Minutes of an Ordinary Meeting of Sandwich Town Council held Monday 28th September 2015, in the Council Chamber, Guildhall, Sandwich at 7:00pm. Present: Councillors: The Mayor, Cllr Graeme (in the chair)

HJ Bragg PI Carter RA Daw Mrs JL Dunay JE Franklin MJ Holloway Mrs VA Lioté Ms O’Donoghue CL Trim MB Trussler DMA Wood

Officer: Miss L Fidler 06.09.15 MAYOR’S OPENING COMMENTS

The Mayor congratulated the Town Clerk on her work to successfully bring the Magna Carta Rediscovered exhibition to the Guildhall. The Mayor promoted a forthcoming concert in aid of the Mayor’s Fund. ‘Touched By Royalty’ is being organised by Ms Theresa Weir, the Assistant Town Clerk & Mayor’s Secretary, with Mr Andrew Fowler and will be presented by Members of The Victoria Consort and Fotherby’s Violls on Saturday 14th November 2015 at 7:30pm at the Guildhall. The concert will present music from the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I for voices and instruments. Ms Weir will also be performing in the concert. Support of councillors for this fundraising event would be greatly appreciated.

07.09.15 APOLOGIES

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Miller, who had a personal commitment. Cllr Watts who was unwell. Cllr Moorhouse who was unwell. And Cllrs Carter and Gisbey who were attending a meeting at Dover District Council regarding Operation Stack, on behalf of the Town Council; Cllr Carter did arrive towards the end of the meeting and his arrival is noted below.

08.09.15 DECLARATION OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS

AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT INTERESTS The Mayor, Cllr Daw and Cllr Trim declared interests in item 14.09.15 (iv) planning application DOV/15/00817.

09.09.15 MINUTES

The Minutes of the Quarterly Town Council meeting held on 24th August 2015 were received, approved and signed. The following updates were provided: (i) KCC Consultation: ‘Changes to where sexual health services are delivered in Kent’ – The Clerk confirmed that the Phoenix Youth Centre do want to take parking in a meeting with Mr M Shepperd, Director of Operations: Children & Young People – Kent Community

Health NHS Foundation Trust, to express their concerns about the proposals. The young people are available as a group on Wednesdays at 4pm and we’re waiting for a response from Mr Shepperd about his availability. (ii) Disabled Access Ramp – New Street/Mill Wall – Cllr Trussler confirmed that he has tried to contact Darran Solley multiple times regarding this matter but has not had a response. It was AGREED that Cllr Trussler will join the Mayor at a meeting with Mr Solley on Wednesday 30th September at 12:00 (a meeting that had already been arranged to discuss another matter).

Cllr Bragg joined the meeting. (iii) Speeding cyclists in the area of the Sandwich Haven – The Clerk confirmed that an update on this matter will be provided by the Assistant Town Clerk.

10.09.15 FINANCE COMMITTEE The Minutes of the Finance Committee Meeting held on 21st September 2015 were received, approved as accurate and signed. RESOLUTION: That the following recommendation of the Finance Committee be approved: (i) A grant of £250.00 be awarded to SEACAmb (Deal Community First Responders).

11.09.15 PAYMENT SCHEDULE

The schedule of payments, totalling £21,013.86, was received, approved and signed.

12.09.15 PUBLIC RIGHT TO SPEAK No requests were received. 13.09.15 POLICE REPORT

A written police report was submitted to the Council by PCSO Ian Norton and read out on his behalf by the Town Clerk. RESOLUTION: That this information be noted.

