DownsMail In touch with your parish


weather. Kent Highways had agreed to investigate who had completed the work. It was reported that the road surface outside the church was cracking up and this would be reported to KHS. The annual allotment rent


was to rise from £7.50 to £8. Members were informed that


the Environment Agency had set 12 traps in the stream be- tween the lake and the allot- ments as American Signal Crayfish had been found there. It was agreed to set the pre-


cept for the forthcoming year at £25,000, an inflationary in- crease of £500. The ground rent lease for the surgery was currently being renegotiated with the paris council. Lead had been stolen fromthe village hall. It was agreed to provide extra


CCTV cameras for the system already in use around the Sur- gery as the four cameras in place were not sufficient.


Vehicle damage


Hollingbourne Council


PCSO Lindsay Woods reported the theft of a compressor, value around £600. Staff from Net- work Rail had complained of damage caused to vehicles parked at the station, but the CCTV was still not working. The clerk had also written, but not received a response. The chairman reported that a


great concern to everyone in the village was the impending re- newal of the gas mains, which would cause great disruption (or worse) to residents and busi- nesses. He had been informed that no compensation was available to residents. County Cllr Jenny Whittle


had arranged for a Kent High- ways representative to meet her in Hollingbourne to discuss un- resolved issues of traffic speed/ calming and signage. Parish council representatives would attend. Lobbying to include the KIG proposal land into the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty continued. The finance committee had recommended the previous year’s precept of £16,000 should stand but would need to be revised if the concurrent functions grant was cut by more than 30%. A councillor expressed disap- pointment that a view existed that Sheds and Shelters was being “victimised” in some way. Any recommendation from the parish council was only made on planning rules and the grounds for refusal from the Planning Inspectorate had either been ignored or not com-


plied with. No-one on the coun- cil wished to see a local firm disadvantaged, but the council had a responsibility to ensure that current planning laws were complied with. It was reported that the blocked drainage gulley near the church had caused danger- ous driving conditions with black ice overnight and the gul- ley needed to be thoroughly cleaned out. The dumped spoil had still


not been removed from Upper Street and a letter should be sent requesting an explanation. The installation of the stocks


on Eyhorne Green had been de- layed by recent weather but would go ahead during the spring. It was agreed that the annual


fete would take place on Satur- day, June 4.


Leeds Council Crossing coming


COUNTY Cllr Gary Cooke re- ported that the 20mph zone out- side the village school would not go ahead as it would have to be supported by other traffic calming measures, which were not possible. He confirmed that the crossing would still go ahead. Cllr Cooke reported on the ac-


tion being taken concerning the Caring Lane Bridge and the pre- cautions that could be consid- ered to prevent future problems. He confirmed that the B2163


was a major gritting route and that the side roads were sec- ondary routes. Local farmers had been approached to help by salting lanes rather than using ploughs as it was felt that these caused more problems. Cllr Lesley Finlay asked if consideration could be given to an additional salt bin near the church car park. County Cllr Cooke said he would look into this.


Lenham Council JPG support


THE parish council was contin- uing to support the joint parish group, which was originally set up to fight the proposed KIG road/rail freight interchange. Bearsted and Boxley is no longer in the group, making Lenham is the largest parish member. Lenham was hoping to be-


come one of the first Age Con- cern community hubs. Meetings were taking place be- tween local groups and Age Concern to set up projects from health care to coffee mornings, outings and interest groups, with the common goal of help- ing older people participate in community-led initiatives. The lottery application for


new play equipment at Cherry Close play area was to be sub- mitted. This was a joint venture with the mother and toddler group to improve the facilities for younger children in the area. The proposed cut in Maid-


stone Borough Council’s con- current functions grant would have to be factored in when making budget recommenda- tions. The parish council was looking at savings to minimise the amount required from the precept. Lenham Valley Business As- sociation, Hidden Britain and the parish council were work- ing together to encourage tourism to the area. The possi- bility of a website to advertise attractions and facilities was being considered. The CCTV system was being upgraded and would include regular maintenance checks. Councillors were working on


an emergency plan for the vil- lage and surrounding area. It was hoped to use a KCC tem- plate to implement some of the recommendations.


Stoneacre plans THE National Trust’s proposals for the Stoneacre grounds were outlined. It was proposed to “clear fell” the bank on the west side of Stoneacre known as Primrose Bank and allow natural growth. County Cllr Gary Cooke re- ported it would not be possible to have the road outside the vil- lage hall designated as a 20mph zone as traffic calming meas- ures have to be in place. Otham was now on the sec- ondary gritting route. The chairman stated this was greatly appreciated and had made a huge difference. It was reported that the carol service had been extremely well attended and thanks went to everyone who helped. Consideration was to be given


Otham Council


this year to setting up a com- munity trust to register com- munity assets. If the Localism Bill, which suggests parish councils should set up a “most wanted” list, becomes law, the parish council should seek to protect the White Horse pub. With regard to KIG, a refund


of £32.20 in unused contribu- tions had been received from the joint parishes group. The White Horse noticeboard


was misting up to the extent that documents could not be read. The handyman would be contacted to see what could be done. It was agreed to marginally increase the precept for 2011/12 to £6,900.


Horse objection WITH regard to a planning ap- plication for The Oaks, Lenham Road, Kingswood, for the change of use of land from agri- cultural to the keeping of horses, erection of stables, tack room and tractor shed, the parish council wished to see this refused and requested it be referred to Maidstone Council planning committee. However, the borough granted planning permission. KCC had granted permission


Ulcombe Council


for an extension and alter- ations at Ulcombe CE Primary School to provide a new library, office, accessible toilet, kitchen, reception and stores. It was agreed that the broad-


band equipment which had re- cently been installed in the village hall be moved to the same place as the CCTV control unit at a maximum cost of £60. A request had been received


for several planters and out- door blackboards to be sited in the Ulcombe Pre-School play area. The pre-school had also asked permission for an adver- tising banner on the recreation ground fence. It would be ad- vised to discuss this with resi- dents living opposite. If there were no objections, the parish council would then consider the request for funding towards the banner. It was agreed that up to £75


be allowed to replace a con- crete bollard which had been knocked over by the entrance to the village car park. The vice- chairman would obtain a re- placement and would also purchase a Jubilee clip for the pavilion rubbish bin. Extensive potholes between Constance Villa and Neverend Farm, Pye Corner, and along Eastwood Road, would be re- ported to Kent Highways. County Cllr Jenny Whittle


had noted that the salt bags scheme was working well. The one tonne bags were thought to be impractical for Ulcombe be- cause there was nowhere dry, secure and centrally accessible in which to store one. In order to effectively grit the pave- ments they would need to be cleared of snow first, which presented a logistical problem of where to move snow to on narrow pavements. There was also the difficulty of organising enough voluntary manpower to carry out the work over such a large area. There had been insufficient gritting of parish roads, even along the bus route. The clerk had raised this with Cllr Whit- tle and had asked for Headcorn Road to be included on the grit- ting schedule. A request would also be made for the inclusion of Chegworth Road.


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk East 47


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48