New decision on newsletter
THE parish council has changed its decision to spend £200 towards funding the Madginford Neighbourhood Watch newsletter after a voting mix-up in the previous meeting. Members narrowly voted to put the cash towards print-
ing 390 six-sided newsletters twice a year, but it was es- tablished, shortly after the December meeting, that the votes had been counted incorrectly. As a result, the council held a discussion at the follow-
The Villager
MEMBERS agreed to raise the parish precept by 5.5% to help develop a fund to safeguard land in and around Bearsted. Councillors want to build up
an account that would be used to eventually purchase land for the benefit of current and future generations. It was agreed to transfer £4,500 profit from last sum- mer’s Music on the Green event and to increase the precept by £5,000 to give the account an initial £9,500 that would be added to over the years. The precept will increase to £95,000, constituting a £1.37 rise for Band D residents, who will now pay £26.07 for the parish element of their council tax.
Elderly meal to be
re-scheduled A PRE-CHRISTMAS meal for elderly residents is to be rescheduled after it was snowed off. PCSO Jim Stevens and com- munity warden Dawn Riach- Brown had organised the event and secured funding for around 50 or 60 residents, who live alone, to enjoy a free festive meal at Madginford Hall. It will nowtake place sometime in the winter. Ms Riach-Brown said: “Only
the cream and vegetables went to waste. All of the other food was saved.”
ing month’s meeting, where it was established that a dou- ble-sided newsletter could appear in the parish magazine, which is produced four times a year, at a cost of £66. It was resolved to suggest this cheaper arrangement to NHW co-ordinator Les Ethridge.
Parish precept raised to fund land safeguard plan
Trees may have to go to help save Mote Hall
Fencework request
to deter criminals A LETTER was to be sent to an owner of a home in Grenadier Close requesting them to repair a fence to help prevent criminal activity. In April 2010, the parish council ex-
pressed concerns regarding the health and safety of young people using the gap between the garages at Merton Road to gain access to Downswood. On hearing of a report of fishing equip-
ment being stolen from one of the garages, it was agreed to send out the let- ter and request a meeting with Maidstone Council to discuss the matter further as council- lors felt the felled fence was en- couraging unscrupulous people to enter the area.
Members lead way
on clean-up mission PARISH councillors have put their backs into the task of keeping Bearsted clean, and now want members of the pub- lic to help them. Members undertook a day of
litter picking, weeding, bush clipping and other odd jobs on Saturday, January 29. Council- lors hope to be joined by resi- dents when they go out on Saturday February 26. Contact the clerk if you are interested. Meanwhile, the parish coun-
THE council is considering three quotes of £3,000-plus to remove trees that are damag- ing Mote Hall – home of Stop KIG’s Richard Ashness. Several self-seeded syca-
more trees in the Holy Cross Church car park have grown to a large size, forcing Mr Ashness to underpin the foundations of his property. The council is looking into
the idea of replacing them with native species. Cllr John Hughes said: “It
will initially look dramatic because of getting rid of all of those trees, but we will get smaller indigenous tress. “It could improve an area
that is the gateway to Bearsted Woodland Trust. It is a bit of a bold project but the money is in the budget.”
Flats deal may pay for lighting
COUNCILLOR Richard Ash confirmed that no Section 106 money from the Lipscomb Volvo car dealership development would be made available for a project to provide new lighting and resurfac- ing of Church Landway. Cllr Ash, who is also a cabinet member for Maidstone Council,
was hoping that the scheme would be funded through a £31,500 Section 106 contribution payable from the Lipscomb development of 20 flats on the junction of Ashford Road and CavendishWay.
Hall extension lottery idea
AN application may be made to the Big Lottery Fund to pay for an extension of Madginford Hall to gain more storage. The youth club is well attended but ac- tivities are limited, due to lack of storage. Youth committee chairman Cllr Pat Mar- shall is looking into the lottery’s Reaching Communities project, which grants money – between £100,000 and £500,000 – to ren- ovate existing community buildings. Another option would be to approach the neighbouring primary school to see if it is willing to erect a shed on its land.
Best wishes to Heather
MEMBERS offered their bestwishes to ward Cllr Heather Langley, who had been unable to attend borough council meetings through illness. Cllr Langley was given Maidstone Council dispensation to carry on represent- ing Bearsted after her six-month absence from meetings was blamed on illness.
Call to repair large pothole PARISH Cllr Pat Marshall was trying to get KCC to repair a large pothole in Madginford Road. “It is the biggest one I have ever seen,” said chairman Cllr Chris Dyke.
This page is sponsored and edited by:
Bearsted Parish Council
www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk
16 East Chairman:
cil is inviting applications for the paid position of litter- picker. The self employed posi- tion will involve a minimum10 hours per week to be paid at minimum wage. Applications should be sent to the parish clerk.
Alert to residents
after oil thefts PCSO JIM Stevens urged mem- bers of the public to be on their guard following a number of thefts of heating oil. He said a surge in prices had
led to thieves actively targeting fuel tanks at farms, transport depots and domestic proper- ties. A series of incidents had oc- curred in areas such as Grafty Green and Stockbury. PCSO Stevens advised residents to obscure tanks from view and to secure them with a quality lock.
Fright from snowball attack COUNCILLOR Richard Ash recalled his fear at having his house snowballed during the cold weather. He said: “On two occasions I was sitting
in the lounge and suddenly I heard a crash against the window. “I am not easily frightened but it was
quite frightening to sit and watch television and hear a crash against the window.” PCSO Jim Stevens said that cases of anti-
social behaviour were “sky-high” during the wintry weather. He added: “There were lots of calls about snow-related incidents.”
Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: E-Mail:
01622 630165
clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Chris Dyke
Visit Downs Mail’s website —
downsmail.co.uk Clerk: Helen Elstone
MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAYOFMONTH (7.30) AND THE PUBLIC IS VERYWELCOME
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