NONINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Report of a meeting held in the Dolphins Hall on Tuesday 19^th May 2009 at 7.30 p.m.

·        Roads maintenance. Most maintenance issues are now resolved, nothing to report.

·        Roads improvements. A report on the traffic survey through the village was presented – it showed that for the 10 day duration of the survey 80% of all traffic through the village travelled over the 30 mph speed limit. A series of proposals have again been discussed with Highways. It was agreed at the meeting that the PC should go ahead and make up to £2000 available for the installation of gates and coloured tarmac at Holt Street and Sandwich Road entrances to the village. This will be communicated to the roads committee and plans for implementation will be drawn up.

·        Parking around Prima Glass has become a serious problem again and the obstruction caused by cars parking along the Sandwich Road (without leaving any gaps for traffic to pull in) has recently led to an accident involving 4 cars. It was agreed that the Chairman would discuss the issue with Prima Glass management with the view to holding an onsite meeting to look at ways the PC can help find a suitable long term solution.

·        Snowdown Footpath. The project is going ahead, with installation currently planned for July/August. The design and layout for the Butter Street end of the footpath is being finalised.

·        Vicarage Lane Footpath. Highways have indicated that they have no funds available for the path but would be prepared to send a letter of agreement to enable the PC to move forward with a path with Parish Council funds or a grant. Once the letter is received a timetable can be drawn up. The Clerk will progress discussions with Highways to get the agreement letter. The issue of public liability was also discussed. The Clerk has contacted the PC insurers and the situation is that public liability issues for any eventuality covering users of the footpaths are fully covered by liability insurances held by the landowner, land leasee and the Parish Council

·        Affordable Housing. It was agreed that PC will liaise with the English Rural Housing Association to discuss the way forward. The Chairman will invite an ERHA representative to the July meeting to look at options for the future.

·        Allotments. Still no news from the DDC planning department. It was agreed that the PC should push ahead with plans to turn the Church Street site into allotments. The Clerk will issue notices to assess local interest and also obtain estimates from Southern Water to provide an onsite water supply.

·        Election of officers. The Chairman, Anthony Barnett was asked to stand again for another year as Chairman, however, he stated that he was prepared to act as Chairman for a maximum of one more year. This was carried unanimously.

Peter Deeley has agreed to join the PC as a new Councillor and in his absence was co-opted to the council. This was also carried unanimously.

·     Sub committees. It was agreed by the PC that a series of sub committees would be formed to tackle specific topics that need to be addressed in the village. The intent is that each council member will be responsible for championing at least one topic and presenting progress at the meetings, although this would not be sole responsibility of council members – it is likely that some issues could be led by parishioners with a particular personal interest in that topic. Specifics to be discussed and agreed at the next meeting.

·     Village design statement. It was agreed that a representative from the Great Mongeham PC would be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss what was involved in putting their Village Design Statement together.

·     Village Green Day. A provisional date of 26^th September was set for the Village Green Day, with unanimous support for the idea. Preparations and publicising the event will take place at the next meeting.

·     There was a request for additional parking for people attending the FONC open gardens day. It was agreed that the playground could be used for this purpose providing that the area is suitably marshalled for safety.

·     Pond maintenance. It was proposed that the pond area should be maintained by the contractor currently used to cut the grass in the playground on a twice yearly basis at an annual cost of approx. £180.

The next Parish Council Meeting will be held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 1^st July 2009 at 19.30 hrs

Mr T Miller            -            Clerk to Nonington Parish Council

                   Pilgrim Cottage, 17 Church Street, Nonington, Kent CT15 4LE 

                                            Tel: 01304 840602