Minutes
2 December 2013
PEMBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Report of the meeting held on Monday 2 December at Parish Council Office, Lower Green
Recreation Ground, Lower Green Road, Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Present:
Cllrs Mrs J Crowhurst (C), D Coleman (VC), S Cawley, Mrs J Ditchett, P Gillan,
Mrs S Harris, J Hine, Mrs S Osborn, D Reilly, P Roberts, S Rose, Mrs C Snow
Borough Councillors P Barrington-King, M Tompsett
County Councillor Mr C Hoare (left the meeting at 9.15pm)
118.
CHAIR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Chair thanked everyone for their help at Firework Night and told members that collections
had amounted to just under £2,000.
Remembrance Sunday had gone off well.
The Chair was delighted to tell members that Cllr Coleman had once again been elected
President of KALC.
Parish Lighting – Members were requested to present written details on the attached proforma of the lights that were not working in their nominated roads immediately prior to
commencement of business on Monday.
Highways Minor Defects – Members were requested to present written details on the
circulated green ‘County Lengthsmen’ forms for roads under their nominated lighting area and
pass to the office for collation.
119.
TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr D Hope.
120.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were requested to ensure declarations of interest were made orally and completed
on the circulated pro-forma issued with the agenda and returned to the Clerk before leaving
the hall. A nil return was also needed. Members were reminded that if an interest came to
light during the meeting it must be declared at that time and if the member considered it to
be prejudicial then he or she MUST leave the room. Any member who was unsure if he or she
had an interest in an item should seek the Clerk’s advice immediately.
Cllr Mrs J Crowhurst
Cllr S Cawley
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Item 10 – Current Planning – Application TW/13/03383. Near
neighbour – personal
Item 14a(ii) - Other Matters – Memorial Service – Director of
Henry Paul Funerals – Prejudicial
Minutes
2 December 2013
Cllr D Coleman
Cllr Mrs J Ditchett
Cllr P Gillan
Cllr Mrs S Harris
Cllr J Hine
Cllr Mrs S Osborn
Cllr D Reilly
Cllr P Roberts
Cllr S Rose
Cllr C Snow
121.
NIL
Item 10 – Current Planning – Application TW/13/02957/FUL –
Member of Catholic Church - Personal
NIL
Item 10 – Current Planning – Application TW/13/02950/OUT
Near Neighbour – Personal
NIL
NIL
Item 10 – Current Planning – Application TW/13/02957/FUL –
Member of Catholic Church – Personal
NIL
NIL
NIL
MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL
It was proposed, seconded and agreed that the minutes of 4 November 2013 be signed as a
correct record with the following amendment: Cllr P Barrington-King wished it to be recorded
under Item 109 in minutes of 4 November that he asked Mr Lukasz for an update of the
companies he represented. To date nothing had been received.
122.
LATE BUSINESS
In accordance with current Standing Orders items of late business set out in any circulated
supplementary agenda need to be moved, seconded and approved, the special circumstances
being that it would be unreasonable to delay any decision by the Parish Council until its next
ordinary meeting on 13 January 2014.
123.
LIST OF OUTSTANDING RESOLUTIONS
Councillors NOTED the following:
Amenities, Christmas Lights, Pride in Pembury – Picnic on the Green – This was to be further
discussed at the WG meeting on Monday 9 December.
Audit, Finance and Personnel – New Model Standing Orders out – these would be gone through
at the next WG meeting.
Other Matters – Defibrillator – This was now ready to install and Cllr Rose was to organise this.
Cllr Mrs Crowhurst was keen for there to be a formal launch involving the local doctors.
124.
CLERK’S REPORT
The Clerk had nothing to report.
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125.
OPEN SESSION
Council adjourned and members of the public would be invited to address the Parish Council
on any issue of concern. Constitutionally and in accordance with certain implications of the
Local Government Code of Conduct, there could be no discussion of these items at this stage.
Any issue would either be addressed elsewhere in the agenda or if not already so listed, be
referred to a future meeting of the Parish Council.
Nigel Freeman – Community Warden Area Supervisor – spoke about a lady who had been
housed in Pembury from Hastings and was in a very distressed state. A meeting was to be held
with various agencies to try and co-ordinate the social services and housing association in
order to help her.
He had heard reports that youths were hanging around by the Pavilion and this was to be
monitored.
This evening he had caught youths smoking cannabis by the Parish Office. Youth workers from
Connexions, in conjunction with the Baptist Church were working with youths in the village.
