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Monchelsea Council Lead thefts


NINE crimes had been reported in the previous two months in- cluding thefts of copper and oil, wood, lead and a catalytic con- vertor. A number of lead thefts had been reported in neigh- bouring parishes including six in Coxheath. Fuel and copper had been


stolen from St Peter’s Church. Two section 59 notices had


been served on off-road motor- cyclists by PCSO Richard Chainey. Action taken in rela- tion to motorbikes in Furfield Quarry appeared to have been successful. Evidence was being pursued


by Maidstone Council after dis- covery of flytipping at Lower Farm Road. Members heard that the vil-


lage hall committee had not agreed to the use of the car park at weekends for post office vans. The council would ask the Post Office for vans to be parked at the far south end of Church Street at weekends. Two applicants were inter- viewed for the vacancy on the council. