PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrews Road, Paddock Wood
Tonbridge, Kent, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
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MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ESTATES COMMITTEE held on Monday 10th October 2022 at 7.45pm in the Day Centre, Commercial Road.
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PRESENT: Cllr D Boyle, in the Chair
Cllrs H Atkins, M Flashman, T. Bisdee, R. Moon, D. Sargison
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs N Reay, Town Clerk
Mr C Smith, Estates Manager
APOLOGIES: Cllr R. Atkins, A Mackie, R. Turk
ES24 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
ES25 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 27th July 2022 were APPROVED.
ES26 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
(Items not covered elsewhere on the agenda)
- ES18 – Following agreement at the Full Council meeting held on the 15th August the electric van was ordered at a cost of £511.88/month
However, the lease purchase company have now advised that they will not fund the Town Council as it is not a registered company. The Broker has advised that PNB Paribas will lease to councils (the previous van was leased through them) but he will need to find an alternative supplier of the van.
- ES19 – The Jubilee bench for Putlands has been ordered and delivery is
- ES19 -Remembrance Bench – the “Lest We Forget” bench will cost £1379. At the July meeting members specified a budget of £1000 for the bench – members are asked if they wish to progress this or seek a cheaper alternative.
It was agreed that the location of new benches for the Memorial Field should be deferred until the community centre was completed. Members would then walk the field and determine where the new ones should be located.
- ES22 – A temporary Estates Worker was engaged, and he worked for the Council for two weeks.
- Path at Cemetery – the Estates Manager has again met with the Contractor to discuss remedial work to the path. He has indicated that he would be willing to replace the bricks at cost to the council. The costs were awaited and would be brought to members as soon as they were
ES27 ESTATES BUDGET
Members reviewed the current position.
The Estates Manager advised the following:
that the current pickup truck was 16 years old and needed £1600 spending on it. Although a low mileage the council should consider replacing it in the next few years. Provisional costs would be reported to the next meeting so the committee could consider the best way forward.
The RFO was reviewing the utilities and looking to see where savings could be made. Members asked for PV panels on council buildings and rainwater harvesting to be explored.
Members also discussed the appointment of the new ground staff, which had been budgeted for but not yet been appointed. The Estates manager had submitted an outline job description for consideration. It was hoped to be able to appoint someone for the 1st January 2023.
Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Flashman seconded:
That the appointment should be made, as per the job description.
CARRIED unanimously
ES28 TREE PLANTING
The Estates Manger has successfully applied for free trees from the Woodland Trust for the Queen’s Green Canopy. The Council will receive 420 saplings in March 2023.
The Estates Manager also applied to KCC for 200 trees for Foalhurst Wood. This application has also been successful, and the trees will be available in November.
Attached is the tree planting schedule.
The council had allocated £6000 for tree planting for the Platinum Jubilee. Considering these free trees, the Estates Manager has advised that he would anticipate £2,000 being needed.
Members also considered the Estates manager’s report regarding the planting at White’s Corner and Mount Pleasant. The high bushes would be cut back, this would improve security in the area as the bushes concealed anti-social behaviour. The curry plants would be removed as they had reached the end of their life. Wildlife friendly planting would be carried out on both areas
ES29 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The Town Council has renewed the lease on the Christmas Lights for the next three years, at a cost of £5800 per year. Paddock Wood Lights up have requested permission to attach a maestrio saver (communication box fitted to each decoration) @ £150 each. This will allow the half the lights to be switched on at the same time.
Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr H Atkins seconded:
The Council is happy to approve the request subject to clarification on the liability to the Town Council.
CARRIED unanimously
The Christmas Trees will be installed week commencing 21st November 2022 in time for the Lights Up event on the 27th November.
ES30 CRICKET
The plans for the cricket wicket are being finalised by the contractors and it is hoped that work will start later in the month.
Ball strike netting will need to be purchased and installed by the Council when the wicket is ready in the shown locations.
ES31 TENNIS
The Clerk had had a meeting with the LTA who were offering to assist with the promotion with the new tennis courts. If the Council joined the LTA (free of charge) then it would also have access to Club Spark the online booking programme for tennis courts. It has been left that once the management of the site had been progressed then the clerk would get back in touch to progress this.
ES32 FAIR VISIT, ST ANDREWS
The council has been approached by Jolie Smith who runs a local funfair.
They would like to hold a fair on St Andrews Field during the October Half Term. (24th – 28th October)
They would need the site from the Monday morning to set up and open Friday, Saturday & Sunday evening.
Members were concerned about potential damage to the field at this time of year. Also, there is very little lighting the area and it would be dark.
Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Moon seconded:
The Council does not give permission for the fair to visit St Andrews in October half term.
CARRIED 4 in favour, 2 abstentions
ES33 COMPOST HEAP
Members discussed locations for composts heaps in the Cemetery and the Old Church Yard. This would solely be for the composting of green waste generated from the tributes laid on graves and would not be suitable for composting of waste generated by the Estates Staff.
The council had been donated wooden apple crates which were 1 m square, which would be used. One would be placed in the Old Church Yard and two at the Cemetery.
ES34 ESTATES MANAGER’S REPORT
Members noted the attached report.
ES35 CEMETERY RULES
Recently there have been breaches to rule 16 which specifies the size and quantity of tributes which may be placed on graves. This has resulted in additional costs to the Council.
The committee is therefore asked to approve the following additions to the Cemetery Rules:
- Under no circumstances are food or drink to be placed on grave spaces or ashes plots.
- In the event of the Council incurring any additional costs due to a breach of the Cemetery rules, it reserves the right to charge the plot holders for those costs.
Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Bisdee seconded:
That the additional rules should be adopted
CARRIED 5 in favour, 1 abstention
ES36 PADDOCK WOOD AND DISTRICT LIONS
The Lions have requested permission to hold the Rockin’ in the Rec and the Carnival on Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th July 2023. Holding the Carnival on the Sunday proved to be successful last year.
Cllr H Atkins proposed, Cllr Boyle seconded:
That permission be granted
CARRIED unanimously
ES37 SKATE PARK IMPROVEMENTS
The Council has been approached by a Community Interest Company interested in assisting with an upgrade to the Skate Park. They have previously worked with Swanley Town Council. The Clerk will hold a preliminary meeting with them and report back to the Council in November.
ES38 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 14th November 2022.
The meeting closed at 9.35 pm