He was hopeful that Pembury would get a Community Warden; this was likely to be shared
with Paddock Wood.
Martin Green – MG Architects, Tunbridge Wells. He introduced himself as the architect working
on the extension to the Catholic Church and had attended in order to answer any queries
which may arise on discussion of the application.
126.
TO RECEIVE COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ QUESTIONS AND REPORTS
Chris Hoare passed on apologies from Earl Bourner who had hoped to attend the meeting to
discuss the potential installation of yellow boxing at the Woodside Traffic Lights. Chris had a
highways fund and there was now not much time to allocate it.
He had been in discussion with the football club about giving a grant towards improvement to
the drainage issue. A proper survey needed to be undertaken. Cllr Mrs Crowhurst said that the
football club had been reluctant to hold a meeting but that one had been set up for later in
the week.
Chris Hoare explained that there was a team of KHS workers in Pembury. He was asked what
they were doing and Chris promised to find out.
Mr Hoare asked what action the Parish Council would be taking on the granting of planning
permission, on appeal, for 27 dwellings at Penn’s Yard. Cllr Coleman replied that there was no
right of appeal unless it was for a point of law and in his opinion there were no grounds for this
action.
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2 December 2013
Cllr Barrington–King suggested a meeting be arranged with Town and Country Housing Group.
He also said he was arranging a meeting with the officer who represented TWBC at the
planning inquiry and the head of planning. He was concerned that this was the third
application that he had called in and all three had been granted.
The Royal Oak had been registered as a Community Asset but the owner had requested a
review.
127.
CURRENT PLANNING
(a)
Planning and Highways WG – The Vice Chair of the Working Group presented current
planning applications for CONSIDERATION.
Application Number:
Proposal:
Location:
TW/13/03169/FUL – 22 November
Retrospective – Construction of pond/reservoir
Land Adjacent Hawkwell House, Maidstone Road
Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells
NEUTRAL
Application Number:
Proposal:
Location:
TW/13/02957/FUL/RE4
Single-storey new Parish community room
Catholic Church Hall, Lower Green Road, Pembury,
Royal Tunbridge Wells
NEUTRAL, with a request that the hours be restricted to the same as the Village Hall.
Application Number:
Proposal:
Location:
TW/13/03165/FUL – 26 November
Change of use of the rear ancillary house to provide a
breakfast room for use by the 6 room main bed and
breakfast guest house along with two bedrooms with
multiple occupation on the first floor
37 Hastings Road, Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells
NEUTRAL
Application Number:
Proposal:
Location:
NEUTRAL
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TW/13/03162/FULL/TA1
Change of use of the second floor to provide owners own
residential accommodation with a guest room on the first floor
ancillary to second floor accommodation. Conversion of two
rooms on ground floor into one room to provide a family room
37 Hasting Road, Pembury
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2 December 2013
Application Number:
Proposal:
Location:
TW/13/03284/FUL – 3 December
Attached 3-bedroom house and two-storey rear
extension to 26 Elmhurst Avenue
26 Elmhurst Avenue, Pembury, Royal Tunbridge Wells
NEUTRAL
Application Number:
Proposal:
Location:
TW/13/03383/HOUSE – 11 December
Single-storey rear extension
Pembury Hall Lodge, Old Church Road, Pembury,
Royal Tunbridge Wells
NEUTRAL
Application Number:
Proposal:
Location:
TW/13/02950/OUT – 13 December
Outline (All Matters Reserved) – 4 No. houses
The Frith, 39 Lower Green Road, Pembury, Royal
Tunbridge Wells
NEUTRAL, subject to a study of highways access
GRANTS
Application Number:
Proposal:
Location:
Application Number:
Proposal:
TW/13/02669/HOUSE
Installation of new central heating system. Erection of
a new post and rail fence. New metal guard rail to
pond. Laying of new paving and gravel areas
Yew Tree Farm, Pembury Road, Capel, Tonbridge
TW/13/02671/LBC
Installation of new central heating system. Erection of
a new post and rail fence. New metal guard rail to
pond. Laying of new paving and gravel areas
Please see copy letter in regard to application TW/13/02957/FUL/RE4.
128.
