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THE PARISH COUNCIL OF ST MARGARETS-AT-CLIFFE

Minutes of the Monthly meeting of the above Parish Council held on Monday 14^th September 2009 in St Margarets Hall, Reach Road at 7.00 p.m.

Present: B Paul, J Harris, D Hart, A Fielding, S Ford, T Purchase, S Liggins and G Rapley. Apologies for absence received from J Rayner.

1. Confirmation of Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held 13^th July 2009. The minutes, having been circulated to all members, were confirmed as a correct record and signed as such by the Chairman.
2. Declarations of Interest – None declared on agenda items.
3. Clerk’s Report PAT electric tests due for sports pavilions – to be done this week by E J Ditton. Nothing heard following David Gasking’s visit to Chapel Lane – Chair now liaised with Toby Howe for follow up visit. Clerk also to inform KCC Cllr Mannion. Re quotation for new buttressing of KGV wall HHowefrom B Claringbould – instructed – work yet to start Re car park entrance – have written to Highways (15^th Jun) re holes (filled) and bollards – yet to hear reply. Have contacted Mark Jones and Cox & Hammond re trees in Kingsdown Road – replies still awaited. Price paid to East Kent Training for use of strimmer/brushcutter – Clerk to speak to Josie at White Cliffs to see if they can meet some of the cost of £400. Clerk asked Cllr Hart to check with Village Hall Committee re price/arrangements of SITA bin so that PC can consider placing a similar bin at the KGV Field. Clerk had been asked to arrange for quote re disabled access path at Alexander File – this to come up under Finance. £3,000 paid re car park toilets – this to be a subject for the Annual Parish Meeting as to whether Parish Council should continue to pay through Precept. Community Warden would like to prepare a “one stop” information leaflet for the security of garden sheds/garages etc – confirmed that Parish Council would lend its support to this initiative (non financial).		Clerk to await invoice Clerk to contact Clerk to chase Clerk to chase Clerk to monitor Clerk to contact Cllr Hart to deal Clerk to place on agenda for meeting
4. Planning The following decisions were made on the planning applications considered:- DOV/09/00395 Erection of a detached dwelling Casa Marina, Beach Road Application outside the village confines, and development could cause problems with water drainage/run-off DOV/09/00625 Erection of a ground and first floor extension – The Pottery, Chapel Lane Already granted - 2 - DOV/09/00666 Erection of a two storey side extension, rear conservatory extension and front and rear dormer roof extensions Kismet, Hardy Road Recommend refusal on grounds of over-development of site, affecting neighbouring properties, and detrimental to the street scene. (4 in favour, 3 against, 1 abstention). DOV/09/00673 Replacement of existing timber weatherboarding – Groves Cottage, Chapel Lane Already granted DOV/09/00738 Erection of a single storey front extension – Sarn, Station Road No comment DOV/09/00765 Erection of a two storey side and single storey rear extension with balcony to rear and pitched roof above existing flat roofed dormer – Chalk Garden, 28 Salisbury Road No comment DOV/09/00507 Erection of 18 dwellings (rural exceptions affordable housing), construction of vehicular access, associated car parking and landscaping – Land south west of Sea Street Strongly object: - Application is outside village envelope. - To develop the site, Section 106 agreement would be required and we are not aware that the applicant has completed this. - As “affordable housing”, the development is not adjacent to the village centre. - Development would see a considerable increase in traffic, on to what is already a dangerous stretch of road. The Parish Council is in consultation with local schools (with 300+ children) and Kent Highways in relation to current highway problems. - The application is NOT in accordance with Supplementary Planning Guidance, Rural Exceptions Schemes, Policy HS10 Appendices 1 and 2. - The proposal would conflict with the aims of development plan policies to safeguard the countryside and ensure a proper pattern of rural development. Having regard to the aims of those policies and the importance of the narrow gap which separates the two areas of St Margarets, it is felt that the proposed development would harm the form and setting of the settlement of St Margarets Bay and the surrounding rural area. - The site is in a Special Landscape Area and is a ground water collection protection zone. - A special characteristic of this area is its open-ness – this development would result in visual disruption to the wider landscape. 7 Councillors in favour of proposal, Cllr S Ford against.
