WESTBERE PARISH COUNCILPARISH COUNCIL MEETING

HELD TUESDAY 21 JANUARY 2014

Present:Parish Councillors Sylvia Harlow (vice-chairman and acting Chairman), Kathy Wilson, Maria Morcom, Georgina Glover and Karen Williams. KCC Cllr Alan Marsh (for part of the meeting).Clerk to the Council, Amanda Sparkes

111. Chairman’s Opening remarks and Apologies for absenceCllr Harlow welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Parish Councillors Jeanette Dawson (working away) and Parish Cllr Mike Prince (medical appointment).

112. Declarations of Cllrs’ Interest and requests for Dispensations There were no declarations of interest or requests for a dispensation.

113. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting dated 12 November 2013Cllrs resolved that the Minutes were a true record of the meeting and the Chairman signed them.

114. Cllrs reports

Cllr DawsonCllr Dawson had circulated her Chairman’s report prior to the meeting as follows:She attended the Westbere Village Hall Management Committee Meeting where they reported the following:

They are still looking for new Trustees and a new Chairman They were very pleased to report that they have been awarded £1,957 by CCC. They

have also been awarded an additional £1,408 for 2014/15 which will be paid with their grant in April 2014 subject to the budget being confirmed in February 2014.

(Parish Cllr) Karen Williams has been appointed Bookings Secretary from April. They hope to start work on the outside area during half-term and a decision was made

as to the paving stones to be used.

Unfortunately, over the weekend there were two parties held at the Village Hall and the owners of the Old Rectory were very unhappy that cars parked across both of their entrances preventing them from going in or out of their property. One of the drivers was particularly rude and the resident called the police.Cllr Dawson has suggested to the Chairman of the hall committee that when booking enquiries are received or bookings made they provide a plan of the village showing where parking is available and asking guests to park considerately, with thought for residents.

The owners of the Old Rectory had contacted Cllr Glover following the burglary at their property wishing to extend the railings which divide their garden and the churchyard for which they had obtained a quote. They are willing to pay 50% of the cost if the church pay the other half. Cllr Dawson visited the residents and explained that the closed churchyard is the responsibility of the Parish Council and that at this time the council has no funds to help financially. (This item is picked up at Minute 125 later in these Minutes).

Cllr Dawson also received a complaint from two residents who walk their dogs on the public footpath CB91 which runs alongside the property Utterhay in Westbere Lane, saying that the property had lost its fences during the storms and whilst one of them had manhandled them back into position they were not secure and the long nails could hurt either a dog or its owners.

Cllr Dawson visited the property but could get no answer from the residents. The Clerk will write to the residents informing them of their responsibility in repairing their fence as they are alongside a Public Footpath.

Cllr Dawson will be attending the WVPS Meeting on 29 January.

Cllr Wilson reportCllr Wilson advised of a street monitors meeting that had taken place on 17 December 2013. She also advised of an email from a resident regarding home alarm systems, apparently the Police are no longer undertaking the role of key holder – in future KeyLink will fulfil that role for a small fee.

Cllr Morcom reportCllr Morcom advised she has started working on the next newsletter. She attended the pre-school group Nativity and explained Cllr Dawson had agreed to ask their leader for an article for inclusion in the next newsletter.

Cllr Morcom noted that the new footpath by the railway line is flooded due to the recent heavy rains.

She also reported that, if travelling down Church Lane towards Westbere Lane, there is a problem with the road on the right hand side of the village green where there is a raised section with scratches on it – apparently from the undercarriages of cars. The Clerk will report this on the highways portal.

Cllr Williams reportCllr Williams explained she is now taking hall bookings. She will be attending a meeting on 30 January to learn how to prepare the invoices and will shadow the current booking secretary until April.

Cllr Harlow reportCllr Harlow explained she had attended a KALC meeting where the draft parish Charter was discussed.

Cllr Glover reportCllr Glover advised that the village roads had been swept but were in poor condition. The pre-school group enjoyed using the Church for their Nativity performances. Currently pre-school group parking is okay and the village green looks lovely.

As city councillor, she is involved in the beach huts review and the Kingsmead review, and very busy with items at Hersden and Chislet. She explained that Churchgoers had previously enjoyed a parking permit for an annual fee of £30 which allowed them to park anywhere at any time. This is being withdrawn.

