DownsMail In touch with your parish Aylesford Council


Footway parking


IT was reported that vehicles continue to park on the wide footway outside 20/20 business premises in Bull Lane, Eccles. The Neighbourhood Watch co- ordinator asked for parish coun- cil support in asking KCC to install bollards and/or No Park- ing signs as there was a danger to pedestrians, particularly the under-fives attending pre- school in the nearby church hall. The clerk undertook to contact borough council traffic officers as the vehicles had to cross double yellow lines and were therefore committing a parking offence. Concern was expressed at the


chalk content in the drinking water which affects appliances such as kettles and washing ma- chines. The clerk would contact South East Water for its com- ments on the Eccles supply. PCSO Julie Stoner reported


that, with the lighter evenings and improvedweather, off-road motorbikes had been reported in Walderslade Woods and the area was being monitored. There had been a number of break-ins at the closed Walnut Tree pub. There had been one arrest following observation from the police helicopter which was in the area. There was a disappointing turn-out from residents and youths at Premier Parade but good support from local organi- sations. The multi-agency ini- tiative would continue with further events as regular anti-so- cial behaviour reports were still being received from residents. Community warden David Leipnik had been dealing with two complaints of anti-social behaviour in Bull Lane. Residents had asked the war-


den to seek the parish council’s support in getting KCC to re- duce the maximum speed limit through the village to 20mph due to the heavy use of the recreation ground and potential for increased parking during the construction of the proposed Cemex solar park. Members agreed that as 20mph had been deemed appropriate for the Rochester Road approach to the village, Bull Lane would appear to be a comparable route. The police had sought the council’s views on two sites for CCTV cameras


in the


Greenacres estate area. The council’s camera had been moved from Premier Parade to The Hawthorns; however, resi- dents had told police they would welcome the return of CCTV to the site. Funding is- sues would be considered fur- ther.


46 Malling Mugs too costly Ditton Council


THE purchase of royal wedding commemorative mugs was dis- cussed and it was agreed that the cost would be too expensive at this time. It was resolved not to proceed with this idea, but to consider purchasing mugs for the Queen’s 60th anniversary celebrations in 2012. With regard to Bellingham


Way, Cllr Barry Stone reported that the borough council was re- luctant to proceed with the re- quest to open up this access to traffic, but it was likely to be progressed as both East Malling and Larkfield and Aylesford Parish Councils had expressed their support and County Cllr Trudy Dean had secured fund- ing for a feasibility study. No objection was raised to a planning application for the demolition of a garage and the construction of an extension and conservatory at 54 Station Road.


Hole in ground


East Peckham Council


A RESIDENT had approached the council with regard to a hole that had appeared in her front garden and had been ad- vised of the appropriate con- tacts for the problem. Regarding twinning with Chereng, East Peckham Silver Band had made a very success- ful visit and had been made very welcome by the people of Chereng. Members were, in principle,


in favour of nominating the playing fields and children’s play area for the Queen Eliza- beth II Fields Challenge to com- memorate the diamond jubilee in 2012. However, they wished for more information before considering the matter further. The sports hall was booked


for around 80% of availability during Mondays to Fridays and 65% when weekends were in- cluded. Confirmed bookings had been made for zumba, mar- tial arts and exercise classes. The gym club hoped to increase its usage. The new office and meeting


hall had been handed over to the parish council. The parish election had been uncontested and the following had been elected: Mrs L Baseden, Mrs P Graham, G Hay- cock, Mrs N Kearns, Mrs J Mac- donald, Mrs L Pickett, D Poole, C Silver, P Street, Mrs SWatson and E White. Cllr Peter Street thanked Cllrs


P Crawford, J Crowley and W Gress, who were standing down, for their important con- tributions to the village. A weekly informal meeting place for 13 to 16-year-olds was


being set up. The venue would be the new meeting room in the sports hall and the group would meet on Tuesday evenings. Members were supportive of the idea and thought the new group should be advertised with a view to starting in July. A resident, having nursed her


husband with dementia, ex- plained to members that she wished to set up a carers sup- port group. Councillors were fully supportive and were de- lighted to offer the meeting room at the sports hall free of charge for monthly meetings. The village had been entered


in the 2011 Trees in the Village competition.Anew tree warden was needed, following the res- ignation of Terry Shead. The Boys’ Brigade was thanked for providing the cater- ing and obtaining additional chairs for the annual parish meeting. A donation of £75 would be sent.


Mereworth Council Chicken shed


A REQUEST had been received from a leaseholder to keep chickens on a field at Kent Street and undertake tree plant- ing. There were no objections to keeping a maximum 20 chick- ens at the site, providing the chicken shed be placed in the furthest corner from the houses and the leaseholder be respon- sible for the security of them. This permission could be with- drawn if problems or com- plaints occurred. It was reported that the Kent


Street works were in the Joint Transportation Board pro- gramme. A quote for £195 for cleaning


the war memorial was ac- cepted.


Fencing repairs at the recre-


ation ground were to be under- taken at a cost of £227. The new position of the bus


stop in The Street had been agreed with KCC and installa- tion of hard-standing was awaited. An area of roadway and the


footpath outside the entrance to the Malt House and entrance to the cottage was in poor condi- tion and in need of repair. Police impersonator scams


were reported – the police were aware and investigating. There had been a theft of hay,


tack, feed tools etc, from sta- bles. Security cameras had been suggested to the owner. It was agreed to apply for the dedication of the recreation area as a Queen Elizabeth II Di- amond Jubilee Field as it would ensure the safety of the land, offer opportunities for grant ap- plications and tie in well with the celebrations. A quote for £3,745 was ac- cepted for the provision and in- stallation of a large slide at the


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


recreation area. With regard to the litter pick


day, it was reported that the borough council would provide litter pickers, bags etc. How- ever, Kent Street residents did not feel there was a litter prob- lem. It was agreed that mem- bers cease litter-picking for a month and review the situa- tion.


Nettlestead Council Hop Pole help


THE Chatterbox Club was maintaining good attendances and the new owners of the Hop Pole pub were supportive. The clerk had received con- firmation from Kent Highways that vegetation impeding driv- ers’ sightlines of street lights would be subject to the same policy as vegetation growing into street lights. KHS had logged the reported case at Net- tlestead Green and would be in- vestigating. It was reported that KHS now seemed to be back-tracking on its promise to re-install the re- peater signs through the village as it thought the police view might be that they do not com- ply with current bye-laws. However, it had been suggested that County Cllr Paulina Stock- ell was not aware of this deci- sion and would not be happy when she found out, as she had agreed for the signs to be re- placed. The clerk was asked to write


to Cllr Stockell, asking if she could use her influence to en- sure the signs were put back. It was thought by a councillor


that there had been an increase in the number of overweight lorries using the B2015, al- though the chairman said the recent survey carried out in Nettlestead showed the number of lorries as negligible. It was thought it would be difficult to obtain registration numbers, particularly as most of the lorries were foreign. There was now more storage


in the village hall and this would be offered at an annual cost of £50 for a large cupboard and £25 for a small one. New regular bookings had


been received from a mothers and toddlers group and a pi- lates group. It was reported that due to family commitments, the clerk had resigned and would be leaving at the end of July.


Ryarsh Council Probe on horses


IT was reported that horses, de- spite a sign saying “No Horses”, were using the footpath to the back of Workhouse Lane and The Street. Branches had been cut so they could walk through. The clerk was asked to investi- gate what could be done about this.


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