood Road (personal), Hartley Woods, Payments. Cllr
Barnett - payments Cllr Abraham - Cherry Trees shops
2. Minutes of meeting of
13 November 2006 Agreed.
3. Adjournment Cllr
Brazier reported financial problems at Kent County Council with
cuts in government funding. Education grant cut by 5.3%, Highways
"demonstrably" underfunded. He can't promise any
improvement in the situation - "Merry Christmas!".
Cllr Ramsay said the concessionary
bus scheme costs Sevenoaks £584,000 but they only get a grant
of £400,000. He said it was "unfortunately"
very popular with OAPs, and claimed bus companies find many ways
to increase fares. He said that since 2003 the increases in
council tax had been reduced from 14% to 5% annually. Mr Mayer
asked him whether there had been spending from reserves, Cllr Ramsay
said that was only for asset maintenance.
Mrs Sharp thanked the council
for acting so quickly over the tree planting at Hartley Court Green.
Mr Glover said while he welcomed
the numbers going to All Saints' Church on Sunday mornings, cars
parked in Church Road sometimes cause him difficulties in getting
past with a trailer, and he is concerned a fire engine might find
the same. He felt part of the problem was the overhanging
hedge. Cllr Barnett said it was in hand to have it cut back.
At Cllr Oxtoby's suggestion they agreed to put it on the next
Highways committee agenda.
4. Amenities and Open Spaces The
minutes of the meeting of 30 November 2006 were agreed 9-0. It
discussed:
- Manor Field - (a) they accepted
quote of £465 from Ian Paternoster to put up chain barrier
to stop cars driving onto the field; (b) Entrance Gate had been
damaged on 19 October by vehicle hitting it, repairs cost £219;
(c) Big wedding hire on 24 August 2007, council to inform neighbours,
organisers will need to apply for premises licence; (d) Pavilion
- Fire Risk Assessment to be done by Neil Townsend Associates
for £225.
- Rectory Meadow - following advertisement
of the proposed byelaws, some concerns were expressed by the
North West Kent Countryside Project and the Police (who questioned
whether the parish council would have sufficient resources to
enforce them). Full council agreed the draft bye-laws
9-0. The distribution of the nature reserve leaflets was
agreed.
5. Finance The
minutes of the meeting of 15 November were agreed. It discussed
the precept - they recommended a budget of £113,310 and precept
to rise from £92,000 to £96,000.
At full council, Cllr Burns said she
was "devastated" at the cut of £1,900 to the Youth
expenditure, in particular the £700 for miscellaneous expenses.
They had hoped to spend that money on organising trips to
amenities outside Hartley. She proposed and Vince Sewell seconded
that the budget for Youth be increased by £750. Cllr
Ramsay said they were underspent this year, Cllrs Burns and Sewell
thought they were being punished then for spending wisely and pointed
out that some of the money unspent was in expectation of being able
to build a skatepark. Cllr Oxtoby agreed with Cllr Ramsay,
as did Cllr Abraham, who said they should come back to the finance
committee later. Put to the vote the amendment was lost 3
- 5 (for Cllrs Burns, Sewell, Tremain, against all others except
Cllr Coutts and Gaywood who abstained). The main precept was
supported 6 - 3 (voters as above, except Cllr Coutts voted in favour).
Council also supported recommendations
to give donations to the Citizens' Advice Bureau, Kent BTCV, Darent
Valley Age Concern and Kent Wildlife Trust. They had recommended
not giving any money to Kent Victim Support. However at the
meeting, Cllr Burns had circulated councillors with details of their
work. She said she was disappointed the council could consider
supporting wildlife and trees, but not people. She said their
counselling service for victims of crime was superior to that of
the NHS. Cllr Coutts spoke in favour, as did Cllr Barnett,
who said he would change his mind based on the new evidence. The
amendment to give £100 was agreed 7 - 2 (against - Cllrs Ramsay
and Abraham).
The committee had also recommended
publicising the post office in their newsletter. Council agreed
unanimously, however Cllr Burns did ask whether other shops in Hartley
might criticise the promotion of the post office, Cllr Gaywood thought
not. Cllr Ramsay said he had changed his bank account to one
he could use at the Post Office.
6. Planning Minutes
of meetings of 12 and 26 September were approved.
For details
of planning applications see Planning
webpage.
7. HAWK Cllr
Sewell gave a verbal report of the last meeting. He said the
Hartley 8-12s may be able to attend the New Ash Green scheme.
8. Payments Payments of £12,409
were agreed.
9. Special Projects (a)
Hoselands Green - the committee had recommended taking over the
land from Sevenoaks Council subject to SDC paying legal costs. Cllr
Gaywood said he'd changed his mind about the legal costs after the
meeting, if Sevenoaks refused to pay then the resolution would fall.
Mrs Hoad said Jim Latheron of SDC had said the council can
handle the transfer, but Hartley may wish to run it past their solicitors.
Cllr Ramsay said he had got the same advice. Cllr Burns
asked how much extra will it cost the residents of Hartley, Mrs
Hoad said it would be £40 - 50 per cut every 2 weeks. Cllr
Sewell pointed out that this was almost exactly the same as they
were cutting from youth. Cllr Gaywood proposed and Cllr Ramsay
seconded the motion to delete the provision as to legal costs, agreed
7 - 2 (against Cllrs Burns, Sewell)
(b) Hartley Wood - they agreed to resume
the village green application from 31.1.07 unless they hear from
Southwark council, and to remove part of the land from their claim,
which is not woodland. Agreed 9-0.
(c) Cherry Trees - the committee had
discussed ways of dealing with litter and parking. They recommended
referring the matter to the Highways Committee. Cllr Burns
asked what more could they do, as they had discussed it already.
She and Cllr Sewell thought traffic wardens work well in Longfield,
"like Moses in the water" when they appear! Agreed
9-0.
(d) New Burial Ground - Cllr Gaywood
ordered the public out for this item regarding the covenants on
the field. Mr Mayer asked aren't they going to vote to hold
the meeting in secret first? After some discussion councillors
voted 9-0 to hold this item in secret.
Meeting closed to public 9.20pm
13 November 2006 -
Parish Council Meeting 8pm
Present Cllrs
Gaywood (chairman), Abraham, Alford, Harris, Barnett, Mrs Solman,
Tremain, Mrs Oxtoby, Mrs Burns, Sewell, Ramsay, Ward; Mrs Hoad
(clerk); 6 members of the public
Apologies - Cllr Mrs Coutts, reason approved.
1. Interests (all personal, except * prejudicial) Cllr
Solman - Forge House, Manor Drive*; Horse Riding on Northfield Cllr
Harris - Scout Hut Cllr Barnett - payment to him Cllr
Alford made another statement criticising the fact that
Cllr Gaywood was found guilty in a local standards hearing
of not declaring a personal interest in a planning application.
2. Minutes of meeting of 9 October 2006 Agreed.
3. Adjournment Springcroft - Cllr Ramsay said
it has dropped off the priority list from 3rd. Local
MP couldn't get anywhere either.
Northfield - Mrs Brudenell asked whether any other council
member is going to declare an interest. Later in the
meeting Cllr Alford denied he had an interest because he
walks his dog elsewhere too.
Hartley Court Green - Mrs Sharp said people want it dedicated
to Shirley Abraham.
Community Warden - to a question from Dr Roberts, Cllr
Gaywood said he wants them to be visible.
4. Amenities and Open Spaces The minutes of
the meeting of were approved. It discussed:
- Football - They allowed
Hartley de Sales FC to mark out a third pitch at their own expense
for football training.
- Playgrounds - they accepted Mr
Munday's quote of £195 to undertake work requested by
RoSPA inspection.
- Manor Field Pavilion - (a) quotations
to be obtained for a fire risk assessment; (b) water tests confirm
no legionella bacteria.
- Longfield Hill - damage to fence
on western boundary to be repaired by Mr Munday at a cost of
£280
- Woodland Avenue Park - damage
to fence next to Porchester Close car park to be repaired by
Mr Munday at a cost of £85.
- Chantry Avenue - neighbour said
horse chestnut trees blocking their light, but council would
not cut them back because of loss of amenity value of trees
if they did so.
- Hartley Court Green - Austin Treework
to be paid £200 to remove old tree stump, and council
to replace it with crab apple tree. Public
Question
5. Finance and General Purposes The
minutes of the meeting of 13 June 2006 were agreed. It discussed:
- Old Rectory - the owner has offered
to donate part of the woodland by Rectory Meadow to the council,
but has asked whether the council is prepared to pay for the
cost of a new dividing fence. Clerk to investigate.