KCC Cllr Alan Marsh reportCllr Marsh said KCC’s budget goes for final approval in February, a 1.9% increase is proposed. Funding is tight. His highways improvements Member budget for the next financial year has been cut by 50%. He has asked the Independent Members Group for a review of this decision and is trying to get the funding reinstated. He commented that parish councillors should be able to issue fixed penalty notices (for illegal parking) and advised that according to central government policy local authorities should use parking revenue on transport related issues only, which is often not the case.

Cllr Marsh reminded everyone that there are only 13.5 months until Purdha for local elections, due in 2015 for city councillors.

115. Barton Court Grammar SchoolThe Barton Court Grammar School has issued a consultation regarding a proposal to relocate to the former Herne Bay golf club site at the coast. The Clerk has attended a presentation by the Headmistress and her report has been circulated. Essentially the key points are:

o The school is running at full capacity with no room for expansion. There are 886 pupils in a school originally built to house 300 pupils. The current sixth form is in the “old house” which is a listed building and not large enough. They would like a new larger sixth form area and would also like two more science labs, three new classrooms and a new main hall. The current site also offers very limited parking and none for parents.

o 45% of pupils are from the CT5/CT6 (Whitstable/Herne Bay) postcodes – last year this figure was 50%. The smallest postcode is CT1 which is where the school is situated. This means that the majority travel to the school and this creates traffic congestion and a financial burden to KCC for the subsidy for the Kent Freedom Pass.

o Herne Bay suffers the worst for pupils passing the eleven-plus and not being offered a grammar school place.

o Quinn Estates are looking to develop the old Herne Bay golf course with homes, sporting facilities and a school establishment. The site is 100 acres in size and the proposal is for 600 houses, and mixed retail/business and restaurants. They propose to donate the land for the new school which would house 1200 pupils.

o Quinn Estates are looking to put in a planning application by the end of this year (ahead of the next general election) and hope for planning permission by September 2014. They could then strike ground in 2015 with the first intake of pupils arriving in September 2017.

Cllr Marsh explained that the Barton Court Grammar School would sell their existing site but this sale would be insufficient funds for the building of the new school. Unfortunately however KCC would have no budget to make up the shortfall.

The Barton Court Grammar School is the only co-educational grammar school in the vicinity which is one of its strengths and should remain the case. Some parents would choose this school for that very reason.

Relocation has no real impact for Westbere as Westbere residents can travel equally well to either the current Canterbury site or the proposed Herne Bay site. However, other outlying villages and areas of the district may be severely affected by longer and more difficult travel arrangements.

Herne Bay High school was originally set up for 600 pupils, it now has 1200 including a sixth form. The Barton Court head teacher and governors dismissed an option to build a satellite school on the coast but there might be an opportunity for Herne Bay High to build a satellite block on land on the opposite side of the road. This could be for a grammar stream or for years 7 and 8 as a middle school. The reasons the Barton Court dismissed a satellite option would not apply to Herne Bay High due to the proximity of the proposed new building to the existing building. This could be a better option, especially as the Barton Court argue that Herne Bay pupils are missing out on grammar school places.

116. Adjournment of the Meeting As there were no residents present there was no adjournment. The meeting continued.

117. Phone box refurbishmentThis refurbishment is now being undertaken by the contractors.

118. Planning Matters - Planning items are recorded on appendix two, previously circulated to Cllrs, and attached to these minutes.

The Clerk advised that she had received a copy of the CPRE Kent’s response to Canterbury City Council around the draft Local Plan. Their response is 79 pages long and very comprehensive. They draw attention to the major changes that have occurred since the plan was produced – the MoD decision to vacate Howe Barracks, the decision of Simon Langton girls school not to vacate their present site and the possibility of the Barton Court Grammar School vacating its site and relocating on the coast. They also draw attention to the New Homes Bonus Scheme to provide income to the city council to lessen the cuts in central government funding, which may not continue to run.Cllr Harlow asked to borrow it to read and return at the next meeting.

