Meeting Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received, noted and accepted from Cllrs Damodaran, McGregor, Read and Sumner.

None.

None.

Resolved: that the minutes of the Town Council meeting held on 05 December 2022 be duly signed by the Chairman of the meeting as a true and accurate record of the meeting; pages 9829-9836.

Cllr McArthur mentioned Kent County Council (KCC) continued to work on its budgets. It was consulting on the Council assets looking at the possibilities to amend and relocate where running costs were excessive particularly, away from older buildings. There would be some changes to Adult and Children Services, but minimal impact for Edenbridge and West Kent. The withdrawal of a number of bus services including the E1 which terminates in February, was disappointing. She mentioned that the Members grant budget was being slashed, but she still had some available for the current year should there be any local causes needing support.

Cllr McArthur gave an update on Sevenoaks District Council (SDC) refuse changes. There had been huge challenges over the past few weeks which had resulted in some roads missed on the refuse collection rounds, this was partly due to a broken station grabber meaning longer time to empty freighters. However, on a plus the new routes were already seeing positive results with good savings on fuel. SDC was launching a ‘no idling’ campaign for school traffic. Voter ID campaign was also being launched.

Resolved: to adopt the minutes of the meetings and numbered - Planning & Transportation Committee – 12 December (9837-9840); Planning Committee – 9 January (9841-9843).

Resolved: to adopt the minutes of the meetings and numbered - 28 November; Public Recreation Ground Blossoms Park (9825); The Recreation Ground Lingfield Road (9826); The Norman Foundation (9827); Grants (9828).

Resolved: to adopt the minutes of the meeting and numbered – 21 November (9821-9824).

Received. It was noted that works for the new 40 mph buffer zone for Main Road/Marlpit Hill end was expected to start mid-February.

The Annual Meeting and the first meeting of the new Council would now take place on Monday 15 May (previously advertised as 10 May).

A letter from a resident who had been producing annual detailed Wildlife Reports at riverside fields south-west of the town, had advised that they were no-longer able to continue with this.

Members agreed the Clerk to write and express their appreciation for the detailed and interesting reports produced over several years.

Received

Members noted that Church House fascia required rendering and agreed this should take priority

Received

Members considered the Precept and the Band D equivalent. With the higher tax base, maintaining a 5% increase would provide some additional Precept revenue to help future proof the reserves. Also, the budget had applied some estimates for inflation, but mostly the budget assumed similar costs (with some savings). Utilities for the buildings were in contract until June 2025, but the street lighting would see increases from 1 April 2023.

Two proposals were presented and voted on, to increase the Band D by 5%, or to reflect the December draft budget statement which indicated 3.05%. Members voted, a majority of 7:2,

Resolved: to maintain the 5% increase to the Band D equivalent for 2023-24 to £180.43, an increase of £0.71p per month/or £8.59 annually, and a Precept total of £702,217.

Noted. Cllr Todd thanked the Clerk and the Working Group Members for attending meetings and working on the Council’s response to the consultation. The consultant had provided some extremely useful advice.

Members considered the new information

Members unanimously, Resolved: to continue to monitor and carry out repointing works as noted in the most recent and current report (and overseen by the Open Spaces Committee)

Members, Resolved: to continued use of Rickards Hall to the Food Bank on Tuesday mornings, free of charge. They also confirmed this should be reviewed annually.

Members noted since the December meeting and initial quote, four other companies had been approached for a second opinion. Only two had responded, both would charge an initial fee for a survey, £345 plus VAT being the lower of two.

Members noted the Buildings Manager recommendation

Members unanimously, Resolved: to proceed with the first report and quote for wood boring treatment to Church House, Rickards Hall and Doggetts Barn and the expenditure of £4,250 plus VAT.

Cllr Layland provided an update from the Working Group. It was noted that advice from Buckingham Palace and central government had been limited. The Group had been looking at the viability of an event and had discussions with an event company, and was also considering lighting of the beacon, but was awaiting confirmation from the Palace if and when these may take place. Once details were released, the Group would put a proposal to Council (probably at an extra meeting of the Council).

This was deferred until a full proposal could be considered.

Members noted whilst the current site had had considerable work with rewriting and updating content and held a lot of information, it did require modernisation, better pathways, and Accessibility improvements. Upgrading and redesign of the website had been on the Forward Plan since 2018. Two quotes had been received, one from the designer who designed the visitedenbridge tourism site and another from a reputable councils website designer.

Members unanimously, Resolved: the expenditure of £2,000 for a new improved redesigned Council website; and for the Town Clerk to select the web-designer.

Members discussed if there was need to change the Council’s logo. As referenced in the Town Clerk’s report, the Clerk said following discussions with the Communications Officer and in view of other projects which included producing notices and posters, they both believed that this should be considered now and would also fit with the potential review and redesign of the website. A new logo would include some branding guidelines helping to establish more credibility and recognition for the Council’s work. Two quotes had been obtained ranging from £650 to £,2,500. Members continued to discuss at length. It was noted the current logo did not include the Council’s name, that the quality of the crest was poor and the pixels did not replicate well on modern platforms.

Members unanimously, Resolved: the expenditure of £650 to create a suitable Council logo and branding with usage guidelines document on putting visual identity into practice. It was noted that Council would be consulted on the design

Members noted that in 2018, Council had supported the nomination of The Swan Inn to be included on the register of Assets of Community Value

Members unanimously, Resolved: renewing the listing of The Swan Inn and submitting a new nomination form.

Members discussed potential themes and agreed to nominate a Working Group to work with the Town Clerk to confirm speakers and topics. Members appointed to the Group were: Cllrs Baker, Gemmell Smith, Layland, Lloyd and Todd.

Noted

Noted

Cllrs Baker and Layland had attend the PACT meeting

Following discussion at the PACT meeting, residents had requested Council to consider ANPR cameras for the High Street. However, unfortunately, what was not fully understood at the meeting is that town and parish councils do not have the powers to pursue or install these, and they are not speed cameras; these needed to be proposed by the Police. Edenbridge currently has two of these cameras which had been supported by the Council and installed by the Police

None

Precept and Budget 2023-24

To consider a screen in Doggetts Barn for meetings

Cllr McArthur provided a resume following a meeting she, Cllr Baker and the Town Clerk had attended, with the Town Clerk and Mayor of Swanley Town Council, to find out more about its new £250k concrete skate park. Swanley Council had already been engaging with youth groups and users of its existing skate facilities and knew that users were keen to see improved facilities. After consideration, Swanley Council engaged a consultant to outsource the full project. However, the concept used did not fully alleviate the Council’s fundraising and admin work. The contractor appointed for the skate park installation was fantastic and did deliver a high spec concrete skate park which the Town Council and the users of the facility are extremely delighted with.

Concrete skate parks are becoming extremely popular and particularly since skateboarding had become an Olympic sport in 2020. They are quieter than the wooden or metal ramps, are more aesthetically pleasing with the landscape, and extremely low maintenance. Swanley Town Council were fortunate that they had employed a fundraiser and office admin person who was extremely successful with grants; they also seek other grant opportunities for the Council.

Members showed interest in the potential for improved facilitates for Edenbridge and exploring external fundraising opportunities. It was noted that the philosophy for outsourcing may not be appropriate, but the Swanley example had shown the opportunities and potential to be able to deliver larger projects.

Members unanimously, Resolved: to appoint a ‘Task and Finish’ Group to explore the viability for externally funded projects, initially looking at a new concrete skate park including location, is there community appetite, compliance with Council procurement procedures, best way to proceed and viability. Members appointed to the T&G Group: Cllrs Aldridge, Baker, Gemmell Smith, Layland and McArthur.