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
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON Monday 16th September 2024 at 7.45 pm in The Day Centre, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood
PRESENT: Cllr R. Atkins, in the chair
Cllrs K. Braakensiek. D. Dray, S. Hamilton, (KCC) D. Kent, (TWBC)
A. Mackie, R. Moon, M. Munday,(TWBC) B. Robichaud, D. Sargison, J. Thompson, C. Williams.
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs N Reay, Town Clerk
Borough Councillors Paterson & Pitts
2 residents
APOLOGIES: Cllr D Dray,
NOT PRESENT: Cllr N Maari
QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS
There were no questions from residents.
BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS UPDATE (10 minutes)
CC Hamilton advised that she was arranging a meeting with County Officers regarding the Badsell Road junction improvements.
Cllr Williams raised concerns about the new café which had opened in town and whether the retail unit had the correct use class designation for a food outlet.
She also advised that the deputy clerk was not getting responses in a timely manner from the Borough’s Planning Department. Borough Cllr Patterson agreed to raise both issues with Borough Officers.
C53 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Williams – Director of PWCCO LTD.
Cllr Hamilton – Chair of Heritage Paddock Wood
C54 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
(a) The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 19th August were APPROVED.
(b) The minutes of the Planning Environment Committee meeting held on the 16th of August 2024 & 2nd September 2024 were NOTED.
(c) The minutes of the Estates Committee meeting held on 9th September were not yet available.
C55 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE
a) C44 Local Plan – the Council’s planning consultant has been instructed to attend further hearings and to develop a cycling strategy for Paddock Wood. The consultation on the Local Plan was now open and would close the 23rd October 2024.
b) C49 – St Andrews Hall – The building survey had been carried out on Friday 13th
C56 COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Cllr William proposed, Cllr Hamilton seconded:
Cllr Braakensiek’s membership to the Planning & Environment Committee & Personnel Committee.
CARRIED unanimously
C57 COMMUNITY CENTRE
Members considered the Attached report.
a) EV Chargers – before agreeing to the upgrading of the EV chargers members asked for clarification on the following points:
- The size & specification of the chargers – they should be ultra rapid chargers (250 Kw)
- Exact location of the sub station
- Who gets any profit from the chargersb) Governance Document
Cllr Munday proposed, Cllr Atkins seconded:
That the Governance Document should be approved
CARRIED unanimously
c) FM Consultant
Cllr Atkins proposed, Cllr Hamilton seconded:
The continued appointment of the FM consultant until after the staffing review and a decision has been made on a permanent Estates Manager.
CARRIED unanimously
C58 STAFF REVIEW
Members considered the proposal from the Local Government Resource Centre.
Cllr Hamilton proposed, Cllr Williams seconded:
That LGRC should carry out a staffing review
CARRIED 10 in favour, 1 abstention
C59 FINANCE
- The receipts nos: 127 – 134 were NOTED.
- Cllr Williams proposed, Cllr Thomspon
To APPROVE the payments list: 264 – 323
CARRIED unanimously.
C60 FORWARD PLAN
The Chairman has asked for a meeting to be set up with members to discuss a Forward Plan for the Council. The proposal is that it should take place on a Saturday and an independent facilitator would be engaged to guide the meeting. It is hoped to schedule a meeting at the end of October.
C61 COUNCILLOR SURGERY
A Doodle Poll has been set up for Councillor Surgeries. Members are asked to complete the poll showing which dates they would be able to attend.
C62 KENT & MEDWAY RESILIENCE FORUM COMMUNITY PLAN
Cllr Mackie advised that he had joined the Resilience Forum as a volunteer and will update members with further information as he receive it.
C63 VE DAY CELEBRATION
The VE Day Celebration Committee from Heritage Paddock Wood have asked that the Council allocates £10,000 for the event. A break down of costs will be forwarded as soon as it is available.
The event was planned to be held at the Memorial Field.
Cllr Thompson proposed, Cllr Kent seconded:
That the Council earmarks £10,000 for the event subject to receiving a satisfactory detail at the October meeting.
CARRIED 10 in favour, 1 abstention
C64 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVE
(a) Chairman’s meeting – next meeting 24th September
(b) Paddock Wood Business Association –
(c) Bereko Committee – there will be a quiz night on the 21st September
(d) KALC – meeting held on 11th September
Meeting at Pembury Parish council offices
Main items on agenda:
- TW agreement
- NDPs
- Education across the Weald
- Update from TW Town Centre Group
(e) Medway Valley Line – there were a number of activities on the Kent Community Rail Partnership https://kentcrp.org/
(f) Hop Pickers Line – the group will have a stand at the Horsemonden Heritage Group event on the 21st September. The next meeting will take place on the 24th September
(g) Youth Council – no meeting but Cllrs Williams & Braakensiek would meet to discuss re-launching the group.
(h) Putlands Leisure Centre – next meeting will take place on 24th September.
(j) Highway Improvement Plan no report
(k) IAG – next meeting will take place on 18th September 2024
(l) Bockingfold Solar Farm – the latest presentation was made available to members.
C65 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 21st October 2024, at 7.45 pm in The Day Centre, Commercial Road.
The meeting closed at 8.45 pm