6. Highways The
mintues of the meeting of 25 September were approved. It discussed:
- Parking restrictions - they proposed
(a) new double yellow lines for the access road from Round Ash
Way to Primary School; (b) retention of double yellow lines
where they are in Fairby Lane near school; (c) single yellow
line (no parking 7-10) for Quaker's Close from Ash Road to the
first layby; (d) double yellow lines for corners of Cherry Trees
at Church Road junction; (e) double yellow lines for corners
of Stack Lane and Woodland Avenue junctions with Church Road.
Other proposals for parking restrictions in Round Ash
Way, Chantry Avenue, Oast Way, Conifer Avenue, Fairby Lane,
RC Church, and Quakers Close were dropped after consultation.
Cllr Harris said about 60 residents turned up at the meeting,
Cllr Burns said it was refreshing that so many did so.
- Castle Hill - KCC had done a traffic
survey and considered options. Council asked for width
restriction signs at the top of the hill. Cllr Harris
said another problem was that Satnavs send you up Castle Hill
if travelling from Dartford to Hartley.
- Ash Road - bollard outside Fairby
Grange shows site of sign. Request for warning sign for
Green Way junction.
- Parkfield - council wants salt
bin because of slope there.
- Woodland Avenue - playground warning
sign to be reinstated.
7. Planning Minutes
of meetings of 12 and 26 September were approved.
For details
of planning applications see Planning
webpage.
8. Northfield The
Northfield Management Committee had recommended the creation of
a riding route on Northfield. Cllr Solman said they have been
trying to do this for 3½ years, and horse riding was one
of the originally suggested uses. This is a semi-rural area
with no bridleways, there are many open spaces for other members
of the community to use. She appreciates that others do use
the field, but they have other places too. It would be sad
if horse riding, which is enjoyed by young and old, lost out again.
She proposed and Cllr Oxtoby seconded a 6 month trial.
An advisory group had reported to
the NMC. The route largely goes round the edge of the field
except for the New Ash Green play area. Set up costs would be about
£900, and they propose an annual membership fee of £15
(they estimate 30 members). They had also prepared a list
of Riding Regulations and a proforma riding licence. A risk
assessment found all ratings were low.
Cllr Sewell said only 2 of the original
9 principles had been achieved for Northfield, they "should
hang their heads in shame". He thought horse riding was
too expansive. Cllr Abraham said football had been discussed
until they were sick of it, he said horses had ruined his golf club.
Cllr Alford said there was no need for football pitches. Cllr
Gaywood said riding was better than nothing and thought they had
achieved more than half of the list.
Cllr Ramsay questioned some of the
scores of the risk assessment. He said potential for loose
dogs meant Lullingstone was fenced. Cllr Oxtoby said the horse
riders would be insured, and that not all of Lullingstone route
was fenced. She said other uses cost just as much if not more
per head.
Cllr Harris spoke in favour, while
Cllr Barnett supported a trial.
Put to the vote it was supported 10
votes to 1 (Cllr Ramsay), Cllr Sewell abstained.
Public Question
NMC meetings of 6 October and 3 November
also discussed:
- Milestone School - the terms of
allowing Barwick construction to access their works via Northfield
were agreed. However subsequently Barwick refused 3 of
them.
- Stile opposite Appledore, Ash
Road - quotation for repairs of £350 from Green Acre Landscapes
accepted. Allotment owners told of NMC's displeasure.
9. Post Office The
Parish Council voted to support the Countryside Alliance's campaign
to preserve rural post offices.
10. Community Warden The
council received a report that Mr Honeysett has been seconded as
area supervisor, and that Hartley would be covered by one of the
response team. Cllr Gaywood thought it was time to "start
shouting" about this issue. Cllr Burns was "so disappointed
about the community warden", her high expectations had been
"completely dashed". Council agreed to complain
to KCC, and for the matter to be referred to the Special Projects
committee.
Public Question
11. Payments Payments of
£8,340 were agreed.
Meeting closed 9.28pm
9 October 2006
- Parish Council Meeting 8pm
Present Cllrs
Gaywood (chairman), Abraham, Harris, Barnett, Mrs Solman,
Tremain, Mrs Oxtoby, Mrs Burns, Sewell, Ramsay; Mrs Hoad
(clerk); Cllr Brazier (Kent CC); 7 members of the public
Apologies - Cllrs
Alford, and Ward. Council approved their absence.
1. Interests None declared.
2. Minutes of Meeting of 11 September 2006 Agreed
10-0.
3. Adjournment Cllr Brazier
gave his report: (a) Springcroft - he saw flooding himself
the other day. He was told by KCC it wouldn't be done
until 2009 at the earliest. He therefore suggested
people write to Cllr Ferrin at KCC; (b) Community Warden
- Cllr Burns asked whether he was aware that they spend
most of their time in Longfield, Borough Green and Darenth
- how can he serve Hartley too (Mrs Roberts added he also
works in Fawkham)? Cllr Brazier said he hadn't made
himself known to him. Comments from audience "Well
done Mrs Burns".
Cllr Ramsay (Sevenoaks) claimed the government had "reneged"
on paying for the cost of a new electoral system, meaning
a £20,000 bill for the council. He said they
have brought out a supplementary planning policy to ban
2 for 1 conversions on housing; and there is to be a consultation
day on the Local Development Framework at New Ash Green
on 23 October.
Mr Mayer asked who had cut Hoselands
Green recently? Mrs Hoad said it was Sevenoaks not
Hartley.
Mrs Roberts said the donated trees
on Northfield had died, shouldn't the council have watered
them? Cllr Gaywood said they didn't have the facilities
to.
Mrs Sharp outlined the offers
she has received to replace the tree on Hartley Court Green.
Mrs Roberts said if the council supplies the tree
they will plant it.
Mrs Brudenell was concerned the
parish council had lost a grant for the interactive road
sign on Ash Road, due to delays beyond their control. Cllr
Harris said that money was lost to Hartley, but fortunately
Cllr Brazier has paid a similar sum from this year's budget.
Cllr Brazier added that KCC Highways never wanted
the sign and had stalled the parish council, but "persistence
had won through".
4. Burial Ground The
minutes of the meeting of 3 October 2006 were approved.
It discussed:
- Moss to be removed from paving slabs
- Plots in new garden of remembrance to be marked
in advance
- Quotations to be obtained for cutting the hedge
by the lych gate
5. Planning Minutes
of meetings of 12 and 26 September were approved.
For details
of planning applications see Planning
webpage. The meeting
of 26 September also agreed to write to Harlequin Ltd to
oppose a proposed mobile phone base station on Hoselands
Green.
6. HAWK The
minutes of the meeting of 5 September were noted. It
discussed:
- An 8-12s project has received funding. It
is expected the be extended to New Ash Green after Christmas,
but problems of accommodation in both Hartley and West
Kingsdown.
- Website is up and running
- Upsurge of grafiti in south Hartley noted
- SDC's summer event in Hartley attracted 18 over
8 and 11 under 8s, New Ash Green had 63 and West Kingsdown
46.
7. Northfield The minutes
of the meeting of 8 September were noted. This discussed:
- They agreed to ask for £2,500 from each council
for 2007/8
- Allotment association asked the committee to write
to the manure suppliers to tell them further breaches
of the fence would not be tolerated.
- Barnetts Wood - concerns that leaving cut grass
would be a fire risk were dismissed.
- Litter - dog cut foot on broken glass. Subsequently
whole site litter picked.
- Substation - ongoing correspondence on the legal
side. This involves a variation of the lease and
advertising the loss of the part of the public open
space in the local press.
The council also considered at length the request by
Barwick Construction for access over the proposed Northfield
car park to their improvement works at Milestone school.
Cllr Ramsay was against offering any access, but his
proposal was lost 2-7 (for Cllrs Ramsay, Abraham, against
all others, Cllr Gaywood appeared to abstain). After
only 2 voted in favour, Cllr Gaywood tried to say at first
that there was no need to ask for no votes, but Cllr Tremain
pointed out that he couldn't know whether everyone else
might abstain! Cllr Harris said the prime concern
should be the safety of the schoolchildren, he was in favour
but thought Barwicks should offer more perhaps the new car
park they want. Cllrs Oxtoby, Tremain, Barnett and
Sewell all spoke in favour.
Once the amendment was lost they then agreed 11-0 to
support the request by Barwicks subject to further negotiations
and the imposition of a bond (at the suggestion of Cllr
Ramsay, who said this gives them more control).
