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Addington Council Important route


MEMBERS asked Kent Highway Services to include Seven Mile Lane in a forthcoming review of the Primary Route Network (PRN). Roads are included that have a higher collision rate but it was not known when the re- view would be completed. The village hall committee


was identifying the priority projects from an earlier wish list and would be developing proposals and costings for these. A discussion about having a village sign concluded itwould not be appropriate to purchase one in the current round of budget cuts but the project could be considered at some point in future. There had been one crime in


the last month which involved a motor home being taken from London Road. A second incident this year of


tyres being dumped was noted, this time in Plowenders lay-by. A councillor advised mem-


bers that cars seemed to be pa- trolling the area andhehad been approached by such a ve- hicle and asked if he was inter- ested in selling his car. He would be passing the registra- tion number on to the police. A member of the public re- ported there was evidence of people taking drugs in Park Road.Members agreed to moni- tor the situation. With regard to Big Motoring


World, London Road, planning enforcement officers had ad- vised that the lighting on site was being investigated for a possible breach of planning control. A retrospective plan- ning application had been sub- mitted for the new building. No formal action could be taken on this building until the applica- tion was determined. It was noted that Select House, Endeavour Park, had been renamed Ecolution House. Rats had been found and re- moved from the loft of the cricket pavilion, but had dam- aged some wires. Members were asked to con-


sider a wayleave agreement for South Eastern Power Networks to install underground cabling around the edge of the village green in Trottiscliffe Road. Con- cern was expressed that a tree on the village green might be af- fected by the excavation. It was agreed to postpone a decision until information had been sought from the borough tree of- ficer. It was agreed to collect photo- graphs of the village at different seasons of the year to use on the website and in the Parish Plan.


32 Malling


Aylesford Council Re-elected


CLLR Joyce Gadd was re- elected as chairman for the forthcoming year with Cllr R Gledhill as vice-chairman. It had been agreed that the parish council CCTV camera should remain at The Hawthorns, overlooking The Hollow. The police had been successful in getting agreement to move the Tonbridge and Malling Council camera from Tunbury Hall car park to Pre- mier Parade, at no cost to the council. This waswelcomed by the po-


lice as the site had become a se- rious issue for police time and of concern to residents, espe- cially of the flats above the shops. Large groups were con- gregating with ages ranging from early teens to late 20s. PC Jackie Wilkinson had moved away from the Bluebell Hill, Eccles and Walderslade areas and had been replaced by PC Steve Grantham. Eccles community warden


Dave Leipnik continued towork with the school and was assist- ing with out-of-school visits. A bicycle owned by a local resident, who works hard for the community and church, had been stolen. A replacement cycle had been kindly donated. Following complaints, the weeds had been cleared from the streets known as The Square. The borough council had promised street cleaning to finish the job properly. The recent dog show was a success and there had been in- quiries about it being an annual event. However, the borough council had implied that funds were unlikely to be available. Members congratulated com- munity warden Sara Hoskins- Davies on her promotion and thanked her for her efforts and hard work for residents, espe- cially those in Royal British Le- gion Village. She would be replaced by warden Adam McKinley who was moving from Coxheath.


Birling Council Traffic calming


IT was confirmed that the funds from County Cllr SarahHohler’s grant for traffic calming would still be forthcoming. The possi- bility of a future grant was dis- cussed and it was decided that work to stop further deteriora- tion of The Bank would be of great benefit to the village. Cost- ings and construction methods would be investigated. Members heard that, due to increasing expenditure and de- creasing income, it was likely that the council would need to draw on reserves in 2012-13. It was agreed that a draft bal-


anced annual expenditure budget be drawn up. Concern was raised over the


safety aspect of negotiating the footpath on Ryarsh Road, where it narrows alongside the old cottage, and further ham- pered by the overhang of the low roof and the closeness of passing vehicles due to the traf- fic calming island. Ameeting in Ryarsh some time ago had dis- cussed re-positioning the is- land. The clerk was asked to con-


tact Ryarsh Council stating the council’s concerns for people using the footpath, especially the walking bus and mothers with buggies, and inquire whether any action had been agreed. It was decided not to continue


with Speedwatch for the time being because of a lack of vol- unteers. It was felt that the shortage was down to lack of support by the police and that this may be affecting other vil- lages. It was suggested that Ryarsh and Birling might join forces and the clerk was asked to contact their clerk. No objection had been made


to an application to remove an ash tree at Forge Cottage, 5-7 Snodland Road, which was causing excessive shade and damaging a neighbour’s fence. The council was pleased to


hear that the village hall com- mittee was planning a party for the village on September 17. It would include a hog roast, play bus and a band. The Nevill Bull and the local brewery would supply subsidised food and drink. A donation from the parish council was agreed,the sum yet to be decided.


Highways grant COUNTY Cllr Peter Homewood advised that funding was still available from last year’s high- ways grant, andwith new fund- ing this year, around £40,000 would be available for highway projects this year. It was resolved to re-engage


Ditton Council


the webmaster on the same terms until March 31, 2013. Crimes reported during the


last month included the theft of a lightning conductor from Southern Water sewage works, theft of takings by an employee at a fast food company and pos- session of a knife in public fol- lowing a neighbour dispute. It was agreed to provide a roundabout and bouncy castle for the community day on June 26 at a cost of £200. It was noted that the internal auditor had expressed concern about the reduction in income from the Kilnbarn. He further noted that the return of the function bars in house would hopefully have a positive effect on the bar income.


Following a request from the chairman, the council resolved that the balance of unspent funds in the chairman’s al- lowance be slipped forward to cover additional costs that are likely to occur. Quotes had been received for


the fire alarm system and new electrics at the Cedar Room youth centre. The new computer equip-


ment had been installed and it was agreed that the old equip- ment could be used by the ground staff and the youth cen- tre, subject to the existing hard drives being destroyed. Members agreed that the new layout of the Ditton Gazette was more user-friendly. It was resolved to keep the same for- mat for the next edition and re- port back any comments from residents on the new format.


East Peckham Council


Garden gnomes


AT the annual parish council meeting, Cllr David Poole was re-elected chairman for the forthcoming year with Cllr Peter Street as vice-chairman. Former parish councillors J Crowley and W Gress were thanked for all their hard work and commitment and each pre- sented with a salix tree and a garden gnome. Community warden Lyn McKay was congratulated on her promotion and thanked for herwork in the village andwas presented with an orchid. County Cllr Richard Long


was keen to attend a meeting with the parish council and Kent Highways representatives to discuss matters including the chicane at The Harp pub,the new access for the proposed de- velopment at The Orchard, Hale Street, and the cycle route between East Peckham and PaddockWood. He congratulated the parish council on its recent renova- tion at the community centre and said that the village had some great facilities. The community warden drew attention to mini quad bikes and trial bikes being ridden on land at Smithers Lane. It was reported that youths in


the field behind Strettitt Gar- dens had been aiming laser lights at the properties. It would appear that the scaf- folding yard in Brunswick Square had been operating out- side permitted hours and secu- rity lighting was causing disturbance to nearby resi- dents. The matter would be re- ferred to Tonbridge andMalling Council.


Flytipping remained at Bullen Island and this would be reported to the borough


 Continued on page 38 You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk


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