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 19th August 2024 at 7.45 pm in The Day Centre, Commercial Road, Paddock Wood
PRESENT: Cllr R. Atkins,
Cllrs, 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
Ms E Small, Deputy Clerk until item C42
Borough Cllr A Pitts
2 applicants for co-option
1 resident
APOLOGIES: Cllr D Dray, S Hamilton (KCC)
NOT PRESENT: Cllr N. Maari
QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS (15 minutes)
The following issues were raised by a resident:
- Seating at Mount Pleasant, would it be possible to have a bench on the green space at Mount Pleasant facing onto Maidstone Road. This would enable those waiting for a bus to sit down whilst looking out for the bus. The Chairman advised that the Clerk would speak to KCC and then refer this matter to the Estates Committee for discussion.
- Concern about the illegal parking in Commercial Road. The clerk advised that this was a matter for the Borough Council. Borough Cllr Munday agreed to follow this up with the Borough Officers.
- Would it be possible to have some bollards with the car park to prevent cars from driving on the pedestrian areas. Again, BC Munday agreed to follow this up.
BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS UPDATE (10 minutes)
The County Councillor had message to say that she had not received any questions but raised the following points:
- As discussed with the Chairman earlier, KCC budget consultation ended on 7th August.
- I would urge members to be aware of the developer contribution agreement for the town centre site. Community facilities? Also process towards a HIP is needed to start recognising what the town needs (with a range of stakeholders). This will inform what to ask for in terms of contributions.
- I believe Cllr Williams met with residents about the Badsell Rd Junction – Cllr Williams advised that the residents had met with officers from KCC and produce plans from what had been discussed. It is now evident that whichever plan KCC decide it will not be possible to straighten the junction. The Deputy Clerk has been asked to invite the County officers to attend a Planning Meeting to discuss the with members.
- I remain concerned about the Wesley Centre and particularly its garden – Borough Cllr Munday advised that there were no plans to put the Wesley Centre on the asset list at present. The possibility of a swap of the Day Centre with the Wesley Centre had been raised. The Borough Council would be interested in holding discussions with the Town Council.
C38 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Williams – Director of PWCCO LTD.
Cllr J Thompson for C49 as he is related to one of surveyors.
C39 CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
The Chairman’s statement is appended to the minutes.
C40 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
(a) The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15th July 2024 & 5th August 2024 were APPROVED
(b) The minutes of the Planning Environment Committee meeting held on the 15th July 2024 & 5th August 2024 were NOTED.
(c) The minutes of the Estates Committee meeting held on 12th August 2024 were NOTED.
C41 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES NOT COVERED ELSEWHERE
There were no matters arising from the previous minutes not covered elsewhere on the agenda.
C42 CO – OPTION OF NEW COUNCILLOR
Two applications have been received:
Applications have been received from Katherine Braakensiek & Jason Snelling.
Cllr Atkins proposed, Cllr Williams 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.
Members met with both candidates individually.
The meeting will be re-opened to the press and public for the vote.
VOTING: Katherine Braakensiek – 6
Jason Snelling – 3
Katherine Braakensiek signed the Declaration of Acceptance & joined members for the remainder of the meeting.
The Chairman thank Mr Snelling for his interest.
C43 COMMUNITY CENTRE
a) The AGM for Paddock Wood Community Centre Operations Ltd takes place on the 13 August 2024. The minutes will be circulated as soon as they are available.
b) EV Charger – a meeting has been arranged for Tuesday 20th August with KCC to discuss the upgrade of the chargers.
c) Members received the Directors Monthly report.
C44 LOCAL PLAN UPDATE
The Chairman of the Planning Committee advised that there would be 2 additional days for the Planning Hearings in the Autumn. The date is yet to be published, but will need to carry out a 6 week consultation on additional plans and they have not yet been published.
The Council’s consultant has submitted a further quote to attend the hearings. He had also quoted to devise a cycling strategy for the Town which could be submitted to the Borough Council.
Members considered whether a cycling strategy would be useful and the following points were raised:
- Should the Town Council be doing this – would it not be better if the borough did it?
- The road network needs upgrading to allow for cycling & walking
- Would KCC have the will or the funds to implement the strategy
- How practical would it be to implement
- Developers should implement the strategy
- Would be a positive move for Paddock Wood
Following the discussion
Cllr Williams proposed, Cllr Atkins seconded:
That the quote for £10,565 for attendance at the hearings & the development of the Cycling strategy should be APPROVED.
CARRIED 9 in favour, 1 against
C45 FINANCE
- The receipts nos: 117 – 126 were NOTED.
- Cllr Atkins proposed, Cllr Thompson seconded:
That the payments list: 187 – 263 should be APPROVED
CARRIED unanimously
C46 4 YEAR PLAN
The chairman advised that the 4 year plan group had met and discussed the Mission Statement. He also advised that he was working on a draft plan which could be discussed at a separate meeting with members. This would be a 4 & 10 year plan.
C47 KENT & MEDWAY RESILIENCE FORUM COMMUNITY PLAN
Members discussed whether the council should consider a resilience plan & business continuity plan. Details of Community Plans can be found using the following link. https://www.kentprepared.org.uk/
It was agreed that the council should consider a plan as well as as a business continuity plan.
Cllr Mackie would investigate what was required and report back.
C48 STAFF REVIEW
At the Estates Meeting on the 12th August 2024 the committee passed the following resolution for Council’s consideration:
That an appraisal of all staffing needs, for the Council going forward, is carried out.
It was suggested that this appraisal should be carried out by an outside consultant.
Members agreed that a quote should be sought for the work.
C49 ST ANDREWS HALL
Cllr Thompson left the meeting for this item.
a) Quotes for a survey for the building have been received
Contractor 1 – £450
Contractor 2 – £910
Contractor 3 – £1200
Members considered the three quotations.
Cllr robichaud proposed, Cllr Munday seconded:
That following further discussions the Clerk should appoint either contractor one or two, with a fee authorised to maximum of £1200.
CARRIED unanimously
b) Legal advice – The clerk advised that legal advice had been received from the solicitors and would be forwarded to members for discussion at a future meeting.
C50 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
To receive updates from representatives. At the last meeting it was agreed that written reports should be submitted to the Clerk. These would be circulated prior to the meeting.
(a) Chairman’s meeting – no meeting
(b) Paddock Wood Business Association –
(c) Bereko Committee – a quiz will take place on the 21st September.
(d) KALC – no report
(e) Medway Valley Line – no report
(f) Hop Pickers Line – next meeting on the 24thg September 2024.
(g) Youth Council – report attached
(h) Putlands Leisure Centre – report attached
(j) Highway Improvement Plan – no report
(k) IAG – report attached
(l) Paddock Wood Primary School – see attached report.
(m) Bockingfold Solar Farm – presentation attached
C51 TRAINING
(For Information)
a) Civility & Respect Project – it is now 12 months since the Town Council signed the Civility & Respect Pledge (attached). The first point in the pledge states that the council:
- Has put in place a training programme for councillors and staff
Following a review of its training programme KALC have introduced a Nimble E- learning programme which are online courses which allow members and staff to log on and participate in the courses in their own time. Each Course is £16 and there is specific section for the Civility & Respect Project.
To show the Council’s ongoing commitment to the Civility & Respect Pledge members are asked to participate in the appropriate courses.
b) Also attached is a leaflet from KALC with their conferences and training courses for this autumn.
Please advise the clerk of any courses you wish to attend, and the booking can be made.
C52 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 16th September 2024, at 7.45 pm in The Day Centre, Commercial Road
NICHOLA REAY
Clerk to the Council
13th August 2024