Minutes of the Meeting of Eastling Parish Council
held in Eastling Village Hall, Kettle Hill Lane, Eastling
on Wednesday, 9th January 2008 at 6.00pm.

1. To note attendance and receive apologies for absence

Present: Cllrs Peter E. Cheeseman, Nigel Bickerdike, Helen Higgs, Dr Julia B. Bailey, Cllr Andrew Bowles (K.C.C.), Alan W. Willson (Village Warden) and Mrs. Joan M. Thomas (Acting Parish Clerk)
Apologies for Absence: Apologies for absence were received from Michael R. J. Thomas Parish Clerk)

2. To consider and if deemed to be correct, accept and sign the Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 14th November 2007

The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 14th November 2007, having already been distributed to Councillors, were taken as read, confirmed as a correct record, adopted and signed by the Chairman.

3. Matters Arising:

There were no matters arising.

4. To receive the Village Warden's Report:

On this occasion the Village Warden said that he had nothing to report. This was very much a first and gave a possible indication of the success of the scheme.

5. To receive the Chairman's Report:

The Chairman said that he had attended The Kent Association of Parish Councils Meeting last month when the County's Highways representative was present. He indicated that road conditions were unlikely to improve for the foreseeable future and the 30 mph speed limit was likely to be put on hold as there was no finance available.

6. To receive the Treasurer's Report:

The Treasurer reported that there was £4,500.00 in the various bank accounts of which £2,600.00 was for the Village Sign and could be returnable.

7. Budgetary Considerations:

The Acting Clerk advised the Meeting that the Clerk proposed resigning and said that this could impinge upon the Council's Budgetary considerations.

The source of the primary concerns throughout the Village had to be the cutting of costs and the Chairman asked Cllr Bickerdike to investigate the costs which pertained to the Internet Connection which appeared to be largely under-used and was costing the Council about £650.00 per year. The resignation of the Clerk would result in the Council having to pay a replacement's salary and expenses, which could be a burden to the Council. The Treasurer proposed that the Precept be provisionally set at 20p in an attempt to alleviate the problem.

8. Kent Police Questionnaire/Budget:

Cllr Bailey indicated that this had been completed and returned.

9. Village Budget:

This matter had been considered under Item 7

10. Village Sign:

The Chairman indicated that he advised that the timber had been passed to a saw-mill for processing but, at this stage, was not able to supply the Council with any further details.

11. Planning:

The Council were advised that there were two planning applications for the Council to consider. One related to the property known as "Flintstones" and the other to 8, Meeson's Close. The applicable documents had been circulated to Councillors for their consideration and Swale Borough Council have been informed that on this occasion the Councillors had no objections to make.

12. Church Path, Footpaths and Roads:

The Council are advised that the contact at K.C.C. had again moved to pastures new. K.C.C. had been advised of the missing chevrons and was currently vacillating accordingly. Cllr Bickerdike reiterated the problems associated with the 30 mph speed limit but said that he would pursue the matter. He received the support and encouragement of the Council in his quest. The Council wished to express their thanks to Mr Ben Binder for his diligence in maintaining the hedgerows along The Street, but felt that the condition of many of the footpaths left much to be desired.

13. Report on Rural Leaders' Scheme:

Cllr. Bailey reported that on the Rural Leaders' Course which had operated in the Village during the summer of 2007. Thirty two people from the Village and surrounding area completed a five week course lasting twelve hours a week. They studied aspects of rural life, animals, job opportunities, plating, harvesting and cooking healthy meals. The Course continued to Christmas and will start again in the Spring of 2008. Cllr Bailey had hoped to announce a three year funding agreement but this had not been signed. It is hoped to gain accreditation for the Course from Hadlow College so that the young people involved would gain a certificate of Achievement thus helping them into the employment market of the future. Further Cllr Bailey thanked the Clerk who forwarded an application for free tree planting. The Rural Leaders' Course obtained 25 trees which the young people planted in a Nursery Area from which they will be re-planted when established. Their eventual location will be around the fenced walkway surrounding the Vegetable Plot open to the public via the support of the Government's Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

14. Correspondence:

A letter had been received from Swale Borough Council relating to penalties which in future may be incurred by the owners of dogs who persistently foul public open spaces.

