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bowls green pavilion was still unfinished and that there was no electricity. The contract was not with the council but coun- cillors wouldmake contact with both Townsend Hook and the building contractors to see if they were able to get the project completed so that the lease could be signed. Progress on the construction


of the sports pitches is currently held up while suitable drainage solutions are found. Discus- sions were due to take place to see which options could be used so that the pitches could be constructed. There was a discussion about


the space available at the ceme- tery for benches to be installed by families. It was suggested that families may be willing to take the option of placing a bench in one of the parks.


Trottiscliffe Council Footpath cuts


THE Public Rights of Way offi- cer had written to say that the budget for clearing footpaths and bridleways had been cut by 50% and, therefore, would only be cleared once a year. The council felt that in some areas this would not be acceptable. The clerk was asked to establish how much would be con- tributed from PROW if the council arranged for a contrac- tor to do the work. Following a comment re- ceived at the annualmeeting re- garding white lines on the humps through the village, the clerk was asked to contact KHS. The clerkwas also asked to re-


port the pothole on the corner of Taylors Lane and School Lane and that the embankment from The Tanyard to The George, which was very untidy. Joan Scott and family had ex- pressed their thanks for the evening when the seat and “camel” for the play area in the recreation ground had been of- ficially handed over. It was reported that all the al- lotments were taken and rent re- ceived. The chairman Cllr Ann Kemp agreed to speak to Trot- tiscliffe School regarding the contractor for grass cutting in the recreation area and ask that the cutters be set higher when going over the rubber matting around some of the play equip- ment. The council considered the following planning applica- tions: White Clouds, Taylors Lane, installation of 22 photo- voltaic cells – no objections in principle, granted; Rectory Cot- tage, Church Lane, fell oak tree – no objections, granted; Stables Cottage, Coldrum Lane, change of use to cattery – no objections, granted; The Shack, Pilgrims Way, extension of time limit to planning permission – no objec- tion; The Nursery, Taylors Lane,


retrospective application for re- tention of caravan ancillary to nursery business – object; WrothamWater Farm,Wrotham Water Road, details of siting, de- sign and external appearance of agricultural storage building - no objection in principle but felt that it could be seen from the road and therefore careful con- sideration should be given to cladding. It was agreed that a meeting


be arranged between the village hall committee, the school and the tennis club regarding car parking, particularly when two or more events were taking place at the same time. Tonbridge and Malling Coun-


cil had confirmed that if the parish council gave a donation to the village hall committee, it must be known how the money was spent. It was suggested that the vil-


lage hall might be entitled to a rubbish bin, should they wish to investigate this. At the annual parish meeting,


PCSO Kim Hockey reported there had been one crime – theft from outbuildings –inTrot- tiscliffe during the previous month, and that the crime rate in the area was low. The PCSO would look into a


report of problem parking out- side The George. On behalf of the village hall committee, Karen Stannard re- ported that the income from hire by theMontessori Nursery had enabled improvements including redecorating, addi- tional heating and new curtains. The committee was in consulta- tion with The Charities Com- mission to update the trust deed. Amember of the public raised concerns about the speed limit coming from the A227 down Vigo Hill, which went from 40mph to 60mph, incorporating a tight bend, and then down to 20mph. County Cllr Sarah Hohler said she would ask someone to look into it. It was stated that the sight


line at the top of Vigo Hill was bad because of cars parking in the reopened Vigo public house. It was understood that efforts were being made to put a car park at the rear of the building. At the council’s annual meet-


ing, Cllr Ann Kemp was elected chairman for the forthcoming year with Cllr RichardWallis as vice-chairman.


Wateringbury Council


Poor response


MEMBERS were disappointed that only four people, all exist- ing councillors, formally put their names forward to serve on the parish council. At the start of the meeting,


Doug Chivers, Bev Evans and Chris Talbert were co-opted on to the council. One other parishioner has expressed an in- terest, which leaves two vacan- cies. Cllr Michael Cayzer was elected as chairman and Cllr Richard Tripp as vice-chairman. The previous chairman,Mau-


reen Allen, has moved from the village and was therefore un- able to continue as a parish councillor. She was thanked by the new chairman for all her hard work and commitment. It was agreed to look into the


QEII Fields Challenge 2012 and to obtain quotes for rabbit-proof fencing at the playing fields. Since part of the Pear Orchard


is leased from the parish coun- cil, the appointment of new con- tractors to manage the orchard from February 2012 was agreed. The new contractor will be Chris Phillips of Hunton. The following planning ap- plications were considered, with no objections: 22 Mill Lane, extension; 170 Tonbridge Road, change of use from B1 of- fices to three residential units (revised plan).


Sheep freeze


West Malling Council


IT was agreed to freeze Mr West’s contribution for the use of metered water for his sheep on Macey’s Meadow to £50. It was suggested to raise this fee to £62.50. Though MrWest had no objection to this increase, it was felt the existing payment was sufficient. A resident of Norman Road


asked why the gullies in Alma Road, and outside a section of Norman Road, had not been emptied. It was reported that rain was


still coming out of the manhole cover outside former pub The Startled Saint in St Leonard’s Street. It was reported that HGVs


were travelling through West Malling to the Blaise Farm Quarry. A dray lorry had reportedly


hit the bollards outside the op- ticians’ in Swan Street. It was reported that Malling


Area Volunteer Bureau was likely to cease to exist in its present form from July as all funding was going to Maidstone Bureau. It was, however, hoped to keep the transport scheme going in some form. The Malling Scoiety stated


that the hand railings down the steps leading to the Twitch Her- itage Centre were in the process of being installed. It was stated that a parking review was first to be completed in East Malling be- fore moving on toWest Malling, but one should take place this year.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk The final West Malling Char-


acter Appraisal document was to be published for public com- ment in the autumn.


West Peckham Council


Overgrown trees


IT was noted that the Children Playing sign on the approach to The Green was now obscured by trees. Kent Highways would be contacted. Preparations were continuing


for the village fete on Saturday, July 2 at 2pm. Thankswent to T Freed and the rest of the team for the success of the royal wed- ding celebration. A small profit was made so no funding was needed from the parish council and £90 was donated to the church. The following planning appli- cations were considered: Hazel Hall, Church Road, re- moval and crowning of trees – no objections; Cobdene, Forge Lane, extensions – no objec- tions. At the annual parish meeting, tribute was paid by the chair- man to councillors who did not stand for re-election. Sarah Gracey, James Simpson and Michael Corfe were thanked for their work for the council. During her four-year term,


Sarah had worked on the village welcome pack, managed the taxi voucher scheme and also been an active member of the village archiving project. James had also been a coun-


cillor for four years, looking after issues including roads. The annual Christmas tree and the work being undertaken to get areas of West Peckham des- ignated an area of outstanding natural beauty were thanks to him.


Michael had been on the council for decades, following in the footsteps of his father. Many community projects


were totally reliant on the resi- dents for their success and the council only played a very minor role. The chairman said he would


like to thank all those people “who do” forWest Peckham. He asked for anyone who would like to becomemore involved to make themselves known to the council, the fete committee or the church. Kent Highway Services had


now added Mereworth Road to the secondary salting route to provide access to and from the village. The council had paid to have


some branches cut from the large oak on the village green to give more light to the newer oak tree behind. The archive project was on-


going and Sarah Gracey and Michael Corfe would like to re- main on the project.


Malling 39


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