MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STURRY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT STURRY LIBRARY
ON WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY 2013.
Present: Cllrs: Heather Taylor, Ashley Bubb, Dave Bubb, Steve Birch, Peter Topley,
Peter Wenham, Pauline Louch and Rosemary Harradine.
In attendance were three members of the public, the Clerk and County Councillor
Alan Marsh.
3294. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllrs Jazz Rana (Work Commitments), Clare Boulding
(Medical Reasons) and Inger Philpott (Family Commitments).
Apologies were also received from District Councillors Tony Austin & Georgina
Glover and the Burials Superintendent.
3295. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
3296. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 12th December 2012
were amended, confirmed and approved as a true record.
3297. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
1) Cllr Topley questioned whether the dispute mentioned in Minute 3287
regarding the use of grave digging machines for the interment taking place on
December 17th had been resolved. The Clerk responded that he had been
made aware that Trevor Oku was no longer operating in the area and he did
not believe that he had done the digging for the interment.
3298. APPOINTMENT OF THE CLERK
RESOLVED to ratify the decision of the appointments panel to appoint
Jeremy Bellamy as Clerk to the Parish Council.
The Clerk stated that Councillors were welcome to view his contract at the
Parish Office if they wanted to know specific details contained therein.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The meeting was adjourned to allow members of the public to ask questions
relating to items on the agenda.
1) A member of the public stated that he would like to see a garden of
remembrance introduced into Sturry Cemetery for the burial of cremated
remains, it was indicated that the gentleman in question would be willing to
donate £500 for this purpose. The Councillors thanked the gentleman for
his generous offer and stated that the possibility would be looked into.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STURRY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT STURRY LIBRARY
ON WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY 2013.
2) A member of the public raised the issue of anti-social behaviour in the
alleyway running down the side of the Park View playing field, stating that
a member of his family had been verbally abused by youths and that
consequently he was seeking to take legal action against those
responsible.
The Council discussed the issue and it was stated that it might be possible to
have CCTV introduced to the area and have the wooden fence upon which
the youths sit removed. It was suggested that the Police and Crime
Commissioner could be invited to attend a Parish Council meeting.
The meeting was reconvened.
3299. CHAIRMAN AND COUNCILLORS REPORTS
None
3300. COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
1) County Councillor Alan Marsh stated that he would primarily be addressing
the issue of the planning application KCC/CA/0426/2012 for Plots D & E at
the Lakeview Business Park and the likely effects on the surrounding area.
It was proposed by the Chairman and RESOLVED that Agenda Item 3311
(D) be brought forward and discussed at this point in the meeting.
Mr Marsh stated that if successful the application could cause a whole
variety of issues for the residents of Westbere and Hersden, including but
not limited to issues pertaining to odour, air quality, traffic, water pollution
and surface water run-off.
After further discussion it was RESOLVED that Sturry Parish Council
objects to application KCC/CA/0426/2012 on the following grounds:
-The unacceptable effect of the likely odour on the amenity of nearby
residents.
-The possibility of contaminated surface water run-off leaving the site and
adversely affecting the surrounding area, particularly the Westbere
Marshes.
-The potential for greatly increased traffic on already busy roads in Sturry
and Hersden.
-The unknown resilience of the unadopted roads within the Business Park
to increased usage by heavy vehicles.
Mr Marsh stated on a different note that the former Sturry Fire Station was
to be auctioned on February 4th.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STURRY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT STURRY LIBRARY
ON WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY 2013.
3301. POLICE AND COMMUNITY WARDENS’ REPORTS
No representatives present.
3302. CLERKS REPORT
The Clerk briefly outline the written report he had provided prior to the
meeting which included an account of his attendance at the Foundation
Course for Clerks in December 2012 and the on-going training and
development which was taking place. It was also indicated that a deal of
concern had been raised locally regarding parking on grass verges and the
damage this has caused in a number of areas. It was further stated that a
number of trees in the Milner Ground required work, and this would be
discussed at the next meeting.
3303. CEMETERIES SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
The Clerk announced that the Cemeteries Superintendent has sent her
apologies as she was on holiday; however a written report had been provided
in advance and detailed the following:
 An application for new inscriptions in the St Anne’s Convent section of
the cemetery had been received and processed without incident.
 A set of kerbs were to be installed on plot B222.
 Flowers had been stolen from one of the graves in the cemetery and
the story had appeared in the local paper. An apology had been offered
to the family concerned.
3304. SLCC MEMBERSHIP
The Clerk introduced the item stating that the Parish Council had previously
paid for the Clerk and Deputy-Clerk to be members of the Society of Local
Council Clerks, it was up to the Council to decide whether to continue this
arrangement. The cost would be £162 for the year.
RESOLVED that the Parish Council pay for the Clerk to become a member of
the Society of Local Councils.
3305. FIRST AID AT WORK COURSE
The Clerk reported that since the departure of the previous Clerk the Council
had no designated first aider. It was suggested that it would be advisable to
train a new first aider in case of any incidents in the Parish Office, at a
meeting or at a Parish Council-organised event. It was stated that the
cheapest course found was the British Red Cross three day First Aid at Work
course at a cost of £312 including VAT.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STURRY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT STURRY LIBRARY
ON WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY 2013.
RESOLVED to send the Clerk on the British Red Cross ‘First Aid at Work’
training course to allow him to become the designated First Aider for the
Parish Council.
3306. INTERNAL AUDITOR’S REPORT
The Council went through the report of the internal auditor page by page and
raised a number of points. It was felt that the report was positive overall but
the question of the MUGA lighting costs was raised as a point for concern.
The Chairman stated that the discrepancy existed as a result of minuting
errors during the period where the Council had neither a Clerk nor a DeputyClerk and minutes were taken by various different people. The Chairman
accepted responsibility for the inaccuracies which led to the problem, but
stated that the sum paid was less than the other quotes received and didn’t
believe that there was any doubt on that point. The Council accepted the
explanation offered.
3307. DAMAGE TO GRASS VERGES
The Clerk reported that a number of complaints had been received from
residents regarding damage being done to grass verges by inconsiderate
drivers mounting the kerb and parking on them. This was particularly true of
the area around Sturry Primary School and Deansway Avenue.
The Chairman stated that she had contact with East Kent Housing, who
owned the verges, and would be seeking to have bollards installed to prevent
cars parking on the verges and causing the damage.
3308. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
The Chairman stated that it was felt that the Committee Structure should be
returned to the Council rather than having two Parish Council meetings a
month. The system had worked well in the past and it would allow Councillors
to focus down more on issues that particularly interested them.
The Clerk recommended that General Purposes and Finance Committees be
created using the terms of reference proposed in the written report.
RESOLVED pursuant of Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 to
devolve authority to the General Purposes and Finance Committees in the
areas detailed in the terms of reference below:
The General Purposes Committee has the full delegated authority to exercise the
Parish Council’s powers in the following areas:
Events:
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STURRY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT STURRY LIBRARY
ON WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY 2013.