15. Any Other Business:

The Clerk wrote to say that he felt that it was in the Council's best interest that he submitted his resignation as Parish Clerk as his health had recently not been good and was unlikely to improve in the near future. He would, however, complete this month's Minutes and submit the various reports to the "Good News" and the Parish Web-site

The Council having to conduct no further business, the Meeting closed at 7.40 pm. The Council thanked Cllr Bowles for his interest and attendance.

16. Date of the Next Meeting:

Minutes of the Meeting of Eastling Parish Council held in Eastling Village Hall on Wednesday, 19th March at 6.00pm

1. To note attendance and receive apologies for absence.

Present: Cllrs.Peter Cheeseman ( Chairman and Treasurer), Julia Bailey, Nigel Bickerdike, Jimmy West, and Alan Willson ( Village Warden).
Apologies: Cllrs. Andrew Bowles (KCC), Helen Higgs, and Colin Prescott ( SBC).

2. To consider, and if deemed correct, accept and sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council on 9th January 2008.

The minutes of the meeting, having been already distributed to Councillors, were taken as read, subject to the following:

In item 4 to be added "The Council agreed to donate £ 250 to the Village Hall Trustees from the Parish Grant Scheme towards the cost of new utensils for the Hall. Council also agreed to donate £100 to the Kent Air Ambulance Trust from the Donations Budget".

In relation to item 7, it was agreed by Councillors after the meeting that the Precept should be set at 23 pence for 2008/09, so as to yield an income of £3630.

3. Matters Arising.

There were no matters arising.

4. To receive the Village Warden's Report.

The Warden said that again there was little to report of note. Communication from residents to him was open and timely, and, in turn, he enjoyed a close working relationship with the local police team. The Warden project appeared to be a success.

It was noted that the local PCSO, Graham Maxlow, had organised a PACT meeting ( Police and Communities Together) for 20th March in the Village Hall for all the local parishes. The aim was to raise concerns about local law and order issues, and how these could best be tackled. Cllrs. Bailey and West and the Warden would attend on behalf of the Council.

5. To receive the Chairman's Report.

The Chairman said that apart from attending the Lord Lieutenant's Civic Service at the Cathedral, he had not been to any external meetings. He had concentrated on receiving and distributing correspondence in the absence of a Clerk. The previous Clerk delivered the mail unopened. This was useful in that it provided an opportunity to gauge the time required from a Clerk each month. The figure in the job advertisement in" The Good News" of 15 hours per month including meetings, appeared to be about right.

6. To receive the Treasurer's Report.

It was reported that there was £60 in the current account, and £3761 in the deposit account. However part of the latter was earmarked for the Village Sign, and an invoice for £2000 had just been received from the carver.

The Treasurer said a request had been again received from the PCC for financial support for the Youth Worker for the year starting in September. Last year the Council gave £1000 from the Parish Grant Scheme. Councillors were reminded that grants could not be used to support primarily political, commercial, or religious activities, and hence they would need to be satisfied that the activities of the Youth Worker included out-reach to the whole community. The PCC's request would be circulated for consideration at the May meeting.

Councillors agreed to renew the annual subscription to the Kent Association of Local Councils in the sum of £144 for the 2008/09 year.

7. To consider planning applications.

No objections were raised to an application to build a conservatory at the rear of 3, Meeson's Close.

8. To consider matters relating to highways.

Cllr. Bailey reported that at a recent meeting a senior police officer had said, on the record, that if a community wanted lower speed limits, their concerns should be considered favourably. This contrasted with the lukewarm approach from KCC.

Cllr. Bickerdike would follow this up with the designated KCC Highways Liaison Officer. He would also raise the continuing deficiencies in the roads in the Parish, as numerous potholes had appeared over the winter which had yet to be attended to.

