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Monchelsea Council Bikers warned


TWO off-road motorcyclists were stopped in woodland near The Quarries and issued with section 59 warnings.Itmeans that if they are caught again, their bikes could be seized and crushed. Police have also targeted off-


road motorbike problems on land off Brishing Lane. After a site meeting, it had


been decided to investigate the possibility of mobile CCTV and ways of restricting access, pos- sibly using stone boulders. Cllr Steve Munford was elected chairman for the forth- coming year with Cllr Ian Ellis as vice-chairman. It was noted that the village


hall committee had requested funding of around £16,000 for repairs to the flat roof.Itwas stated that the hall was the main asset of the parish and, having been built in the 1970s, was now in need of refurbishment. Concern was expressed that it was not sustainable for the vil- lage hall committee to keep ask- ing the parish council for help. Members heard that the com- mittee had tried raising funds in a variety of ways, but with little success. A decision was deferred until


the next parish council meeting pending contractors’ quotes for phase 2 of the Beresfords Hill footpath scheme and the Park- wood Farm Reservoir scheme. The following applications


were considered: Barton Cot- tage, 40 Church Street, Bough- ton Monchelsea, erection of outbuilding – no comment; Birch Lodge, Haste hill Road, Boughton Monchelsea, erection of replacement garage – no ob- jection; Brishing Court Barn, Br- ishing Lane, Boughton Monchelsea – listed building consent for installation of new children’s toilets – no objection. A councillor stated that the number 59 bus service had been substantially reduced and he would be investigating the level of bus use in the parish. Infor- mation on the service would be published on the websitewith a request for any comments on the service to be passed on to the parish council. It was agreed to buy a projec-


tor screen, at a maximum cost of £200, for use at the parish meeting and other occasions. Wi-fi was now available in the village hall and a password was required for any users to access this facility.


Chart Sutton Council In the chair


CLLR Peter Forknall was elected chairman for the forth- coming year, with Cllr Steven


30 South


Waring as vice-chairman. It was reported that a man


with a metal detector had to be removed from a local farmer’s field and that the police had been given details of his car. Following a discussion on


CCTV, it was agreed to obtain a quote for installing a camera and suggestions for its place- ment. With regard to the pavilion re- furbishment, concern was ex- pressed about taking out interior walls at the same time as taking off the roof. It was sug- gested that during the refurbish- ment, the toilet should be changed to provide disabled ac- cess. The chairman thanked the committee and everyone who had helped with the royal wed- ding street party, including Cllr Paul Ward for providing the apple juice. It had been a huge success, attended by more than 100 adults. Football pitch licences would


be offered to one team each from Vinters, Bearsted and Shepway for next season at £440 for 12 matches, with each additional game costing £37. Members discussed the ongo-


ing situation with regard to the property neighbouring the Me- morial playing field. The clerk advised that the landowner had been informed that the hedge was trimmed towards the end of last year, and that details of damage had been requested but no reply had been received. The clerk was asked to ensure that licence agreements state it is the duty of football clubs to make arrangements for the proper re- trieval of footballs that stray onto neighbouring properties. Members noted the letter from


the Countryside Access Service detailing the reduction of vege- tation clearance on public rights of way in the new finan- cial year and asking if parishes could use their own labour force or contribute to meeting the cost of amore extensive pro- gramme. The clerk was to reply that due to the 30% cut in con- current functions grant, the parish would be unable to con- tribute and to ask them to clear the vegetation along Chart Hill Road as soon as possible. The council agreed to support


the registration of land between Amber Lane and Chart Hill Road as a public right of way. It was noted that on Good Fri-


day, a new traveller site had ap- peared at the corner of Luck’s Lane. The hedge had been knocked through, gates and a road put in and initially four caravans moved in. Two large mobile homes later appeared on the site. It was thought they came from a site in Cambridge. The clerk was asked to write to the borough’s planning enforce- ment officer.