14.09.15 PLANNING APPLICATIONS Councillors considered the following planning applications:

(i) DOV/15/00606 | Erection of a two storey side extension and detached garage | 60 Poulders Gardens, Sandwich, CT13 0AJ RESOLUTION: Raise no objection. (ii) DOV/15/00788 | Variation of condition 2 of planning permission DOV/13/00701 for amendments to the approved documents (Supporting Statement - relating to the Waste Incineration Directive in respect of the total annual boiler feed) (section 73 application) | Site North East side of Discovery Park & Access, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, CT13 9ND RESOLUTION: Raise no objection. (iii) DOV/15/00802 | Outline application for the erection of three dwellings (with all matters reserved) | Land Adjoining, 4 Woodnesborough Road, Sandwich, CT13 0AA RESOLUTION: Recommend refusal of this application on the grounds of road safety (access issues) and impact of character of surroundings (the site is too small for the proposed number of

dwellings). The Council also expressed concern about building on a site that is prone to being waterlogged. (iv) DOV/15/00817 | Erection of an outbuilding | Hawks Cottage, The Butts, Sandwich, CT13 9HQ RESOLUTION: Raise no objection. (v) DOV/15/00841 | EIA Screening Opinion for a 320 m high Communications Mast | Site at Former Richborough Power Station, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, CT13 9NL RESOLUTION: Raise no objection. (vi) DOV/15/00890 | Variation of Condition 3 of planning permission DOV/01/01167 to allow amendments to approved drawings (plots 1 -15) (application under Section 73) | Willowbank, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich RESOLUTION: Raise no objection. (vii) DOV/15/00925 | Erection of a single storey rear extension | 102 St Georges Road, Sandwich, CT13 9LE RESOLUTION: Raise no objection. (viii) KCC Planning Application DO/14/1036/R5 | A scheme of landscape maintenance submitted pursuant to condition (5) of DO/14/1036 (change of use of the land to extend the waste storage facilities) | East Kent Waste Recovery Facility, Discovery Park, River Road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9FN RESOLUTION: Raise no objection. (ix) Tree Preservation Order – Beech Tree - 166 St George’s Road, Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9LD RESOLUTION: Raise no objection.

15.09.15 PLANNING DECISIONS The following decisions were reported from Dover District Council:

(i) DOV/15/00426 | Creation of an internal access road to service the Nemo Link Interconnector site, part of which falls within the Dover District (duplicate application submitted to Thanet District Council, as the majority of the site falls within the district of Thanet) | Richborough Power Station, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, CT13 9NL | Granted Permission. (ii) DOV/15/00329 | Installation of a rooflight, flue and French doors with associated internal and external alterations and the repainting of external joinery | The Old Coach House, 1 Austins Lane, Sandwich, CT13 9BX | Granted Permission. (iii) DOV/15/00629 | Erection of a single storey rear extension and railings to front boundary | The Nook, 17 New Street, Sandwich, CT13 9AB | Granted Permission. (iv) DOV/14/00058 | Outline application for the redevelopment of site to include: demolition of some existing buildings (and associated infrastructure); change of use of some existing buildings (from B1 to use classes: B2, B8, Sui Generis (Energy) and D1 uses); the provision of new commercial (use classes: A3/4, B1, B2, B8, C1, D1 and Sui Generis) and residential (use class: C3) development; associated site preparation/enabling, infrastructure, and landscaping works; and provision of car parking (with some matters reserved) | Discovery Park, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich, CT13 9ND | Granted Permission.

16.09.15 PLANNING CORRESPONDENCE Members received and considered two letters from Mycroft Wardle, Vigilant Global UK, regarding plans for a new telecommunications mast adjacent to Richborough Energy Park (relevant to planning application DOV/15/00841 considered under Planning Applications, above): the first, dated 28th August 2015, offering an initial meeting with the Council concerning Vigilant Global UK’s plans, and the second, dated 11th September 2015, inviting attendance at consultation events on 25th September (Ramsgate) and 26th September (Sandwich). RESOLUTION: That this information be noted.

17.09.15 FINANCE

Members received and considered the following financial matters: (i) The certified Annual Return for Sandwich Town Council for the year ended 31st March 2015 and associated correspondence. RESOLUTION: That this information be noted. (ii) The Statement of Accounts as at 31st August 2015. RESOLUTION: That this information be noted.

(iii) A report from Miss Laura Fidler, Town Clerk, regarding the town noticeboard on No Name Street. RESOLUTION: That the quote from Sandwich Joinery & Building for remedial repairs to the noticeboard, for £400.00 plus VAT, be accepted.

