Full Council Minutes – 18th October 2021

   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 18^th October 2021 IN THE DAY CENTRE COMMERCIAL ROAD AT 7.45 PM

 

PRESENT:              Cllr M Flashman, in the Chair

Cllrs H Atkins, R. Atkins, (TWBC) T Bisdee, D. Boyle, A Mackie, R. Moon, M Ridger, D Sargison, C. Williams,

 

IN ATTENDANCE:  Mrs N Reay, Town Clerk

Borough Councillor M Bailey,

3 members of the public

 

APOLOGIES:          Councillor S Hamilton (TWBC, KCC), D Kent, R Turk,

Borough Councillor B. Hills

 

The Chairman advised that item 57 (b) had been withdrawn.

 

The Chairman had responded via email to the questions from the previous meeting regarding her comments at the TWBC Overview & Scrutiny Meeting on the 26th July 2021.

 

QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS

Concern was expressed about the items C58 a & b, and it was suggested that the questions should be referred directly to the Borough Council.

 

The Council was also asked if it would consider paying for a skip to help with the removal of garden waste whilst the Borough Contract was suspended.

 

Although Item C57 (b) had been withdrawn the Chairman of the Friends of Memorial Field made a statement outlining the work that the group had done to assist with the project.  He also confirmed that it was only the site the group was unhappy with and not the project as a whole.

He also asked for the names of the working party members who wanted the group removed.

A written response to the questions would be sent.

 

BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS UPDATE (10 minutes)

Borough Cllr Bailey advised that the Borough Council had approved a one-off garden collection to help ease the current problems, however this will take time as there are reduced crews.  Residents will be sent emails when their bins are due to be collected.

 

He also advised that the borough council had approved the funding for Town & Country to purchase the social housing at the Hop Pocket Development.

 

Borough Cllr Atkins advised that the Joint Transportation Board had discussed the junction improvement work scheduled for Colts Hill, Badsell Road and Maidstone Road at its meeting that evening.  Details were available on the Borough Website.

 

C54    DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

          There were no declarations of interest.

 

C55    MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.

Minutes of previous meetings are available on the Council website

(a)     The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th September 2021 were APPROVED with the following amendment to item proposed by Cllr Williams, seconded by Cllr Boyle:

         Residents had passed positive comments on the recent Community Centre newsletter and had praised the sustainability of the project.

         CARRIED 7 in favour, (Cllrs D. Boyle, A Mackie, R. Moon, M Ridger, Cllr D Sargison, C. Williams)

3 against – Cllrs H Atkins, R. Atkins, T Bisdee

 (b)     The minutes of the Planning & Environment Committee meeting held on the 20^th September & 4^th October 2021were NOTED.

(c)      The minutes of the Estates Meeting held on 27^th September 2021 were NOTED

1. d) The minutes of the Personnel Meeting held on 27^th September 2021 were NOTED.

(See agenda item below)

 

C56    MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

The Chairman advised that she had received a letter on behalf of HM the Queen, thanking the Council for its letter of condolence following the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

 

C57    COMMUNITY CENTRE    

2021. a) Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Planning Committee approved the application at its meeting on the 22^nd September 2021. The application needed approval from the Secretary of State as Sport England had raised an objection to the proposals.  The application was sent to the S of S on the 27^th September 2021.  The S of S will have 21 days from validation to determine the application.
2022. b) This item was withdrawn.
2023. c) The Board meeting for October was cancelled.
2024. d) Leaflet distribution – There were difficulties finding a distribution company for the newsletter – the current one was ceasing work in the Paddock Wood area. The Working Party had proposed distributing the newsletter themselves.  Cllrs Boyle & Flashman offered to assist.

 

C58    MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS GIVEN WITH NOTICE

1. a) The following motion was proposed by Cllr D Boyle, seconded by Cllr R Moon:

 

Paddock Wood Town Council request Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, to give the current social rented home need for Paddock Wood in terms of the number and type of social rented housing need in the town.

 

Cllr Boyle Stated the following:

• There was a shortfall of 750 homes in the area
• The waiting list for families waiting for a home was 5 years
• The Town Council needed a breakdown of current housing need and the projected need for the future
• The information would be useful for the town council as a consultee in the Local Plan

 

It was pointed out that the town council had an opportunity to comment when it responded to the local plan and that the information was available from the Borough Council.

Cllr Flashman, proposed Cllr R Atkins seconded:

Standing Orders should be suspended to allow BC Bailey to comment

CARRIED unanimously

 

Cllr Bailey advised that there were 94 people waiting for a 1-bedroom flat, and 76 waiting for 2-bedroom flats in Paddock Wood.  A total of 862 social rented houses will become available during the term of the local plan.

 

The Chairman re-instated Standing Orders.

 

The motion was then put to the vote.

CARRIED 8 in favour, 2 abstentions

 

1. b) Proposed by Cllr D Boyle, Seconded by Cllr R Moon

PWTC note with concern that the black bin (garden waste) collections by TWBC have not yet restarted and we are seeking a date for the recommencement of the subscription service so that residents can be informed.  We call upon all of our borough councillors to expedite a solution to this on-going crisis, as residents are complaining about the rotting vegetation that is in their bins presently.”

