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Addington Council Chairman elected


AT the annual parish council meeting, Cllr Pat Garrett was elected as chairman for the forth- coming year with Cllr Marie- France Bailey as vice-chairman. The clerk had requested an up-


date from Kent Highways on the possibility of traffic lights being installed at the junction of Seven Mile Lane with the A20. Members were told that the


Tonbridge and Malling Council tree officer had met the clerk to discuss the semi-mature oak tree that could be affected by the ex- cavation for new cabling in Trot- tiscliffe Road. South Eastern Power Networks had agreed to divert the cabling to avoid any potential damage to the tree. There had been one crime in


the pastmonth which involved a theft from a stallholder ataboot fair.


PCSO Kim Hockey confirmed


that the police were aware of people hanging about late at night in Park Road and East Street, possibly using drugs. A problem of people cutting


and taking logs from the wood next to the Shell garage on the A20 was raised by a member of the public. A member of public reported


that a woodland area off Sandy Lane, known as the chestnut plantation, had been fenced off with barbed wire. It was agreed to try to identify the owners to see if they would make it more accessible to the public. With regard to Big Motoring


World, London Road, members were updated on planning is- sues. A number of new lights had been erected and the own- ers’ agent had apparently indi- cated to planning enforcement officers that an application would be submitted for them. Memberswere informed itwas


not a planning requirement that the unofficial lay-by outside the site was re-instated when BMW applied for the new entrance. Kent Highways had advised it would be re-instating the area. It was noted that there had


been five boot fairs at each of the A20 London Road sites. The council would check with plan- ning enforcement that an officer was attending each boot fair as previously advised. A resident had expressed con-


cern about unauthorised cars parking on the village green and in some cases driving over it.The resident suggested that the No Parking sign by the Angel Inn could be replaced with a bigger one and that further signs and posts were placed at the top of the green. The problems had been noted


by the parish council in recent months but it was agreed that it was committed to de-cluttering Addington and a proliferation of


30 Malling


more signs would not be appro- priate. Members were asked to consider the issue before a fur- ther discussion at the nextmeet- ing.


The chairman thanked Mrs J Bygraves for the interesting tour of the neolithic stones, which took place before the annual parish meeting.


Aylesford Council Settling in


COMMUNITY warden Adam McKinley (Aylesford) reported he was getting to know the area and residents since replacing Sara Hoskins-Davies.He had vis- ited the youth bus and club and local schools and had dealt with some welfare and trading stan- dards issues. He was also aware of the park-


ing issue frequently occurring on the recess of the Old Bridge. County Cllr Peter Homewood


had attended a site visit to the centre of Aylesford village to re- view the roadmarkings and was now pursuing with Kent High- ways progress on the investiga- tions/repair of the culvert under the High Street, which would benefit flood prevention in the village.


Applications for funding from


his highways grant had been made towards fencing the Lower Bell lay-by (completed) and safety measures at Fossington Way crossing (still awaited). The clerk stated the approval


of the application for a solar park, with the anticipated in- crease in vehicle movements, could lend some pressure to local requests for the speed limit in Bull Lane to be reduced to 20mph. It was agreed that the planning committee should re- view the conditions of approval by Tonbridge and Malling Coun- cil.


Cllr Gillian Hurley said the school bus had been noted trav- elling through Eccles at speed and she was intending to inform Arriva head office.


Birling Council Low priority


REGARDING traffic calming by Lilac Cottage, Ryarsh Road, the clerk had spoken to the clerk at Ryarsh who had advised that, al- though the scheme had been ap- proved, it was unlikely to go ahead in the foreseeable future. It was agreed to donate £250


each for the village party and All Saints’ PCC for the flower festi- val.


Concerns were again expressed


about the vegetation obstructing the footpath at The Bank, in par- ticular at the lower end near the Nevill Bull. The clerk was asked to check with Kent Highway services when clearance was scheduled. Anew application for a revised disabled annex at 117-119 Sandy Lane, Snodland, was received,


following refusal of the previous application. The planning com- mittee raised no objections


Ditton Council Illegal parking


IT was reported that Operation Zig Zag was due to take place, targeting illegal parking outside the two Ditton schools. Initially a warning would be given but further offences would result in fines.


Reports had been requested


from all staff on duty following a complaint from a resident about a wedding in the Oaken Hall.It was concluded that the wedding was difficult to control and noisy but there was no serious trouble. Drink was brought onto the premises and some was con- sumed outside. Some glass was broken in the car park. Members decided the council’s current standing orders were, in general, adequate to cope with largeweddings, and did not need to be amended. Cllr Mike Porter was re-elected chairman with Cllr J Beadle as vice-chairman.


East Malling and Larkfield Council


Shelter plans


ABUSshelter could be provided by KCC at New Hythe station provided the parish council wouldmaintain it. The clerk was asked to obtain some brochures. Cllr Liz Skinner commented


thatNewHythe Lane seemed ex- tremely dark, possibly because of overgrown vegetation, and the clerk would get the handyman to check. Cllr David Thornewell was re- elected chairman for the forth- coming year with Cllr Margaret Moore re-elected as vice-chair- man. The insulation had been com-


pleted at both East Malling and Larkfield village halls, which it was hoped would reduce energy costs. Work on the skate park and playground refurbishment was due to be finished by July 22. An allotment holder at East Malling had commented that some holders did not live in the parish. The clerk explained that they had held allotments since they were established but now there was a lengthy waiting list, no-one from outside the parish would be considered. A quote had been provided for wooden posts at Rocks Close open space to prevent vehicles crossing the grass and making the area extremely muddy inwet weather. A resident had also complained about youths sitting on the lowerwall causing distur- bance. It was agreed to inspect the area. A letter had been sent to the borough council expressing con- cern at the appearance of the re-


placement garages at 20-24High Street, East Malling, which is a conservation area. The borough acknowledged


that the decision had caused some concern locally and was negotiatingwith the applicant to have the building “toned down”. The parish council had re- quested yellow lines be consid- ered following complaints about vans parking in the section of Chaucer Way close to the junc- tions of SoutheyWay and Priest- ley Drive and opposite the bus stop. A reply was awaited. It was noted that tree preser- vation orders had been placed on two oaks in Martin Square. The line of seven beeches in front of the library were already protected.


East Peckham Council


Dog fouling


ARESIDENT expressed concern about dog fouling in Hale Street andOld Road. The borough dog warden was aware of the deteri- orating situation. Litter in Hale Street near the


Rose and Crown would be re- ported to the borough council. A letter of thanks for the retir-


ing gift had been received from former parish chairman Peter Crawford. The nomination of the playing


fields for the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge had been ac- knowledged by Fields In Trust. It was resolved to also nominate Westwood Road green. Occupancy level was cur-


rently 80% Monday to Friday for the sports hall and there were three regular users of the new Community Hall. The borough council had con- firmed that children’s parties could take place in the commu- nity centre as they were private events.


Repairs to the outdoor fitness equipment would be carried out shortly. A young couple were discov-


ered camping on the playing fields overnight. An investiga- tion found that they were tem- porarily homeless and had since moved on. Before doing so, they had undertaken some litter clearing on the playing fields. Regarding the memorial tree


to Phillip Russell, the borough’s tree inspector thought that the tree had a form of canker and had been pecked by a bird seek- ing insects. Although nothing could be done, she thought the general health and vigour of the tree had not been affected. Sec- ond opinionswere being sought. A complaint had been re- ceived regarding the Vehicles For Change bus visits, alleging that youths were playing ball games in the community centre car park, putting vehicles at risk of damage, and there appeared to be a lack of adult supervision.


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