DownsMail In touch with your parish


would start collating minutes etc ready for submission. The first Citizens Advice Bu-


reau session held at Marden had been busy for the whole two hours. A copy of the drainage report


on Lucks Way had been circu- lated to councillors and a DVD of the drainage system was shown at the meeting. There was a problem with one of the pipes and the information was to be forwarded to the parish’s solicitor for discussions with Maidstone Council. The clerk and assistant


needed several items for the new office, including a small lockable cupboard and shred- der. It was agreed that pur- chases could be made to the value of £250. The parish’s representative at


KCC’s rail summit told the meeting that the council was relatively happy with the car park extension and changes to the timetables but was worried that future cutbacksmight affect Marden. It was proposed that a salt bin should be sited at the Church Green shops. Councillors sug- gested that medical centre staff speak to the village caretaker to undertake winter maintenance independent of the parish coun- cil’s work. The council complimented


Kent Highway Services for re- pairing the hole outside the Chi- nese restaurant in Maidstone Road so quickly. The next police surgery to be


held by PCSO Pete Gardner was earmarked for February 19 at the parish meeting room. The parish council surgery will be held at the same time.


Toilet contract COUNCILLOR Paul Kelly re- ported that funding existed in the budget to put a hand-drier in the ladies’ toilet and three quotes for tiling the toilets were being obtained. The standard of cleaning was questioned. Residents’ ongoing com-


Staplehurst Council


plaints of flooding in Frittenden Road and a response from Southern Water were noted. It was agreed to follow up with a letter to SouthernWater as other pumping stations in the area were also similarly affected. It was noted that police speed


check signs were only used for fixed speed cameras or police monitoring point so could not be installed. Councillor Peter Spearink re- ported that the request for a zebra crossing in Marden Road had been dropped as it would cost about £27,000. He queried whether KCC Cllr Eric Hotson’s highway fund could cover this. A memorial seat in memory of Michael Allen had been re-


quested. It was agreed to recom- mend a site for the seat be of- fered at the Cranbrook Road bus stop, near Hallwards. Councillor Margaret Arger re- ported that the council’s recom- mendation on the app- lication to extend Staplehurst Golf Course in Cradducks Lane had changed to refusal in the light of more detailed informa- tion. It was felt that highway and pedestrian safety would be compromised due to the narrow width of Frittenden Road, which had no footways or for- mal passing places; Frittenden Road was not considered suit- able for the volume and size of vehicles; concern was ex- pressed at flooding and drainage issues; it was thought that discrepancies existed on the amount of infill to be brought in and lorry move- ments. The points of concern raised last June were also reiter- ated in relation to issues of screening, flooding, drainage and liaison. Councillors agreed to proceed


with a replacement panel, new box and float switches for Ju- bilee Sports Field at a total cost of £1,435. MBC’s recommendation not to


plant a hedge in the Staple Drive play area was noted and accepted. Cllr John Reardon agreed to liaise with a resident regarding this. Councillors noted the request


for a donation to cover the hall hire costs for this year’s Staple- hurst Arts Festival. Members agreed to fund 50% of the amount given in 2009, which was £450. It was suggested that the organisers should access other funding streams. Councillors noted the progress made to clear Clapper FarmLane and gave a vote of thanks to Mr Linaker for his ad- vice and work on this. Aresident’s complaint regard-


ing hedge-cutting and punc- tured bicycle tyres was noted. The contractor would be re- quested to sweep the road fol- lowing hedge-cutting in future. The outstanding repairs to


play equipment at Surrenden Playing Field was noted. It was agreed to obtain three quotes for the parts. Following a presentation from


MBC community development team manager Jim Boot, it was agreed to write to village groups garnering support for the “Up Rockin” skaters’ festival, possi- bly to be held in Staplehurst this summer. Councillors raised an objec-


tion to the proposed redevelop- ment of existing equestrian building to form two units (a barn and an oast house) of holi- day accommodation at Duck- hurst Farm, Clapper Lane. The proposals were considered an over-intensification of the


whole site and would have a detrimental effect on neigh- bouring property. The increased height from single to double storey was an issue of concern. The clerk circulated informa-


tion about tourist signs, which cost £195 per application. Con- cern had been expressed by res- idents of Chickenden Lane that the memorial had increased traffic flows and improved sig- nage would not be welcome. Councillors recommended that details about the memorial were put on the website instead. After some minor updating of


recent and anticipated expendi- ture, the fourth draft budget was predicting a new precept of £81,300, which would cost each Band D household an addi- tional 10p per week more than the current year. The final pre- cept recommendation would need to be adopted at a later meeting.


Sutton Valence Council


Play save


SINCE the war memorial play area scheme had started, the cost of some play equipment had increased (one by £1,230). In view of the shortfall in fund- ing, the clerk asked the project manager to source similar equipment at a cheaper price. The outcome was a reduction in price on the remaining equip- ment of £1,695 from the original lower prices. Mr Heath explained his idea


for a farmers’ market to be held at Sutton Valence Village Hall, either once a month or every other week on a Saturday from April to October. The parish council was happy to support this venture. Mr Heath suggested a street


party for the royal wedding. Councillors were happy for this to proceed with their support on the understanding that be- cause of a lack of members it was not something that the parish council could be respon- sible for organising. After much discussion it was agreed to set the precept at £25,000 – an increase of £3,000, which is the amount it was as- sumed concurrent functions would be cut next year. To have no real increase in the budget, councillors decided that the football club, pavilion, allot- ments and tennis club must be self-funding. Members resolved to transfer


£200 from the contingency fund to cover increases in litter clearance. It was agreed that a working


party would liaise with the Mulheirn family regarding the sun dial. If it was to be posi- tioned at Bowhalls, planning permission would be needed. It was agreed that the clerk


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


would liaise with Cllr Taylor for a cheaper option than the quote of £239 plus VAT for The Har- bour fence repair. The clerk was to contact the current contractor and ascertain whether he still wishes to continue with the contract. In the meantime, S Waring would be asked to cut back the greenery in Lambes Garden, which was obstructing the footpath in Lower Road. Since next year’s rental was


agreed at the allotment annual meeting, a high water bill had been received. Following a dis- cussion it was agreed that the rentals would now go up to £25 for a full allotment.


W. Farleigh Council Tree order


COUNCILLOR Merritt updated all present on the current situa- tion with the felling of pro- tected trees in Church Lane.A pre-application meeting had taken place with Guy Stephens fromMBC’s landscape team and the subsequent letter had been misinterpreted as approval for removing the trees. The work had been completed under in- struction of Rookery Estates. MBC responded by saying that it did not wish to take legal ac- tion at this time due to the mis- take, but that Rookery Estates had a legal obligation to replace them with the same species in the same place, and these would then be automatically protected by the original tree preservation order. The residents renting Tut-


sham Farm spoke about vehi- cles using Mill Lane. They claimed that they have discour- aged people from using the lane, although Satnavs direct vehicles along this route. Cllr Bruce Scott confirmed that there had been an improvement in the volume of use. The resi- dents said they would be fitting a combination lock to the gate so dustmen and other services would still be able to gain ac- cess. A representative from West Farleigh Junior Football Club enquired whether it would be possible to park on the parish field. Cllr Scott reported that he had spoken to MBC, who had said that planning permission would be required; he offered to discuss this matter further with borough Cllr Brian Mortimer. Councillors raised concerns regarding the water building up on Teston Lane near the foot- path. It had been pouring over the wall during heavy rain. Cllr Merritt commented that a per- manent repair would be re- quired in the future and the situation would need to be monitored. The fireworks display had


been considered a huge success with all 960 tickets being sold.


South 31


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