WROTHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTESOFTHEANNUAL PARISHMEETINGHELDON WEDNESDAY02nd April 14ATS.OOpm

IN THESTGEORGE'SHALL,HIGH STREET,WROTHAM

Present: Cllr's PGillin (Chairman), H Rayner, D Beach, KDenton, M Coffin, C Mills, R Betts & Mrs BJackson

In Attendance: Lesley Cox (Clerk), 4 members of the public

1. Apologies for absence: No apologies full attendance

2. Minutes

The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 3rd April 13,approved by the ParishCouncil on the 1st May 2013

3. Opening Address from CUrPGillin

Thistime last year I thanked everyone for attending in spite of the frozen Siberian winds,thankfully it ismuch more pleasant this year and Lesley and I even managed to enjoy abrief lunch in the sunshine.

The Annual Parish Meeting isan opportunity for village organisations to report on theiractivities to Members of the Parish so without further ado I will ask our first speaker,Community Warden Andy Johnson for his report

4. Reports from various Committees and Organisations:

1. Community Warden - Andy Johnson

Mr Johnson is now back after a long spell of sick leave, he has recently been dealingwith minor issuesof anti-social behaviour and has been working alongside the DogWarden to address the increase in dog fouling in the village, targeting St Mary's Roadand New Walk. Areas of the village have been leafleted and a new dog bin has beenrequested from T&MBC to be placed at the junction of StMary's Road and BoroughGreen Road. Mr Johnson reported that responsible dog owners have been verysupportive of the initiative.

Cllr Gillin on behalf of WPCwelcomed Mr Johnson back to the village.

2. Fireworks - Stuart Vlck

Over the last year the organisation has experienced a large turnover of committeemembers, resulting in Mr Vick now being the Chairman. 2013 was again a memorabledisplay and Cllr Coffin was thanked by Mr Vick on behalf of the committee. As lastyear was hit badly by the weather finances were significantly down on previous years.However the organisation still managed to support a large number of village groups.Next year's event has been arranged for the 25th October 14.The WPC was thankedfor their continued support.

3. Friends of Wrotham Recreational Ground - CUrChris Mills

Thisyear's event with be on the 7th & 8th June. Last year's profits were not brilliant dueto low returns from the bar, food outlets and from increasing the number of ringentertainment acts, but overall still successful. Thisyear there will be lessbought in ringentertainment with steam engines and exhibits providing much of the entertainment.Last year the Friends supported the Community Choir with their public liabilityinsurance, Borough Green Football Club with their new line-marker and have pledged£6K to Wrotham Park Life towards their match funded bid for a Sita grant.

4. st George's HaU- CUrKeiron Denton

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Last year was uneventful for the hall in comparison with all that happen during theprevious year including the lead removal from the roof and the refurbishment of thestone facing of the building. The cost of these works along with a continued decline intakings has significantly reduced reserves. Fortunately a donation from the developersof Court Lodge means that works can be progressed to replace the old inefficientboiler to help reduce bills, replace the old kitchen units and paint the outside, in aneffort to attract more bookings.It has been agreed to allow the Bell Ringers to install a ringing simulator to encouragea train new ringers.Cllr Denton thanked Brenda Jackson and Marie Wicker for their work.

5. Allotment Society - Mr Brian Saunders (Report 1)

There have been some changes during the year, with 34 tenants cultivating mainly I/.plots. We currently have one name on the waiting list, and will have to wait and seewhether all tenancies will be renewed for a further year.It has been good to see spring activity starting in eamest over the past few weeks. Theorganisation had a successful summer BBQ lunch. The AGM will now be held eachyear in April.Some members assisted with the creation of a Nature Trail at the primary school andwere pleased to learn that this won a Wildlife TrustSilver Award.WPC was thanked for their continued support.