- 3 - 5. Finance and Accounts - Payments totalling £14,553.99 made since July meeting duly ratified (this figure includes £8,1112.00 payable to R C Claringbould & Sons largely for insurance work at KGV Pavilion. (Proposed by Cllr Hart that any future increased work after quotation to be sanctioned by PC before commencement – 4 in favour; 4 against – motion denied), although each case to be taken on individual merit in future. - IT WAS RESOLVED to meet payment for new goalposts at £849.82 + VAT. - IT WAS RESOLVED to accept quotation for tennis court resurfacing from Oatmor Harris at £6,058.04 + VAT. - IT WAS RESOLVED to make contribution of £162 to St Margarets Football Club as contribution towards secure containers purchased by Club. - Clerk had arranged quotation through Oatmor Harris for disabled access path at Alexander Field – this came in at £11,386.89 + VAT – to stay on file. - DDC had advised that street name plate for Alexandra Road would cost £70.75 + VAT for each plate. As there are several roads in the area which are also without nameplates, it was agreed that this subject stand until the end of the financial year. - It was agreed that question of quotations for treeworks at Kingsdown Road be deferred until next meeting, as Clerk had yet to hear back from tree surgeons contacted.		Clerk to note Clerk to deal Clerk to deal Clerk to retain Clerk to place on agenda for end of year
The following cheques were passed for payment (Cllrs Harris/Liggins): Lynne Hopwood re cleaning at KGV Pavilion English Landscapes Maintenance Ltd – grasscutting St Margarets Football Club – contribution to containers Clarks Fabrications – new barrier at KGV Field Playsafety – ROSPA report Mr D E Hart – expenses re South Foreland Valley Jane Cook – August salary Jane Cook – expenses H M Revenue & Customs – Clerk PAYE/NIC + Council NIC Mr I Miller – labour charge/bench contract + expenses R Dunkley – garage account re Mr Miller Mark Harrod Ltd – new goalposts/nets Receipts: Credit interest – Instant Gold A/c £2.18 Settlement of insurance claim £6,375.40 Burial Ground fee £250.00	£202.50 £286.41 £162.00 £200.67 £79.35 £27.69 £643.36 £25.41 £85.31 £1,598.26 £25.24 £977.29 £4,313.49
7. Football Clubs - report Cllrs Harris and Fielding had met with Club reps, where the need for disabled access was stressed. Also, the current facilities are proving very inadequate for the use of all the teams at the Field – at least two more changing rooms/shower facilities are required with possibility of a “social” area mooted. Cllr Fielding said they would obviously look at renewable energy sources in the building of any new proposed building.		Cllrs Harris and Fielding to arrange further meeting
- 4 - 8. Burial Ground Councillors Harris and Fielding will arrange a further meeting with the Burial Ground Registrar as regards management/removal of trees and shrubs.		Cllrs Fielding and Harris to deal
9. Bowls Club - Two letters from Bowls Club provided to Councillors; the Club reiterate the need for resurfacing of the path to the side of the pavilion, following a recent fall by one of their members. Cllr Hart will speak to local builder Mr Bladon to see how much a repair and/or resurfacing job would cost. - Letter received from Mr A Lyon offering a piece of land between “The Sheiling” and “Cloverdown” at Nelson Park for use for the possible building of a new bowls club. Clerk to contact Mike West at CAD Solutions to arrange a site meeting. Clerk to write thanking Mr Lyon for the offer.		Cllr Hart to deal Clerk to arrange meeting and write to Mr Lyon
10. South Foreland Valley – Management and Costs Cllr Hart stressed the need for more work and therefore tools for the ongoing management of the Valley. He has agreed with St Margarets Bay Trust for the storage of current equipment at their garage – Clerk asked to write a letter of thanks in this respect Council Adviser Mr Sumner feels that more intensive grazing and possible cutting is needed to keep the scrub under control. Cllr Hart will investigate the idea of acquiring a small van for use in the Valley in future.		Cllr Hart to deal