119. FINANCIAL MATTERSRECEIVED the bank statements for November 2013 and December 2013, and RESOLVED the signature of the Chairman thereon;NOTED that the Clerk completed a VAT refund claim on 7 January 2014 for the period 1 April 2013 to 31 January 2014 totalling £383.42.NOTED for the £400 grant from Local Boards funding (Reference CAN13-81) as a contribution for the hall lease renewal fees that the Clerk completed and returned the monitoring form to KCC with evidence of expenditure of this on 1 December 2013. The online reference acceptance is AF1140631At the 12 November 2013 parish council meeting, KCC Cllr offered the pre-school £300 from Local Boards funding as part laptop replacement and that this should be applied for via the parish council. NOTED that the Clerk completed and sent the application on 14 November 2013. Project reference is LSGCAN14-12NOTED that the Clerk completed the online acceptance for payment of KCC Cllr Alan Marsh Local Boards funding for the £300 on 2 January 2014, online payment reference AF1156820

CONCURRENT FUNCTION GRANT APPLICATION FOR 2014-2015The application for 2014-2015 totalled £6,645. The Executive approved the option to cap payments at last year’s allocation level and fund at 84.73%. Westbere will receive £3,873.18.

CONCURRENT SPEND TO DATE CURRENT YEARThe award for 2013-2014 was £4,571. So far the parish council has spent £5,985 on concurrent function items.

VILLAGE HALL RENT PAYMENTThe Chairman of Westbere Village Hall put forward a proposal in October of a quid pro quo arrangement whereby the Parish Council will pay the £300 rent under the new lease as they are under the obligation to do, then, rather than WVHMC reimbursing this and charging the parish council for hall hire, WVHMC will grant free use to WPC for its meetings resulting in a reduction in administration. Cllrs discussed this proposal at their November meeting. In financial terms the parish council holds 10 meetings plus an electors meeting each year, at a rate of £30 a session making £330. So this will be a saving of 10% or £30 to Westbere residents on the precept.The legality or otherwise of the arrangement was questioned and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk should make enquiries with the council’s internal auditor and report back. NOTED that the council’s internal auditor replied and said he didn’t see a problem with these arrangements. Because of the fact that this has been discussed between the Councillors and

the hall committee and auditor, and that there is a paper trail of emails and minutes available to support this, there will always be an explanation available should any third party require one. WESTBERE VILLAGE HALL AND SINGLE GRANTS GATEWAYNotification received 23 December 2013 recommendations by the Single grants gateway panel were recently ratified by the council’s executive committee to: 

- Award £1,957 from the village hall emergency grant budget to protect reserves and allow for the planned improvements/maintenance for this year.

- Award an additional £1,408 for 2014/15 in light of the adjustments to the unrestricted reserve levels. This will be paid with the grant in April 2014 and is subject, as are all SGG payments, to the budget being confirmed in February 2014.

120. AUTHORISATION OF ACCOUNTSThe expenditure list previously circulated to Cllrs as Appendix 3 and 3a totalling £2,490.04 was authorised for payment.

121. STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL REGULATIONSThe parish council reviews its Standing Orders and Financial Regulations annually. These were last reviewed in May 2013. The documents are based on NALC’s Model templates. There has been a change to the national model Standing Orders though so the Clerk has re-modelled the parish council’s documents and circulated these prior to the meeting to all Councillors by email. RECEIVED and ADOPTED new Standing Orders based on the National Association of Local Councils (NALC)’s Model template (previously circulated as Appendix 3a)RECEIVED and ADOPTED the parish council’s financial regulations with no amendments since the last review (previously circulated as Appendix 3b)

122. CLERK REPORTCORRESPONDENCE (a) Southern Water Winter newsletter(b) Publication of final Southern Water Business Plan for 2015 to 2020(c) South East Water’s business plan 2015-2020(d) Invitation to attend 'Saving Visible Community Policing' conference on 6 December at the Kent Police College, Coverdale Avenue, Maidstone, ME15 9DW - have your say on the next round of funding cuts and to debate the impact on policing in the county. (e) Canterbury City Council’s neighbourhood development team electronic newsletter.(f) KCC’s draft Road Casualty Reduction Strategy http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/casualtyreduction/consultationHome. CCC Open Space Strategy reviewCanterbury City Council has set up information regarding the review of the open space strategy at https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/your-council/policy-and-plans/leisure-and-countryside/open-spaces-strategy-2014/ Officers have collated comments and are updating the maps. The next step is to publish a set of draft summaries for each type of open space and the revised maps for further comment. This will take place in February 2014.