REPORTS OF URGENT ACTIONS
(a)
Extension to the Burial Ground – Work had been carried out in the Burial Ground to
extend the driveway to facilitate access to the new section. Before the contractor left the
site, he requested that Cllr Cawley drive a hearse around the roundel to ensure that the
dimensions were absolutely correct. It was agreed that a slight alteration was needed and the
Clerk, in conjunction with the Chair, took the decision to spend an extra £680 on an additional
tarmac area to ensure that the hearse and limousine could turn easily.
Council RATIFIED this decision.
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129.
WORKING GROUP MATTERS
AUDIT, FINANCE AND PERSONNEL
(a)
Accounts due for payment – The Chair of the WG presented list of cheques for
payment, with supporting documents FOR APPROVAL; also a list of cheques and Direct Debits
paid since the last meeting for RATIFICATION.
Council
Council
Council
Council
Council
RATIFIED payments paid previously for £100
AGREED payments of £9,466.92
AGREED payments of £26,606.00 presented on the supplementary agenda
RATIFIED direct debits paid of £1,119.44
RATIFIED salaries of £6,155.62
(b)
Christmas Light Grant – A grant for £280 had been received from Tunbridge Wells
Borough Council towards Christmas Lights.
(b) i
Audit, Finance and Personnel Working Group Meeting – The Chair of the WG gave
the following report of the meeting held on Monday 25 November 2013.
PRESENT: Cllrs P Roberts (c), D Coleman, Mrs J Crowhurst, D Hope, D Reilly
CLERK:
Mrs B Russell, Deputy Clerk
1.
HOW TO PROCEED WITH PREPARING THE BUDGET FOR 2014/2015
After much discussion, it was PROPOSED that the budget be pre-pared aiming for the
same precept as 2013/2014 (£166,000). If necessary, it could be raised slightly.
Working Groups would be allocated an amount from which to make propositions to
council on how it would like to spend the amount.
Council AGREED this proposal.
2.
6 MONTHLY FIGURES TO END SEPTEMBER 2013
The Working Group studied the figures, line by line, and NOTED that the budget was
on target for the first 6 months.
Council NOTED the budget targets.
3.
TENDERING PROCESS
Cllr Reilly expressed his concerns over the tendering process and the need to have a
transparent tendering process. It was noted that it was sometimes difficult to obtain 3
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like for like quotations, particularly in finding companies able to carry out work in
specialist areas.
The WG PROPOSED that an advertisement be placed on the web site and in the PVN
inviting companies interested in tendering to apply to be included on a list.
Cllr Roberts and Cllr Hope were asked to compile a simple questionnaire for companies
to complete when tendering.
Council AGREED this proposal.
4.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Coleman suggested that as the budget allocated for Councillor training had not yet
been used up that KALC be invited to conduct an evening of training at the Parish
Council Office.
Cllr Coleman also commented that payment by BACS was now allowed.
Council AGREED to invite Clive from KALC for councillor training.
(b) ii
Bench repairs – a bench which was outside the grounds of the Old Church but situated
by the lych gate was in need of repair. No one knew who owned it. Hugh Boorman was willing
to carry out the work if Council supplied the wood at a cost of £285.
Council AGREED that the wood be purchased out of the Firework proceeds as a village
project.
(b)iii
Community Capital Grants Programme – The following email was received from
TWBC:
“TWBC is now inviting applications for small capital grants for the 2014/15 financial
year. The application period opens on Monday 2 December 2013 and closes on Friday 31
January 2014.
The Community Capital Grants Programme aims to help parish/Town Councils and
Voluntary and Community Organisations (VCOs) to deliver projects that contribute to
supporting the Council’s strategic priorities within the Borough. The grants programme
can help with funding for capital projects that provide new community, sports,
recreation or arts facilities. The grants programme can also help with funding for
improvements to access, large scale permanent equipment and items of major repair
like a new roof, floor or heating (where the need has not arisen out of poor
maintenance.
Community Capital Grants can be funded by the Council up to a maximum of £4,000.
Grant funding will be limited to a maximum of 50% of the total project costs and the
applicant must clearly demonstrate how the total cost of the project will be funded.
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Please bear in mind that the total capital grants pot is only £20,000 so smaller grant
applications might be looked on more favourably or we may not be able to fully fund
larger applications, depending on how many applications we receive.
For further information, or to request an application form, please contact Nick Green
on 01892 554108 or email: nick.green@tunbridgewells.gov.uk”
Council AGREED that a grant be applied for to build a memorial wall on the new roundel. Cllr
Cawley offered to investigate a design and quotations.
ENVIRONMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES (INC. ALLOTMENTS AND BURIALS)
(c)
Allotment Site – A field had been sold next to the allotment site and access was only
gained by driving through Sturgeon’s entrance across a short section of the grass area at the
bottom of the allotments. In the very wet weather, the ground had become very churned up
and the lady in question had asked permission to put aggregate down. If this was allowed, it
would not affect the groundsmen.
Council AGREED that the Clerk and Chair of Environment should meet the lady in question to
ascertain further information.
NEWSLETTER EDITORIAL
(c) i
Newsletter Editorial –
Pembury Village News – Following receipt of a quotation
from Printwells with an increase of approximately 2% for production costs, the following rates
were recommended for the year 2014. The letters inviting advertisements need to be sent out in
December for the March edition, therefore council was asked to agree rates:
¼ page
½ page
Full page
Back page
2013 rates
£185
£252
£386
£530
2014 recommendations
£190
£258
£395
£540
Council AGREED the above rates.
PLANNING & HIGHWAYS
(d)
Penn’s Yard – This matter had been covered under Minute 126.
(d)i
Royal Oak Public House – Following an email requesting information as to whether being
placed on the Community Asset register affected the consideration of a planning application by
the Borough Council, a reply was received to the contrary.
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Council NOTED that the owner of the Royal Oak had subsequently withdrawn his application
and had requested a review of the decision to place the Royal Oak on the Council’s list of
Assets of Community Value.
130.
REPORTS FROM OTHER MEETINGS
(a)
Pembury Community Partnership – The Chair presented a report of the meeting held
on Wednesday 13th November 2013:
Present:
Cllr Mrs J Crowhurst
Rev'd. D Robertson
Cllr Mrs J Ditchett
Cllr Mike Tompsett
Mr D Osborn
Helen Nevison
Hazel Edwards
Pembury Parish Council
St. Peter’s Church
Catholic Church and Neighbourhood Watch
TWBC
Pembury Society
Baptist Church and HOPE
Pembury Primary School
Apologies:
Barbara Russell
Cllr Mrs C Snow
Cllr Steve Rose
Caroline Riley
Sally Sturke
Pepenbury
1.
Chairman's Welcome
June Crowhurst took the chair and welcomed members to the meeting.
Janet Ditchett took the minutes.
Hazel Edwards was welcomed to the meeting.
2.
Minutes of meeting held on 11th September 2013 were accepted as correct and
signed.
3.
Matters arising:
Work on the water mains throughout the village should now be completed by
the end of the year.
4.
Sharing of information:
PEMBURY BAPTIST CHURCH
Ladies Breakfast will be Saturday 23rd November at the Mercure Hotel.
Men's Breakfast will be Saturday 30th November at the Camden Arms.
Hope Advent Carol Service Sunday December 1st at Baptist Church at 6.15pm.
Pembury Carols at Tesco's Saturday 14th December from 4.00 to 5.00pm.
Collection will be for Hospice in the Weald Pembury.
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Pembury Churches together with the Parish Council 'Carols on the Green' on 21st
December 5.00 to 6.00pm. Salvation Army band will play. St. Peter’s will produce
Carol sheets. St. Anselm's hope to provide a Christmas tree.
Cllr June Crowhurst will provide mince pies for everyone.
Christmas Hampers for the needy in the village will be packed by the Youth Club on
9th December and distributed round the village. Packing from 10.00am to 2.30pm.
Donations of Christmas items needed.
PEMBURY PRIMARY SCHOOL
The School is doing well at present. The new building is now complete and the class
moved in on 4th November. Harvest Festival celebration went well and they were
overwhelmed by the donations which were all donated to the 'Pembury Larder'. They
are now busy planning for Christmas.
The School Christmas Fayre will take place on 30th November from 10.00 to 12.30pm.
A group from School visited the day centre and interviewed a lady on her wartime
experiences.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH
An event about living History was well attended when a 95 year old spoke about his
experience as a Japanese Prisoner of War. The St. Peter’s Christmas Fayre will be on
7th December.
On 14th December they have a Christmas Concert by 'Quintus'. Tickets for £10 can be
booked in advance from Louise in the Church Office.
There will be a Village Carol Service at 6.30pm on 15th December at St. Peter’s Upper
Church. Greg Clarke, Paul Barrington King and June Crowhurst have been invited to be
the readers.