11. Correspondence Bowls Club letters (27^th July and 7^th September) – dealt with separately on agenda. Mrs A Karafillides – re problems of camper vans etc parking at end of Granville Road – District Councillor Ian Ward taking forward with National Trust. Allianz Insurance – reply to our request re position of volunteers working in the South Foreland Valley. Dover District LDF Core Strategy Examination – advice re dates. DDC Democratic Services – minutes of Standards Committee Kent BTCV – thank you letter re contribution to Pond Warden Scheme. Kent Fire & Rescue Service – Service Performance Plan 2009/10. NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent Annual Report. Langdon Parish Council – letter following ours re Pam McIntyre. DDC Democratic Services re Annual Town and Parish Liaison meeting 2009. CPRE Newsletter and invitation. ROSPA Report re Playing Field inspection. Parish News – Issue No. 341. KALC Dover Area Committee – minutes 16/7/09 – passed to Councillors. Action with Communities in Rural Kent – Rural News No. 91. “Applause” brochure re Spring 2010 Menu. – passed to Cllr Hart. KCC – notice re Dover Town Neighbourhood Forum Public Meeting 1 October. Email from Mr K Hadman re problems experienced at his property and querying why PC should pay for Alexandra Road nameplate.		Clerk to hold Clerk to liaise with Mr Miller
- 5 - 12. Reports from Councillors/Advisers - Cllr Hart had enjoyed an excellent day at Wye re Kent Downs AONB. Reported ongoing discussions concerning the bunkers in the South Foreland Valley and will continue dialogue with all parties to reach a solution to increasing health and safety issues. - Cllr Paul reported an approach re facilities for young people as reported through the Community Warden – a skateboard area was suggested. Cllr Hart will check with The Bay Trust as regards the Glebe Field as he was under the impression that they would not allow the PC to use this. - Cllr Paul reported a further approach re allotments – had spoken to Richard Phillips but he had no further space at his property. Question of ownership of land adjacent to their property raised and this to be investigated. - Cllr Paul reported that the Gardening Club will be 100 years old in 2011 and had suggested the idea of a “St Margarets in Bloom” year to coincide - Cllr Fielding reported that a further meeting of the Energy Group had taken place; 2 possible investors had expressed an interest in the biomass plant and suitable sites will be investigated further. - Cllr Rapley had been unable to organise a meeting of the Waste Group following contact with parties who had originally expressed an interest. Note to be placed in magazine seeking further volunteers. -		Cllr Hart to deal Cllr Hart to deal Clerk and Cllr Hart to liaise
13. Village Maintenance/Matters affecting the Parish - Clerk to seek quote for a second gate into the Play Area at the KGV Field - Footpath walk arranged for 11^th October at 1.45 – notices to be placed. - Clerk to speak to Mr Miller re problem reported with present Play Area gate – stronger spring needed? - Cllr Ford reported that a German exchange visit is planned for 14^th October – this will now be held at the Bowls Club as the Fire Station is not available for use. - Cllr Ford brought up question of Christmas lights and where these will be positioned. - Cllr Hart to arrange replacement of village sign at Post Office Corner - Cllr Liggins had been approached re a memorial bench on The Madge – confirmed no objections but as already 4 benches in situ, applicant may wish to consider another location. - Playing Field inspection undertaken by Cllrs Purchase and Rapley. Everything in good order but reported that surfacing under climbing frame is cracking – Clerk will liaise with Mr Miller re this. - Next Playing Field Inspection to be undertaken by Cllrs Liggins and Ford. - Agreed that Clerk could order further 3,000 dog bags for the dispensers.		Clerk to deal Clerk to deal Clerk to liaise with Mr Miller Cllr Hart to deal Cllr Hart to deal Cllr Liggins to take forward Clerk to deal Clerk to provide form

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.35 p.m.

Confirmed: Chairman 12^th October 2009

Correspondence received prior to meeting

12^th October 2009

• Mr J Stone – copy letter sent to KCC re helicopter use at Walletts Court.
• DDC Democratic Services – re Parish Council reps on Standards Committee.
• DDC Democratic Services – re Declarations of Office forms.
• Mr Colin Sumner – re Alexandra Road.
• Mr Colin Sumner – re South Foreland Valley.
• St Margarets Football Club – update on Club activities etc.
• Kent Downs & Marshes Leader Programme.
• Active Dover – Sports Development Seminar.
• Action with Communities in Rural Kent – Rural News.
• English Rural Housing Association – re allocation of ERHA properties.
• KCC Community Safety Newsletter.
• Parish News – Issue No. 342.
• KCC Clean Kent – re SmartWater for use in identifying flytippers.