6. County Councillor - Cllr Mrs Valerie Dagger (Report 2)

In the absence of Cllr Mrs Dagger the attached report was read by Cllr Pete Gillin

7. Borough Councillor - CUr Martin Coffin

I am still Cabinet member for Finance, Innovation & Property and now Deputy Leader,which puts me in a good position to assistWrotham.Over the last year flooding was the biggest problem affecting many areas of theborough. Central Government has come forward with grants for the effects of floodingto help to protect properties from flooding in the future. The Environment Agency hasnow agreed to improve the Lye Flood Defences.Council Taxeshave been increased by 1.99%the equivalent of 1p/day. The Boroughhas a continuing measured strategy to annually put up council tax by an underinflation amount of approx. 2%and utilise reserves to sustain this policy.Some Boroughs have reduced the financial support to Parish Councils by 16%,T&MBChave maintained financial support and only reduced funding by .6%.Thisis an on-going policy as T&MBC consider well run parish councils to be good value for money.All borough leisure facilities have now been given trust status and are independentlyrun by trustees, one of which isCllr Robin Betts. Thisenables them to be run on a morecommercial basis and claim back business rates producing an annual saving onrunning costs of .Sm.Central government appear to be having a change of policy on the previous planningbrief that required T&MBC to build in the region of 600 new houses per year.Sainsbury's have pulled out of supporting the regeneration of Tonbridge due to adown tum of the retail market in food. The Borough Council is looking at alternatives forfunding of the centre regeneration.Grants are available for the retail sector to help encourage regeneration of villageHigh Streets, Borough Green are currently putting together a proposal.Cllr Gillin confirmed that Wrotham is also looking to utilise the grant.Cllr Rayner thanked the Borough Council on its continued on-going support forparishes.Question - Cllr RaynerIsthe rumour true that T&MBC requested the Lye Flood Defence Barrier be opened toprotect TonbridgeAnswer - Cllr CoffinEmphatically no, the barrier is under the control of the Environment Agency andT&MBC asked that the barrier opening be restricted.Question - Cllr BettsWill the fact that Sainsbury's have pulled out of the regeneration of Tonbridge affectthe Angel CentreAnswer - Cllr Coffin

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There will be no change as the current trust has been set up for five years.

8. Betenson Trust - Malcolm Wiffen (Report 3)

Apologies were received from Mr Wiffen after the meeting and the attached reportprovided.

9. Friends af St George's Church - Cllr Mrs Brenda Jackson

The object of the organisation is to raise money for the upkeep of the fabric of theChurch. Over the last year we have helped with funds for the new roof, sound systemand next we hope to assistwill new lighting. All monies are raised by running variousevents, including concerts, quiz nights and plant sales. Thisyear in June is the bi-annualGarden Safari. The organisation is still unable to progress past the magic 200 members;membership iscurrently standing at 195.Cllr Mrs Jackson thanked all committee members for their hard work

10. Bowls Club - Valerie Foreman (Report 4)

WPC was thanked for the help and support provided towards obtaining a new leasefor the bowls green.2013 - 14was the clubs 25th Anniversary year and was celebrated by playing the KentCounty Bowling Association followed by a meal in the Buttery at the Bull Hotel. Themost prestigious game of the year was against the 'The Royal Household' at WindsorGreat Park.The tour to Eastbourne was well attended and will be repeated this season. During thewinter months some members have been playing indoor bowls at Sevenoaks.Our fundraising activities have been excellent, providing welcome extra income forthe club.Thirteen members helped to sell and fold raffle tickets at the firework event andhopefully will be there again in force this year.An Open Evening has been arranged for new-comers on Thursday 1st May starting at6.00pm.Race Night is on Saturday 13th September in StGeorge's Hall, tickets will be on salenearer the date.Cllr Gillin has been heavily involved in the negotiations of the new lease and informedthe meeting that the final draft of the lease should be forthcoming from the solicitorswithin the next few weeks. It will then be sent to both parties.

12. St George's Primary School- David Jones (Report 5)

In the absence of Mr Jones, the attached report was read by Brian Saunders.

13. Wrotham Christmas Fayre - Irene stone

In the absence of Mrs Stone, Cllr Pete Gillin gave a brief report.

