DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 24


work would cost £80,000 and not £54,000 as originally envis- aged. It was resolved that up to £25,000 would be put towards the project from reserves and the remainder of the costs would be met through the 2011/2012 precept. County Cllr Richard Long had indicated that he might be able to secure a grant of £5,000. It was resolved that a dona-


tion of £25 each be awarded to Joseph Boyle and Ryan Parks of East Peckham Boys Brigade in appreciation of their efforts in hand-salting vulnerable parts of the village during the snow emergency. Members were advised that


the East Peckham Flood Group would be taking part in Exercise Watermark, a national emer- gency planning exercise being run by DEFRA from March 4 to 11. The group was planning to use the week to test the village’s preparedness for a flood event, to use the experience to im- prove the plan and to raise awareness of the need to con- sider flood resilience measures.


Kings Hill Council Youth meeting


A very positive multi-agency meeting regarding youth en- gagement had been held at Lib- erty. A suggestion for a drop-in centre for youths was being in- vestigated and a questionnaire was being prepared to ask what provision they wanted. It was reported that the broad-


band contract was signed and the final money paid. Tonbridge and Malling Coun-


cil was investigating parish council comments about the “Private” signs atWarrenWood nature reserve and an update would be given in due course. Organisers of the Music on


the Hill event had contacted the parish council and they ap- peared to be keen to communi- cate with the community to allay residents’ concerns. It was agreed to invite them to the March parish council meeting to discuss these. There had been a number of snowballing incidents centred mainly around Asda. There had also been complaints from the bus companies, about youths throwing snowballs at the buses and their drivers, which they were very concerned about. They had been advised to con- tact the PCSOs. County Cllr Richard Long had chased Kent Highways about the delay to the Discovery Drive pedestrian crossing and was awaiting a response. It was suggested that the parish council may need to fill some of the gaps in the KHS winter plan where it was un- likely that the county or Liberty


would take on an area. It was also suggested that volunteers be encouraged to clear residen- tial areas themselves and more details about current legislation should be given to people. The cost of purchasing a salt


bin and salt would be investi- gated. It was reported that the Kate Reed Wood Residents As- sociation has requested a one tonne salt bag and would reim- burse any costs. The precept for 2011/12 was


agreed as £151,381. There was a budget shortfall of £2,914 and after much discussion, it was agreed to reduce the amount for the Heath Farm allotment re- serve from the amenities com- mittee accordingly. It was reported that the Kings


Hill and Larkfield Community First Responders had requested funding for room hire for 2011 and for £1,310 for a defibrillator. It was agreed to fund one ses- sion of training per month in the youth hall at £70 per session from January 2011 to March 2012 but there were insufficient funds available in the donations budget to be able to fund the de- fibrillator.


Leybourne Council New bollards


IT was reported that the bol- lards were now in place on the A20 to protect against unautho- rised encampments and that they may look a little uneven due to the services under the ground in that area. It was also mentioned that the residents of Roundhay have a responsibility to ensure that the metal posts are in place to protect the rear entrance to the pumping sta- tion. It was agreed to proceed with drainage works on the multi- use games area. A councillor reported that his


car insurance company con- firmed he was not covered when travelling on parish busi- ness as part of the social, do- mestic and pleasure policy. Members were told they should check their insurance terms and report back if there was any in- crease to cover parish council business use. It was reported that residents


had been helping themselves from the salt bins. These had been specifically placed at loca- tions that were a particular risk and were not for private use. This information would be pub- lished on the website to remind residents as it prevents Kent Highways from clearing the more dangerous roads in Ley- bourne. It was suggested that the parish council have its own winter plan as it took KHS eight days to salt the pathway to the surgery. It was reported that the village hall site management


team was responsible for look- ing after the area outside the vil- lage hall and the parish council had taken the initiative and salted the surgery pathway. A more formal plan could be con- sidered in future. It was noted that a residentt


had complained to UK Power Networks about recent power outages in Castle Way. The work promised by the electric- ity company to protect the power lines by running them underground had still not been done. Residents were concerned that this issue needed to be ad- dressed urgently.


Mereworth Council Preceptset


IN view of increasing costs of services, the precept for 2011/12 has been set at £12,500. It was agreed that a £500 con- tingency should be made for parish council salt bins and supplies. It was agreed that the parish council was unable to fund play equipment for the Airfield es- tate but would seek grants. Rus- set Homes would be asked for three quotes. The new position of the bus


stop in The Street had been agreed with KCC and installa- tion of hardstanding was awaited. One salt bin had been pur- chased and installed in the churchyard. It had been filled with salt/sand and this had been used in The Street and Torrington Close. There was some dissatisfaction that rural roads were not being adequately treated and that the one-tonne bag provided by KHS at the vil- lage hall had been refilled with sharp sand and not salt/sand mix, as it was felt this did not work so well. A formal com- plaint would be made to KCC that the roads had not been dealt with properly and Kent Association of Local Councils would be contacted on his sub- ject.


Anti-social behaviour at The


Street had been reported – po- lice were aware and would be investigating. Kent Landscapes had under-


taken harrowing of the field be- fore the snow had arrived. Councillors had not noticed


the reported odours from Blaise Farm Quarry. It was explained that these could be due to the escape of methane.


Nettlestead Council Pub pledge


IT was reported that the new li- censees of the Hop Pole would be maintaining the pub’s con- nection with the Chatterbox scheme. A resident of Maidstone Road had complained about speeding


traffic and the lack of repeater signs along the road. He pointed out that motorists would proba- bly not be aware of the 30 mph limit due to the poor visibility of the street lights. It was agreed to ask Kent


Highways to recalibrate the two interactive signs on the B2015 as they did not appear to be working correctly. There had been several en- quiries about starting daytime clubs at the village hall, such as pilates and exercise classes. A permanent bookings secretary would be appointed soon. Members considered but did


not wish to comment on an amended planning application for a timber stable block, stor- age and retractable floodlighting at Mount Pleasant Farm, in Seven Mile Lane, East Peckham.


Ryarsh Council Brick sign


THE clerk was asked to inform Kent Highway Services that a banner advertising units to let was attached alongside the M20 by the brickworks, and to re- quest if permission was needed tto display the sign. The planned drive to promote neighbourhood watch would not go ahead as Kent Police was no longer employing Paul Harfleet. Dog warden Lorraine Baseden


was due to attend a parish coun- cil meeting to discuss ways to reduce the amount of dog mess on the recreation ground. It was reported that KCC’s landscape services department had quoted £1,603 for grass cut- ting on the recreation ground – a £48 increase on last year. The clerk was asked to negotiate this figure. The owner of a property on Roughetts Road was to be asked to cut back trees around the streetlight. The clerk had made similar requests in previous years. It was agreed to retain bank account savings in the event of emergency expenditure in street light repairs, play area mainte- nance and possible work on trees and fencing at the recre- ation ground.


Snodland Council 30-year lease


AT the policy and resources committee, it was agreed that the lease for the Townsend Hook Bowls Club should be a 30-year term with a peppercorn rent of £1 per year as the club has full responsibility for main- taining the bowls green and pavilion. The council would advise the Snodland Community Centre that it had agreed to extend its lease for a further 30 years, in advance of the lease expiring, so


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