There will be an 'ALPHA' course starting 14th January at the Upper Church on Tuesdays
onwards for 10 weeks.
ST. ANSELM’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Doing well and the congregation working together. Their focus at present is the
Building Project which will double the available space giving two main rooms. This is
still at the planning stage at present. It will provide a permanent Church and a
meeting room that can be used by children's church as well as the Nursery School.
The Nursery School will be up to full strength next September. The Church had a
successful Autumn Fayre with a profit of £1200.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
West Kent Neighbourhood Watch are planning to visit all the Parish and Town councils
in the area over the next couple of years to bring their focus to all the councils with
the work they do.
PEMBURY PARISH COUNCIL
The Fireworks display was a great success with the football club selling hot dogs from
the Pavilion. Remembrance Sunday was outstanding and all the children enjoyed being
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there. Its living History again when we remember how many lives were lost in the two
world wars from just a small village like Pembury.
The Penn’s Yard Planning Consultation has taken place. We await the results. It was
made clear they feel we need 76 more affordable housing units in the village - an
increase over previous figures. Also 32 High Street flats have been sold and are being
upgraded, possibly to accommodate hospital staff.
The Allotments are being cleared and remarked, so some are available to let.
The Parish Church Yard is being extended and a new drive with a turning circle made.
The Car Park at the Recreation ground will also be covered.
TUNBRIDGE WELLS BOROUGH COUNCIL
The water main works in the village should be completed by early December.
The Guest house in Hastings Road has been fined for the breach of a planning
condition relating to the ground surface area. It is understood that the owner has now
submitted a planning application in respect of this and other potential breaches that
were being investigated. The Guest House provides accommodation for someone who
we understand has been placed there by 'Social Services' although it is believed that
this resident comes from Hastings. This resident continues to be a really disruptive
presence in the village, with Police having to be called out on several occasions. The
Guest House does not appear to be an appropriate place for the resident to receive
the support needed and in the absence of a meaningful dialogue with TWBC on what
could be done it was felt that the help of our MP should be sought.
PEMBURY SOCIETY
Had a problem booking the village hall for a village event so had to hold their meeting
in St. Peter’s Upper Church.
Ann Barnes the Kent Police Commissioner was the main speaker. All those who
attended were very pleased with what she had to say.
The village does need to have a new Community Warden appointed by Kent County
Council.
The long standing secretary of the Society has now moved away and will be a great
loss as her knowledge of the village was extensive.
Next year Bob Ogley will be at St. Peter’s on 26th September 2014 in remembrance of
WWI, as part of our village celebrations.
Dates of meetings for 2014.
Wednesday 5th February 2014 at Pembury School
Wednesday 14th May 2014 at St. Peter’s Church
Wednesday 16th July 2014 at Scout & Guide Headquarters
Wednesday 19th November 2014 at Pembury Baptist Church
Thanks to Pembury Parish Council for hosting this meeting.
Meeting closed at 9.00pm.
NOTE: PEMBURY FUN DAY ON RECREATION GROUND WILL BE SATURDAY 7TH JUNE
2014.
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131.
OTHER MATTERS
(a)
Mayor’s Charity Quiz – The quiz will take place at the Assembly Hall on Saturday 25
January starting at 7pm promptly. It will be in aid of Pepenbury and the Mayor’s Charity,
Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource. The ticket price was £10 each (£80 per team) which
would include a ploughman’s supper. Entries by 13 December 2013.
Council AGREED the following team: Cllr Mrs J Crowhurst, Cllr P Gillan, Matthew, Cllr D
Coleman, Cllr Mrs J Ditchett. There were still 3 vacancies.
(a) i
Police and Crime Plan – Mrs Ann Barnes had written giving details of her annual refresh
of the Police and Crime Plan inviting comments.
Council AGREED that comments from councillors should be forwarded to the Clerk.
(a) ii
Memorial Service – Cllr Cawley requested permission to use the roundel area of
Pembury Burial Ground for part of his memorial service and the release of balloons on 12
December 2013.
Council AGREED this request.
Cllr Cawley left the room during discussion of this item.
132.
FOR INFORMATION ONLY
(a)
South East Water – A letter had been received from South East Water with a new
completion date for the water main replacement work taking place in High Street/Hastings
Road. Installation of the new pipe work had taken longer than originally planned and
completion was now 6 December. They apologised for the delay.
Council NOTED this letter.
There being no other business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 10.10pm
……………………………………………………………………….
CHAIR
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