Public Question
8. Payments Payments of £6,456 for October
were agreed.
Meeting closed 9.10 pm
11 September 2006 - Parish Council Meeting 8pm
Present Cllrs
Gaywood (chairman), Alford, Barnett, Mrs Oxtoby, Harris, Mrs Solman,
Mrs Burns, Tremain, Sewell, Mrs Coutts, Ward. Cllr Brazier
(Kent CC), Mrs Hoad (clerk) and 7 members of the public.
Apologies Cllrs Ramsay, Abraham, Tremain.
1. Interests Cllr Oxtoby - Hartley Woods Cllr
Barnett - allotments
Cllr Alford launched into an attack on the Standards
Board. He revealed that Cllr Gaywood had been the
subject of a complaint but did not say what the outcome
had been, however he criticised the complainant whom he
named and alleged their complaint was "spurious".
(see public question)
2. Minutes of meeting of 10 July 2006 and 18 July
2006 Approved without amendment.
3. Public
Question Time Mrs Delf reported that the tap in the
churchyard had been fixed.
Mrs Roberts asked had they considered how much the URC
Church will cost to run and the likely number of lettings?
Cllr Gaywood said they had.
Mrs Sharp asked whether the scouts were still going to
remove the duck house from the pond. Cllr Harris said
they were.
Mrs Brudenell referred to a leaflet she had received
from the conservatives - how many of the 33 services they
say the council provide are actually received in Hartley?
Cllr Gaywood said he would have to look into this.
Mr Mayer referred to Cllr Alford's statement and asked
whether he had ever made a complaint to the Standards Board
himself? (There was no reply). Mr Mayer said
they can't complain of people going to the Standards Board,
when the council had themselves removed the right of members
of the public to complain to the council about individual
councillors, formerly under the NALC code of complaints. The
council appeared to be unaware of this point, but eventually
Cllr Alford read out the relevant standing order. Some
discussion followed. Mrs Brudenell said she was concerned
that they appeared to be saying people don't have the right
to complain about councillors. Cllr Gaywood said that
people have the democratic right to complain; "good
to hear it" said Mrs Sharp.
Dr Cramp raised concerns about the proposals to remodel
the junction at the bottom of Castle Hill, which he felt
would make it more dangerous because of reduced sight lines.
Cllr Gaywood said they would discuss it later. Dr
Cramp also asked how much cleaning will Sevenoaks Council
do at Cherry Trees. As they see fit, was Cllr Gaywood's
reply.
4. Amenities and Open Spaces Committee The
meetings discussed:
- Cricket - repairs to cricket square in September,
council agreed to look at problems with water supply
to changing rooms.
- Football - there are 4 teams from Hartley De Sales
at Manor Field for 2006/7 (U18 x 2, U14, U13), senior
teams charged £300 for the season each, junior
ones £260 each.
- Manor Field - (a) the Arthritis Research Campaign
had got a temporary drinks licence for their fete, as
a result the council have changed their conditions of
hire to make sure the parish council gives permission
first in future. Related to the same matter the
covenant owners wrote to confirm they would be giving
their permission for this event to serve alcohol. This
was confirmed by full council. Cllr Burns asked
whether the council checks the hirers are insured, Mrs
Hoad said not, "should we" replied Cllr Burns.
(b)
Fencing to be extended to stop people driving onto the
field. (c) Brambles on western boundary to be cut at
the request of the footballers.
- Manor Field Pavilion - grafiti at back removed by
probation services.
- Hartley Wood - (a) the council has applied for adverse
possession of more plots. They have had to pay
£750 for risk assessments on the land they own.
(b) Further to the special projects committee proposal
to make a village green application on land owned by
Gorsewood Farm, the Amenities committee doubted the
council would have a case and were against the idea.
- Woodland Avenue Park - cost of vandalism of fence
to be £170.
- Hartley Court Green - dead cherry tree to be removed
for £100. They want to replace it with a
crab apple.
- Chantry Avenue - 3 chestnut trees to be cut back
as they are shading out a neighbour's garden.
- Pond - they have engaged a company for £400
to produce a report on the future management of the
pond. (see public question)
5. Communications Committee The minutes
of the meetings of 8th and 30th August were approved. The
meetings discussed:
- Improvements to the website
were agreed
- They have produced a councillors'
handbook to be circulated to councillors
- Next Hartley Herald will
be December 2006
6. Highways Committee The minutes of the
meeting of 6th September
2006 were approved. It disussed:
- Castle Hill - they agreed
to refer to Fawkham Council the proposal to convert
the Fawkham road to a T junction (see
public question),
where there have been 2 accidents. Cllr Harris
said there was a low chance of it being done anyway.
At full council widening of the top end of the
road was discussed, Cllr Alford asked whether it could
be done by compulsory purchase, but Cllr Harris said
residents were against that.
- Yellow Lines - they recommended
consulting residents of Round Ash Way, Oast Way, Conifer
Avenue, Fairby Lane, Chantry Avenue and Quakers Close
on proposed yellow lines. Cllr Harris said at
one meeting people were in favour, but at the next there
were several against, including a district councillor
affected. Cllr Burns said someone was leafleting
Fairby Lane, not to push any line but to encourage response
to the survey. They are not proceeding with lines
near the RC School, Cllr Harris said wedding cars and
hearses are exempt anyway, and the idea was dropped
because no-one in Woodland Avenue complained. Residents
at the meeting of the 6th were concerned about yellow
lines outside their houses, and in the case of Quakers
Close, on street parking for those who cannot park off
street. In addition concerns were voiced that
if yellow lines were put around the RC church it would
encourage more parking in Stack Lane where there is
already a problem
- Springcroft - it is unlikely
that the works to alleviate the flooding problem will
be done soon.
7. Planning Minutes
of meetings of 7 & 18 July, 1, 15 and 29 August were approved.
For details
of planning applications see Planning
webpage.
8. Special Projects Committee The minutes
of the meeting of 21st August 2006 were approved. The
meeting discussed:
- Hoselands Green - they
want to take over ownership from Sevenoaks Council,
and they recommend additional cuts at Hartley's expense.
At full council, Cllr Gaywood claimed he had made
himself unpopular at Sevenoaks with strong words about
the issue, and now some cabinet members won't talk to
him. Cllr Burns said Sevenoaks cut the green after
she and others complained, so they should keep up the
pressure, she and Cllrs Oxtoby and Sewell voted against
the motion but the others were in favour so it was carried.
- Cherry Trees - the concerns
of the Parish Plan about the state of the shops were
noted, and they are seeking a meeting with the landlord's
agent. They recommended getting Sevenoaks's rapid
response team to clean up the shops, this was supported
at full council, Cllr Sewell voted against because he
didn't think public money should be used to tidy up
private land (Cllr Alford may have abstained, but this
is not clear).
- Hartley Wood - they were
willing to reduce the amount of land claimed by the
parish council, so as not to prejudice Southwark's plans
for the landfill site.
9. Youth Committee The minutes of the meeting
of 5th September 2006 were approved. It discussed:
- Sevenoaks Council are
looking at discounted access to their leisure centres,
like a scheme already for residents of Swanley. They
also have funding from KCC for an 8-12 project in the
district and Hartley Primary School is being investigated
as a possible venue.
- Summer Youth Scheme -
the youth worker said it had gone well with 29 attending
at Woodland Avenue.
10. Northfield Management Committee The minutes of the meeting of 21st July 2006
were noted. It discussed:
- Grass Cutting - they awarded
a two year contract to Westcut Mowing for £1,440.
A lower quote was rejected because they were happy
with Westcut's previous work.
- Ash Road Fence - allotment
society to be written to, to remind them not to breach
the Ash Road fence but to go to the Church Road entrance
for their deliveries of manure.
- Horse riding - a committee
will be formed to take this forward.
- Woodland - a log barrier
is to be built at a cost of £980.
- Boundary with Courtfield
and Cavan - a fence is to be built to prevent trespass
at the joint cost of the NMC and landowners.
- Correspondence - (a) A
resident had a branch of a tree fall and break her windscreen,
while driving between Northfield and another property,
so she asked both landowners to check their trees. NMC
decided to see if the trees were theirs or KCC's; (b)
a resident wrote to say they had broken 2 fingers on
a kissing gate off Church Road. Committee was
told gate appeared to be in good working order; (c)
resident wrote to complain that rolling of the field
may have destroyed nesting skylarks. NMC agreed
to review timing of this in future.
11. Hartley Parish Plan Steering Committee The minutes of the meetings
of 29th June and 14th August 2006 were noted.
12. HAWK Youth Partnership Project The
minutes of the meeting of 8th June 2006 were noted. Cllr
Sewell reported the youth worker had set up a website at
no cost to the committee. He thought it was a step
forward, to meet youth on their own territory as they won't
go to things like the open day.
13. Payments Payments
of £11,339 were approved.
Meeting closed at 9.30pm
10 July 2006 - Parish Council Meeting 7.30pm Present Cllrs
Gaywood (chairman), Barnett, Mrs Oxtoby, Harris, Mrs Solman,
Mrs Burns, Tremain, Sewell, Mrs Coutts. Cllr Brazier
(Kent CC), Mrs Hoad (clerk) and 6 members of the public.
Apologies Cllrs Ramsay, Alford,
Abraham, Ward.
1. Minutes of Meeting of 12 June
2006 Agreed.
2. Public Question Time Cllr
Gaywood asked Cllr Brazier whether Kent or Sevenoaks were
responsible for cutting verges, as he had been asked by
one of his neighbours. Cllr Brazier said that in an
urban situation they are privately owned. Cllr Gaywood
said the verge in question on the corner of Green Way had
been cut for 33 years by the council until this year.
Mrs Sharp asked if the dead tree on Hartley
Court Green could be replaced? Anything's possible,
said Cllr Gaywood. Mrs Delf said it was donated by
the WI. Mrs Sharp said she could get a new one from
a nursery.
Mrs Sharp also asked for news of action
on grafiti or the pond. Cllr Gaywood said they are
awaiting a report on the pond.
Mrs Brudenell highlighted the fact that
there are plenty of places locally for walkers, but none
for riders. They have to use the road and would they
let a child play football in the street? Cllr Oxtoby
strongly supported her.
3. Time of Meetings They
agreed 7 votes to 1 (Cllr Burns) and one abstention (Cllr
Gaywood) to move the time of the meetings to 8pm. Cllr
Gaywood said it was a good idea if you like Emmerdale.
4. Burial Ground The
minutes of the meeting of 27 June 2006 were adopted 9-0.
It discussed:
- A planting scheme for the bed located by the gate
was agreed, and a quote of £70 accepted to clear
existing plants.
- Some of the paving slabs in garden of rememberance
to be repointed with a new products to see how good
it is.
5. Highways The
minutes of the meeting of 13 June 2006 were agreed 9-0.
It discussed:
- Ash Road - KCC have changed their mind and the council
can now put up an interactive sign north of Fairby Lane
junction. They will also conisder writing "slow"
on the road before that point. The trigger speed
will be 35mph.
- Springcroft - fresh flooding after recent storm,
but KCC have deferred works to next year to the annoyance
of the committee.
- Castle Hill - a request for resurfacing the narrow
part had been received from a resident.
- Parking - Sevenoaks have made proposals on parking
restrictions around schools(?).
6. Planning Minutes
of meetings of 13 and 27 June approved 9-0. For details
of planning applications see Planning
webpage.
The committee had recommended supporting Mr G Clark MP's
private member's bill "Protection of Private Gardens
Bill". This was to stop new planning rules to
make it easier to build in back gardens. There was
some confusion in replies to Cllr Coutts's question as to
whether you could object to planning applications in gardens.
One councillor said yes, another said it would make
it more difficult. It was agreed 5 votes to 1 (Cllr
Harris). Abstain: Cllrs Burns and Gaywood. Cllr
Harris stressed that the only reason he had voted against
was that the bill was politically motivated, and he was
independent.
7. Youth Minutes
of meeting of 22 June 2006 agreed 9-0. It discussed:
- Youth worker's report: Charlton Athletic doing training
at Woodland Avenue Park on Wednesdays. Group taken
on fishing trip in May; and 10 want to go on Motor Cross
training at Dover.
- SDC Young People's Action Plan - committee concerned
plan contained no provision for the two activities the
youth told them they most wanted - swimming and BMX.
- SDC Summer Programme - committee concerned none
of SDC's events were in Hartley.
- West Kent 8-12 project - still looking for venue,
after being turned down by Our Lady of Hartley School.
See also HAWK below.
8. Northfield Minutes
of meeting of 12 May were noted. It discussed:
- Play area to be sprayed to kill clover and fertilized.
Cost up to £250.
- Grafiti on fence by Hartley House - to be removed
by SDC grimebusters when they visit.
- Ragwort spraying to cost £615.
- Horse Riding Route - Mrs Solman continuing to work
on this
They also discussed a proposed lease to EDF to build
a substation so they can bury the cable. EDF had asked
for the freehold but according to Cllr Gaywood, the VA won't
sell, only lease. However they are unsure whether
they need to advertise the lease in accordance with the
local government act. So they delegated the clerk
and chairman to deal with it (8-0, no abstentions - Cllr
Coutts was out of the room at the time).
9. Parish Plan The minutes of 1 and 15
June and report were noted.
10. HAWK The minutes
of the 8 June AGM were noted, Cllr Sewell said it was the
usual things, they all turned up and did as they were
told. At the meeting he had suggested an internet
radio station for local youth.
11. Hoselands Green This
provoked the livliest discussion of the evening. Sevenoaks
have reduced the number of cuts from 10 to 3 pa, and HPC
were considering whether to pay for additional cuts themselves,
take over cutting altogether or have the land transferred
to them by Sevenoaks.
Cllr Gaywood admitted he was party to the decision to
reduce cuts at Sevenoaks, but he thought he was voting for
7 cuts not 3. The officer at SDC said Hartley is welcome
to the land if they want it. He said it was an important
piece of land, claiming it was the first green space you
get to from Longfield. Cllr Brazier said in Swanley,
Sevenoaks pays for 7 cuts, Swanley for 3.
Many councillors protested at what they saw as an attempt
to pass costs onto the parish council. Cllr Burns
said we pay for this in our taxes and they should stand
on their principles and insist that SDC come out and cut
it. Cllr Oxtoby asked if they were going to pay Hartley
for the cutting, and said they should pressurise SDC to
cut the land. Cllr Harris said he didn't doubt they
could do the job better, but it was the start of a slippery
slope, they shouldn't subsidise SDC (audience - "hear,
hear"). Cllr Coutts said SDC is not interested
in Hartley, only our council tax said Cllr Burns. Cllr
Tremain asked if they could write to Dartford to join them.
After much debate they agreed to cut the grass once if
SDC don't do it immediately - for 5 (Cllrs Solman, Tremain,
Coutts, Barnett, Harris), against 3 (Cllrs Oxoby, Burns,
Sewell). Cllr Gaywood did not appear to vote, but
criticised those who voted against, saying he was amazed
they should quibble over a small cost. He said they
didn't need a vote to continue considering whether to take
on the land, and they would report by next meeting.
12. Gardening for Wildlife They agreed to donate
£30 for a prize.
13. Office Equipment They
agreed to pay up to £500 for an air conditioner for
the parish office.
14. Payments Payments of £6,456
for July and £5,004 for August were agreed.
19 May 2006 - Annual Parish
Meeting Present Dr
Stoate (MP); Cllrs Coutts, Alford, Gaywood (chairman), Harris, Oxtoby,
Ramsay, Solman, Sewell, Tremain, Barnett, Garwood (SDC) and about
50-60 members of the public.
1. Former Councillor Freddie
Eames A brief silence was held for Freddie Eames who died
today.
2. Apologies Were received
from KCC councillor Brazier and the Rector.
3. Dr Howard Stoate MP He
highlighted many of the things he'd been involved with in the past
year, most due to letters received from constituents:
- Smoking ban in Pubs, the majority
of constituents are in favour
- Childhood lukemia, which may be
linked to high voltage cables
- Hearing Aid provision in Dartford
- he held a half hour adjournment debate on this to highlight
shortage of audiologists and waiting list for the superior digital
hearing aids.
- Hospital targets - the target
is now 18 weeks between seeing a GP and the operation, which
Darent Valley is on course for.
- Bus passes - he campaigned for
a national scheme which will come in 2008.
- Mobile phone tracking - he has
called for regulation to stop inappropriate tracking of children.
