tribution where required. It was reported that Gibbs Hill had been snow-ploughed for the first time and that both salt bins along Gibbs Hill had been stolen. This would be reported to KHS. Kiddiwinks’ new building


was finished and this would free up the village hall for more daytime clubs and events. It was hoped that the income from increased use would contribute towards the cost of replacing the roof.


Hours complaint BOROUGH Cllr Matthew Bal- four was asked about the Brick- works operating outside what were understood to be re- stricted hours. The parish coun- cil had raised a complaint but was getting no response. Cllr Balfour agreed to look into whether this was an enforce- ment matter. Parking on pavements in Chapel Close was discussed. This had been raised before, but due to the width of the road, cars must park on the pavement to allow emergency vehicles to pass. It was reported that cars were parking on the bend outside the Duke of Wellington pub. This would be discussed with Kent Highway Services. The potholes on Chapel Street


Ryarsh Council


were not at “intervention” level yet so no action would be taken by KHS. Road markings at Birling


Road, outside the Duke of Wellington, needed replacing. Flooding on Birling Road out-


side the primary school had been reported. The gulleys would be cleaned, then CCTV used to assess the problem. The catchment pit in Sandy


Lane was supposed to be emp- tied every other week, but had not been emptied since the work was completed in the summer. The clerk would raise this with KHS. The clerk would report flood-


ing at the bottom ofWorkhouse Road where a channel needed to be dug.


Snodland Council Grants agreed


It was agreed by the policy committee that a grant of £75 be made to the Triangle Awards, and £100 each to the Volunteer Bureau, Victim Support, Med- way Valley Community Rail Partnership and £100 to the Crime Prevention Panel. It was agreed that the council should work with the commu- nity association to renew the lease for the community centre nowrather than wait until it ex- pires in four years as this would make it easier to seek grants.


DownsMail In touch with your parish Concerns had been expressed


New fire prevention equip-


ment was required. New fire doors at the cricket pavilion and at the Devonshire Rooms were agreed. Members of staff would attend


a fire prevention training course. The provision of fire alarms at the cricket pavilion and museum will be reported to the next meeting. The council agreed to make


up the money raised from the 10K run to £100. This would go to the boxing club. A further quotation for new lighting at the games pitch was received. Subject to some checks taking place this, or a previous quotation, would pro- ceed. The committee expressed thanks for her service to Cllr Sonia Boakes who has resigned from the council after four years. It was agreed not to co- opt a replacement as there were only a few months until the full elections in May. Councillors considered howit


might be possible to make pre- sentations to residents who gave some special help or to allow the council to mark special oc- casions by presentations such as flowers. The council has no mechanism to make small gifts and the chairman advised that at times he had to make dona- tions out of his own pocket. The clerk advised that the usual mechanism for this was to have an expenditure item called “chairman’s expenses” but the meeting felt that this could be misunderstood by the public and asked that the matter be re- ferred to the internal auditor to see what method he suggested.


Trottiscliffe Council Path solution


THE clerk had been in contact with the public rights of way of- ficer regarding footpath MR187 and it was felt that the “squeeze” at both ends would stop the horses if the fence was brought up to either side. The clerk would speak to the farmer. The memorial bench to be presented by a local family was ready for installation. The item of play equipment, also to be donated, had yet to be decided upon. It was agreed to organise an official handover in due course. The following planning ap- plications were considered: land forming part of Addington quarry, new electricity generat- ing stations and overhead lines – no objections; land south of Walnut Tree Farm, Addington Lane, details pursuant to plan- ning conditions, concerns ex- pressed; Ford Place, Ford Lane, porch and canopy – no objec- tions; replacement visitor centre for country park – no objec- tions.


that the decking on the mobile home at Trosley Farm had not been removed and a post box had been erected and rubbish bins outside. This had been re- ported to the borough’s enforce- ment officer. A resident had complained


about foxes fouling the gardens and pavement. Although the council was sympathetic, it was not within its remit to deal with this problem.


Salt response


Wateringbury Council


A DISAPPOINTING response had been received to the parish’s application for road salt bins at strategic places. County Cllr Richard Long would follow this up. The Speedwatch team was


congratulated for its excellent work in making the village roads safer. In one week, six fol- low-up letters had been sent by the police and four excessive speeders warned. More volun- teers would still be needed. Councillors were pleased


with the general appearance of the cemetery. The gate from the car park was in need of repair and this would be organised by the clerk. The Sports and Recreational Association would be giving a presentation on its activities and work for the village at the council’s February meeting. It was reported that there had


been four crimes in the village in the last month – the use of a fraudulent cheque to buy a used car, the theft of EDF cable and two incidents of criminal dam- age. One was connected to the cable theft and one related to a smashed window in a parked car. In reply to a resident’s request


for an update on the Drayhorse Meadow planning appeal, the chairman reported that the hear- ing had been moved to London but no date had been fixed. It was pointed out that a vehi-


cle which had been parked in Bow Road for some weeks did not appear to have a current road tax disc on display and that two of the tyres were flat. The following planning ap- plications were discussed: erec- tion of orangery/conservatory to side of 242 Tonbridge Road; rear roof terrace with ballustrading at 191 Tonbridge Road and ex- tension at 19 Barming Road.


Missing paving


West Malling Council


THE CLERK was asked to report to Kent Highways that the block paving outside the Bombay Cui- sine in the High Street had still not been reinstated.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


Members were very apprecia-


tive of the hard work of the bor- ough council’s street cleaner. The clerk was to contact the borough to express members’ thanks. The clerk was to write to the


borough’s environmental health officers to express members’ concerns that food waste from the rain Grill kebab shop consti- tuted a health hazard. Problems involving young people were reported. These in- cluded youngsters running across the zebra crossing, forc- ing vehicles to stop abruptly and then making rude gestures, and youths congregating on the ashy path and dropping rub- bish. The clerk was to inquire about a dispersal order, CCTV and if a youth worker could be deployed inWest Malling. It was agreed to donate £1,700 to the Christmas lights group.


West Peckham Council


Royal party


CHAIRMAN Cllr Mark Freed suggested a celebration on the village green of the royal wed- ding and Tina Freed had offered to organise the event. The coun- cil agreed unanimously and thanked her for her kind offer. She will now head the commit- tee for the event, which will take place on April 29. County Cllr Richard Long


asked for comments on the Win- ter Plan, which had come into effect in recent weeks. The council acknowledged the com- munication had been very good with regular email updates. Concerns were expressed that the A26, Seven Mile Lane and the road into Kings Hill had not been gritted despite the forecast. Special thanks were given to Cllr R Wright for his hard work in helping to grit the Parsons Corner area. Mereworth Road was very snowy and icy for a few days with a gritter being un- able to get down the road. With regard to Hugh Lowe


Farm polytunnels application, the chairman said the planning committee had several issues with the revised application. More information had been re- quested from Tonbridge and Malling Council and a complete and detailed response would be presented to the parish council for approval at its January meet- ing.


No objections were made to a planning application for the conversion of two buildings into two dwellings at Trevalia Farm, Swanton Road. KCC had confirmed that the parish council was allowed to place signs at the end of the byway MR362 and public foot- path MR361 (behind Dukes Place) to encourage motorcy- clists to slow down.


Malling 31


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