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	Halling Parish Council SR06/01	Quick-Links   Home Page  Meetings

Meeting of Halling Parish Council held on 14 September 2006 at the Jubilee Hall

Present: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Councillors R Underdown, F Howard, T Reynolds, C Herbert and D Palmer.
W R Swan – Clerk and 6 members of the public.

1. Apologies for absence
There were apologies from Councillors Mrs Coleman – work, P Wyatt – sickness and R Swain – work.

2. Minutes of last meeting
Councillor Underdown said that the last line in item 3 be struck out. It was then proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Councillor Reynolds that the minutes of the previous meeting (as revised) were a true record. All agreed and the Chairman duly signed them.

3. Matters arising
Item 6(a) - Councillor Herbert asked if a reply from Medway Council re yellow lines had yet been received. The Clerk said that he would chase them up.
Item 6(a) – Councillor Underdown said that the meeting between Medway Council and Saxon Homes did not take place - this is to be rearranged and he will attend the new meeting.
Item 6(c) – 183 High Street, Lower Halling – the question on the building in the back garden has yet to be answered by Medway Council – the Clerk will chase this up.

4. Notification of Any Other Business
Councillor Palmer – 2 items; Vice-Chairman – 1 item; Councillor Reynolds – 1 item;
Councillor Underdown – 1 item; Councillor Howard – 1 item and Chairman – 3 items.

5. Reports by Chairmen of Committees
(a) Estates
The Chairman reported that the Village Handyman had been busy repainting the play ground equipment. When this is completed arrangements will be made to replace the safety surface in the Lower Rec. MHS is to be reminded about the Garden at the top of Stake lane.

(b) Footpaths
It was reported that Woodens Opening had to be cleared as a matter of urgency by Ben Cook at a cost of £120. This is the only rural footpath actually owned by the Parish Council. It was felt that CEMEX should contribute to this as bushes from their adjoining land were also trimmed back.

(c) Planning & Development
The Committee Chairman, Councillor Underdown reported on the following applications:
6 Chapel Cottages, Upper Halling – the rear extension had been approved by Medway Council.
56a Rochester Road, North Halling - extension of garage now approved
Councillor Herbert wished to know how many empty houses there were in Medway. The Clerk is to write to the Council. He also raised the implication of 12.5% of the green belt being used in the proposed CEMEX development. If 150 houses were acceptable to Medway Council originally, why has this grown to 550 in the latest documentation.

6. Jubilee Hall
It was agreed that Councillor Palmer will represent the Parish Council on the Jubilee Hall Committee. Otherwise nothing to report.

7. Harris House
Nothing to report.

8. Halling Association
The Chairman reported on the “Valley of Vision” project which has agreed in principle to put in £25,000 over 3 years for the Bishops Palace.
Councillor Palmer said that the War Memorial had been repaired satisfactorily.

9. Community Centre
The Vice-Chairman reported that Roy Biggs, the Committee Secretary and his wife were leaving Halling to live in Faversham. He will be sadly missed and it was proposed by the Chairman that a letter of thanks be sent to Roy thanking him for all his help in the Community.

10 Youth Club
The Vice-Chairman thanked the Halling Association for the very successful Summer Scheme for youngsters in the Village. Thanks should also go to Groundwork Swale for their organisation and running of the scheme. 32 young people attended.
The Youth Club will be back in the Community Centre with effect from Friday 15 September after their usual summer activities in the Lower Rec.

11. Lafarge
Councillor Underdown reported that the Liaison meeting had been cancelled at the last minute by Lafarge. Another meeting must be arranges as soon as possible preferably at 5 or 6 pm so that all Parish Councillors can attend.

12. CEMEX
Councillor Underdown reported on the recent liaison meeting. Ian Hargraves has resigned as Chairman and Ron Underdown was elected in his place. Plans for the ready mix plant are on hold. Mid Kent Water have said that the water in the “Blue Lagoon” is suitable for their use. The Chairman said the he had reported to CEMEX that unsheeted lorries had been seen leaving the site.

13. PCSO Alan Beech
Alan Beech was unable to attend the meeting because of a meeting called by the Police.

14. Correspondence
(a) Medway Council – C/E staff re Saxon Homes
(b) Clarity Interpretation – Valley of Vision project
(c) Kent Police- 2006 policing plan
(d) Kent BTCV – tree warden scheme
(e) Email from Medway Council – funding for parks and play
(f) Medway Council – land rear 42-48 Rochester – planning appeal dismissed
(g) Kent Downs AONB – countryside day 22 September 2006 at Bicknor
(h) Medway Council – local transport plan 2001-6 delivery report
(i) KCPFA – newsletter
(j) CEMEX – minutes of liaison meeting on 14 June 2006
(k) KCPFA – newsletter
(l) Action with Rural Communities in Kent – funding for Parish Plans
(m) Clerks & Councils Direct magazine
(n) Kompan Ltd – quote for play equipment lower rec.
(o) Royal British Legion – 2006 Poppy Appeal
(p) T&MBC – Local Development Framework submission to Secretary of State
(q) Kent Community Rail Partnership – postponement of Centenary celebrations.

(r) Medway Council – Core Strategy & Housing & Mixed Development docs.
(s) Medway Council – Land at Chalgrove Mews – Committee mtg on 6 September.
(t) Email from Judith Armitt – has asked Robin Cooper and Phil Filmer to meet HPC dates needed
(u) SE England Regional Assembly – provision for gypsy & traveller sites
(v) Medway Council – bus stop clearway proposals
(w) NALC – magazine

15. Receipts - none

16. Payments

It was proposed by the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, that the above payments be ratified. All agreed.

17. Any Other Business
Councillor Palmer said that Medway Council had left tree cuttings in Pilgrims Road after they had carried out trimming back.
Halling Fire fighters thanked the Parish Council for its continuing support in fund raising. Halling Fire fighters have received an award for being the top fund raiser for the Fire Service in the South East. It was agreed that a letter of congratulation should be sent by the Parish Council to the local Fire Station.
The Vice-Chairman reported that Bob Smith’s widow Myrtle had died. The Chairman expressed condolences on behalf of the Parish Council and proposed that a donation of £50 be made to Cancer Research UK in memory of Myrtle Smith. This was seconded by the Vice Chairman and all agreed.
The Vice-Chairman said that the Police and Councillor surgeries had been poorly attended in recent months.
Councillor Underdown had a phone call saying that someone was cutting down trees on Saxon Homes property with a chain saw leaving the pile of trees by the path. The Clerk is to contact Medway Council about this.
Councillor Herbert expanded on the problems with Saxon Homes in the Ferry Road and Low Meadow areas. Trees have been broken down and the Village is being untended in many places. He would like to see residents taking care and helping out in the Village.
He spoke about the state of the High Street and the speeding in the Village.

18. Parishioners’ Questions
Among the points raised by residents were the following:
(a) Grass cutting in Cemetery
(b) Circle in Vicarage Road
(c) Signs in Rec.
(d) Lafarge RAB
(e) Police and Councillor surgery
(f) Bishops Palace
(g) Youth Shelter
(h) CEMEX development

Last updated ~ 05 October 2006

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