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that it could be in a position to look for grants. The council will look to draw


up a formal agreement with the Pavilion Cafe to provide it with a level of security of tenure and a proper agreement about re- sponsibilities shared with the council and other users. Three windows in the Devon-


shire Rooms needed repair work at a cost of about £900. It was agreed that this work should be done but that it would be delayed so that the cost could come out of the budget for 2011/12. New disability access gates would be installed in Nevill Park at the Saltings Road and Brook Lane entrances. There were now new barriers called K Frames, which are adjustable and allow access for double buggies and disability scooters while restricting access for mo- torbikes. Once it is clear what the cost of installing the new gates is likely to be, the council will decide what type of K Frames to use. It was hoped that the cost could be kept to about £1,000 for each entrance. Some of the timers on the


High Street lampposts would have to be replaced so that the Christmas lights can be used this year. Kent Highways had agreed to


the erection of a sign on Pad- dlesworth Road directing traffic to the new Townsend Hook Bowls Club. A meeting was held to form


the management committee that would look at the next stages of organisation for a BMX bike track that it is hoped may be built. The police had taken the lead on this but now needed the support of local community members to look at design and then consider putting in an ap- plication for planning permis- sion. It was decided that the management group would be Sgt. Kevin Brigden, PCSOKim Hatchard, Kevin Bush from Snodland Friends and Bikers, Sue Ricketts from Holmesdale School and representatives from Birling Parish Council and Snodland Town Council. The budget for 2011/12 was agreed, with a slight reduction in the Snodland Council tax of 5p. It was agreed that £12,000 should still be set aside for spe- cial events such as the carnival and fireworks, with £12,000 set aside for ongoing repairs and re- newals and £5,000 for starting to upgrade play equipment. The contract for grass cutting for the next year was agreed at a cost of £35,000.


Teston Council Grant protest


Aborough-wide petition against the reduction in the concurrent functions grant had included


130 signatures from Teston res- idents. The petition was pre- sented to a full council meeting of Maidstone Borough Council full council, which had decided that during 2011/12 there would be a 30% reduction of the grant. Borough Cllr Fay Gooch commended Cllr Peter Coulling on his presentation to the full council on behalf of the KALC and the parishes. It was agreed that the precept


for 2011/12 be set at £10,000, an 8% increase from £9,250 the previous year. This will result in Band D properties paying around £30 for the year, a rise of around £2. Golding Homes had intended


to get a quotation for baitingthe rabbits at Teston House. A quotation had been ob- tained from Turfsoil for in- stalling a third socket so that the goalpost could be rotated 180 degrees to allow the goalmouth to regenerate. Unfortunately, sockets had to be purchased as a set of four, hence a quotation of £290 plus VAT. Following dis- cussion it was agreed that re- versingthe net would be a better option, with the goalpost to be moved further west. Cllr Olive Oxley had re- quested the council considers cleaningthe war memorial. It was noted that the police


had attended when the entrance to Barham Court became flooded. Cllr Roger Levett had provided a photograph of flood- ing from the Little Court Lodge Farm access road. It was re- ported that the two drains west of Barham Court, near to the electricity sub-station, were blocked. It was claimed that nearly all


of the cats eyes at the Malling Road gateway were missing, and 16 to 18 are missing on the A26 between the allotments and Teston Lane. The gulley at South Cottage


was still blocked. It was pumped out in October but blocked again very quickly. It appeared that the problem with tree roots had not been re- solved. It was agreed that the direc-


tional signs for the post office and stores be delivered to Cllr Peter Coulling. A cheque for £257 was raised to complete the order. A further letter had been re- ceived from KHS indicating that a set of sign designs was being developed for specific areas to better inform HGV drivers about the bridges, such as the one on Teston, and alternative routes. It was agreed that the new salt


bin in Church Street should be green in colour and located by the railings near West Lodge, and that a further, smaller green bin be purchased and placed just inside the church boundary


so that salt could be decanted for use in the immediate vicin- ity of the lych gate. It was noted that Cllr Levett would be carrying out an audit of the trees at Courtlands and it was suggested that this be done, if possible, during the next 3-4 months. The clerk had carried out


some research regarding light pollution at Crown City. It was noted that, while no complaints had been received, the lights were bright. It was agreed that the clerk writes a suitable letter asking whether it might be pos- sible to reduce their intensity. It was noted that the hedge


alongside the A26 was very sparse and patchy. It was agreed that considerationwould be given to rebuilding the hedge. Figures suggested this would cost in the region of £1,400-1,500, and that five to 10 volunteers would be required.


Trottiscliffe Council Salt theft


THE clerk was asked to put a note in The Pilgrim magazine stating that Kent Highways had advised that taking salt from the bins for personal use would be treated as theft. The bench donated in mem-


ory of the Kingfamily was now in position on the recreation ground. It was agreed to use the balance of the donation to buy equipment for the play area. The clerk was asked to con-


tact the borough’s enforcement officer to look at the entrance and groundwork of the road- way outside The Nursery, in Taylors Lane. Itwas agreed to donate £50 to- wards Try Angle Awards and £25 to Victim Support.


Tree mystery


Wateringbury Council


KENT Highways had been asked about the holly tree in Bow Road that had been cut back without the owner’s con- sent. KHS confirmed it was not responsible as no order had been raised to do any work on this tree. It was not known who had cut back the tree. The subject of puttingto- gether a winter plan was dis- cussed. It was agreed that buying bags of salt and storing them in the lock-up for resi- dents to collect had proved suc- cessful. It was agreed to obtain 40 bags of rock salt from Travis Perkins.


CommunityWarden John Ibbs reported that drivers were not followingthe markings in the village hall car park directing vehicles to the left at the en- trance. Dog fouling in the play- ing fields was also a problem.


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Both issues would be discussed with Tonbridge and Malling Council. A short discussion on the twinningof Wateringbury with a French and a German town took place.


Smell concern


West Malling Council


IT was reported that the smell from the Blaise Farm compost- ingfacility had been more no- ticeable. Those reported on November 17,18 and 19 had re- sulted from the screening hall doors being left open to dis- perse steam. Environment Agency officers were liaising with the firm and keeping checks. With regard to MallingAction


Partnership, county Cllr Trudy Dean reported on the regular Malling Mail insert in the Downs Mail. The Christmas lights event


had been well attended and there had been 62 stalls at the farmers market that day. The Chamber of Commerce and other organisations felt there was a need to pull together ear- lier in the year to organise the lights event. MAP was hoping to contribute to a south east conference Action for Market Towns, being held at Spade- work.


Regarding problems with youths, it was reported that all police-planned home visits had now been undertaken with the young adults mainly high- lighted as being responsible. These had taken place in the presence of parents and had all been received well. One of the youths had also been inter- viewed for a criminal damage offence, which he had admitted and would be dealt with. The group wished to make a presentation to the parish coun- cil as they were keen to see a youth scheme in West Malling and members agreed they would welcome a visit about such provision. Members had mixed feelings


about the advisability of in- stallinga bus shelter outside the Boots pharmacy in the High Street, but agreed the possibility in principle. A precept for 2011/12 of £74,284, resulting in a 3% in- crease, was agreed. It was agreed to increase al- lotment rents to £25 per plot from November 2012. The rents had increased to £20 from No- vember 2010. Members were told the Safer


Town Partnership scheme radio phones for shops and busi- nesses were not working effi- ciently in West Malling. Rental had been refunded and a better fibre optic connection was awaited.


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