Lord Lieutenant of Kent Civic ServiceThe Lord Lieutenant, Viscount De L’Isle MBE, is holding his annual Civic Service at Canterbury Cathedral on 11 March 2014 commencing at 11.00am. The Service is to celebrate the great contribution made by Local Authority Mayors, Chairmen and Town Mayors during their civic year and to acknowledge the hard work carried out by local Parish Councils within their communities.  The Clerk will ask the Chairman if she would like to attend, if not Cllr Glover agreed to.

Registration of new village greensGovernment has just issued a summary of the responses and the Government response to the DCLG and Defra consultation on the registration of new town and village greens. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263972/Consultation_on_registration_of_new_town_or_village_greens_-_Proposed_amendments_to_Schedule_1A__Exclusion_of_Right_under_section_15__to_the_Commons_Act_2006_.pdf

New NHS service to help people know where to go for treatmentThe NHS has launched an innovative service to help people understand where they should go for treatment, especially when they need healthcare in a hurry or late at night or weekends.The Health Help Now web app can be found at www.healthhelpnow-nhs.net and is free to everyone who lives and works in Kent and Medway. It functions like a mobile phone app and helps people check their symptoms and find the best place for treatment – showing which services near them are open. It will help people to know when to go to A&E, and when not to.It breaks down symptoms by age – baby, child, teenager, adult and older adult. This is to make it easier for people to find the right treatment for them. After clicking on age, symptoms and location, people are presented with a list of suggestions for treatment. The most suitable choice for most people is listed first and the other suggestions follow in order. It shows the nearest services and is time sensitive so details whether services are open or closed and provides a map of their location.Health Help Now also offers advice – such as where to buy children’s medication when pharmacies are closed - and links to other useful websites.Developed with input from local GPs, hospital doctors, paramedics and other health professionals, this web app works on smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers

Refresh of Police and Crime Plan April 2013 to March 2017Correspondence received to advise that Anne Barnes, Kent’s Police Commissioner published her first Police and Crime Plan in April 2013 following consultation with a wide variety of partners and stakeholders. That Plan sets out priorities for Policing, Criminal Justice and Community Safety to 2016/17. She now plans to do a yearly refresh.

Two signature ruleOn 11 November 2013, the DCLG laid a Legislative Reform Order (LRO) in draft form in Parliament to abolish the 2 signature rule that currently prevents Local Councils from using electronic payment methods. New guidelines would allow Local Councils to use electronic payment methods provided robust anti-fraud measures are in place and that Councils have a sound and comprehensive system of internal control with checks before and after payment. Whilst the draft Order has been laid in Parliament it doesn’t mean that local councils can start legally using electronic payments yet, as the LRO will now go through the process of being considered by parliamentary committees over the coming weeks. More information at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/red-tape-cut-to-ease-parish-councils-progress

Watching brief – Leader-cabinet style governance of Canterbury City Council Received on 12 November 2013, an email from the Canterbury branch of KALC Chairman to Terry Martin of KALC. The Chairman had attended a public meeting in Canterbury about the recent LGBCE consultation around a reduction in city councillors from 50 to 38. The body calling the meeting is a loose association of parties and individuals interested in promoting a change in which Canterbury District is governed.KALC was asked if there are other Districts in the county that are also seeking to review and perhaps change the system of local government from the present model of "Strong Leader and cabinet" to that of Committees. And also, if there is a means of approaching NALC to get the same sort of information across the country. Apparently Fylde area in Lancashire has started the process http://www.fylde.biz/

The Home Library Service Kent County Council Library has a team of volunteers who deliver and collect library items to and from customers’ homes. This free service is called The Home Library Service. Home Library Service customers are entitled to longer loan periods and it’s not just about books. Items that can be loaned include CDs, spoken word cassettes, CDs, DVDs and also large print books.

Many people benefit from joining The Home Library Service. Some of our customers, for instance, find it hard to leave their home because they have to care for another family member. Some customers are elderly or suffer with ill health, whilst others may be new parents who need the service for a few months until they get back on their feet.

This service would not be possible without the team of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers delivering the Home Library Service are screened for this role. Visit www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/libraries/services_for_everyone, phone 03000 41 31 31, or visit your local library ask for more information and an application form.

Canterbury City Council Budget for 2014-15 Consultation CCC has found £4.5 million of savings since 2010 but further cuts in national government funding leaves the council with a funding gap of £9.1 million between the start of this financial year and 2017/18. They are consulting on two points: detailed budget proposals for 2014-15 and the options for providing services beyond 2015. Full details can be viewed at:https://www.canterbury.gov.uk/your-council/have-your-say/consultations/budget-consultation/budget-proposals/Their proposals are based on:

o completing efficiency reviews across all services to generate a further £2 million savings by April 2015.

o deleting vacant posts and other potential staffing reductions. o increasing income from using their buildings more efficiently including renting out space

in the Military Road offices. o increasing the number of services offered online and smarter procurement. o proposed increases in charges for some of its services and continuing with the

approach, approved in consultation with residents towards more of a user pays system. o proposed increases in some of our parking charges. Charges have not risen in

Canterbury for two years and the increases are in line with the council’s policy of encouraging people to use park and ride to reduce inner city congestion and reduce pollution. Also, a proposal for the reclassification of the Gorrell Tank car park as a short stay car park.

o increasing council tax by two per cent.

2015 and beyondCCC remain committed to delivering their vision and commitments set out in the 2012 Corporate Plan (viewable at http://ourpledges.canterbury.gov.uk/) . But to do so, and to meet customers’ needs within a balanced budget, they are rethinking which services to continue to provide and how they are provided. They will consider:

o the value residents place on all our different services o the cost of the services and whether they can afford to continue providing them o whether it is best for the council to provide those services directly or o whether they are best provided by others on the city council’s behalf; and o what other ways of providing services could be utilised such as creating trusts, mutuals

or community-based organisations.More about the proposals and to have your say: www.canterbury.gov.uk/budgetconsultation

CAR PARKING CONSULTATIONThe Department for Transport has issued a consultation on Local Authority parking strategies. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/263815/parking-consultation.pdf, DfT invites views on amending elements of local authority parking including:

Stopping the use of CCTV for on–street parking enforcement; Giving local communities and businesses new rights to require authorities to

review aspects of their parking strategies such as the level of parking charges and whether all double-yellow lines are appropriate and necessary at particular locations;

Introducing limited “grace periods” where a driver has stayed in a parking place for a short period before issuing a parking ticket; and

Updating statutory guidance to local authorities to emphasise a less heavy-handed approach to parking enforcement, and re-emphasise that parking charges and fines cannot be used to as a means to raise revenues.

KALC will respond in the New Year. 

Canterbury District Parish CharterRECEIVED for consideration on 2 January 2014 the parish charter drafted by Canterbury City Council. Canterbury City Council and the parish councils within the district have created a document to ensure that all parties continue to work as efficiently together as possible for the benefit of local people. The Charter is a document describing the relationship between two parties and aims to encourage good working practices. This charter represents a mutual agreement between Canterbury City Council and parish councils within the district. It is a statement of intent, but not a legally binding document. It aims to define the expectations that both Canterbury City Council and the parishes have of each other.Canterbury City Council’s proposed Charter requires the parish council to take some actions and implement new processes to be fully compliant.

1. Communication and Information Sharing:

Canterbury City Council undertakes to : Parish Councils undertake to:Have public links on its website to its compliments, complaints and other feedback processes.

Put a process in place for compliments, complaints and other feedback, and make residents aware of this, if not already available.

RESOLVED that the Clerk would bring a Compliments, Complaints and Feedback policy to the next meeting.

2. Consultation:

Canterbury City Council undertakes to : Parish Councils undertake to:Where possible provide 6 weeks for consultation on any district wide or specific issues that affect parishes- other than in cases where the councils bound by other statutory requirements eg planning applications.

Actively respond to consultations and put delegated authority mechanisms in place for issues that cannot be dealt with within this timescale.

RESOLVED that if needed responses would be ratified by email by Cllrs, or delegated to the Clerk and Chairman, or Clerk and Vice-Chairman, or Clerk only for a response.

3. Service Delivery:

Canterbury City Council undertakes to : Parish Councils undertake to:

Deliver services on behalf of, and to, its residents that are value for money and follow the council’s Contract Standing Orders to procure the best services at the right price.

Ensure value for money when delivering local services, and where appropriate consider alternative providers and collaboration with other parishes to deliver services.

The councillors commented that they are already committed to ensuring value for money, particularly as most of the budget involves local taxpayers money. They also undertake regular re-tender exercises. However, RESOLVED that the Clerk would submit comments to Canterbury City Council that in reality the shared practice is not workable, has not been considered sufficiently, and would be a burden on Clerks many of whom are part-time only, would cause more work and not result in savings.