The 2013 event was a success and the committee have agreed to hold the eventagain this year.During 2013 the antiquated switching gear for the lights was updated to moderndigital timers, which caused Cllr Gillin a huge amount of stressduring the fayre, butfortunately worked perfectly at the allotted time on the day and continued to do soduring the whole period that the lights were used, resulting in further reductions in therunning cost. Now that the entire infrastructure for the Christmas Lights has beenupdated the annual cost of electricity is in the region of £20.00 compared with theprevious amount of £800.00.Cllr's Gillin, Rayner & Denton recently spent the day disposing I recycling the old lightruns and generated £73.90 for parish funds.

5. Chairman's Annual Report

It has been a strange winter, most of the UKexperienced flooding to some degree the onlyplace to be totally dry was Bull Lane! I don't know if it's a coincidence but I have seen CllrRayner driving around Wrotham with a canoe in his voyager people carrier, maybe he knowssomething we don't?

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Derek Alsop raised a question at lost year's meeting as to what will happen about the repairsneeded to the verges of Bull Lane and I glibly answered that we had assurances from KCCHighways that it was part of their overall project. Well 6 months ago we gave up waiting andgot on with it ourselves. Andy Barden has spread several tonnes of topsoil around and in frontof the new gas utilities box and planted 2cwt bags of daffodil bulbs that were kindly donatedby Martin Coffin. They are now starting to flower and we should have a magnificent displaynext year. Andy redistributed soil along the narrow verge to the south of Bull Lane andcomplained to me that every time he finished the job a lorry would drive across the vergebecause they couldn't be bothered to use reverse gear. You will now notice several green oakposts with steel caps that should deter this antisocial behaviour in future and reduce ourongoing maintenance costs.

Our grounds contractor of several years in the burial grounds and allotments lost the plot lastyear and we now have a husband and wife team who have made a very good start to thecontract with their first cut.

We have totally refurbished the West Street car park, rebuilt a ragstone wall, new tarmac andbay lining, new steel road fence and all the street furniture has been repainted gloss black. Iam pleased to report that the car park is now very well used by local residents.

There is a large construction company that are relocating, principally from a site in Greenwichto a larger site in Ightham. Never wanting to missan opportunity, Members of the Financecommittee have met their senior management, welcomed them to the area and invited themto see our new pavilion. The upshot of the meeting is that they are very willing to donate theirskillsand expertise to assistus with the demolition of our old pavilion and restore the groundwith topsoil and new tree planting. Thisis early days but watch this space.

Our next project isa new oak bus shelter in the square complete with information boards fortourists and for local businesses and pubs.

I can see Lesley mouthing BREVITYto me so it is now time to bring this Annual Parish Meetingtowards a close, thank you all for coming and it is only left for me to ask if anyone has anyfurther questions.

6. Public QuestionTime

Question - Brian SaundersCan anything be done about the condition of the road surface in PilgrimsWay / Battlefields.Answer - Cllr RaynerWe are aware that resurfacing of these roads appears on KCC's approved list of works to beundertaken this financial year.Question - Brian SaundersCan the parking problems associated with Tower Industrial Estate be addressed.Answer - Cllr CoffinThere is currently a multi-agencies approach to addressing numerous issuesassociated with theestate, which has come about because of the incidents of illegal parking. T&MBC have putforward a scheme for double yellow lines; hopefully in conjunction KCC will brin~ forward aproposal to re-align the layout of the road.The Borough is also checking for planning violations and Environmental Health are inspectingpremises and checking operator's licences. However it takes time to create a sound case buthopefully in the long term the problems with the area will be resolved.

Cllr Gillin thanked everyone for coming and declared the meeting closed at 9.05 pm

..................................... Chairman

......................................... Date

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WROTHAM ALLOTMENT AND GARDEN SOCIETY

Report for the Parish Council Annual General MeetingWednesday 2nd April 2014.

There have been some changes of tenancy over the past year and at present we have 34 tenantscultivating mainly v.. plots.

We have one person on the waiting list at this time. Itmay be that a plot will be vacated in midsummer and we have yet to see whether all tenancies will be renewed for a further year as one orplots had little cultivation last summer.

