NONINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Report of a meeting held on Tuesday, 12^th July 2005

• Cllr Steve Kaye was welcome as a co-opted member of the Parish Council.
• At the meeting in May some doubt was expressed as to whether the raffle was formally approved by the Parish Council. To clarify the situation the following motion was proposed ‘The PC will run a raffle to raise money for the fireworks display on Trafalgar Weekend in October of this year’
• The K.A.P.C. have advised us that a parish council has every right to raise and spend money on an event such as this. The Clerk has also contacted Customs & Excise who have confirmed that we could claim back the V.A.T. on the fireworks
• Footpaths should now be cut back 3 times a year instead of 2. The second cut of all the footpaths in the district should now have been completed. If any have been missed we will contact the rights of way officer, Melvyn Twycross.
• Affordable Housing. The Rural Housing Trust have identified 8 different sites in the village which may be suitable. They are now taking their findings to D.D.C. but the favourite site appears to be opposite Prima Glass. D.D.C. have asked us to comment on housing strategy and we have replied that increased housing will need improved roads, public transport etc. We are led to believe that other Parish Councils in the area have made the same comments regarding infrastructure.
• Pond and playground. The council have forwarded a request to Awards for All in regard to new swings in the playground. Hopefully a reply would be forthcoming in a month or two as to whether we have been awarded this money. Pond – the insurance company have requested that Councillors inspect the pond on a weekly basis which will be done.
• Salt bins. An email has been received from Barbara Moody stating that the cost to the P.C. for new salt bins would be £199.22 for each bin. The P.C. will look into trying to find a more economical salt bin. Cllr Mowat declared an interest in a possible salt bin being placed near his house from which he stated he would be happy to spread the salt when needed.
• Flytipping. Denise Axford of D.D.C. has been telephoned on several occasions with no reply forthcoming also a letter has been written asking her to keep us informed of what is happening regarding flytipping in the area but no answer has yet been received. It appears that D.D.C. is not putting enough money into stamping out this problem. We have requested C.C.T.V. coverage on problem sites but have been told it is too expensive. Cllr Kaye to find out the cost.
• The Local Development Framework has now taken over from local plans in the area, this includes ideas for more housing in the area. A meeting is being held in Sandwich on 18^th July which Cllrs Barnett and Kaye will attend.
• Playscheme – Special needs transport. If any youngsters need special transport to Tides in the Summer Holidays please contact either Tides or the Clerk to see if this can be arranged.
• Ground alongside pond. The ground to the left of the pond has been cleared and is being regularly mowed, all the work has paid off as it looks very good indeed. Thanks to be sent to the people who have made such a good job of reclaiming this once scrub land.
• The Highways Authority have created a Lengthsman Scheme in which the Clerk collates all the information on the state of the roads in the village. A meeting is then arranged with the Highways and the Clerk to discuss works needed. This meeting will be in November of this year and works agreed will be carried out in December.
• Fixed Penalty Notice. The P.C. can now levy a fixed penalty notice of £75 on dog owners who do not clear up after their pets, this also covers litter, graffiti and fly-posting. It is thought unlikely that the P.C. will use this power at the moment.
• The District Auditor has passed the P.C.’s audit for the year ended 31^st March 2005 and a notice is on the board confirming this.
• Mrs Catterall welcomed Steve Kaye to the Parish Council. She further stated that she would like to see yellow lines on the road beside the telephone box at the bottom of Vicarage Lane to stop vehicles waiting there during the school run, as it is very difficult to see up and down the road when pulling out of Vicarage Lane. Mrs Catterall expressed dismay at the state of cleanliness in the Village Hall, indeed the kitchen had to be cleaned before they could use it, the Caretaker would seem not to be doing his job.
• Mr Underhill stated that there were grooves in the road by the church room, Clerk to make Highways aware.
• Mrs D Tritton from Barfrestone stated that Environmental Seals was upsetting the villagers in Barfrestone with all the work being carried on at the site opposite the factory including hedges and trees being uprooted and large lorries creating a nuisance. This site is in Nonington Parish although the factory is under Eythorne & Elvington Parish Council. A Mr Paul Francis of D.D.C. Planning Department was dealing with their complaints but is keeping a closed file on the problem which is not open to public scrutiny.
• Nonington PC have never seen the plans or in any way approved any of the works on this site.
• Mrs Catterall stated that she was sure that the playgroup would continue in the village hall but under new management.