PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL
The Podmore Building, St Andrews Field, St Andrews Road
Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6HT
Telephone: 01892 837373
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF PADDOCK WOOD TOWN COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 19th July 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, D Kent, A Mackie,
- Moon, M Ridger, R Turk , C. Williams,
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs C Reilly , Deputy Town Clerk
APOLOGY: Cllr D Sargison
Borough Cllrs B Hills, S Hamilton (KCC),
QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS
No questions had been received and no residents were present.
BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLORS UPDATE
There were no updates from the Borough or County Councillors
The Town Clerk Nichola Reay was signed off sick on the 23rd June, her current sick note runs out on 20th August. We are hopeful that she will not be signed off for a further long period of time. We send our very best wishes to Nichola, we hope she gets well soon and look forward to her being able to return as soon as she can do so. In the meantime, to maintain continuity of service in the office we have arranged for locum cover. The council also extends its condolences to Claire Riley, our Deputy Clerk who has experienced a recent bereavement. I would like to thank our permanent office staff Claire and Teresa for their resilience at the current time and welcome Karen our locum who is covering finance and other tasks during this unprecedented time.
On a different note, I should like to welcome Trevor Bisdee and Andy Mackie to the Council.
I should also like to say that as Covid rates are rising rapidly I am very unhappy with face-to-face meetings and would be grateful if discussions could be confined to the point and be as brief as possible.
C37 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
Cllr C William advised that in response to comments on social media and by email to the office, that she and Cllr A Mackie were married. However, they had been duly elected as councillors as independent individuals.
C38 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
- The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 21st of June 2021 were APPROVED
and signed by the Chairman.
- The minutes of the Planning & Environment Committee meeting held on 21st of June were noted.
C39 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREVIOUS MINUTES
- C24 – Trevor Bisdee had been elected Councillor for the East Ward, and Andy Mackie had been elected councillor for the West Ward following the election on the 24th June 2021.
- C27 – Highways Improvements Commercial Road. A draft response to the consultation was provided for members consideration. The draft was discussed by members and amendments were agreed. The response would be submitted to KCC.
- C27 -The results of the SurveyMonkey for the Highways Improvement Plan would be submitted to members prior to the next available Planning & Environment Committee meeting. The Committee will submit their recommendations to the Council for consideration.
- C30 Southern Water- no response has been received from them. Greg Clark MP had been advised. Members discussed the latest proposal from Southern Water for works at Ringden Avenue. It was felt that the noise and disruption for several months would be unacceptable to residents. Also, this was not the round town new ring main solution that had been promised by Southern Water in meetings with Greg Clark MP.
The Planning & Environment Committee had made strenuous efforts to engage proactively with Southern Water over the years. It was agreed that they had gone above and beyond what might be expected of a Town Council, even engaging the local MP. The results were disappointing. Members felt that Southern Water was failing in its statutory duty to provide an effective foul drainage service Paddock Wood. There was discussion of the suggestion of a requesting a judicial review, but it was concluded that this was not within the capacity of the Town Council and would be prohibitively expensive. A Judicial Review would only consider the procedural process that Southern Water had followed. Cllr Williams agreed to contact Greg Clark MP again regarding this matter.
- C32 – According to BT it is not possible to install Wi-Fi in the Day Centre. The office in conjunction with the Council’s IT company is looking into other methods to stream meetings. Estates committee has been postponed to July 26th at 7.45 pm.
- C33 – A complaint has been received about Shaws Funfair following the Fete on 10th July 2021. See attached email. It was agreed that PW & District Lions should be contacted to discuss what action should be taken for next year. They would also be asked for a copy of any Memorandum of Understanding (if available) that they have with the fair for the use of the field as part of the annual carnival and fete.
- C35 b) A letter has been sent to TWBC parking and the office will advise when a response is received.
C40 TO CONFIRM COMMITTEE AND OUTSIDE BODY MEMBERSHIPS
Cllr M Flashman proposed, and Cllr D Boyle seconded
That the updated list should be confirmed, with the addition of Cllr Boyle as a representative to the RBL. 11 in favour 1 against. Carried.
C41 FINANCE
(a) The receipts list Voucher nos:131 – 146 was NOTED-
(b) Cllr M Flashman proposed, and Cllr C Williams seconded
That the payments list: Vouchers nos: 166 – 265 should be APPROVED
CARRIED Unanimously.
C42 COMMUNITY CENTRE
- The Community Centre Board had met on the 7th of July 2021. The June minutes have been approved but are not yet on the website. They will be posted as soon as possible. Mrs T Maxwell was thanked for her work in preparing and displaying information about the Community Centre at the Carnival and for the noticeboards. Also, for the frequency of information being provided on social media. The vandalism removing posters from one of the noticeboards is to be reported to the PCSO. Cllr R Moon gave a presentation on behalf of the Working Party to the Bowls Club which was well received, and he was able to address a number of questions raised by attendees. There are plans for a similar event at the PW U3A. There is a flyer with the printers which will be sent to all residents. It was noted that the Sahrudaya Royals Cricket Club (SRCC) have expressed a strong interest is using the Community Centre for social events once it is completed.
- The Planning application is expected to be considered in August.
C43 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Representatives from AECOM visited to take photos for their design guide report , 3 members met and chatted briefly with them.
C44 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES
- Chairman’s meeting.
This was addressed by the new Leader of TWBC Cllr Tom Dawlings and will in future be chaired by Cllr Andy Fairweather. The performance issues with Urbaser were discussed. There is no date for the return of the CAV due to a shortage of drivers. The Tunbridge Wells agreement was discussed. It was noted that for litter picking residents are not covered by any insurance if they are ‘picking’ out on the roads. There was a discussion regarding the lack of affordable social housing in the Borough.
(b) Paddock Wood Business Association – no report
(c) Bereko Committee – they attended the Carnival but otherwise are continuing to meet via ZOOM
(d) KALC
. The Tunbridge Wells agreement was discussed.
It was noted that for litter picking there are insurance issues.
The Local Plan was discussed.
TCHG has been taken over by Peabody Estates
(e) Medway Valley Line -nothing to report
(f) Hop Pickers Line -nothing to report
(g) Youth Council – The Youth Council had decided to present last years Young Person of the Year award at a BBQ on the 21st of August on the Memorial Field. This event is to be widened to a community picnic in conjunction with the Community Centre Working Party. Anyone was welcome to attend with their own picnics to attract new members for the Youth Council.
(h) Putlands Leisure Centre Liaison meeting -no meetings
(i) Liaison Meeting with developers -no meetings
(j) Strategic sites meeting-Cllr Williams was unable to attend.
C45 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Monday 16th of August 2021.
Meeting closed at 9.35