In the questions that followed Mr Mayer
thanked him for his support for the Climate Change and Sustainable
Energy Bill, which he had written to him about. Dr Stoate
said he was glad to support a measure for the benefit of future
generations, adding he often signed early day motions because the
more signatures the more likely ministers are to take notice. Mrs
Brudenell mentioned a case she knew where it took over a year for
an operation, Dr Stoate said he realised the system is not perfect
but hoped the new targets will help. He urged people facing
long waits to write to him, so he can put pressure to get things
moving. Mr Gibbons asked whether the hospital will be big
enough in the future. Dr Stoate replied in the 1980s there
were 1,000 beds locally and all used to capacity, he recalled that
his patients could be scattered around different wards, wherever
they could be fitted in. Darent Valley is only 400 beds but
is not used to capacity, the chief executive told him 70% + of operations
are now done in the Woodlands Day Centre. There are plans
for a 200 bed extension, and he will press for this if it becomes
necessary.
4. Police Chief Inspector Gill
Ellis gave a talk about the structural changes in Kent Police. 9
divisions are being reduced to 6, which means Hartley, Swanley and
the Mallings will be added to West Kent which stretches down to
Tunbridge Wells. In West Kent, Sevenoaks will have a chief
inspector (based at Swanley), inspector, 3 sergeants (Swanley, Edenbridge,
Sevenoaks), 15 neighbourhood PCs and 10 Police Community Support
Officers. From July Hartley will have 2 PCSOs covering the
area, but the PC post is currently vacant. Manpower will increase
because Kent plans to recruit 474 PCSOs by March 2008 (53 for West
Kent), and because they plan to move 80 PCs from south to north
and west Kent where they are more needed. Other drivers for
the reorganisation was the aim of neighbourhood policing by 2008,
increase in crime by 7.7% and money. She listed a number of
people they mentioned the changes to, and admitted the Hartley area
change was the most controversial in the whole county.
Questions followed. Mr Gibbons
said Meopham and Gravesend are more convenient to get to than the
suggested Borough Green and Swanley. Ch Insp Ellis said it
made no difference if people phoned and the station was merely where
PCs hung their coats. Another PC there thought Borough Green
was no further away than Meopham. Cllr Garwood said he had
opposed the change at Sevenoaks, and asked how long it would take
for a car to get here from Tonbridge. Ch Insp Ellis said 2
cars would be based at Swanley but couldn't rule out cars having
to come all the way from Tonbridge. She did add that the cars
could be anywhere when they get the call so might be nearer, and
cross border arrangements would be in place with North Kent area.
Mrs Brudenell was concerned about policing priorities, a neighbour
of hers had a quad bike stolen and they were threatened by the theives
but the response from the police was "appalling". Ch
Insp Ellis said they have a list of priorities for each area.
5. Parish Plan Dr Gerald Cramp
gave an update on the Parish Plan. There were no questions.
6. Minutes of meeting of 18 March 2005 These
were approved by those present.
7. Report of Chairman to the Parish
Council Cllr Gaywood referred people to the annual report.
He highlighted issues of Quality Parish Status, Planning,
Parish Office, Community Warden, New Burial Ground, URC Church (they
hope to put plans to local synod), Hartley Wood. He said the
work of the council was "to make Hartley a better place".
8. Report of Finance Committee chairman Cllr
Alford mentioned the "planned" overspend last year on
the parish office, and said that many of the other increases in
expenditure were covered by grants. They have increased council
tax this year by £1.92 for a band F house, but increase is
less than KCC.
9. Report of Sevenoaks District Councillors Cllr
Garwood said he was "fighting for the local community to the
best of his ability". He is now member for planning.
He highlighted current issues of Planning (apparently an aerial
survey has identified 200 potential development plots in Hartley);
Traffic; Phone Masts at Billings Hill Shaw; Unitary Authorities
(personally he is against them, but can see police reorganisation
is possibly linked to this).
Cllr Ramsay reminded people that there
were elections next year where "you'll have the chance to vote
for a lot of new people or not". He said Sevenoaks has
had to cut £3 million from the budget, and it was "upsetting"
to reduce staff from 602 in 2003 to 423 now, but he claimed essential
services hadn't been affected. He was pleased the council's
new benefits outreach service in Hartley had been well used, and
they had stopped a "nasty" backland development in Gorsewood
Road at a planning enquiry.
10. Public Questions Mrs Sharp
congratulated Cllr Solman for trying to get horseriding on Northfield
and asked why neither this nor youth facilities such as netball
or skateboarding there yet? Cllr Gaywood said it was an "interesting
topic" and a good idea but they are not sure they can manage
it properly.
Ms Fairman asked about the camera signs
on Ash Road, were cameras ever there, if not were the signs a waste
of money. Cllr Gaywood said they had been there once, and
the signs had been paid for by KCC not the parish council. He
said they had achieved more in last 2 years than before, but had
been "frustrated by KCC". Mr Cass said he had seen
two PCs monitoring speed at Chantry Avenue.
Mr Gronow asked what had happened to
the excellent proposal by Cllr Sewell for a trim trail at Northfield.
Cllr Gaywood said they were still awaiting detailed proposals,
but was sure they'd follow it up.
Mr Crowe asked whether the council
needed as much as £100,000 in reserves. Cllr Alford
admitted the District Auditor agrees and has said they should only
have reserves of about £30,000, and that they chose not to
spend capital reserves on the parish office. Mr Williams asked
why assets are not shown on the Parish Council's balance sheet?
Cllr Alford said they didn't have to. Mr Williams asked
isn't that unusual? Yes, replied Mrs Hoad.
Mrs Mayer asked about the traffic on
Castle Hill and whether the road could be widened where possible.
She doesn't mind backing the car, but many drivers refuse
to do so. Cllr Gaywood said it was entirely up to Kent County
Council, if people don't like Castle Hill they shouldn't use it.
People have to live with it, he uses it as little as possible.
Mr Senneck asked whether the youth
shelter was a good investment? The Youth workers said yes.
Meeting closed at 10.20pm
8 May 2006 Present Cllr
Gaywood (chairman), Abraham, Barnett, Mrs Oxtoby, Mrs Burns,
Sewell, Alford, Harris, Ramsay, Mrs Solman, Mrs Coutts, Tremain,
Ward; Mrs Hoad (clerk) and 7 members of the public.
Apologies None (all
present!)
1. Committee Elections (both
Cllrs Gaywood and Harris abstained for their own election) Chairman Cllr
Gaywood (nominated by Cllr Alford, seconded by Cllr Oxtoby) 12-0. Vice
Chairman Cllr Harris (nominated by Cllr Abraham, seconded
by Cllr Sewell) 12-0. Cllr Barnett having previously indicated he
wished to stand down. All councillors thanked him. Committees Cllr
Abraham (Finance, Planning, Communication) Cllr Alford (Finance,
Planning, Communication, Community Facilities, Special Projects,
Standing Orders) Cllr Barnett (Amenities, Burial Grounds, Finance,
Special Projects, Standing Orders, Tree Warden, Action with communities
in rural Kent) Cllr Burns (Burial Grounds, Youth, HAWK, Communications,
Community Facilities, Crime Prevention Panel) Cllr Coutts (Burial
Grounds, Planning) Cllr Gaywood (all - ex officio) Cllr Harris
(all - ex officio, except Northfield) Cllr Oxtoby (Amenities,
Burial Grounds, Communications, Special Projects, Hartley Primary
School governor from 1.9.06, KAPC) Cllr Ramsay (Finance,
Planning, Community Facilities, Special Projects, Highways) Cllr
Sewell (Amenities, Youth, Community Facilites, HAWK, he also said
he was not planning on standing for the council next year) Cllr
Solman (Amenities, Planning, Northfield, Highways) Cllr Tremain
(Amenities, Youth, Special Projects) Cllr Ward (Amenities, Highways,
Standing Orders)
2. Interests Cllr
Ramsay (Rural Age Concern); Cllr Barnett (payment to himself); Cllr
Oxtoby (Hartley Wood); Cllr Gaywood and Cllr Barnett (Horticultural
Society) - all apparently personal and prejudicial.
3. Minutes of meeting of
10 April 2006 Agreed.
4. Meetings 2006-7 They
agreed the schedule of meetings of the council on 12/6,
10/7, 11/9, 9/10, 13/11, 11/12, 8/1/2007, 5/2, 12/3, 16/4
and 14/5. Councillor Tremain proposed and Councillor
Sewell seconded that meetings should revert to 8pm, they
voted 7-2 in favour but then Mrs Hoad said it couldn't be
voted upon until the next meeting. Cllr Gaywood said
he wished he'd known that before the vote! There was
some discussion over the date of the annual parish meeting
for 2007 (whether it should be before or after the election),
they agreed on 25 May.
