PARISH NEWS - Updated February 2008

An Extract from the approved Minutes taken at the meeting held on Monday 11th February 2008

APOLOGIES For ABSENCES

Cllr Ian Rains (Vigo Parish Council); Cllr Ray Collins (Gravesham Borough Council); Cllr Lesley Boycott (Gravesham Borough Council); PC Helen Lamb; PCSO Louise Burgess; Mandy Cason (Community Warden).

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were three declarations of interest by Cllr Banks, Cllr Talboys and Cllr White.
The declaration of interest book was signed accordingly and the Councillors did not take part in the relevant discussions.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

A representative of Vigo football club spoke to the Parish Council regarding the requirement for new goalposts on the Village Green. There is an under 16s football team who train on the Green on Sundays, but the goalpost that is there is too low. The club had looked into alternative training grounds (Culverstone, Vigo School, and the Rugby Club) but had not been able to secure any. There were under 16s who came from as far as West Kingsdown and New Ash Green to train with the team. Next year the coaches were looking at running teams for under 14s and under 15s. It was noted that there was a facility for the Parish Council to make grants to local organisations, and this may be a way to fund new goalposts. Cllr Gager and Cllr Baylis would look into this matter further.

REPORTS FROM GBC AND KCC FOR THE PARISH AREA

Cllr Collins had emailed to say that the promised yellow lines in Meopham had been put in place, but there was a section opposite the School which had not yet been done, Cllr Collins was making enquiries to KCC Highways with regard to this.

Cllr Collins noted that the GBC Planning Officers had asked the occupiers at Rose Small Holding to submit a planning application with regard to the hoarding that had been erected. Cllr Collins had emailed the Parish Council regarding a resident who had had a fall on uneven pavement in Croftside. The Clerk had also received a letter from the resident.

Cllr Snelling reported that the Council Tax would be set with a 3.9% increase. This is because the County had received a better grant than last year; some Boroughs had raised their Council Tax by up to 5%.
The “Building Schools for the Future” project was progressing.
The Closure of the A2 had been causing problems, but it was noted the work was well ahead of schedule. KCC were quite keen to make an activity park and commuter coach park on the A2 sandwich land, this would be at an approximate cost of £5 or £6 million.

The response to the crossover policy document had been disappointing, with only 14 replies from Vigo, 4 in support, 6 objections and 4 with comments only.

DISCUSSION WITH GBC ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Mr Gaskin noted that the Clean Neighbourhood Act is now up and running, covering fly tipping, abandoned vehicles, early refuse, littering and dog fouling etc. Fixed penalty notices would be issued for offences as and when appropriate.

It was noted there had been a problem in the past with rubbish in The Bay. Mr Gaskin agreed to look into this.

GBC are prosecuting fly tippers at the moment. It was noted that Commority Road was a problem. If anyone saw fly tipping, they should take a note of the registration number of the vehicle and try to recall a description of the person involved.

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cllr Baylis would ask that the Dartford Bridge Toll Charges are put on the next Chairs meeting agenda (following the comment that Dartford residents would be paying a reduced toll fee, of approximately 20p, and all other users would be paying a higher fee of £1.50).

SERVICES

1) TREES AND COMMUNITY LAND

TREE WARDEN: Cllr Talboys had received some information from BCTV which he would pass onto the newly appointed tree warden. He would also invite her along to the Parish Council meetings.

2) REPORT FROM VIGO SERVICES

DAMAGED VERGE IN WATERLOW ROAD. Following a water leak in Waterlow Road a large rut had been left on Community Land at the junction of Waterlow Road and Croftside. This had been caused by Complete Moleing Services (as a subcontractor for Southern Water). The Clerk had reported this and had been assured that the inspectors would come to look at the site in the near future.

HONORARY TREASURERS REPORT

A financial summary showing actual vs. budget spend and bank reconciliation as at 31.01.08 had been provided to all Councillors. This information showed spends to date being on target.

The Bank Mandate paperwork had been completed and sent. The Co-Operative Bank had written to confirm the authorised signatories were now: Cllr P Banks, Cllr N Aldridge, Cllr C Baylis and Cllr M Chinnery (with the signing authority being any two).

Notification had been received from the Audit Commission, a new external auditor (Alun Williams) had been appointed.

COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT

PLAY PARK PATH

The work had been due to start on 6th February but had been postponed due to poor weather conditions. The work would hopefully start on Wednesday 13th February.

STREET LIGHTING

The light in The Bay is now working.

The Parish Council felt unable to make a decision about relocating a street light without a formal plan and consultation with parties who might be affected by it.

The style of new lanterns for Timberbank and Highview were agreed.

BALL PARK

The Clerk had forwarded the signed contracts to Gravesham Borough Council as requested, and received a signed and sealed copy back. The condition of the lottery grant is that the project build had commenced by June 2008”.

VIGO YOUTH & COMMUNITY FORUM

It was noted that the Youth and Community Forum would not be organising a village fete this year.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was noted that the St Georges Day service would be on 27th April at 10am.

It was noted that the Scouts intended to put a fence around the Scout Hut.