PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrews Road, Paddock Wood
Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
www.paddockwood-tc.gov.uk
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NOTICE OF A MEETING OF THE ESTATES COMMITTEE TO BE held on
Monday 9th October 2023 in the Day Centre Commercial Road at 7.45 pm
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Cllrs H Atkins, R Atkins, A Mackie, D Kent, T Mobbs, R Moon,
D Sargison, J Thompson
APOLOGIES:
ES49 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
ES50 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
To APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on the 11th September 2023
ES51 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
a) The works to the playground at St Andrews Play area have been completed. The cost of renewing the fence around the car park have been received. It had previously been agreed that the wooden fence should be replaced with a metal bow topped fence. The costs are as follows:
section 1 around play area – £1860
Section 2 around car park – £3225
The fencing around the play area is damaged and in urgent need of replacement. £800 had been budgeted to replace it in timber.
b) Work on the pond clearance has been delayed until the 9th October 2023.
ES52 CEMETERY
A request has been received from a family to be allowed to erect kerb stones surrounding their plots. This has been requested for cultural reasons. The Council’s cemetery rules state “Individual planting of graves spaces is not permitted, and the erection of kerbstones ……………….is not permitted.” A copy of the rules can be found on the website https://paddockwood-tc.gov.uk/cemetery-rules-for-families/.
Members are asked if they wish to agree to an amendment to the Cemetery Rules.
ES53 FOAL HURST WOOD
a) The Wood was opened in 2000 with a Country Fair- it will be its 25th anniversary in 2024. Members are asked to consider if they wish to hold a celebratory event, and if so, what type of event, for the anniversary. Photos of the previous opening event are available.
b) Waitrose have donated a £1000 for use in Foal Hurst Wood.
ES54 OLD CHURCH YARD
a) Costs of strimming the site to be approved.
b) Friends of Old Church Yard – 4 volunteers have contacted the council with an offer to help. It is recommended that once the heavy undergrowth has been cut back a meeting is held with the volunteers to determine a plan of action.
ES55 HANGING BASKETS FOR 2024
Baskets to be removed in the next couple of weeks. Do members wish to repeat the same scheme for 2024?
ES56 LEVELLING UP FUND
The Estates Manger made a further application to the Levelling Up Fund for the following sites:
i) Whites Corner
ii) Batters and Mount Pleasant
iii) Planting at Memorial Park
Each application was for £3500. The only site to be successful was Whites Corner and a grant of £2038 has been offered.
A contractor to clear the vegetation from the site would cost £1020. Soil and new plants would still need to be bought from the remaining fund. Members are asked if they wish to proceed with this project with the reduced funds. The Estates Manager will advise on the practicalities.
ES57 FOR INFORMATION
Complaints have been received regarding bonfires on the allotments. The tenancy agreement is not specific on the banning of bonfires. A full review of the tenancy agreement is required.
ES58 UP GRADE OF SKATE PARK
a) To agree to an upgrade of the Skate Park in the current location.
Under section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 the following items may be exempt from the press and public.
b) To consider whether to continue discussions with the consultant who addressed the previous meeting.
ES59 PROBATION SERVICE
To APPROVE the attached Memorandum of Understanding.
ES60 DATE of NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 13th November 2023.
NICHOLA REAY
Clerk to the Council
3rd October 2023.
