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NONINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Report of a meeting held in the Dolphins Hall on Wednesday 9^th January, 2008

Three parishioners have put themselves forward to be Councillors, these are Geoff Stradling, Jackie Fisher and Hugh Norton. They were unanimously welcomed by all members of the existing Council, which has been struggling with too few Councillors in the past.

Roads update. We had been informed by the Senior Traffic Engineer, Ray Ball, that Highways would be organising a count of traffic through the village before the New Year. However nothing has been seen in the Village he stated he would contact us, but, so far he has not done so.

RHT. The Chairman, Tony Barnett, went to see the second set of new houses that have been built in Wingham by the Rural Housing Trust, we are waiting for a meeting with the Trust to see how things are progressing with D.D.C. and our request for affordable homes.

Fencing for Playground. Some of the fencing around the playground still needs updating some stock fencing and the palings near the entrance to the playground. The quote we received from Dale Fencing, just for the stock fencing, was £793.25. Consequently we looked for a more realistic quote and received one from Mr J Cranfield from Wootton, the Parish Council would have to buy the materials. The quote given just for labour was £240 maximum to tear down both sections of fence, clear the brambles and replace the fence.

Also mentioned was the strimming of the perimeter of the playground, the quote from the same gentleman was £35 per cut approximately 8 times per year.

The playground also seems to be suffering from a mole infestation which is devastating the whole area. A parishioner from the Cricket Club is to find out about a mole catcher. If one can be found then the playground would have to be closed for a few days. It was proposed that a sum of £150 be set aside for this purpose.

Playground mowing. K.C.C. have carried out gang mowing of the playground in the past few years and have always done a good job, attending at the playground some 16 times in a year. This year’s quote is £8.26 more than last year.

Mother and Toddler Group – Kelly Mack. Kelly did not attend this meeting but another parishioner stated that she is desperate for outdoor toys and for somewhere to store them.

Snowdown Regeneration Forum. A clear statement needs to be put in writing at to what exactly this Forum’s aims are. Another meeting is being held next Monday (14^th) when this will be raised.

The Heritage Group have completed their scoping study regarding the old pit and this has been well received. However another feasibility study is now needed and until this is underway the Group is in limbo.

Dover North Neighbourhood Forum. Our application for a grant from the Forum to provide storage space by means of one or more sheds has been approved by the committee and the money should be released soon. Space for one of the sheds was offered by Cllr Rye and accepted with thanks by the council. Hopefully the shed that the P.C. wishes to purchase can be placed in Cllr Rye’s garden, with the Landlord’s permission, a letter has been sent.

Green Day has been going on for the last 6 years but when Councillor Craggy left the Council last year it meant that there was no-one to organise this for 2008. A request was made of everyone at the meeting to ask if anyone was prepared to organise this for the middle of March. Mr Craggy stated that he would be happy to let them have all the necessary telephone numbers and would be happy to talk them through the procedures. The Parish Council has all the necessary reflective jackets and litter pickers.

A parishioner stated that the footpath (EE316a) behind the village hall is very uneven with roots pushing through the surface. It was also stated that the footpath (EE303) running to the bottom of Chapmans Hill on our boundary with Aylesham had not been re-instated by the farmer. Clerk to look into.

The Clerk was asked to find out about some new village signs by contacting Highways Services.

Mrs Catterall for the Dolphins Youth Club thanked the Bruderhof Community for offering to replace the fencing around the front garden and also put in a new gate and path. This will make things much easier for all concerned with the Youth Club.

Clerk was asked to contact BT regarding a cracked manhole cover over the road from the Ash Path in Holt Street.

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