4. Democracy and community leadership Canterbury City Council undertakes to : Parish Councils undertake to:

Hold an annual rural forum to facilitate partnership working between the parishes and the district.

Send a representative to this forum.

RESOLVED that the Clerk would add this to Agenda items of the Annual Meeting of the parish council in May when councillors’ areas of responsibility are re-visited annually.

Continue to provide the facility for parish councils to have online access to, and sign up for alerts when, committee agendas are published.

Sign up to this service.

The Clerk explained that this initiative had been trialled before. She had signed up for email alerts but the software had never worked. RESOLVED the Clerk should reply that in principle the parish council is in agreement but there should be preliminary testing to ensure the software works correctly.

Collate and publish the parish register of interest on behalf of the parish councils.

Annually update the council about changes to this register.

RESOLVED that the Clerk would add this to Agenda items of the Annual Meeting of the parish council in May for councillors to revisit their register of interests annually.

5. Finance/funding - All currently compliant6. Advice and support - All currently compliant7. Planning - All currently compliant

Cllr Harlow advised that when the Charter was discussed at a KALC meeting they felt more needed to be done. Also that the city council’s planning portal needs to be improved for use by Clerks. The Clerk will give a response and comments by the deadline of 14 February 2014.

Stodmarsh Walk Leaders WorkshopNatural England manage the nature reserve at Stodmarsh. Their public engagement officer has advised they are planning a free fun workshop that should equip you to lead a guided walk round the nature reserve. The session will include:

o Bird identification – songs, calls, flight patterns, etco Plant identification – and traditional uses o Top tips for making a guided walk interesting – good ways to structure a guided walk,

Stodmarsh stories brainstorm session, activities for adults on walks, etco Basics in health and safety for walk leaders

There is no obligation to lead a guided walk on the nature reserve to anyone who attends the training. However, if they would like to lead a guided walk at Stodmarsh after training Natural England would support them: promote the walk, book participants and lend equipment for the walk (such as binoculars), etc. Suggested dates were given but yet to be confirmed based on numbers. Cllr Georgina Glover may be able to attend a workshop on 29 March, and Cllrs Harlow, Morcom and Wilson could attend 28 March. They commented that they had chosen later dates so that there would be better/more daylight hours. 

123. NEWSLETTERCllr Morcom is working on the next newsletter. The Clerk had drafted an appendix to consider offering advertising space within future editions to raise income to offset the costs of production. Cllr Morcom commented that she had been approached by advertisers previously and they assume that it is a larger and more regular publication. It may need the format changed to make advertising work. Further discussion suggested any income to offset costs was a good thing. RESOLVED to run a box in the next newsletter to offer advertising space and see if there is any interest. There would be certain terms and conditions and the text should say that anyone interested should speak to the Clerk for more details.

124 PARISH PLANCllr Harlow advised that the bird reporting is going well, she is getting weekly and monthly and adhoc reports from certain residents. The rolling total is now building up nicely.

125. ENVIRONMENTNew dog bin Cllrs RESOLVED at the September parish council meeting to purchase a dog bin for public footpath CB91. CCC have agreed to add the bin to the schedule for emptying and felt that the best location is on the finger post pole to the entrance to the footpath. The Clerk advised she has now taken delivery of it and Cllr Williams kindly agreed to help her install it.

Railings/fencing at the old Rectory The residents of the Old Rectory have been advised that the Parish Council is responsible for the fence. A recent theft from their outbuilding benefitted from the lack of a fence as an easy means of exit, with which the Police concurred. (The entrance route was round the fence from the unoccupied barn which the owner has since blocked.)The residents feel the churchyard fence needs to be replaced, and had suggested replacement with railings and offered to split the costs of these as there is a benefit to them in terms of increased security. However the parish council advised they are not currently in a financial position to do so.

The residents have now responded. They will invest to improve the security to outbuildings and have notified their insurance company to that effect. They have also notified the company that there is a fence down that does not belong to them. The insurance company advised the residents to issue a formal notification to the parish council (as they are responsible for the

fence). This means that any further issues, or a repetition, where this route can be proven to have been used for illegal entry or exit to or from their property, an approach would be made to the insurers of the churchyard and graveyard for compensation as this has become a known risk. The insurance company now have this on record.

