PADDOCK WOOD 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 18th August 2025 at 7.45 pm in The Day Centre, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood
PRESENT: Cllr C. Williams, in the chair
Cllrs K. Braakensiek, D. Kent, (TWBC) A. Mackie, R. Moon, M. Munday, (TWBC & KCC) B. Robichaud, D. Sargison, J. Thompson,
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs N Reay, Town Clerk
2 members of the public
Mrs N Cowell, Business & Operations Manager, PWCC
APOLOGIES: Borough Cllrs Patterson & Pitts
There were no questions from residents.
Borough Cllr Kent advised that he would be spending time with the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board later in the week. Cllr Williams asked to meet with him beforehand to raise various concerns that the town council had.
He also advised that Dandara had submitted their EIA scoping application to TWBC this week. Details can be found on the Borough Council website. He was also planning to discuss with he planning office as to why the culvert planned for the development at Lucks Lane had not been built.
Borough Cllr Munday advised that the three borough councillors would be meeting on the 26th august with the TWBC planning officer and if there were any issues the town council wanted raised at that meeting to let him know.
County Cllr Munday advised that there had been no County Council meetings held in August.
C39 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Williams is a Director of the PWCCO Ltd.
C40 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
a) Cllr Munday proposed, Cllr Mackie seconded:
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 21st of July should be signed and APPROVED.
CARRIED unanimously.
b) The minutes of the meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee held on the 21st July 2025 & 4th August 2025 were NOTED.
c) The minutes of the Estates Committee meeting held on the 11th August 2025 were NOTED.
C41 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
There were no matters arising.
Cllr Munday, vice chairman, took the chair for the following item.
C42 COMMUNITY CENTRE
a) Installation of water bottle filling station – Members had received a report regarding the proposed installation of the water bottle filling station. Standing Orders were suspended to allow members to ask questions of the centre manager.
Mrs Cowell presented the report and advised members that installing the filling station would help cut the use of single use plastics and allow users to fill their bottles without having to ask at the café.
The following points were raised by members and discussed with Mrs Cowell:
- Whilst helping the environment the loss of sale of water bottles from the café would reduce its revenue but potentially up to £2000 a year.
- The system was mains water feed
- Had it been seen in operation – advised not but it was recommended by the contractors and was like that which was used in airports etc.
- The floor was anti slip so it was hoped that a mat under the filling station was not required in the event of spillage
- The grant had not yet been approved.
Standing orders were resumed to allow members to consider the matter. The location was discussed and concern expressed that it was adjacent to the disabled toilet. This was the best location as it was next to the plumbing and therefore easier to install.
Cllr Munday proposed, Cllr Mackie seconded:
That the Town Council accepted the proposal for the water filling station as set out in the report.
CARRIED 7 in favour, 2 abstentions.
Cllr Moon asked for it to be noted that he objected to the location of the water filling station.
b) EV Chargers – The clerk advised members that the council’s solicitor was in touch with Believ’s solicitor and they were drawing up the legal agreement to allow the installation of the new substation and EV Chargers.
C43 FINANCE
a) The receipts list nos: 127 – 136 was NOTED.
b) Cllr Thompson proposed, Cllr Munday seconded:
The payments list nos: 226 – 298 should be APPROVED.
CARRIED unanimously
c) The year-to-date figures were NOTED.
C44 CO – OPTION
Two open events have been held – one on Thursday 7th August 2025 and one on Saturday 16th August. A total of 8 residents had attended. The co-option meeting will be held on Monday 15th September 2025. There Clerk will take advise from KALC on how to manage the process in the event there are more than 4 applicants for the vacancies. A Teams briefing will be held on Monday 8th September 2025, prior to the Estates Meeting.
C45 FORWARD PLAN
The notes from the previous meeting are attached for information. Dates for future meetings need to be agreed. Cllr Robichaud would set up a WhatsApp group to arrange dates. It was confirmed that the Forward Plan would be put before full council for debate before being adopted.
C46 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
(a) Chairman’s meeting – next meeting will take 15th September 2025. The Borough Council have also introduced a quarterly meeting for Clerks, which will also take place on the 15th September 2025.
(b) Paddock Wood Business Association – Cllr Munday had attended and reported the following:
- PWBA hoped to arrange some events in the run up to Christmas
- They were pleased to hear of the progress of the Highways Improvement Plan
- Were supportive at the idea of a Farmers Market but would prefer it to avoid Sundays.
- Keen to be involved in the IAG Safe Haven’s initiative
(c) Bereko Committee – the quiz night will take place on the Saturday 20th September 2025.
(d) KALC – the KALC AGM will take place on Saturday, 22nd November 2025, at The Rochester Corn Exchange. Cllrs Williams and Munday would attend on the Council’s behalf. Cllr Williams would attend the next regular meeting in Goudhurst on the 2nd September 2025.
(e) Medway Valley Line – the group would at Paddock Wood Station on the 28th August to celebrate the station’s birthday.
(f) Hop Pickers Line – the last meeting was held on the 5 August 2025. All elements of the installation at The Burrows are now being stored in the Town Council workshops. It is hoped to hear from the contractors shortly regarding the installation.
(g) Youth Hub – a grant has been received from TWBC for the Youth Hub. However, the funds are more than expected and the Clerk is clarifying whether it is the correct amount.
Space has been identified at the Community Centre to store equipment.
(h) Putlands Leisure Centre – the next meeting will take place on 16th September 2025 – the nets and lights had still not been installed. BC Munday would follow this up. Members also had a brief discussion regarding the future of Putlands as the current contract with Fusion expires in 2027. It was agreed that this would be looked at during the Forward Plan meeting.
(j) Highway Improvement Plan – the first draft from Create Streets had been produced. The Clerk advised that she had not been involved in the original draft she had tried it out. Some suggestions for improvement had been made and these were incorporated into the draft. The group members would review the draft survey. It was hoped that they would go live in September. The deputy clerk was working on an advertising plan to promote the survey
(k) IAG – next meeting will take place on Wednesday 17th September 2025.Cllr Thompson was meeting with Laura Toop to discuss the Save Havens project.
C47 TRAINING
KALC are running a number of training courses which members may find useful. Details of the courses can be found on the website using the following link. https://www.kentalc.gov.uk/event
Cllr Williams proposed, Cllr Thompson seconded:
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.
CARRIED unanimously
Cllr Munday took the chair for the following items
C43
c) FM Contract – members received copies of the minutes of the recent contractors
meeting and site visits. The clerk would be meeting shortly with the directors to discuss the contract and areas of responsibility.
d) Report from Directors – members received the recent liaison meeting minutes and financial reports.
Cllr Williams left the meeting for the following item:
The director’s term of office expires in October 2025. Both Cllr Williams and Mrs Flashman were willing to stand for a further term.
Members expressed their thanks and gratitude to them for their continuing work at the Community Centre.
Cllr Kent proposed, Cllr Moon seconded:
That both Cllr Williams and Mrs Flashman were appointed for a further term as directors of the community centre.
CARRIED unanimously
Cllr Williams returned to the meeting.
A brief conversation was had on the importance of trying to attract other directors.
e) Finance
members considered the attached Financial Report.
Cllr Munday proposed, Cllr Thompson seconded:
That as soon as the S106 funding of £65,000 was received it would be paid to TWBC towards the cost of the loan.
CARRIED unanimously
C48 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 15th September 2025.
The meeting closed at 9.30 pm.