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DownsMail In touch with your parish The clerk advised that a letter


offer no comment. An email request for the use


of Parsonage Meadow for a wedding and to land a helicop- ter on Saturday, September 3, was agreed.


Hunton Council Traffic petition


APARISHIONER had contacted the council regarding the speed and volume of traffic in West Street. Members shared the res- ident’s concerns. Cllr Porter suggested that a link with neighbouring Yalding and Lin- ton parish councils would pro- vide additional support. It was agreed that it would be benefi- cial to obtain an expert opinion to establish what needs to be done and borough councillors Brian Mortimer and Colin Parr offered to contact KHS. Councillors noted that Kent Highway Services had agreed to fill the bin on Redwall Lane/ George Street. Other salt bins in the parish were identified as a mobile bin on Barn Hill and a static bin at the bottom of Bish- ops Lane. It was reported that the emp-


tying of the bins on King George’s Field continued to be a problem. A member of the cricket club had to empty the bins on occasion, despite assur- ances from Maidstone Council that the bins were being emp- tied.


The poor state of the village


hall car park was noted. Mem- bers agreed that professional ad- vice should be obtained. The organisation of the Hunton Spring Fete 2011 will be a joint effort between the King George’s Field Manage- ment Committee, the Hunton Parish Plan Steering Committee and the Friends of St Mary’s. Cllr Mortimer had received a request from a young parish- ioner asking for more play equipment and a basketball hoop at the recreation ground. Cllr Eatwell stated that when the King George’s Field Man- agement Committee was formed, the intention was to im- prove the play equipment, but this had been postponed until the Bensted Close to Village Hall footpath had been put in place. As this was now in hand, funds from the village fete could be used to provide new play equipment. Cllr Mortimer reported that


borough councillors’ devolved budgets were to be discontin- ued and offered £200 toHunton Parish Council, as did Cllr Parr. On February 12, the results


from the analysis of the parish plan questionnaires will be pre- sented at the village hall. The plan is to be launched on June 25 to coincide with the village fete.


30 South


had been received from Clive Baxter of J L Baxter & Son to en- quire whether members had re- ceived any complaints about the number of HGVs, following the erection of signage on East Street. Complaints had indeed been received.


Langley Council Table outlay


FOLLOWING a request from the Village Hall Management Com- mittee, it was agreed to pur- chase two trolley tables at £164.50 each. It was noted that a planning


application for an extension at Crystal Hollies, 4 Heathfield, was a resubmission and it was agreed to respond with no com- ment to Maidstone Council. The following decisions had


been approved with conditions by the borough council: The Coach House, Sutton Road – retrospective application for the replacement of 1.8m high fence with 1.8m high brick wall; Lan- gley Park Farm, Sutton Road – listed building consent for in- ternal and external alterations. PCSO Richard Kirby provided


crime details, which were a burglary other than dwelling at Sutton Road with all stolen items returned, and a silver three-ton trailer, hand tools and plants/shrubs stolen from the driveway of a house in Sutton Road. A quote was awaited for fenc-


ing at the allotments. It was noted that the gong on


the multi-play equipment had fallen off or was vandalised. The equipment had been made safe and repairs would be car- ried out under warranty. The Village Hall representa-


tive reported that the Crown and Horseshoes pub had re- quested to tender for the hall. Halloween and Christmas events would be arranged in 2011.


There were 46 people regis-


tered for computer training. An initial idea for remodel-


ling the village hall, possibly to incorporate a separate changing room for the referee and a parish office, was discussed. It was agreed the proposals should be put to the manage- ment committee.


Linton Council Play phase


PHASE one of the playground refurbishment had been com- pleted and had come in under budget. The chairman com- mented on how well it all looked. Details of additional grants/donations towards the cost of phase two were given, which totalled £7,895 – £1,400 less than the estimated cost. It was agreed to write to larger


local businesses to seek dona- tions towards the shortfall. Following the announcement


of his retirement from Kent Po- lice, itwas agreed to write to PC Gary Shaw, who did not attend the meeting as he was on holi- day in Nepal, thanking him for his help and support over many years as the neighbourhood po- liceman. It was reported that 15ft of


lead had been stolen from the church roof. The Neighbourhood Watch scheme had received a £100 grant from local borough mem- bers that would be used for the purchase of and installation of additional signs. Concern was again expressed


at the condition of Westerhill, which the council was assured had been reported.Acouncillor agreed to report it again to Kent Highway Services and to draw attention to a section of Lod- dington Lane that increasingly needed attention. The damaged bollard at the northern gateway of the A229 had been replaced. The continued improvement


atWeatherstones was noted but concern was expressed about the series of white stones that had appeared in the grass verge just above Wheelers Lane. A working party had cleared


the outside of the village hall and given the telephone box a spring clean. It was reported that the allot-


ments had gained three new plot-holders – two from Cox- heath, one from Loose – since the start of the tenancy year in October. The tenant of another plot had to give up through ill health, to be replaced by a newly-arrived resident of Lin- ton. Three requests for sheds had been agreed.


Loose Council Allotment plea


A MEMBER of the public ex- pressed his dismay at the long waiting list at the allotments. He felt Loose residents paying the precept should be given the chance to have an allotment plot within their own parish. It was also mentioned that allot- ments are important for the local community and that it does not seem fair that other people from other areas have priority. It was explained by parish chairman Cllr Vianne Gibbons that only a small amount of the precept goes to- wards any repair works to the site, but that most expenditure comes from the fees levied from the allotment holders. It was also mentioned that in previous years it was difficult for plots to be filled, so non-parishioners were invited to take them. It was announced that Loose had come within the top 10 vil-


lages in Kent in the Trees in the Village competition 2010. The parish had been awarded a tree to the value of £15. Cllr Roy Hood was to decide on the tree and to arrange planting in the same line of trees and location as last year, off the A229 Linton Road/Old Loose Hill. Following the theft of the


cash machine at Lloyds Bank at the top of Cripple Street, community warden Liz Lovatt advised that anyone who sees a JCB being driven on the road at odd times of the day or night should report it to police. Concerns were raised about a


vandalised grave in the churchyard at All Saints’ Church. Ms Lovatt asked whether


Loose might have a suitable site for recycling items such as glass, clothing etc. Maidstone Council would keep the area clean. Consideration would have to be given to residents re- garding noise and litter. Concerns were raised by resi-


dents regarding scrapmetal and other rubbish in the Well Street area. PCSO Richard Chaney stated


that Loose was among the low- est in Maidstone for crime rates, but anything suspicious or causing concern to residents should be reported. Cllr Hood mentioned trees


being hacked on the A229 without any consultation. Di- anne Cunningham, MBC team leader for heritage landscape and design, had been made aware of the situation. The Big Lottery Community


Wildlife fund application for Brooks Field was to include both parts of the project; pond de-silting and clearing and planting for a coppice. It was confirmed that the £1,000 that was allowed for in this year’s budget was to be used for pub- lic consultation of such works. Cllr Hood mentioned possi-


ble road works on Old Loose Hill concerning drainage, and said there were telephone ca- bles under the surface. The clerk was asked to find out more.


Sleeping rough COMMUNITY warden Mira Martin reported incidents of anti-social behaviour regarding scrap metal dealers and car re- pairs and that a caravan was being stored at Chantry Road/The Cockpit area in a parking bay outside flats. She had also spoken to a person found sleeping rough at the cemetery and hoped the situa- tion had been resolved. The council was due for Quality Parish Council reac- creditation in November 2011. It was agreed that the clerk


Marden Council Have you got news for us? Phone our News Desk on 01622 734735


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