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MINUTES OF LANGDON PARISH COUNCIL
16 March 2009
Present: Cllr P Macintyre, Cllr J Beer, Cllr S Craft, Cllr C Shaw, Cllr J Watson, The
Clerk, District Cllr p Watkins, and 3 members of the public
1.
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS There were no declarations of interest
2.
APOLOGIES There were apologies from Cllr Walters (holiday) and PC Karen
Burrows (neighbourhood police officer)
3.
MINUTES The minutes of 2 February 2009 were accepted as a true record.
Proposed: Cllr C Shaw
Seconded:Cllr S Craft
4.
MATTERS ARISING
Dover Joint Transportation Board An acknowledgement has been received and
the comments have been passed to David Barton, Transportation Manager for
Dover.
Land off Archers’ Court Road A telephone response from the Planning
Department has indicated that action is imminent.
5.
CORRESPONDENCE
DDC
i) The Standards Committee agenda included a Government consultation paper
on “Local Authority Chief Legal Officer” proposing that a Chief Legal Officer
with a legal qualification should be appointed in place of a Monitoring Officer.
ii) The Dover District Youth Strategy 2008 – 2012 is a comprehensive document
based on “every child matters.” Given to Cllr Shaw.
iii) The Whitecliffscountry Newsletter gave notice of celebrations during the
weekend of 25 and 26 July to commemorate the historic flight of Louis Bleriot
across the Channel.
KCC A “Love Food Hate Waste” campaign aims to encourage households to
save money by shopping for food more efficiently and reducing waste.
SENIOR CITIZENS FORUM The winter newsletter contains useful material on
services available to senior citizens in the area.
POLICE PARISH FORUM The next meeting will take place in the Brave Room
on Thursday 15 October.
DOVER NORTH NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM The minutes were not
discussed further as the main issues had been presented by Cllr Walters to the
February meeting. Given to Cllr Macintyre
SANDWICH NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM The minutes gave an interesting
insight into DDC’s budget setting process in a presentation by District Cllr Ward.
CLERKS & COUNCILS DIRECT Once again the newsletter was accompanied
by a useful legal update but it was agreed that there was insufficient material of
merit in the main publication to justify a subscription.
THE STANDARDS BOARD FOR ENGLAND The newsletter recommended that
all parish councils should have a complaints procedure.
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NALC The Journal was given to Cllr Macintyre
KENT COUNTY PLAYING FIELDS ASSOCIATION The Newsletter gave
details of funding opportunities and was given to Cllr Shaw
KALC The January Parish News gave notice of an information day on Commons
and Village Greens to be held at County hall on 14 May. The March edition gave
information on Health and Safety policies that is pertinent to the current work on
the Freedom of Information Act.
KENT LINK The Bulletin included details of a number of pharmacies that area to
open in supermarkets in the region.
CPRE Somewhat belatedly Fieldwork included a two page spread on “How to
become a full party to a planning inquiry.”
6.
FINANCE
Approval of payments
Clerk’s Salary (2 months)
Clerk’s back pay (12 months)
Clerk’s expenses
Clerk’s computer allowance
Clerk’s broadband allowance
Chairman’s allowance
Chairman’s expenses (rail travel – barrister)
Langdon Playing Field (insurance)
East Langdon Village Hall (post office support)
KCC (grounds maintenance)
T & B Catering (Inquiry refreshments)
Mr James Burton (Legal fees)
Receipts
Donation from St Augustine’s church
£340.85
£ 6.04
£ 11.03
£100
£180
£100
£ 24
£1064
£200
£361.41
£ 40.00
£7652.04
£ 85
Quarterly financial report
The quarterly financial report was circulated and discussed. It was noted that the
bank balance included windfarm donations totalling £1035 to be carried forward
into the new financial year together with village hall grants totalling £1000.
When finances allow a sum of £1000 should be repaid to major works. There is a
surplus of £296 under windfarm admin and it was recommended that a donation
of £300 be made to Langdon Action Group.