Ithas been good to see the usual spring activity starting in earnest over the past 2 weeks, particularlyas the very wet winter kept tenants off their plots. Very unusual for Wrotham where the soil ishardly ever waterlogged. So, a late start but most mainstream vegetables can now be sown.

We had a very successful summer BBQ lunch. A first for us and an opportunity for plot holders tosocialise and share ideas.

A decision was made to move the date of our AGM from a November evening to a SaturdayMorning in spring and this will be held on the 12thApril followed by a coffee morning and seedswap.

Some members assisted with creating a Nature Trail at our primary school and we were pleased tolearn that this won a Wildlife Trust Silver Award. We some further help and additions the schoolare going for Gold this year!

In conclusion, our thanks to this Council for their continued interest in the allotments which is avery important amenity.

To finish may I say that we are very pleased with the new grass cutting contractors.

Brian SaundersSecretary

ANNUAL REPORT TO PARISHES, 2014.

Since we were re-elected with a reduced majority last year, we have been very busy with a

number of real changes and we have strict party discipline to ensure that they are brought

into effect.

The budget, and how to meet government savings targets, has been a key concern this year.We have thought very differently about how we deliver services. Service reviews have been

undertaken and integrated around customer groups and streamlined to avoid duplication.

We have made £269m of savings over the last three years and have shed around 2,000posts, principally through efficiencies, better procurement and use of new technology. Wealso aim to reduce demand by transforming the way we do things. In social care, for

example, to assess people more quickly and do more to help them live independently in

their own homes. This means working more closely with the NHS, particularly with olderpeople discharged from hospital.

In the coming week, we alongside our Clinical Commissioning Group colleagues, are taking

our final submission of the Better Care Fund (BCF)to the Health and Wellbeing Board forapproval. We are on the verge of substantial change in the health agenda, with theopportunity to radically transform the way in which care is delivered. I am confident that we

have ambitious targets that reflect our Integration Pioneer status, such as new

neighbourhood teams, centred on GPs surgeries, with an intent that health and social care

colleagues move to a 7 days a week workforce model, and in some cases 24 hour care. Anappropriate quantum of money will be invested to achieve these ambitions, and members

will have a key role in communication with their local residents.

KCClaunched its 2014/15 budget consultation in November and received a record number

of replies, prioritising services and supporting a small council tax rise to help fund them. This

coming financial year we need to save approximately £91 million. Council tax has been

frozen for the past 3 years, yet we have delivered some real improvements. We have helped

hundreds of young people into employment through our apprenticeship programmes. Ourexam results are better than ever, and businesses in Kent are growing.

The government has now removed the improvement notice on KCC'sChildren's Services and

there have been very positive comments from Ofsted's recent inspections. We haveswitched off, from midnight to Sam, some 70,000 street lights, saving approximately

£900,000, and reducing light pollution and carbon emissions. (We will not be switching off in

town centres, areas with CCTV,ASB area, busy road junctions, roundabouts or known traffic

accident spots.)

Members were involved with the Local Government Association Peer Review at the

beginning of March. Whilst the report is still to be published, the initial feedback was

extraordinarily positive. LGA peers commented that "there is much to celebrate about KentCounty Council", which has "committed and talented members and officers". However, theLGA peers also note the enormity of the challenge as we move forward with £250m of

savings to be made over the next three years, and that whilst "much has been done, there is

much still to do, and if tough decisions aren't being made in the next 12 months they won'thappen".

Back in February, a 'big conversation' was had with Kent's frontline Troubled Family project

workers to gain an honest assessment of what is working well and will produce a lastingimpact for these families that require significant multi-agency support. Discussions at this

very well attended event indicated the work being undertaken across the county withfamilies is making a positive impact on troubled families' lives.

On asylum, I am pleased to report a very positive meeting was held with James Brokenshire,

the new Minister for Immigration and Security, where a thorough discussion was had on the

unmet asylum costs that are owed to the County. Following this meeting, and having heardwhat other authorities have achieved on asylum, we are optimistic that there is a deal to be

done that goes a long way towards remedying our ongoing revenue shortfall and maybe an

offer for some of the historic accrued debt.

