NOVEMBER 2015 PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
   

MINUTES 146                                                    Page 662
 

Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting

held at The Bluebell Centre Hothfield,

on Wednesday 4 November 2015 at 7.00 pm

PRESENT:  

Mr L Krause (Chair), Mrs P Sutcliffe, Mr M Cook, Mr P Howard,
Mr R Libbeter and Mr D Parker

There were no Members of the Public present.

1.     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

There were no Apologies for Absence.

2.       DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

There were no Declarations of Pecuniary Interest from councillors present.

Declarations of Significant Interest

There were no Declarations of Significant Interest from councillors present.

i)    Updating of Declarations of Interest for the Code of Conduct

Councillors are reminded that they should update their Declarations of Interest with the Monitoring Officer if necessary.

3.      PUBLIC INTERVAL

There were no Members of the Public present.

4.      ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING                                  

Minutes 145 of the meeting held on 7 October 2015 were accepted and it was unanimously agreed that Mr Krause should sign them.

Propose  Mr Cook                       Seconded  Mrs Sutcliffe

5.      MATTERS FOR REPORT ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Cheque to David Stephens was cancelled as he had been paid in cash by the Fete Committee on the day of the Fete

6.      CORRESPONDENCE AND GENERAL COUNCIL BUSINESS

EDF Contract Renewal Information – Councillors unanimously agreed to sign up to the Fixed Rate until December 2018.

EDF re Smart Meters – Councillors agreed not to apply for a Smart Meter

ABC Agenda for Parish and Urban Forum

Email Correspondence – all emails received are forwarded to all councillors

Councillors did not bring any emails to the attention of the meeting.

Plan-it-Ashford Consultation – Preparation for Public Meeting

Councillors confirmed the arrangements for the meeting on Saturday and agreed to provide tea and coffee.

A factual report of the meeting by ABC will be sent to the editor of the Hothfield News for inclusion in the next edition.

Installation of Equipment in the Play Area

Ashford Borough Council does not want any more equipment in the Play Area.

Mr Howard suggested that we spend the £900 on a bench to be installed on the grass by the Post Office.  Councillors agreed with this suggestion and Mr Krause will ask Councillor Clarkson, ABC, whether we need to obtain permission as this area of land belongs to ABC.

Risk Assessment – Report from The Play Inspection Co

We are awaiting a revised report from The Play Insurance Company.

Pavement outside the Old Kings Head

There is no history of a pavement ever being in place outside the building.      The owner of the property needs to contact KCC and ask for permission to lay a pavement.

Update on Regeneration Task Group Meeting

There has not been a meeting since the last Parish Council meeting.

7.    FINANCE

            Bank Balance per Cash Book                                                   Balance at Bank  

            Accounts to be Paid

            Resolution:  Councillors unanimously agreed to pay the above accounts and

            noted the Direct Debit Payment to EDF for the electricity for the MUGA, taken on

            the 1st of each month for £20.00.    

            We have received a refund of £98.87 from EDF

            Proposed Mr Parker          Seconded  Mr Libbeter         

            Earmarked Funds   

Budget Preparation in preparation for Setting of Precept for 2016-2017

Resolution:  Councillors unanimously agreed to keep the precept at £9500 for the year 2016-2017. 

The Finance Committee will prepare a budget in December.

Bank Mandate

Resolution:  It was resolved that the authorised signatories in the current mandate for all Hothfield Parish Council accounts be changed in accordance with sections 5 and 6 of the mandate form and the current mandate will continue as amended.

Parish Council signatories from the activation of this mandate will be:-

Mr Krause, Mr Howard, Mrs Sutcliffe, Mr Cook, Mr Libbeter and Mr Parker.

Mr Cook and Mr Libbeter took the mandate to return to NatWest.

Interim Internal Audit

The Clerk reported that Mr Funnell carried out the Interim Audit in October and there were no matters  arising.                                                                                                                                     

EDF Contract Renewal Information

This information was received after publication of the agenda.  Councillors unanimously agreed to sign up to the Fixed Rate until December 2018.

8.         PLANNING

           Please see attached list.

9.        FORUM FOR EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN COUNCILLORS

The clerk asked everyone to check the documents on the website for confirmation that all is in order at the next meeting.

Items to be reported to Kent Highways:-

The drain outside 10 West Street

The water leak in the vicinity of Meadow View

The next meeting is due to be held on 2 December 2015.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.26 pm.

HOTHFIELD PARISH COUNCIL

PLANNING APPLICATION RECORD

2015 

NOVEMBER 2015

15/01285/AS     Land Adjoining, 24 The Street, Hothfield  

                           Erection of a pair of semi-detached dwellings with associated parking 

Parish Council:  Support provided the comments made by Kent Highways are acted upon.

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