18.09.15 HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORTATION & PARKING

Members received and considered the following matters: (i) An invitation for one representative of Sandwich Town Council to attend the KCC Highways & Transportation Parish & Town Council Seminar on 5th November 2015. RESOLUTION: Cllr Holloway will attend on behalf of the Council. (ii) An email dated 18th September 2015 from Stephanie Wadhams, Highway Operations Engineer (Dover) – KCC Highways & Transportation, regarding preparations for winter. The Council considered whether to purchase salt bins for installation around Sandwich which KCC could then fill with a salt-sand mix free of charge, or to request a one tonne bag of salt/sand mix from KCC (and if so, where this should be stored and how it should be distributed in periods of bad weather). It was confirmed that KCC/DDC already grit/salt the bus routes in Sandwich and the Guildhall Forecourt. RESOLUTION: The Council will not purchase salt bins. (iii) A response to the KCC consultation on street lighting – specifically, whether the Council would prefer the current level of service provided by part-night lighting, or all-night lighting. RESOLUTION: KCC will be informed that the Town Council fully supports all-night street lighting. Details of the consultation will also be put on the Town Council’s website. (iv) A report by Cllr Charles Miller regarding the parking survey undertaken by Cllr Miller on behalf of Sandwich Town Council. A copy of a letter sent on 12th August 2015 by the Mayor to Roger Walton, Director of Environment & Corporate Assets – DDC, was also attached for information and it was noted that there has been no response from Mr Walton to this letter. Cllr Bragg noted that the data

collected by Cllr Miller is far superior to that which is being used by DDC to inform the current Parking Survey. RESOLUTION: Cllr Miller will be congratulated on his initiative and hard work. When all the data has been collected Cllr Miller and the Town Team should assess this information together to see how this data can support the wider work on traffic that KCC and DDC are progressing through the Stakeholders Working Group. This should happen before sending the data separately to DDC to inform the DDC Parking Survey which is currently underway. And recommendations/conclusions by Cllr Miller and the Town Team should be returned to the Town Council.

19.09.15 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Members received an email correspondence regarding development of the Neighbourhood Plan (latest email from the Mayor to Cllr Holloway and Richard Ralph dated 10th September 2015) and considered how to proceed, including the options set out by Cllr Holloway. The Mayor thanked Cllr Holloway and Mr Ralph for their incredible hard work to date and he fully understands that their work to solve traffic problems in the town is particularly time consuming at present. RESOLUTION: The Mayor knows of a person who might be interested in co-ordinating the Neighbourhood Plan. The matter will be deferred until the next meeting when the Mayor will report back whether this person is willing to undertake this role or not.

20.09.15 REFUGEE CRISIS Members considered a motion proposed by Cllr Wood for a community response to the current refugee crisis, specifically whether there was anything Sandwich Town Council and the community could do to provide aid for the migrants / refugees in Calais and whether Sandwich as a community could offer any assistance to either the Syrian refugees or the organisations supporting them. It was noted that Sandwich has a proud history of supporting refugees from many different places over hundreds of years and Cllr Bragg said that he would like to think that the current council would act as their predecessors would have in response to a humanitarian crisis. RESOLUTIONS: (i) The issue of support for the refugees within Syria will be deferred until the District Council has confirmed what support/role it will provide. (ii) Links with a legitimate organisation that helps provide essential supplies to the refugee camp in Calais will be investigated, with the possibility that the Guildhall could be used as a collection point.

21.09.15 SANDOWN ROAD ALLOTMENTS & SANDWICH TENNIS

CLUB Members received the notes taken at a meeting between representatives of Sandwich Town Council, Dover District Council, Sandwich Tennis Club and the Friends of Sandown Road Allotments on 11th September 2015. It was confirmed that the proposed parking area is not a planning stipulation from DDC, but may be in the future. RESOLUTION: The council approved in principle the proposals set out in the notes, including the lease agreement between DDC and the Friends of Sandown Road Allotments.

22.09.15 DEAL & SANDWICH COASTAL COMMUNITY TEAM

Members received an email, dated 15th September 2015, circulated by the Town Clerk, regarding the Deal & Sandwich Coastal Community Team, and considered future involvement with the Team. RESOLUTION: The Mayor will represent the Town Council on the Deal & Sandwich Coastal Community Team.