 

Cllr Flashman proposed, and Cllr Williams seconded the following amendment:

PWTC would like to thank TWBC for arranging a once off black bin collection

but are seeking a date for the recommencement of the subscription service so that residents can be informed.  We call upon all of our borough councillors to expedite a solution to this on-going crisis, as residents are complaining about the rotting vegetation that is in their bins presently.”

 

Cllr R Atkins then proposed, Cllr H Atkins seconded:

That the council should proceed to the next business as per SO 1 r (ii).

Voting 2 in favour, 8 against.

The motion was therefore LOST.

 

Members then voted on the amended proposal which was CARRIED

8 in favour, (Cllrs T. Bisdee, D. Boyle, A Mackie, R. Moon, M Ridger, Cllr D Sargison, C. Williams)

2 abstentions (Cllrs H Atkins, R Atkins)

 

C59    FINANCE

1. a) Cllr Flashman proposed, Cllr Boyle seconded

The payments list. Voucher nos 314 – 416 should be APPROVED

CARRIED unanimously

1. b) The receipts list 157 – 167 was NOTED.
2. c) Grant requests:
3. i) Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Williams seconded:

Bereko Community Partnership should be granted £316

CARRIED unanimously

1. ii) PW Badminton Club – £500 – members asked to see the club’s accounts before deciding.

iii)       Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Williams seconded:

Olympia Boxing Club should be granted £500

CARRIED unanimously

 

C60    NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 20^th October 2021.

 

C61    MULTI AGENCY FLOOD MEETING

A multi-agency flooding meeting had been arranged by TWBC and the Town Council had been invited to attend.  Cllrs Moon & Williams had attended.

 

          They reported that the meeting had been attended by the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board, Environment Agency, and KCC to debate flooding in Paddock Wood.  The Borough Councillors were also in attendance.

          The following points were made

• KCC confirmed that infill development will increase surface water flooding, however they are not invited to comment on applications of less than 10 houses.
• The railway line acted as a barrier to the surface water
• Network Rail would be contacted about the culverts under the railway
• Need the utilities and Network Rail to get together to try to resolve the issue

 

C62    TRAINING UPDATE FOR 2021/22

          STAFF

1. a)

 

1. b) COUNCILLORS

 

There will be a Dynamic Councillor Course on the 11^th November 2021.

 

C63    HIGH WEALD ACADEMY CLOSURE

Concerns have been expressed about the closure of the High Weald Academy, Cranbrook which was announced at the beginning of October.  The pupils will be transferred to Mascalls School.  The main impact on Paddock Wood is the possible addition of 200+ pupils to Mascalls School and the potential impact on the draft local plan.

 

The issue was raised at the October Chairman’s meeting.  The Head of Planning at TWBC advised that the borough council had already spoken to KCC over this issue. KCC believed the closure of the school wouldn’t affect the local plan as there is sufficient capacity.  This had been confirmed by CC Hamilton.

 

Members expressed concerns about the long-term impact on Paddock Wood and the surrounding villages.

 

Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Williams seconded:

That the Town Council requests a copy of the risk assessment on the impact the closure of HWA will have on the local plan.

CARRIED unanimously

 

C64    REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES

(a)      Chairman’s meeting. – the following was discussed:

• TWBC new consultation portal – Talking Point
• Queens Green Canopy
• Update on Planning from Stephen Baughan
• Closure of High Weald Academy
• TWBC would like to be carbon neutral by 2030

(b)      Paddock Wood Business Association – the chairman had asked if members had concerns about parking on the double yellow lines in Commercial Road but was advised that it was not a major concern.

(c)      Bereko Committee   – Hoping to hold a fund-raising quiz in March 2022 and visit Bereko in 2022.

(d)      KALC – AGM will take place on the 13^th November 2021.

The meeting also discussed:

• TWBC waste Contract
• Queens Green Canopy
• Local Plan
• Amelia Scott fit out
• Vison Zero
• Highways Improvement Plan – some parishes were having difficulties implementing the plan

(e)      Medway Valley Line – no meeting

(f)       Hop Pickers Line – AGM in November

(g)      Youth Council – minutes/meeting notes have been uploaded onto the website.  The group was now meeting in person again. Invites had been sent out to schools and groups for additional members.  The group had a new leader and were planning a survey of the young people in town.  It was planned to take down the Facebook Page & to relaunch it.

(h)      Putlands Leisure Centre Liaison meeting – the meeting had been deferred to the end of the month.

(i)       Liaison Meeting with developers – the NP plan group had invited Redrow to attend a meeting.

(j)       Strategic Sites Meeting & Future Development Plans – no meeting

(k)      Royal British Legion – Plans had been made for the acts of Remembrance on the 11^th & 14^th November.  Volunteers were needed to help with the refreshments after the event.

 

Cllr Flashman proposed, Cllr R Atkins seconded:

Under section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 the following item should be exempt from the press and public.

CARRIED unanimously

 

C65    Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Williams seconded

          That the bonus for the Administrative Assistant & Deputy Clerk should be APPROVED.

CARRIED unanimously

 

Cllr Boyle proposed, Cllr Williams seconded:

That the Council’s Administrative Assistant, Teresa Maxwell, should be appointed Responsible Financial Officer (RFO) and Assistant Clerk.

 

CARRIED unanimously

 

C66    DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Monday 15^th November 2021.

 

The meeting closed at 9.25 pm.