Westbere Councillors agreed they would like to contribute to railings but funds do not allow. However they would like to work with the residents for a solution. The residents have said the replacement does not have to be railings, it could be a direct replacement for the collapsed two bar fence or some other cheaper alternative.

The Clerk will write a formal response to the residents requesting that they obtain a quote for alternatives but, as the price is currently high due to the recent bad weather and shortage in fence posts and panels, to delay a month or so before actioning.

Old Rectory trees and Village HallAs agreed with the hall Chairman the owners of the Old Rectory will kindly trim their fir trees back and reduce the dead trees in the grounds of the Village Hall from the bank against the home, that pose a Health and Safety risk. This is in preparation for the Village Hall to fence the staked line at the back during the February half term. As a gesture of shared responsibility, the owners of the Old Rectory have also agreed to replace the fence between the Village Hall and their rear drive (actually the financial responsibility of the Village Hall). Three posts have snapped off in the recent bad weather and are currently temporarily propped in position. The owners of the Rectory will arrange to have this replaced in its entirety from their gate post to their garage.The owners also needed to record that now the gate has been put across the side exit to the village hall at a height well above the current fence, they need a right of access if their drains should block. This is because the manhole under the decking that forms the emergency exit on the side of the hall is shared. The manhole forms the junction between the drains from the Old Rectory with the hall and connects with the main sewer in Church Lane.

126. WESTBERE CHURCHCllr Glover reported that the Church repairs are now complete and the door has been fixed. A little storm damage has been reported – the loss of some masonry to one corner of the roof and one of the internal piers has lost some masonry.

The meeting closed at 9.15pm

Dates of next meetings - 18 February, 18 March, 25 March – the elector’s meeting / Annual Parish Meeting, (with guest speaker City Cllr John Gilbey, Leader of Canterbury City Council), 15 April, 20 May, 17 June, 15 July, (No meeting in August), 16 September, 21 October, 18 November 2014 (No meeting in December)

Signed: .............................................................. Date: ..............................................................Chairman

WESTBERE PARISH COUNCILPLANNING REPORT, 21 JANUARY 2014 APPENDIX 2

New ApplicationsCA/13/18/R Plots D and E, Lakesview Business Park, Hersden

Non-material amendment to planning permission CA/13/18 to:Amend the size and orientation of a roll over bund; install vehicle and engine storage pits; amend the external design of the non-ferrous building and internal layout; and amend the main vehicular access gate

Westbere Parish Council has no comments about the building but has expressed some reservations about two related matters. The Clerk sent a response to the KCC planning case officer on 20 November 2013 and received the following reply: 

1. Oil/Fuel arisings:   The management of these issues is already dealt with (and would continue to be dealt with) as part of the permitted operations and is controlled by the Environmental Permit (dealt with by the Environment Agency).  The management arrangements would not really change as a result of the proposed non-material amendments.  Natural England and the Environment Agency were consulted on all of the permitted operations and were satisfied subject to the imposition of various planning conditions (including those relating to oil/fuel arisings).  These conditions / controls remain in effect regardless of the outcome of the non-material amendment application.  The Environment Agency has also been sent the proposed non-material amendment details and has no objection to them.

2. Proposal description including black bag waste:   This simply relates to the description of the relevant planning permission (CA/13/18) and does not mean that the building proposed to be altered (i.e. non-ferrous building) would be used for the receipt, handling or storage of black bag or similar waste.  Only the building specifically designed for such use (i.e. the waste transfer building) would be used for those purposes.  There is a condition on the relevant planning permission that only allows black bag and source separated food waste to be deposited, handled, stored and transferred within the waste transfer building.  This would not change.

 The KCC case officer remained satisfied that it is appropriate to deal with the proposed amendment as non-material in this case. This application was subsequently granted by Kent County Council.

KCC/CA/0341/2013 Plots D and E, Lakesview Business Park, HersdenVariation of conditions (8) and (9) of planning permission CA/13/18 to allow for the acceptance of commercial and industrial waste from commercial, industrial and institutional premises from sources in and external to the Canterbury District and source segregated fractions from waste collections from domestic properties in the Canterbury District in addition to existing waste streams and without exceeding the existing 82,000 tonne limit.

CA//13/02209/VAR Variation of conditions (08) and (09) of planning permission CA/13/00018/KCM to allow for the acceptance of commercial and industrial waste from commercial, industrial and institutional premises from sources in and external to the Canterbury district and source segregated fractions from waste collections from domestic properties in the Canterbury district in addition to existing waste streams and without exceeding the existing 82,000 tonne limit.