9. To consider any correspondence relating to Council matters.

The Council noted that there were no matters outstanding that were not dealt with elsewhere on the Agenda.

10. To consider any other business.

Four matters were raised.

Firstly,in relation to the Village Sign, the Chairman reported that it should be ready for placement in about 2 months time. He had seen it, and it was to John Darlington's credit that such an excellent work had materialised. Costs now totalled £2400 which, allowing for the cost of specialist help in its erection, should mean that costs would be within the £3000 grant funding. He also said that it appeared that the agreement with the Belmont Estate on its siteing was only verbal. This was clearly not acceptable for the longer term. John Darlington would be asked to produce a map showing the exact desired location, which would then be part of a formal application to the Estate for permission. The Council might need to accept payment of a peppercorn rent to preserve the Estate's position overall. The Chairman would also ask SBC if Planning and Highways needed to be consulted.

Secondly, the Chairman advised that the advertisement for a Clerk in "The Good News" had elicited a response from Jill Seaman. She appeared to be a very suitable applicant, as she was currently Clerk to Newnham PC, and had previously been Clerk for several years at Ospringe. Her current payment terms at Newnham were close to what we would expect to pay for a Clerk. Cllrs. Bailey and Bickerdike agreed to join the Chairman for the formal selection process on 26th March.

Thirdly, it was noted that provision existed for the election of Councillors for a new four year term on 1st May. The necessary notices would be posted on 27th March. Nomination papers were circulated to existing Councillors should they wish to seek re-election.

Finally, a letter from Cllr. Boden at SBC was noted, in which he commented on the unsatisfactory audit last year of SBC, and the ongoing controversy and cost of the disciplinary hearing in relation to the Chief Executive. Whilst Councillors agreed there were issues of concern, it was not apparent what the Parish Council as a body could usefully do, other than for Councillors to make representations in an individual capacity.

11. Dates of Future Meetings.

The following were agreed for the balance of 2008, all to be held in the Village Hall.
07/04 AGM , which is to follow the VH Trustees meeting starting at 1930.
Routine Council meetings on 21st May, 9th July, 17th September and 12th November, all starting at 1830. Please note the revised time.

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
for the Parish of Eastling held in Eastling Village Hall
on Monday 7th April at 8pm.

Present: Cllr. Peter Cheeseman ( Chairman and Treasurer), Cllrs.Nigel Bickerdike, Helen Higgs, and Julia Bailey, and Alan Willson ( Village Warden).
Also Present: The Chairman welcomed 7 members of the public. He explained that, in the absence of a Clerk, invitations had not been sent directly to the usual list of guests, but the Council maintained contact throughout the year with the Councillors with responsibility for Eastling at both KCC and SBC levels.

1. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr.Jimmy West.

2. The Minutes of the 2007 Parish Meeting, held on 16th April last year, having been distributed at the meeting, were taken as read, and accepted.

3. The Chairman circulated and elaborated upon the following statement, detailing the key points of the Council's activities in 2007/08:

The Council has adhered to its established pattern of bi-monthly meetings in the year, with a very satisfactory attendance record for all 5 Councillors. Councillors are now at the end of their 4 year term, but all have agreed to apply for re-election. The Council operates on a non-political basis.

It was with regret that the Council had to accept the resignation of the Clerk, Mike Thomas, in January because of ill health. Mike has served the Council efficiently and effectively for several years on a voluntary basis, and we wish wholeheartedly to thank him for his service to our community. The legal responsibilities resting on a Clerk nowadays are such that, almost by necessity, it is a paid and semi-professional position. Hence we are pleased that Jill Seaman from Painter's Forstal has agreed to become our Clerk from mid-April. She is currently also Clerk to Newnham Parish Council, and before that was Clerk to Ospringe PC for a number of years.

Overall, it has not been an eventful year. Planning applications have been few, which is not surprising as Eastling is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and thus subject to severe restrictions on development. The Council was pleased to note efforts to promote tourism within the AONB, including the Syndale Valley Walk, which it is hoped will be waymarked through the Parish. The aim is to highlight the beauty of our countryside, and what our local pubs and restaurants have to offer to the walker.

