DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 24


the revenue that KCC receives from Kings Hill to be allocated to the project. It was agreed that councillors


could borrow books and publi- cations from the parish office for a maximum of two weeks at any one time, but must be signed for. If the book or publi- cation were lost or damaged, in- dividual councillors would be responsible for the replacement cost.


Ray Cassidy was co-opted on


to the council. He also became a member of the community cen- tre committee. Concerns were raised about speeding vehicles. The police had undertaken a number of op- erations recently in the Tower View area. They were also asked to check the RegentWay area. It was suggested that Speedwatch could be considered again through the amenities commit- tee.


Graffiti had been reported in


various areas, including Kings Hill School, the community centre, trees by the tennis courts and Sungold Walk. The local PCSOs were asked for more support on the nights of the youth club, when problems seemed to occur. Concerns were raised about parking problems near Discov- ery School. The police confirmed that the PCSOs would remain on Kings Hill. It was confirmed that both Liberty and the parish council would financially support this. It was reported that the new community centre and youth centre lease was in an agreed form. It would be submitted to head landlord KCC for approval in due course. Three quotes had been re- ceived for the Discovery Drive bus shelter. It was agreed that the clerk would investigate badges for councillors and hiring display boards. It was agreed to purchase a


personal address system for the community centre for use at the annual parish meeting and other events. The council would contribute £100 towards the purchase. It was reported that the police


had visited the youth club and had talked to young people both in and outside the club. The po- lice agreed to try to have a po- lice presence outside the centre as much as possible. There was also a possibility of having a community warden. The cur- rent understanding was to pro- vide a service on an ad hoc basis. Members agreed to ask for a permanent community war- den. Two councillors had visited


Bliss Café, a community cafe in Southborough, to ascertain if it was possible to have one in


Kings Hill. It was agreed that it would not be replicated in Kings Hill as there was insuffi- cient footfall, competition from Costa Coffee and the lack of dedicated volunteers to run the cafe.


After discussion it was agreed


that there were insufficient re- sources to run a drop-in evening for local youths. It was agreed to contact Costa Coffee to sug- gest the company runs a com- munity evening once a week/ month for young people. Local organisations were in-


vited to apply for receipt of the annual youthand community contribution from Liberty. It was reported that previous pay- ments had been made to Kings Hill Youth Club. One of the councillors asked


why there was no street lighting along the Greenway between Pippin Way and Discovery Drive. It was understood that this was to discourage groups from loitering in the area.


Criminal opening CONCERNS were expressed that since the traffic lights at Castle Way had been tweaked, vehicles were spending more time at the junction which gave criminals an opportunity to ap- proach a vehicle. PC Nick Stevens said the


Leybourne Council


lights system had been changed to discourage the use of Castle Way as a cut-through but agreed that this was a “double-edged sword” as it did mean vulnera- ble vehicles were left there for some time. It was thought that a recent lorry theft at the lights was an opportunist crime. A member of public gave an update on the power outages in CastleWay.UK Power networks was now holding a full investi- gation into why it did not re- spond to the initial complaints and was giving full considera- tion to improved tree cutting and the probability of burying the cables. The company had agreed to a site meeting with two councillors to review the situation. A resident commented that a


lot of good work had taken place in Pump Close to tidy up the area. However, several householders had dumped gar- den waste on the existing waste pile. The chairman confirmed that the borough council would not prosecute unless someone was caught in the act of fly tip- ping, which was frustrating. It was reported that the brick


wall alongside the shops in Lit- tle Market Row had not been re- paired and looked untidy and that the tall wall was in bad re- pair. The clerk was to contact the landlord to request repair to the walls. The royal wedding celebra- tion was to be an informal gath-


ering on the green along Castle Way. The road would not be closed and it was noted that neighbourhood police be in- formed as there may be parking issues due to the large cricket match being organised that day.


Mereworth Council Meadow lease


IT was agreed to sign the lease renewal for Great Fowle Meadow at £450 for the next five years – an annual increase of £50. A quotation of £300 had been received for the cleaning of the war memorial and a second quote would be obtained. Mereworth Village Hall had received a grant of £4,000 from KCC for refurbishment of toi- lets. The fire exit was to be moved to the opposite side of the storage room and planning permission would be required for this. The outdoor decking was to be removed and a new surface installed. It was noted that there had


been a good turnout for Father Noel McConachie’s retirement party, which had been a great success. Congratulations were recorded to Tessa Wells for or- ganising the event. The new position for the bus


stop at The Street had been agreed with KCC and installa- tion of hard standing was awaited. There had been no fur- ther information, other than an email from Tonbridge and Malling Cllr Jill Anderson, who felt that costs were a restriction. Two salt bins had been in- stalled at the Airfield Estate by Russet Homes. Following the parish council’s formal letter of complaint re- garding the winter road clear- ance, a meeting was being arranged with KCC. The provisional date for


resurfacing the A228 was May 16 for four nights, from 7pm to midnight. It was agreed to await final figures for the Airfield play area project and then decide how to proceed with regard to the additional equipment for Mereworth play area. It was reported that the foot-


ball pitchgoalmouths were in need of repair but that some teams would need to use the fields to catch up with missed fixtures. A quote for £125 was agreed for the work to be done after the last match. The annual parishmeeting


date had been changed from April 26 to May 3. Members were told that the Queens Head pub was to be leased for 12 months with a view to sale if successful. A royal wedding party was planned. A letter was to be sent to the tenants to wish them every success and to support the party plans.


A litter pick along Kent Street


was to be arranged and the bor- ough council and residents would be contacted.


Chatterbox help MEMBERS heard that a dona- tion from Kent Police of £400 was due to be presented to the Chatterbox scheme meeting on April 19 by Supt Draby. The arrangement with the


Nettlestead Council


new owners of the Hop Pole was going well, and the meat raffle had begun again. PCSO James Austin said no crimes had been reported in Nettlestead. The theft of cable from a local railway line was most likely being dealt with by Transport Police but he would follow this up. Kent Highway Services had


agreed to reinstall the 30mph repeater signs along the B2015 through the village, and this would be paid for from KCC Cllr Paulina Stockell’s highway fund budget. The clerk reported on over- grown vegetation obscuring street lighting. KHS was re- sponsible for cutting back vege- tation on the highway. If it was on a residential property KHS would write and ask the resi- dent to cut back the growth but if this was not done, KHS would undertake the work and charge the resident. Clerk AvrilWatson had asked


KHS to undertake a new survey on the B2015, but KHS had re- ferred the parish council to the 2008 survey, before the zebra crossing had been installed. KHS had therefore been asked to undertake a “post-crossing” survey. Kent Police confirmed that speed checks would be car- ried out along the 30mph stretch when officers were available. Concern was expressed that


buses at the bus stop outside the village hall obscured the zebra crossing. It was reported that the flower


club wanted to organise day- time workshops at the village hall and it was agreed to offer a reduced charge initially to en- courage use of the hall. Village hall committee mem-


bers were needed. The village hallAGMwas due to be held on 25 May at 8pm, and a new treas- urer would be required. It was suggested that hazard notices were required in the vil- lage hall car park warning of the steep drop alongside some park- ing spaces. The village hall was being registered at the Land Registry in order to allow KHS to complete its paperwork for leasing the strip of land by the zebra crossing. An application to erect an at-


tached annexe at Holly House, Maidstone Road, Nettlestead Green, had been approved by


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