The village fete would be on


July 9 and volunteers would be greatly appreciated. They should contact Cllrs Valerie Un- derdown orMaureen Fitzgerald.


Traffic scheme MEMBERS heard that the con- sultation exhibition on an alter- native traffic scheme for Heath Road had revealed that most of the residents who had re- sponded favoured the use of in- dependent consultants to negotiate with KCC on the in- troduction of a safer scheme. A meeting was due to be held


Coxheath Council


with Kent Highways to discuss various issues including foot- ways, potholes and white lin- ing, and the replacement of bollards in the village. It was agreed to register con-


cern with Maidstone Council about the suggested withdrawal of dog waste bins. It was reported that talks would be held with Kent Youth Service members to build on the success of the recent music workshop and the ‘box fit’ pro- gramme. It was agreed to replace the toddler swing seats vandalised in the village hall play area and repair the litter bin. Members heard that a grant of £350 had been received from borough councillors Brian Mortimer and Colin Parr from their members devolved budget fund for 2010/11.


East Farleigh Council


Voted in


CLLR Glyn Charlton was elected chairmanwith Cllr Peter Beasley as vice-chairman. Richard Yaxley was co-opted as a member of the council. The transfer of funds from


NatWest to Unity Trust bank was approved. There was discussion about a planning application for change from agricultural to equestrian use on land adjacent toWilsons Lane. The council had no wish for it to go to planning commit- tee, as long as the planning offi- cerwas able to apply conditions which covered restrictions on the number of moveable stables, adequate waste control meas- ures and acceptable off-road parking. It was reported that the re- cently appointed village con- tractors had done little work over the past month because of a staff problem. The council had been assured that it would not be charged for April. If the prob- lem was not sorted out, the council would terminate the contract. Cllrs Alan White and Richard


Yaxley agreed to pursue the issue of a speed limit in Work- house Lane.


The village fete was to be held


from 2pm to 5pm on July 2 at the recreation ground in Vic- arage Lane.


East Sutton Council Duo re-elected


TIM Turnill and Malcolm Ire- land were re-elected to the parish council as chairman and vice-chairman. A report from PCSO Siobhan


de Burca gave details of two thefts in the parish and it ap- peared there had been an in- crease in incidents in surrounding parishes. Council- lors heard that road gulley plates had been stolen, and this had been dealt with by Kent Highways. There had been no response


fromHMPEast Sutton about the works to its external wall. The cost of passing places in Pleasure House Lane was dis- cussed. A total of £22,500 was required for the work and KCC Cllr Jenny Whittle was able to offer only £500 from her mem- bers highways fund – a single passing place would cost £6,000. Mr Stuart of Griffin Farm had been thanked for his offer of £3,000 towards the work, but it was explained that as funds were currently un- available the work would not proceed. Tim Chambers had offered to


lay hardcore to help the situa- tion. Graham Edmed said he would arrange for the surface to be skimmed and dampered down. He was thanked by the chairman. Cllr Whittle would be asked if the £500 could be used to reinstate grass areas along the road. Concern was raised about the


verge near the entrance of Skin- ners Field, which was subsid- ing, and it was agreed to investigate the matter. Following a safety inspection


of the play area, weedkiller had been applied around the basket ball hoop. Clerk Helen Elstone was asked to contact the con- tractor to question why no membrane had been laid. It was reported that Stickfast


Lane had been resurfaced and repairs to Brick Kiln Lane and Morry Lane carried out, but the gully in Morry Lane and the surface of Heniker Lane needed attention. Trees needing to be cut back


in Church Road had been re- ferred to KHS. Budget cuts meant that Maid-


stone Council would no longer undertake grass cutting and horticultural work for KHS, which would now take back re- sponsibility for weed spraying. Michael Amber had made an approach about the parish street sweeper vacancy. It was agreed to draw up a job specification following discussion with Amos before this P42


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