I am delighted the Department for Transport has allocated Kent £8.6million towards therepair of our road network and infrastructure following the devastating winter floods. The

initial submission for the severe weather recovery funding has now been submitted to

Government.

Flooding will be added to the May Cabinet agenda and our partners, such as the

Environment Agency, will be invited to attend, aswe discuss the long-term investment that

is needed to improve and enhance the current flood defence systems.

As you can see, the County Council is not short of business, and I shall continue to inform

you on our progress in my monthly reports in the parish magazine.

Qa.p0 r1:.- 3

THE BETENSONTRUST

ANNUAL REPORTFORWROTHAM PARISHCOUNCIL

The Trust continues to provide accommodation for twelve residents in the villages of Wrotham,St.Mary's Platt and Plaxtol Kent. There are four residents in each village. The buildings in Wrothamand Platt are Grade II listed.

The residents in Wrotham are all reasonably well and the occupant of No 3 has just turned 90 yearsof age.

A vacancy occurred in the Almshouses at Platt. The vacancy was advertised and three people wereinterviewed by the Trustees representing Platt. After careful deliberation it was decided that theapplicant who most closely met the trust deed requirements was someone, who was born and haslived most of his life in and around Ightham and Borough Green. He was at the time renting acaravan at the top of Wrotham Hill. He was offered and has accepted the tenancy.

General repairs have been ongoing in Wrotham. The heating boiler broke down in the cold weatherprior to Christmas and required a new circuit board. The external painting and repairs to joineryhave recently been completed.

The boundary wall between the Almshouses and Oak Cottage, needs repair before it deterioratesfurther. This will be carried in phases due to the costs.

The weekly contribution paid by the residents has been kept at £50.

The Trust was fortunate to receive donations from Plaxtol Parish Council and the Dodge Charity.

Malcolm Wiffen

On behalf of the Trustees

2nd April 2014

WROTHAM BOWLS CLUB 2013 - 2014

We have had another successful season, especially as this has been our zs'" Anniversary year. It started

with the Men playing The Kent County Bowling Association, which was well received, the meal in the'Buttery' too was a great success. The President commented that it was "One of the best meals we'vehad, on our visits to other Clubs". This was passed on to Martin, at 'The Bull'. The most prestigious gamewas against 'The Royal Household' at Windsor Great Park, an excellent game, enjoyed by all. If theQueen had arrived, it would have been the 'icing on the cake'. Our Fixture Secretary, Anne McDermott,

arranged all the matches for our 25th Anniversary and the special Pens and Flags, commemorating this

event were greatly appreciated.

Only 4 games were cancelled during the year, one was reduced to 3 triples and another increased to 6

triples. The Ladies and Gents match was well supported, with a drawn match??? The Tour toEastbourne, was well attended and will be repeated this season 2014. During the winter months, some

members play indoor bowls, at Sevenoaks and a couple of Indoor Matches have been enjoyed by all.

Our Men's League teams have done well, with Wrotham staying '1st', St. George's now Div.3 and

Pilgrims 3rd in DivA. Our Ladies played all but one of their games, due to a clash of dates and came 5th inthe League, an improvement on last year. Four teams entered the Doreen Bragg, with one of our teams

coming second, only one point behind the winners. We were also beaten in the Mollie Cleggett by Petts

Wood.

Ourfundraising activities have been excellent, Race Night, Bonus Ball, Plants, Clothes and Books etc.,and Raffles. The Club would be in a sorry state without this extra income.

We were able to help at the Fireworks Event again this year, thirteen of us tuming up to sell and fold

Tombola Tickets for the evening, in the rain. Hopefully we'll be there again 'in force' this year, 2014, so

let's hope the weather is on our side???

Our Pre-Season Get Together and Mini Quiz is on 16th April, 7.30 pm at the George & Dragon.

An Open Evening for new-comers will be held on Thursday 1st May, a Club Night at 6.00pm, a popular

Roll Up and Practice Sessions. They'll be plenty of help for new bowlers, so come along and have some

fun!! !