5. Public Questions Mrs
Brudenell asked how much the "gifts" of land in
Hartley Wood had cost the council. Mrs Hoad said £1,000
for a survey and £2,500 additional costs for tree work. Mrs Brudenell
also reported that Southwark now have a 24 hour guard on
site, and someone from them remarked to her that it was
an extremely valuable site. Cllr Mrs Solman said she
understood that Southwark had sacked the original contractors.
Regarding the fence
Cllr Gaywood said Southwark were within their rights to
do that. Cllr Alford said people had taken action
against the fences, he claimed he didn't "condone"
vandalism, but he "understood" it.
Mr Mayer urged a constructive
attitude in the negotiations with Southwark, as the most
important thing was to keep public access however this is
achieved. He praised Cllr Gaywood's conciliatory tone.
See Amenities Committee
below for more on Hartley Wood
Mrs Sharp said she
had asked for a grafiti removal can from Sevenoaks, but
they had never replied. Cllr Gaywood said it is a
service from the council.
6. Amenities
and Open Spaces The minutes of the meeting of 26
April 2006 were agreed. It discussed Hartley Wood
- Southwark had put up fencing on their land which had been
removed and daubed with grafiti. Notices saying it
was private land had also been removed. Trees on the
border had been daubed in red. The committee criticised
the "aggressive" action taken by Southwark to
prevent access, but apparently had nothing to say about
the vandalism. Questions were asked about whether
they should have sought legal advice beforehand particularly
in the light of a court case which encouraged landowners
to block access. They were told the council had decided
to do this about ? 8 years ago. They recommended publicity
and sought council approval for the clerk's actions (approved).
They also decided to seek Tree Preservation Orders
and advice from Open Spaces Society.
7. Burial Ground The
minutes of the meeting of 2 May 2006 were approved. It
discussed:
- They agreed to
spend £600 to remove and screen the spoil heap.
- Garden of Rememberance
- following an accident the paving slabs had to be jet
washed and will now have to be repointed.
8. Finance and
General Purposes The minutes of the meeting of 3
May 2006 were agreed. It discussed:
- 2005/6 Budget.
End of year outturn was income £113,047
and expenditure £124,523. Due mainly to
new parish office (£19,000). The internal
auditor passed the accounts. Agreed by full council
12-0.
- Hoselands Wood
- the council has been offered a donation of a large
piece of land bordering Rectory Meadow. They deferred
a decision pending investigations.
- Donations. This
provoked the livliest debate of the meeting. The
committee had recommended donations of £100 to
the Open Spaces Society and Rural Age Concern Darent
Valley, £200 to the Hartley Horticultural Society
and nothing to the Kenward Trust which treats alcoholics
and drug addicts. Cllrs Gaywood, Ramsay and Barnett
had declared interests and left the room. Cllr
Burns said she was disappointed a charity dealing with
the homeless and drugs should be refused, she thought
it was more important than flowers and proposed a £200
donation, which was seconded by Cllr Tremain. This
was opposed by Cllr Abraham, who was against supporting
people with "self inflicted" problems, which
Cllr Burns took exception to. It was at this point
that Mrs Roberts pointed out that none of the councillors
that had left the room had an interest in this item,
they agreed they could be recalled. The votes
were then taken individually (a) Open Spaces Society
- Cllr Cllr Oxtoby proposed £200 which was agreed
9 - 1 (Cllr Ramsay); (b) Cllr Burns's amendment was
lost 4 (Cllrs Burns, Tremain, Coutts, Sewell) - 5, however
Cllr Burns was invited to come back to the next meeting
with more details about the charity; (c) Rural Age Concern
agreed 12-0; (d) Horticultural Society - Cllr Coutts
thought £200 was a lot, Cllr Ramsay said one show
costs £300, Cllr Sewell said he thought at first
£200 was over the top until he learnt of their
help in the burial ground. Cllr Oxtoby proposed
and Cllr Burns seconded a donation of £100, this
was lost 3 (Cllr Burns, Oxtoby, Coutts) - 7, so the
donation remained at £200.
- Fixed penalties
for littering - the council decided not to use their
powers under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment
Act 2005 to issue fines for litter, grafiti and fly
posting, but weren't against the Community Warden being
able to do this.
- Assistant Clerk's
salary - previously they had decided she should be on
Spinal column point 17 of the local government scale
but had forgotten to deal with increments. They
recommended increments until point 21 is reached. Agreed
by full council 13-0.
9. Planning Minutes
of meetings of 11 April and 2 May approved 13-0. For details
of planning applications see Planning
webpage.
10. Communications Minutes
of meetings of 18 and 26 April 2006 approved 13-0. It
discussed:
- Website - history article
supplied by Dr Cramp
- Newsletter - they had
a quotation from Orchard Publishing, but decided to
continue with Ash Setting and Printing for June issue.
- Annual Report - to be
printed and distributed by Ash Setting and Printing
for £541, plus postage costs for the 167 households
they don't deliver to. This required an increase
in the committee's budget (approved by full council
13-0).
11. Highways Minutes
of meeting of 2 May 2006 agreed. It discussed:
- Fairby Lane - the committee
recommended supporting any action by residents to close
the Ash Road entrance. Cllr Alford opposed this,
saying it was a public highway and it was wrong for
encouraging people to break the law (see
above). Cllr Harris said this had been going
on for ages and they needed to put pressure on the county
to do something.
- Ash Road - a traffic survey
outside Westacott in Ash Road and Chantry Avenue found
very high maximum speeds, in one case over 100 mph.
KCC still not supporting an interactive sign,
the committee recommended buying a sign anyway for north
of Chantry Avenue, other councillors were worried they
might spend the money and find they couldn't install
it, so they adopted Cllr Ramsay's suggestion to get
a quotation and send it to KCC (13-0).
- Springcroft - there was
some question as to whether KCC funding would be available
for phase 3 of the works to prevent flooding.
- Quakers Close/Ash Road
junction - councillors investigating a low retaining
wall built from railway sleepers.
- Winter Salting - will
be extended to Wellfield but not Woodland Avenue.
12. Special Projects The
minutes of the meeting of 18 April 2006 were approved 13-0.
It discussed:
- Cherry Trees - the council
has heard from the Managing agents Brickman Yale, who
are planning to take up and replace uneven slabs and
remove weeds around the shops.
- United Reformed Church
- councillors did not want to buy the site, but thought
a legal agreement to use the site might be possible,
but it would have to be run by the community not the
council. Their recommendation to see if a legal
agreement was possible and to enquire whether their
insurance would cover continued use of the car park
was approved 13-0.
- Exclusion of public -
following a secret meeting, a member of the public had
written to question the legality of the working group's
decisions, since councils can only delegate decisions
to committees. The working group almost apologised
and agreed to change its name to a committee (approved
by full council 13-0).
13. Payments Payments
for May of £8,642 were agreed.
Meeting closed at 10.08pm
13 March 2006 Present Cllrs
Barnett (chairman for meeting), Tremain, Mrs Oxtoby, Mrs Burns,
Sewell, Alford, Harris, Mrs Solman, Mrs Coutts; KCC Councillor Brazier,
Mrs Hoad (clerk) and 8 members of the public.
Apologies Cllrs
Ward, Gaywood, Abraham, Ramsay.
Members' Interests Cllr
Tremain - Hartley Wood.
1. Minutes of Meeting of 6
February 2006 Agreed
2. Kent County Councillor Nothing
to report.
3. Public Questions Mrs
Brudenell said she was sad to report that the hedge between Northfield
and Cavan has been vandalised. Cllr Barnett agreed and said
it needed protecting.
Mrs Sharp thanked Cllr Sewell
for making up the £17.50 pizza voucher to £25, she would
like to donate it to a young person who is doing good, eg. looking
after a parent and asked for the council to publicise this in their
next newsletter. Cllr Sewell thought it should be run by Kent
County Council.
Mr Mayer asked why the parish
council had no view on the police reorganisation, which will see
us transferred to Tonbridge area. Concerns were expressed
about Hartley being "caught in the middle", Cllr Alford
thought it couldn't be any worse than North Kent. He said
it's all Kent police "it's not rocket science" - a view
not shared by Cllrs Burns and Harris. The changes take place
on 1 April so the council realised they may have to uninvite the
North Kent police representative for the annual parish meeting.
4. Amenities and Open Spaces The
minutes of the meeting of 2 March 2006 were agreed. The meeting
discussed:
- Football - Hartley de Sales will
let them know at the end of March what their requirements will
be for 2006/7 season. They wanted to cut back the bramble
on the western boundary of Manor Field.
