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Boughton Malherbe Council


Rising crime


CONCERN was expressed re- garding increased levels of crime in the surrounding areas and questions were asked about police action. The clerk said she would convey this to them. Speedwatch checks were


about to start again. Although pothole repairs had


been carried out, the one near Woodsden Hall needed further attention. Others were at the bottom of Liverton Hill and in front of Liverton Hill Farm. The clerk had contacted the Ul- combe parish clerk about pot- holes in Eastwood Road. Regarding the number 59 bus, timetables have changed with the present 13.25 and 17.03 de- partures returning to Maidstone out of service. It was suggested that perhaps these buses could return in service. Apologies were received from


Woodcock Farm about the prob- lems with their sewage system. A complaint was made about parking in front of the village hall.When a functionwas being held there was often no room to unload because of unauthorised vehicles. It was suggested that if the village hall did own the land, chairman Mike Hitchins should inform vehicle owners that they were not allowed to park there. A request was made for a sign


to be put up for Grafty Green Village Hall, as often people come to functions there and have no idea that the building is the village hall. The vice-chairman, Cllr Ron Galton, was thanked for his work with regard to the plan- ning application for Ivy Farm. Maidstone Cllr Richard Thick


had contacted planning officers over the possible breach of planning permission at Pets- field. Nothing more could be done about this and retrospec- tive planning permission would be sought. No objection was made to an application to demolish a barn and replace it with a one-bed- room single-storey house at Broadstone Cottage, Headcorn Road, Grafty Green. County Cllr Jenny Whittle was


still campaigning on the parish’s behalf concerning Liv- erton Hill signage and the re- quest from residents at the top of Liverton Hill for a 30mph limit all the way through. The vice-chairman reported


that only 100 of the Boughton Malherbe Historic Society books were left out of a total of 500. Two hundred had been is-


54 East


sued to residents and 200 had been sold. Everyone agreed that the book was absolutely mar- vellous and it was expected to sell all the remaining copies.


Bredhurst Council


Copper pipe theft THERE had been one crime re- ported in the previous month – theft of a copper pipe from a ve- hicle parked on a driveway in Forge Lane. A retrospective planning ap-


plication for the erection of a shed at 11 Fir Tree Grove, Bred- hurst, had been granted. Regarding Fairview Rangers


FC, the council had been as- sured that all payments would be made up to date and a con- firmation letter from The Bell pub, reference using its car park on Sunday mornings, would be forwarded. Work was due to be carried


out on the chicane at Dunn Street on May 1 and 2. Members agreed to support


the application regarding trees on the Embankment following a site visit by the vice-chairman Cllr Vanessa Jones. It was agreed to place an arti-


cle in the village newsletter about the council’s concerns with dog fouling. A laminated notice would


also be placed by the dog bin on KH49 stating that bags must not be dumped. It was noted that this could be considered flytip- ping, an offence which carries a much larger penalty.


Broomfield and Kingswood Council


Remorse shown


TWO local youths, responsible for anti social behaviour around the village, had been identified and spoken to in the presence of their parents. Re- morse had been expressed. A councillor had reported people camping in local woods in Ulcombe parish with air ri- fles.


One crime – burglary other


than a dwelling in Park Barn Road – had been reported. Many similar incidents were being reported around local vil- lages, including thefts of lead and copper. The cold calling zone would


be launched on Saturday, May 7, at the village hall coffee morning by Lorraine Hemphrey from Maidstone Police. Thanks were expressed to Cllr


Bob Bowker on his retirement after 30 years as councillor, chairman and on behalf of NeighbourhoodWatch. County Cllr Jenny Whittle re- ported that KCC had limited funding for enhanced broad-


band in rural areas. She would obtain additional information for the clerk. She advised there had been


no update/progress on drainage /flooding issues in Gravelly Bot- tom Road. There was unfin- ished road re-surfacing work at Ivy Mews/Ivy Close following recent KHS work in Bushy Grove. Aplanning application for ex- tensions, conservatory, porch and vehicle crossover at 21 Bushy Grove, Kingswood, were deferred pending viewing. A complaint had been re- ceived regarding bonfires being lit on the leased area at Tall Trees Close. Councillors re- solved to write to the tenant, quoting the tenancy agreem- ment.


Detling Council Village shop plan


NO objections were raised to an application to convert the vil- lage shop into three cottages. Members were advised that


the appeal regarding the devel- opment at East Court had been upheld and planning permis- sion had been granted. PCSO Jim Stevens advised


there had been three incidents during the month. These were a burglary in Scragged Oak Road when nothing was taken, theft in Scragged Oak Road when an electric fire was taken, theft at the County Showground of a Land Rover Defender. A member of the public ad-


vised that he had monitored traffic at the waterworks be- tween 6.15am and 8.10am and had recorded 84 vehicle move- ments. Vehicles ranged from private cars to grab lorries. Con- cern was expressed over the high volume of traffic that ap- peared to be from at least four independent companies. A councillor would investigate. Parked cars at the junction of


Hockers Lane and Ware Street continued to be a problem. Pho- tographs were submitted. Kent Highways would be advised. The committee was advised


that the U-turn notices at Bred- hurst had been removed and road furniture at the Scragged Oak junction with the A249 damaged by left turning lorries. Also, the promised U-turn sig- nage at this latter junction had not been installed. It was sug- gested that the damaged sign could pose a health and safety issue and that the highways de- partment should be asked to rectify the problem. Following the work by KCC in converting the school buildings, the small strip of land between the school and the hall needed


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


to be transferred back to KCC ownership. It was agreed that this would have no impact on the village. It wa agreed, how- ever, to take steps to protect all land owned by the village for the village. Concern was expressed that


not enough candidates had put themselves forward for the forthcoming elections and that if this was the case, the village would lose its quality status and hence receive less funding. A circular would be sent urging all villagers to vote in the elec- tions and referendum.


Hollingbourne Council


Muddypursuit


SEVERAL complaints had been received about noise levels and excessive mud on the road caused by the recent biking event. There is no need to apply for such events because the road is not formally closed and or- ganisers can hold 14 such events a year. Chairman Mike Bedwell had


been made aware of a camp being set up in the wooded area alongside Hospital Road – the PCSO would investigate. A lorry had reportedly brought down telephone wires in Hospital Road and the chair- man wished it noted that there was grave concern regarding the use of minor routes during the road closure for the laying of the gas mains. Four crimes were reported –


two thefts from vehicles at the Ramada Hotel, a burglary in Firs Lane and the attempted theft of a catalytic converter from a ve- hicle parked by Bourneside Ter- race. PCSO Dave Rowley,who cov-


ers Harrietsham and Leeds, would be assisting in providing cover for Hollingbourne It was reported that seeding of


the Millennium Green was out- standing, due to the inclement weather. The council congratulated the


WI on its successful pancake race event.


Leeds Council Zebra stalled


PLANS for a zebra crossing at the school have stalled because of “feasibility issues” to do with access onto Lower Street from the church car park. Kent High- ways was now looking at other possibilities. Railings damaged because of several crashes at Lower Street had been replaced. Four street lamps that were


not working were reported. The clerk will advise EDF so that they can be inspected and re-


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