Appointment of internal auditor
It was agreed that Mrs Julie Pamplin should be invited to carry out the internal
audit and that she should be offered a fee of £50.
Proposed : Cllr C Shaw
Seconded : Cllr S Craft
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7.
PLANNING
PLANNING APPLICATION
DOV/08/01224 Erection of a detached single storey building to be used ancillary
to the main dwelling
Location: Rose Cottage, East Langdon (TR334:462)
A decision was made between meetings under Section 6 Standing Orders. The
Council had no objections.
DOV/09/00113 Erection of a single storey rear extension
Location: St Augustine’s Church, East Langdon (TR333:459)
A decision was made between meetings under Section 6 Standing Orders. The
Council had no objections.
DOV/08/01082 Retrospective application for the erection of a fence
Location: Merrydown Cottage, Station Road, Martin Mill (TR341:464)
A decision was made between meetings under Section 6 Standing Orders. The
Council had no objections but commented “The council appreciates the
applicant’s desire for privacy but there is concern that the fence is too high and,
in such a narrow road, it dominates and spoils the street scene.”
DECISIONS BY DOVER DISTRICT COUNCIL
DOV/08/00576: Erection of a two storey rear extension and detached garage
(existing garage to be demolished). Forest Oak, Waterworks Lane, Martin (TR
338:470). Full permission has been granted.
Arrangements for the distribution of plans between meetings
It was agreed that plans should either be handed over in person to the next
signatory or a phone call made to establish availability.
Martindale Crescent It was reported that the atmosphere of the Crescent has
been adversely affected by the fencing around one of the properties.
8.
WIND FARM INQUIRY
Members were overjoyed to learn that the inspector’s report had been received
that very day and that the appeal had been dismissed. The forty six page report is
a comprehensive summary of the inquiry together with the inspector’s findings
which gave the primary reasons as proximity to housing, issues relating to noise
and flicker and aviation safety. Thanks for many hours of commitment over
nearly two years were expressed to Anthony Hyde, chairman of the action group,
Jannine Hyde and Cllr Macintyre. The meeting was adjourned so that those
present could celebrate their success in an appropriate manner.
9.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
The meeting was reconvened and it was reported that further work remains to be
done to present the information that is to be made available under the Model
Code.
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10.
LDF In April 2008 Langdon Parish Council indicated its preferred option of
10,000 houses. The LDF proposes that an additional 4,000 houses be built at
Whitfield which would impact on Langdon with increased traffic on the poorly
maintained local roads and an increase in leisure users and dog walkers in the
area. Increased housing in Deal will further compound the impact on all roads in
the area.
The Council continues to oppose the building of 10 houses at the top of Westside
but does consider that the DPD is sound.
11.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BODIES
Lengthman's report The lengthman will be asked to report the serious condition
of the roads with bad potholes and also the deterioration of the road near to West
Langdon village green and at the bottom of Church Lane
Playing Field Committee The field is being well used by football teams despite
ongoing problems with the surface due to mole activity. There has been no
progress with funding from the Football Foundation. Links have been established
with Sarah Philpott, sports officer for Dover and it is hoped that this together with
a Women’s Football conference at the end of March will open up funding
opportunities. Langdon will take part in the St Margaret’s Scout Fete on 6 June.
Village Hall Committee A tender has been put out for electrical work. Tracey
Potter has left the post office which is now being run by Celia Cotton, sub
postmistress from St Margaret’s.
Dover Neighbourhood Policing Unit PC Karen Burrows submitted a report
showing that crime rates in the ward have fallen. She advised of forthcoming
campaigns to tackle nuisance motorcycles and speeding in Reach Road.
12.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Phone box at Martin Mill It was reported that a public phone is available on the
station platform.
13. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 20 April following
a council meeting at 7.00 pm. Anthony Hyde will lead a review of “Langdon’s
Winfarm Experience.”
The meeting closed at 9.15 pm.
Signed……………………….
Date…………………………