PADDOCKWOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrews Field, St Andrews Road
Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
www.paddockwood-tc.gov.uk
NOTICE OF A MEETING OF PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL TO BE HELD ON Monday 18th November 2024 at 7.45 pm in The Day Centre, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood
COUNCIL MEMBERS: Cllr R. Atkins, K. Braakensiek. D. Dray, S. Hamilton, D. Kent, A. Mackie, R. Moon, M. Munday, B. Robichaud, D. Sargison, J. Thompson, C. Williams.
Residents do not need to attend a meeting to ask a question of the Council. Questions can be sent at any time to the Council offices using the details above.
QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS (15 minutes)
If you wish to speak to the Council about any item on the agenda, please see the updated Protocol for the Public attending Town Council and Committee meetings, which can be found on the website or can be obtained from the Town Council offices.
BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS UPDATE (10 minutes)
Town Councillors should submit questions a week in advance, if possible, to the Borough/County Councillor concerned (copied to the Town Clerk).
APOLOGIES: Cllr D Dray, D. Sargison, M. Munday
C77 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Williams – Director of PWCCO LTD.
C78 CASUAL VACANCY
To consider the co-option of Leanne Norcott as a Town Councillor. Details attached for members only.
C79 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
(a) To APPROVE the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 21st October 2024
(b) To NOTE the minutes of the Planning Environment Committee meeting held on the 21st of October 2024 & 4th November 2024
(c) To NOTE the minutes of the Estates Committee meeting held on 11th November 2024.
C80 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE
(a) Staffing Review – the advisor met with staff on the 6th November 2024 and will be returning to complete the interviews on 21st November 2024.
(b) Councillor Surgery – the November event took place in the Community Centre. Residents were invited to join councillors for a coffee and a chat.
.
C81 FINANCE
If members have any queries on the finances, please contact the RFO or Clerk before Noon on Thursday.
(a) To NOTE the receipts nos: 154 – 166
(b) To APPROVE the payments list: 391 – 447.
(c) Staff Salaries
Pay rises for 2024/25 have now been approved by the National Joint Council. For all grades up to SCP 43 the agreed amount is £1,290 per annum. Grades from SCP 44 to 62 are increased by 2.5%. These will be included in the November salaries and will be backdated to the 1 April 2024.
The current minimum wage is £11.44/hour. The lowest wage the Town Council pays is £13.79/hour which is 20.54% above the minimum wage. The minimum wage will increase to £12.21 in April 2025, and the Council should ensure that the differential remains the same when pay rises are announced in 2025/26.
(d) Grant requests from:
Alone at Christmas – £500
C82 FORWARD PLAN
The session has been confirmed for Saturday 23rd November 2024, 12 noon – 4 pm.
C83 COMMUNITY CENTRE UPDATE
(a) EV Chargers – the responses to the Council’s queries from the last meeting are attached.
(b) A copy of the monthly report is attached for members.
(c) A copy of the liaison meeting minutes is attached.
C84 LOCAL PLAN UPDATE
To NOTE the Council’s Response to the most recent consultation. The Public Enquiry will continue on the 14th November 2024.
C85 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
To receive updates from representatives. Report attached.
(a) Chairman’s Meeting
(b) Paddock Wood Business Association
(c) Bereko Committee –
(d) KALC
(e) Medway Valley Line
(f) Hop Pickers Line
(g) Youth Council
(h) Putlands Leisure Centre
(i) Highway Improvement Plan
(j) IAG
(k) Bockingfold Solar Farm
Under section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 the following items should be exempt from the press and public due to legal privilege & commercial confidentiality.
C86 TWBC LOAN
To APPROVE the attached agreement.
C87 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 16th December 2024, at 7.45 pm in The Day Centre, Commercial Road
NICHOLA REAY,
Clerk to the Council
11th November 2024