Agenda
Waltham Parish Council
EST. 1894
Website: https://waltham-pc.gov.uk
TO: ALL MEMBERS OF WALTHAM PARISH COUNCIL.
Councillors are hereby summoned to attend the Ordinary Meeting of the Council on Tuesday the 5th of March 2024 commencing at 7.30 pm at Waltham Village Hall for the transaction of the business described in the following Agenda. Supporting documents can be found in an Agenda Pack on the Parish Councils website. Members of the public may make representations, answer questions, and give evidence in respect of the business on the agenda during item 4 – Public Session.
AGENDA
- To receive any apologies for absence.
- To receive Declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Other Significant Interests.
- To approve the minutes of Motions and Resolutions of the meeting held on the 6th of February
- Public Session: To receive representations questions and evidence from members of the public .
- Chairman’s Report: To receive an update on current issues:
- Plans for the Annual Parish Meeting on 16th of April.
- To receive reports: from County and City Councillors.
- Finance Report: To note year to date receipts and payments.
- Payment Schedule: To approve payment transactions for February 2024.
- Policies and Procedures: To review WPC’s Publication Scheme.
- Research Proposal: To consider a proposal for research into Affordable Housing.
- Date of next meeting: The next Ordinary Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday the 2nd of April
Clerk to the Council.
WPC/asm/28:02:2024
Minutes
Waltham Parish Council
EST. 1894
https://waltham-pc.gov.uk https://clerk@waltham-pc.gov.uk
Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council held on the 5th of March 2024 at Waltham Village Hall
In line with the Transparency Code all public documents relating to the meeting are published in an agenda pack on the parish council website. Please note that the minutes remain in Draft form until approved at the next meeting.
Present: Parish Councillors John Barry (Chair), Jane Robinson, John Hockley, and Yolande Andon.
In attendance: Ward Councillor Alister Brady and Locum Clerk Tracey Block
The meeting commenced at 7.30pm with a welcome by the Chairman who advised Members that Cllr Ben Grillet had tendered his resignation with immediate effect.
23/24.094 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence had been received from parish clerk Tony McCord
23/24.095 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Significant Interests Cllr Barry declared a pecuniary interest in item 8 for Chairman’s expenses.
A DPI form was provided to Cllr Andon who will complete the form and post directly to CCC.
23/24.096 Approval of Minutes
The Chairman invited comments on pages one to three of the minutes. It was Resolved to approve the minutes and the Chairman signed the document as a correct record. Action: Clerk
23/24.097 Public Session
There were no members of the public present at the meeting.
23/24.098 Chairman’s Report
- Plans for the Annual Parish Meeting on 16th of April.
The Clerk is to request the usual reports from the relevant Parish bodies.
Cllr Alister Brady is unable to attend.
The Clerk suggested inviting Jake Angell the Community Beat Officer to attend the APM, he could speak about Speed Watch and Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
There are to be welcome drinks and nibbles.
Widening the attendance at the meeting is important so the Council will need to publicise this meeting in advance in PAW News, the website, the Noticeboard and on Facebook.
Action: Clerk
- The online banking system is still not functioning effectively. Another account management form is in preparation and will be tabled for Member signatures next month. Action: Clerk
23/24.098 Reports from County and Ward Councillors
- KCC & City Cllr Mike Sole had published his report on Waltham Facebook. In summary:
: Spoke against proposed KCC changes to the Community Warden Scheme.
: Attended KCC budget meeting where significant cuts are being made.
: Had discussion with Lower Hardes PC on improving highway safety.
: Supported CCC’s decision to increase the number of council homes in the District.
- Cllr Alister Brady reported that the main draft of the Local Plan is to go to Cabinet.
Key changes:
: Plan period to be reduced to 2040 from 2044, the number of houses will be reduced from 13495 to 9346 houses There is to be a reduction in annual housing need. Removal of Adisham site, the removal of Eastern by-pass and the Canterbury Circulation Plan. The zonal system is also to be removed.
: Items added: climate change and biodioversity (20% net gain on developments and 20% tree cover). Support for Blean Woods and Olde Park, better bus services and walking/cycling sites, the brownfield site in Wincheap will be prioritised and there will be additional monitoring compliance in new developments.
: Broad Oak reservoir and a country park around the area is of interest, this has been kicked down the road since 1970. This will incorporate walks and aid the biodiversity issue and drainage for the Stour.
:In addition, there is a corporate plan due for consultation focussing on UN goals.
: The new Plan is to be circulated in the consultation phase. For Waltham Parish Council – keeping rural areas and supporting Neighbourhood Plans are relevant.
23/24.099 Finance Report:
The Clerk has produced a year-to-date finance Report. While there is an ‘overspend’ of £833.30 on the 23/24 budget, the bank balance at 03/03/24 is £7,843. Unless the payment for the gate sign comes up before the 31st Waltham Parish Council should have a carry forward balance in excess of the predicted £6,000 at year end.
There were no questions raised. Members unanimously Resolved to approve the Report.
23/24.100 Payment Schedule:
The Chairman discussed each item of the Schedule. The Zurich invoice for £264.00 has been paid from the Clerk’s Barclays account so payee amended on schedule. The Zurich payment was amended on the schedule to read £264 as it had been listed as £254 in an earlier version. Councillors unanimously Resolved to approve the Schedule which was initialled by Cllrs Barry and Robinson. Action: Clerk
23/24.101 Policies and Procedures:
A draft review of WPC’s Publication Scheme had been previously circulated with the agenda pack.
Cllr Robinson raised under 2.6, the need to produce a fee schedule, suggesting that while there is little demand for documentation as policies and procedures are widely available on the website under the Transparency Code a schedule of fees should be produced for clarity. The Policy was approved with the proviso that a schedule of fees is produced. Action: Clerk
23/24.102 Research Proposal on Affordable Housing:
Further to the Parish Survey conducted in 2023 a research proposal had been included in the agenda pack as part of the clerk’s degree studies supervised by the SLCC and De Montfort University. If approved by the parish council the next stage would be the development of a project plan with an assessment of need and key dates for wider discussion at the Annual Parish Meeting. Members Resolved to approve the proposal. Cllr Brady indicated that he would be happy to assist with the research and data collection. Action: Clerk
Coincidentally the Clerk has received an informal approach by telephone from a representative of a landowner enquiring about potential for affordable housing development. Action: Clerk
23/24.103 Date of Next Meeting:
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.40 pm
The next Ordinary Meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Tuesday the 2nd of April 2024.
The Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for the 16th of April.
Apologies received in advance from Cllr Barry for 7th May, Cllr Robinson is to Chair this meeting.
Chairman’s Signature: 2nd of April 2024