- Cricket (Manor Field) - council
will pay £150 to roll outfield before start of season
and another £50 to repair depression.
- Cricket (Longfield Hill) - council
to pay £200 for mole catching, £240 for control
of worms and £50 to prevent gate being lifted off its
hinges. They also discussed fence repairs.
- Playgrounds - insurers pleased
to hear that repairs demanded by RoSPA were in hand. See
also Youth Committee
- Woodland Avenue - they deferred
a request to hire the park by Showtime Amusements for a funfair
in the summer.
- Manor Field - they accepted the
suggestions by Messrs HF and JH Glover for a chain barrier to
stop unathorised access to the field. See also Special
Projects
- Rectory Meadow - They recommended
refusing a request for interment of ashes there (approved
by full council 9-0, Cllr Barnett said they owed "a debt
of gratitude" to the North West Kent Countryside Project,
all three leaders had been enthusiastic. Cllr Alford said
if anyone owed a debt of gratitude it was Cllr Barnett).
They plan to put a bench where the footpaths intersect.
They also recommended an event to celebrate getting Local
Nature Reserve Status (approved
by full council 9-0).
- Hartley Wood Village Green application
- consultants for Southwark Council have disputed the parish
council claim, but say they wanted to discuss matters. Committee
recommended they do this and suspend application while negotiations
are taking place. (full
council agreed, but Cllr Alford carried amendment that they
shouldn't suspend the application. He said he didn't believe
their claim that the land had been fenced).
- Burial Ground Layby - quotations
sought to repair damaged chestnut poles.
- Gorsewood - Probation service
asked to clear rubbish at approximate cost of £180.
- Beechlands Close - they rejected
a request for a dog bin there but decided to put one at the
junction of Manor Lane and Church Road instead.
5. Burial Ground The
minutes of the meeting of 7 February 2006 were approved. It
discussed:
- Grass cutting - quotation of T
D Munday for £3,311 for 2006-8 accepted.
- New Burial Ground - they agreed
on a plan to be submitted to Sevenoaks District Council for
permission. (approved
by full council 9-0)
6. Planning Minutes
of meetings of 14 and 28 February approved 9-0. For details
of planning applications see Planning
webpage.
7. Youth Committee Minutes
of meeting of 23 February 2006 were agreed. It discussed:
- Snow boarding - the youth worker
said the course was going well
- Big lottery fund children's play
- Sevenoaks has been allocated £212,082 - the committee
recommended bidding for a skateboard park or replacement play
equipment at Woodland Avenue. They also plan to write to other
local organisations for funding for the skateboard park (agreed
by full council 9-0, Cllr Coutts said her son called for a skateboard
park years ago!)
- Youth Music Day - council decided
to take no further action, but decided to investigate paintballing
in Gorsewood or Harltey Wood.
See also public
question.
At full council Cllr Sewell said he
and the youth worker want to set up a "Radio Hawk" on
the web.
8. Communications The
minutes of the committee were approved 9-0. It discussed the
newsletter, annual report and website.
9. Highways The
minutes of the meeting of 28 February were approved. It discussed:
- Speed Indicator Device - they
will advertise to improve on the four volunteers they have at
present, and then maybe hire it in conjunction with Fawkham
PC (cost £10 per month, plus £50 for sign).
- Stack Lane - no further action
to be taken, but they were surprised district council in 1973
didn't consider effect on traffic in Stack Lane.
- Double Yellow Lines - they want
these for Hartley Primary School and maybe St Francis de Sales
Church. (approved by full council, Cllr Burns asked why no
penalty for parking on zig-zag lines outside the school? Cllr
Harris said it is not enforcable)
- Springcroft - flooded once again
on 14/15 February, KCC looking into it.
- Cherry Trees - Sevenoaks to be
asked to replace the missing bollards. (see also special
projects)
- Castle Hill - traffic survey undertaken.
10. Special Projects The
minutes were approved 9-0. It discussed:
- Cherry Trees - they want to talk
to the owner to see if some improvements can be made.
- Manor Field - they have received
some advice from their national association on the covenants
on the field, which protect local amenity, but this part of
the meeting was held in secret, so no further information is
available.
11. Northfield Management Committee The
minutes of the meetings of 27 January and 24 February were noted.
They discussed:
- Possible Encroachment at NW Corner
- to be left to Village Association to deal with.
- Boundaries - £274 to be
spent on chestnut fencing and £160 on hedging on boundary
with Church Road; £285 on hedging with Courtfield together
with a promise to pay £142.50 towards the stock fencing
if the landowners pay the other half
- Trees - 79 donated, mostly for
the hedge by the car park at Milestone School.
See also public
question.
12. Parish Plan Further
to the minutes of 13 February 2006, council agreed to refer the
issue of the URC Church to the Special Projects Working Group.
13. Hundred Years of Local Government
in Hartley Mr Tucker had requested
permission to put the book on his website, but he withdrew this
after someone else asked to do the same and raised questions about
copyright. It will now be put on the council's website if
the copyright issues can be resolved.
14. Payments Payments of
£9,980 for March were agreed.
6 February 2006 (Meeting
started at 7.15 instead of 7.30)
Present Cllr Gaywood (chairman), Ramsay,
Mrs Oxtoby, Harris, Mrs Solman, Ward (arr 7.20), Mrs Coutts (arr
7.30); Mrs Hoad (clerk), Cllr Brazier (KCC), 9 members of the public.
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Tremain,
Alford, Abraham and Sewell. Reasons given were approved by
the council.
1. Public Questions Mrs
Senneck raised concerns about the impending closure of the United
Reformed Church. She is WI president and has been told the
car park will not be available after June. She was very sad
to lose the site, and asked if the council will buy it? It
is not on the market yet, but she felt they didn't want executive
houses there. Cllr Gaywood said it would be difficult to stop
that. Cllr Harris said it would be a wonderful place for a
village hall and youth club ("we don't want to lose it")
and they might get a lottery grant for it. He thought they
should talk to the URC now. Cllr Gaywood said they have got
to be practical, to which Cllr Oxtoby replied you have got to be
proactive. Mrs Sharp summed up the feeling of the public present
that "we can't afford to lose this opportunity".
Mrs Roberts raised concerns that the signage warning
about kite flying near the high voltage cables on Northfield has
disappeared and the cables are still overground. Cllr Gaywood
said he would look into it.
Mrs Brudenell was concerned to learn when she
attended the Northfield Management Committee meeting that 2 members
of Hartley Parish Council are against horse riding there. Cllr
Gaywood denied he had said that, but Mrs Brudenell said he had been
heard to say to Cllr Solman that "you know what I'm talking
about". Mrs Brudenell concluded by saying there are many
safe off road footpaths in Hartley, but not one such bridle path.
Mr Rolls asked why no councillors
had declared an interest in the planning application by their fellow
councillor Oxtoby, when Cllr Gaywood had declared an interest in
a quote by Quaife Woodlands because the owner was a fellow Sevenoaks
Councillor. He wanted to know what was the difference? Cllr
Gaywood claimed it was because they were employing Mr Quaife.
Mrs Sharp said at the last meeting Cllr Gaywood
asked her what was overdevelopment. She now replies that if
the house next door to him renewed their application for more houses,
he'd soon know. Cllr Gaywood replied yes. She also asked
whether a taxi voucher scheme for the elderly still exists. Cllr
Ramsay thought it was only for Maidstone, Mrs Roberts said it was
a Kent County Council scheme.
Mr Rolls asked about the ownership of the land
(in front of?) the Manor Field gate, surely they should ask the
landowner? Cllr Gaywood said Kent County Council said it was
OK to go ahead, and they had "taken possession because no-one
owns it". Cllr Ramsay confirmed the bank would not be
dug out to make the new gate.
2. Interests Mrs Oxtoby - Hartley Wood.
3. Minutes of Meeting of 9 January These
were agreed 7-0.
4. Amenities and Open Spaces The minutes
of the meeting of 19 January 2006 were approved. This meeting
discussed:
- Football - they refused the request from
Dartford Under 13s to use Manor Field, after Hartley de Sales
spoke against. After last month's criticism De Sales are
now happy with Manor Field.
- Cricket - Hextable CC has now disbanded.
There are some issues with Landscape Services as to the
best time to repair the square, New Ash Green CC minded to do
the repairs themselves if fee structure revisited.
- Playgrounds - they have been asked to confirm
by their insurers that all Medium risk items from last July's
inspection are being actioned. Further to this they agreed
to repairs at Woodland Park, flagged up as a medium risk last
July.