The Village Warden Scheme has established itself as an appropriate means for reporting problems such as anti-social behaviour to the Police, and to seek help. Our Warden has reported that contact with the local rural police team is effective, and it is good to note an increased physical presence of the Police in the Village. Law and Order would appear to be less of an issue here currently than in other rural communities locally. The Council was happy to support financially the Youthworker Project run by St. Mary's to engage local teenagers. This, and the Vegetable Plot, are great examples of local community initiatives.

The Village Sign has now been carved from local oak - and very fine it looks too. Our thanks to John Darlington for his oversight of this project. It is currently being oiled, and hopefully will be erected this summer, once formal approval from the Belmont Estate as to its siting is obtained. It will serve as an attractive focal point for the Village, adjacent to the Carpenter's Arms. The Council is pleased that the whole cost will be funded by grants, with no cost falling on Eastling taxpayers.

The main disappointment has been our failure to progress the establishment of a 30 mph. speed limit through the village. We believe the benefits of this, in terms of safety, are manifestly evident and that such a limit has the overwhelming support of local residents. The Police appear to be supportive, but the key player is KCC, who are currently pre-occupied with a review of limits on A and B roads. They do not anticipate any action on minor roads until at least 2011. This is not acceptable, and we battle on with this issue. Likewise, we continue to pressure KCC, as the responsible authority, to do something about the frankly disgraceful state of the roads in the Parish. The Street, Newnham Lane, North Eastling Lane, and Jackson's Lane all need proper resurfacing, and not merely the cosmetics of filling pot-holes. So far we have encountered the normal excuse for inactivity - there is no resource due to financial pressure with lack of funding from Whitehall.

Small amounts have been disbursed from the Parish Grant Scheme this year, but there is still several thousand pounds available to help pay for community projects. The only rules are that overtly religious or political activities or commercial ventures cannot be supported, and that some matching funding should be raised. It is likely that this scheme will end in 2009/10, so that applications in the meantime would be gratefully received.

4. The Treasurer said the Audit Commission had given the Council an unqualified audit opinion in respect of the 2006/07 accounts. The Annual Return for the 2007/08 year would be sent to the Commission within the next 2 months.

Those present were provided with the accounts for 2006/07, the budgeted and actual performance for 2007/08, and the budget for 2008/09 - copy attached. The Treasurer outlined the main variances in the past year, both to the previous year and to the budget. He explained that the increase in precept in 2008/09 was almost entirely accounted for by the need to employ a paid Clerk, instead of relying, as previously, on the goodwill of volunteers. Given the legal duties now placed on the Clerk, a paid semi-professional position was now the norm. Clearly there was a large increase in the precept, but this was because the Council had held the rate as low as possible in recent years. The increased rate put the Council in line with other small local parishes.

The current bank balance, having allowed for the amounts now due for the sign, was £1781, virtually all of which was on deposit, at a market related interest rate.

5. The Warden said fewer matters had been brought to his attention as the past year had progressed, and 2008 so far had been quiet. He felt the eviction at Bankside had been a salutary reminder in showing the eventual downside to anti-social behaviour. Communication from parishioners was timely and detailed, and in turn communication to the Police worked well. There had been a noticeable increase in their presence in the community, and they had an active watch on known problem individuals. Overall, he judged the scheme to be a success, but ongoing communication and cooperation was essential. He had recently attended a PACT ( Partners and Communities Together) meeting in the Village Hall, where Parish Councillors from the area could discuss local concerns with the Police and Local Government representatives, and this forum was to be ongoing.

6. Members of the public commented on the need to continue to press KCC on the issue of road safety, by means of some form of speed reduction and/or traffic calming in the Village. Cllr. Bickerdike said there was no simple or quick solution, given the lack of apparent resource, but it was encouraging that the Police now appeared to be supportive.

7. No other matters of local concern or interest were raised under any other business. The meeting therefore closed at 8.55pm.