The KCC case officer contacted the Clerk and advised he was keen to keep the two issues above apart since they are not interdependent on one another. 

The Clerk responded in detail to this KCC/CCC application on 16 December 2013 to re-iterate previous concerns around this proposal of Point 1 - OdourPoint 2 - Air quality and pollutionPoint 3 - Highways & Lakesview Business Park Roads - unadopted and unsuitablePoint 4 - Surface water run-offPoint 5 - EnvironmentPoint 6 - Growth and sustainability of Lakesview Business Park

Roger Gale MP also wrote to support the parish council’s concerns.KCC Cllr Alan Marsh explained he had spoken to Roger Gale. He had also spoken to the KCC case officers and received assurances in respect of the 82,000 tonne limit (not to be exceeded) and the 160 movements in and out per day (also not to be exceeded). He advised he thought smaller, lighter vehicles should also be considered, vehicles that are quieter and less damaging to the road, then waste could be consolidated into larger vehicles at Lings and be transported elsewhere.

CCC subsequently published an objection to CA//13/02209/VAR on their weekly list dated 6 January 2013.

Cllr Marsh advised he thought the application was to be heard in mid February.

New planning application:CA//13/01781/FUL Land adjacent to Ashby Cottage,

Westbere LaneConstruction of a two-bedroom dwelling in the grounds of Ashby Cottage

The parish council has nothing to comment.

New planning application:CA//13/02349/FUL Former Spires Academy, Bredlands Lane

Demolition of the former Spires Academy and the construction of 80 dwellings with associated infrastructure provision.

This site is owned by KCC and is allocated for residential use in the emerging local plan. KCC have a joint initiative with Kier Homes to deliver high quality affordable housing on redundant sites such as this across Kent.The proposal is for 25 private sale, 28 affordable and 27 ‘flexible tenure’ – that is capable of being rented, shared equity or private sale.

Private Sale Affordable/flexible tenure2 bedroom 5 333 bedroom 11 224 bedroom 9 0Total 25 55

163 car parking spaces plus unallocated and visitor parking is provided for.The Canterbury City Council policy of 35% of developments providing affordable homes is well exceeded.

The public exhibition held on 12 November 2013 at Spires Academy was attended by 37 people and 12 feedback responses were received. Of the 12 feedback responses, 7 supported the proposal, 4 opposed and 1 abstained.

Comments included:- Concern of the inclusion of affordable homes within the site- Desire to see a roundabout instead of a junction at Island Road- Positive re-sue of a derelict school site- Concerns of the amount of increased traffic using the junction with Island Road.- Capacity of both Island Road and Bredlands Lane.

Westbere parish councillors discussed this new application at length. The Clerk will prepare a full response which will be shared with Sturry Parish Council for them to support shared concerns. Whilst Westbere parish council is not opposed to development of this site per se, the parish council has concerns around increased traffic and vehicular movements, safety of school children, the access point, traffic calming, the need for highways improvements, the bigger picture of the development in context with others planned and conditions required during the build itself.

A further new planning application received:CA//14/00055/FUL Units 7-12 Claremont Way

Erection of 6 industrial unitsThe site is part of the Lakesview Business Park. The block paved access from Claremont Road has already been constructed under the original proposals. This is a single building divided in to 6 units. The lower floor is to be used for storage and the upper floor for office/ administration space. Delegated authority for comments to meet the deadline prior to the next meeting was given to Cllr Glover.

Notifications

CA//13/02052/EIA Spires Academy, Bredlands Lane EIA screening opinion request in relation to the erection of 81 dwellings.

No objection to

CA/13/18/R Plots D and E, Lakesview Business Park, HersdenNon-material amendment to planning permission CA/13/18 to:Amend the size and orientation of a roll over bund; install vehicle and engine storage pits; amend the external design of the non-ferrous building and internal layout; and amend the main vehicular access gate

Granted by Kent County Council

TreesYew Tree Cottage, 39-41 Westbere Lane

Reduce a line of Sycamore of the South eastern boundary to around 10ft 6 Walnut Tree Lane

Reduce a Leylandii to 6ft, located on the edge of the property next to a neighbour’s Silver Birch

The parish council’s tree officer visited and has no objection to these tree works.