Race Night is on Saturday 13th September at St. George's Hall. This is a good evening for enjoyment, sowe would like your support for that evening. Tickets will be on sale nearer the date and will be available

from the Bowls Club.

Anyone interested in joining the Wrotham Bowls Club, please come along to any of these events, you

will be kindly welcomed by the members and join a very friendly club.

Val Foreman (Hon. Secretary) 6th April 2014.

ReporL 5

Sf George's (VC) CE Primary SchoolReport to Parish Council Annual General MeetingWednesday 2"d April 2014 at 8.00pm

Once again, thank you for inviting me to report on the past year's achievements of St. George's CEPSchool. This is the twentieth annual report that I have been asked to submit on behalf of the school.

I am pleased to tell you about another very successful year for the village school. Our pupil numberscontinue to rise with a present roll of 198 pupils with seven classes. Longer term it appears that the schoolwill continue to grow with a roll in September expected to be close to our current full capacity of 210.

Since the previous Parish Council Annual Meeting the school has had a challenging year with the sad lossof the Schools Bursar and Secretary Ms Lesly Towle who sadly passed away in late August after a shortillness. Much has been said and written about the loss of Lesley which even featured in the localSevenoaks Chronicle but perhaps the fact that she is still in the memory of the school tells us more aboutthe close community we all live and work in.

We were all stunned at the speed in which Lesley's illness took over but until the end she was determinedto make the most of the rest of her life with good humour. If Lesley had one ability it was that she couldrelate and speak to everyone. She was the 'heartbeat' of the school and was loved by everyone within thelocal community. As the School Secretary and Bursar she had a relationship with 'one and all' and usedkind words and a big smile to gain their warmth and trust.

These talents shone through when the school, church and community met together one Thursday afternoonin September after her cremation to 'celebrate her life' at a memorial service at St. George's Church. MrsHolmes who had been Lesley's closest friend spoke movingly about her life, in particular her time in thevillage both involved in the school but also her work in the embryonic Pre-School and of course theFriends of Wrotham. Despite never actually living in the village of Wrotham she made many of us feel thatthis is our village.

When a member of a school dies, particularly one so close to all, it can be and was a traumatic event. Ithas been made a little easier for all of us as I know that Lesley would have wanted us to pause, just for amoment but then carry on to make the best of the village school and all the lives of those inside.

Sadly she passed away before the school held its first ever 'Festival of Light' which took place in Octoberbut after many months of planning which she was initially involved in. She, I know, would have beendelighted by the event and the fact that for one night only even the traffic stopped along Old London Road.

As we had already hosted a number of events for the three other schools in the local partnership ofschools, including yearly sporting festivals, a Science and an Art Exhibition plus a Musical Soiree held inthe church last July. Working alongside Kent Cohesion and the Arts Council in Gravesend and linking inwith our school targets we came up with the idea of a display of light along a road (Old London Roadcame straight to mind) but from then it just grew, and would eventually include part of the High Street andPilgrims Way. Of course we wanted it to be spectacular and something all the children, their parents andWrotham would remember. So we decided to make it as visually special as possible and also quite loud.

And so the 'Wrotham Festival of Light' was born one night in October and it proved to be a wonderfulsuccess and we believe has done much to support the awareness of other cultures in our ever changingsociety in our school. However, perhaps it was the hidden details which made the event so spectacular andthe support of the Parish Council, Borough Council, Community Police and the Army Cadets. Withouttheir support the event could never have taken place and this shows what a small community can do wheneveryone works together for a common aim.

"Bringing Faith and Education Together" Page 1

Over the years there have been successions of village based governors fulfilling a number of specific rolesincluding Foundation Governors, LA Governors and Community Governors. Currently Mrs MarleenHarvey-Kelly, our Chair of Governors and Mr Brian Saunders, a Community Governor supports theschool in many ways in both time and huge dedication. We thank them bothfor all their devotion to theschool and its pupils and to all the previous members of this very special community.

As always I end my report with the line that St George's School is a village school to be very proud of butcan I emphasise this year that we also have many unsung heroes working hardfor the benefit of the entireschool community and beyond.

Yours sincerely

Mr David JonesHeadteacher

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