- Grass Cutting - contract for Open Spaces
cutting went to Westcut Mowing for £3,582. Westcut
also got contract for gang mowing of Manor Field and Longfield
Hill for £2,340.
- Manor Field - (a) Mr Munday paid £200
to cut back brambles. (b) A chain barrier is planned for
the gap between the beech hedge and cobweb corner to bar access
to cars. (c) A light will illumine the entrance to the
path from the car park. (see also public
questions)
- Pavilion - K W Abraham won contract to redecorate
changing rooms for £1,250
- Pond - warden to look at flora and fauna.
- Gorsewood - Probation service has cleared
2 skips worth of rubbish on 14/15 December.
5. Finance and General Purposes The minutes
of the meeting of 26 January 2006 were agreed. This meeting
discussed:
- Hartley Wood - £1,800 spent on markers
for council land (agreed by full council 6-0, Cllr Oxtoby
having left the room for this item)
- Parish Office - lease to begin on 1 April
2006, with rent at £1,500 less the business rates. (approved
by full council 7-0, Cllr Ramsay said they had been "unexpectedly"
rated by Sevenoaks because they have a separate front door.)
- Health - they are opposed to mergers of Strategic
Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts, but if pushed will
support Kent/Sussex/Surrey SHA, and 3 PCTs for Kent (approved
by full council 7-0).
- Pavilion - they won't pay £250 for
a new valuation for insurance, currently £180,000.
- Donations - they recommend giving £30
to the WRVS and £50 to the Open Spaces Society, the latter
because they might need to consult them soon (approved by
full council 7-0).
- Village of the Year - they have referred
this to the parish plan steering committee.
6. Planning See Planning
webpage.
7. Youth The minutes of the meeting of
27 January 2006 were agreed. It discussed:
- NAG Snowboarding project - half didn't turn
up so 4 places given to Hartley children
- Skateboarding - youth leader advises against
going to West Kingsdown, suggests Edenbridge instead.
- Youth Activity Day - after the experience
of the last one they decided it wasn't worth repeating. Youth
leader said children prefer out of parish activities such as
swimming, bowling or paint balling.
- Wellfield 8-12s project - they now cannot
use the residents' lounge after complaints from neighbours,
who also contacted our MP. Committee recommended offering
them the pavilion. (agreed by full council 7-0, Cllr
Harris said it was an opportunity to see what happens, and was
purely a trial)
8. Highways The minutes
of the meeting of 31 January 2006 were approved. This meeting
discussed:
- There had not been much progress on the ongoing issues of
Castle Hill, Fairby Lane and the Ash Road Interactive sign.
- Traffic management after any accident. The committee
had asked whether a one-way system could be set up in such circumstances
but the police said they could not support the idea.
- Speedwatch - Cllr Brazier told them the way the scheme runs
is groups of 4 people stand with equipment that would flash
the driver if they do 38 mph in a 30 mph zone. The volunteers
would note down the number, and if the driver is "caught"
twice he gets a letter from the police. The last request
for volunteers only got one person, so they decided to advertise
it again.
- Stack Lane - in response to a letter about the condition
of the road, which was made worse by school traffic, the council
said they couldn't get involved because the road was not adopted.
- Parking - Sevenoaks said they will ask their traffic wardens
to go to Cherry Trees, and HPC requested yellow lines around
entrances to Hartley Primary School (full council endorsed
recommendation 7-0, although Cllr Coutts was not altogether
happy, she said she has found yellow lines can sometimes make
things worse. Cllr Harris said the school has tried to
do this for 25 years, and the yellow line outside the school
gates is nothing to do with the county - a resident is believed
to have painted it!)
- Church Road - KCC will not resurface nor impose speed limits
on the southern part of the road.
9. Special Projects The
minutes of the meeting of 3 February 2006 were approved, the meeting
discussed:
- They referred their views on the accessway to the new burial
ground to the burial committee, who were also expected to apply
for the planning permission (approved by full council 7-0).
- Further to correspondence with the landowner, the council
welcomed the letter about access to the new burial ground across
their land.
10. Northfield Cllr Gaywood apologised that the minutes
were not available.
11. Hextable Sevenoaks Council
had written to all parishes, asking them what they thought of the
proposal for Hextable to secede from Swanley and form its own parish.
Cllr Gaywood said "to be honest it is highly political
there" and he didn't think Hartley should get involved, and
councillors agreed 7-0. However Cllr Coutts did say Hextable
was a large area and she thought they should have a parish council,
and Cllr Harris said it was his personal view that they should have
one, but Hartley council couldn't possibly answer the questions
posed by Sevenoaks.
12. Payments~ Payments for January of £4,417
were agreed (Cllrs Harris and Ramsay declared interests in this
item).
13. Kent County Councillor Cllr Brazier had nothing
to report.
Meeting closed at 8.05pm
9 January 2006 Present Cllrs
Gaywood (chairman and SDC councillor), Abraham, Alford, Barnett,
Mrs Coutts, Harris, Mrs Oxtoby, Mrs Solman, Tremain, Ward
Mrs Hoad (clerk); Cllr Brazier
(KCC), 12 members of the public.
Apologies: Cllrs Mrs Burns,
Ramsay, Sewell. Reasons were approved by the council.
Interests Cllr Oxtoby
- her planning application.
1. Minutes of meeting of 12
December 2005 Approved 10-0.
2. Report by Kent County Councillor Cllr
Brazier reported on the ongoing saga of the interactive sign for
Ash Road. He felt "Kent Highways are still as resistant
as ever to an interactive sign as they ever were". However
they will now will set up automatic counter sites to record speed.
Cllr Harris was concerned that the letter from Kent Highways
kept referring to a repeater sign, which was not what they asked
for.
3. Planning Minutes
were adopted. See Planning page for details.
4. Special Projects The
minutes of the meeting of 15 December 2005 were approved 10-0, together
with the recommendation to give the contract for replacing the gate
at Manor Field to I J Paternoster, who quoted £3,345 for the
job. Cllr Alford said it would allow access to wheelchairs
and pushchairs when the main gate is shut. Cllr Coutts said
it was "long overdue".
5. Northfield The minutes
of the meeting of 2 December 2005 were noted. Cllr Alford
appeared to be unsure about horse riding, citing safety, monitoring and damage
to surface. He wanted reassurance it would come to the parish
councils first, which Cllr Gaywood gave. This meeting discussed:
- Due to vandalism they will no
longer replace the perspex on the noticeboards but laminate
notices instead.
- Current contractor had not cut
meadow for silage
- Boundaries - following a near
accident they agreed to make the Church Road boundary more secure.
But there was disagreement over whether they should fence
their boundary with Courtfield.
- Woodland - it was agreed to call
the ancient woodland "New House Shaw".
6. HAWK Youth Partnership The
minutes of the meeting of 6 December 2005 were noted. This
meeting discussed:
- The Hartley members had requested
a breakdown of activities in Hartley. The reply was that
in the period October 2004 - October 2005 the Youth Worker had
spent 186 hours in Hartley activities, plus 40 hours for the
residential holiday in North Wales, attended by youth from Hartley.
Total expenditure was £1,724 including £1,042
for a snowboarding project, £370 for grafiti project at
Hartley Primary School and £200 for MC workshops.
- Young offenders with ASBOs from
outside Hartley are "causing problems for some of its residents".
7. Payments Payments of £5,431
were approved 10-0.
8. Public Questions (a)
Parish Office - Dr Roberts asked whether the lease had been signed
yet? Mrs Hoad said it had not, because of complications with
the business rates.
(b) Parish Council Minutes - Mr Tucker
said he had produced a new version on DVD, and requested permission
to give a copy to the county archives office.
(c) Cllr Mrs Oxtoby - Mrs Sharp said
that she didn't have a problem with people trying to top up their
pension fund, but she does have when it is a councillor elected
to stop overdevelopment. In view of Cllr Oxtoby's planning
application for 7 houses in Gorsewood Road, she said that it would
be prudent for her to resign from the council. The development
would be detrimental to wildlife and there is a road to backland
development. Cllr Gaywood said what was overdevelopment was
all in the mind and he "never will agree" that Mrs Oxtoby
should resign.
(d) Church Road - Mrs Delf raised concerns
about the lack of road cleaning in the winter. She slipped
over on wet leaves and broke her wrist, and someone else she knew
also fell in the south part of the road. Dr Roberts said she
had not seen a road sweeper for a long time, but the problem is
also the poor state of road surface of Church Road. Cllr Gaywood
promised to take it up with Sevenoaks.
Meeting closed 8.12 pm
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