To arrange and organise events and celebrations, including those taking
place on Parish Council property or other properties for which the Parish
Council is responsible.

To authorise third-parties to hold events on Parish Council property or other
properties for which the Parish Council is responsible.

To apply on behalf of the Parish Council for Events and Alcohol Licenses
when organising an event or when a third-party event is taking place on
Parish Council property or other properties for which the Parish Council is
responsible.

To authorise works and repairs to existing Parish Council property and
properties for which the Parish Council is responsible including all surrounding
boundary treatments, trees, vegetation and any equipment or structure which
exists upon the property and to enter into financial commitments required for
those works or repairs to be carried out. Existing Parish Council rules
regarding the gathering of quotes prior to expenditure being organised are
also applicable to the General Purposes Committee.

To approve the wording and content of letters and digital communications
sent on behalf of the Parish Council regarding any of the above articles.

To appoint up to two members of the public or other organisations to be nonvoting members of their committee.
The Finance Committee has the full delegated authority to exercise the Parish
Council’s powers in the following areas:
 To sign cheques for the Parish Council where expenditure has previously
been authorised by the Full Council or General Purposes Committee.

To authorise expenditure which is in-keeping with previously approved
Council Policy.
Membership of committees was then agreed as follows:
General Purposes Committee





Heather Taylor
Ashley Bubb
Steve Birch
Dave Bubb
Inger Philpott
Clare Boulding
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STURRY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT STURRY LIBRARY
ON WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY 2013.
Finance Committee




Jazz Rana
Ashley Bubb
Peter Wenham
Heather Taylor
Peter Topley
3309. CALANDER OF MEETINGS
RESOLVED to accept the Calendar of meetings for February-May 2013 as
detailed below:
FebruaryFull Parish Council: 6th February at Broad Oak Village Hall
Finance Committee: 20th February at Broad Oak Village Hall
MarchFull Parish Council: 6th March at Hersden Neighbourhood Centre
General Purposes Committee: 13th March at Hersden Neighbourhood Centre
Finance Committee: 20th March at Hersden Neighbourhood Centre
Annual Parish Meeting: 27th March at Sturry Primary School Hall
AprilFull Parish Council: 3rd April at Sturry Library
Finance Committee: 17th April at Sturry Library
MayParish Council Annual Meeting: 1st May at Broad Oak Village Hall
General Purposes Committee: 8th May at Broad Oak Village Hall
Finance Committee: 15th May at Broad Oak Village Hall
3310. FINANCE
The statement of expenditure was noted and RESOLVED to pay the sums
listed.
At this juncture the meeting adjourned for the cheques to be signed before
reconvening.
The meeting noted and RESOLVED to accept the statement of monies
received.
3311. PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
a) CA/12/02238/FUL, 8 Twyne Close, Sturry, CT2 0JW
First floor side extension.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF STURRY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD AT STURRY LIBRARY
ON WEDNESDAY 23rd JANUARY 2013.
AGREED that Parish Council make representations in respect on this
application regarding the potential for overlooking, but that no objection
existed to the development in principal.
b) CA/13/00034/LB, 49 Shalloak Road, Broad Oak, CT2 0QH.
External and internal alterations in association with proposed conversion of
existing garage into a habitable room.
AGREED that the Parish Council had no objection to this application given the
precedent set by the previous approval.
c) CA/13/00038/FUL, 73 Sweechgate, Broad Oak, CT2 0QR
Application for planning permission to replace planning permission
CA/09/01182/FUL for the erection of dwelling attached to number 73 in order
to extend the time limit for implementation.
AGREED that the Parish Council had no objection to this application given the
precedent set by the previous approval.
d) See Minute 33000.
3312. PLANNING NOTIFICATIONS
The Council noted the planning notifications received.
3313. REPORTS OF AN IMPORTANT OR SPECIAL NATURE
1) Cllr Birch questioned if it was known how much money was available in the
Parish Council’s funds for the creation of a new Community and Youth
Centre. The Clerk indicated that the item would be included on the agenda for
the next meeting.
2) Cllr Birch suggested that the Parish Council might be able to give a grant to
the Sturry Football Club to help them to upgrade their changing facilities. The
Clerk stated that if the club wrote in with a request it could be considered.
There being no other matters to discuss the Chairman closed the meeting at
9.32pm.
Signed………………………………………………(Chairman)
Date………………………………………………….