23.09.15 FORDWICH CIVIC SERVICE

Councillors considered attendance at the Fordwich Civic Service on Sunday 1st November 2015. Please note that the Mayor and Mayoress, Deputy Mayor and Escort, Town Sergeant and Town Clerk traditionally attend this Service every year, but that additional space is available for three councillors and their partners to attend. RESOLUTION: Cllrs Carter, Franklin and Watts (with partners if available) will attend the Fordwich Civic Service alongside the Mayor and Mayoress, Deputy Mayor and Escort, Town Sergeant and Town Clerk.

24.09.15 CORRESPONDENCE

Councillors received and considered the following items of correspondence: (i) Letter dated 21st August 2015 from Diane Croucher, Head of Regulatory Services – Dover District Council, regarding email notifications from the Licensing Team. RESOLUTION: That this information be noted. (ii) Email dated 15th September 2015 from Kim Hollingshead regarding access to fibre-optic broadband. At the time of the meeting access to fibre-optic broadband was variable across Sandwich, and at Mr Hollingshead’s address BT Openreach was still assessing whether or not the local cabinet could be upgraded to make superfast fibre-optic broadband available. RESOLUTION: A letter will be written to BT Openreach (iii) Email dated 31st August 2015 and letters forwarded by Dr JBW Webber, Chairman – Save Manston Airport Association, regarding the future of the former Kent International Airport site. RESOLUTION: A letter of support for Dr JBW Webber’s continued efforts will be written.

25.09.15 REPORT OF DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Cllr Butcher reported that:

- The use of Manston for Stage 3 of Operation Stack continues to cause great concern for DDC. - How to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis will be discussed soon. - There was a rumour that the new solar panels in Marshborough were to be removed. This is incorrect, the planning department reconsidered the application because some wording needed to be amended. The current site is much better than the previous sites that were proposed. - The Planning Committee have not considered anything recently within Sandwich.

Cllr Carter joined the meeting (having been at a meeting at DDC on behalf of the Town Council)

- Cllr Bragg queried whether there was any risk of the supermarket involved in the St. James Development at Dover withdrawing from the

project, and what impact that would have on the development. Cllr Butcher responded that DDC are confident that this investor in the site will not pull out. Sainsbury’s at Discovery Park have withdrawn their interest because the site is not econimcally viable for them, so close to their store at Westwood Cross. And the proposed supermarket on Deal Road is still progressing, but there are hold ups relating to the proposed pharmacy.

Cllr Carter reported that: - At the meeting for town and parish councils regarding Operation Stack (and the use of Manston) there was disappointment that representatives from KCC were not present. However Highways England, Thanet District Council, Kent Police and the Port of Dover were present to explain how Manston will be used when necessary. The intention is to have a police presence on every conflict/critical point along the A256, but there are not enough resources to cover every junction, signage will be used at several junctions. Police will be assisted by a system called "Blue Tooth vehicles" which has been installed along the A256 and which will enable fixed deployment of police at the critical points along the A256 to track and monitor lorry movements from Manston, so should a lorry deviate, the police can pick this up immediately and respond. Cllr Holloway will confirm that the assurances given to Craig Mackinlay MP by central government, that entrance points to Sandwich would be protected from unnecessary HGVs, are still going to be implemented; he will inform the MP if this is not the case. Cllr Holloway reported that: - He is working closely with Cllr Paul Watkins (Leader of the Council, DDC) on traffic issues in the town. - Long overdue repairs and maintenance work at the Barbican will take place in early October. - The framework for the new lease and financial agreement between DDC and Sandwich Town Cricket Club, for the Gazen Salts ground, is close to completion. - Further actions regarding a site adjacent to the Butts are being investigated. - Dredging of the Ropewalk is due to take place soon. - He has helped mediate a planning dispute on Upper Strand Street. The applicant is going to submit new plans, which will be acceptable to the neighbours.

26.09.15 REPORT FROM MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT An update from Craig Mackinlay was not available. 27.09.15 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 26th October 2015, at 7pm, in the Council Chamber, Guildhall (Ordinary Meeting).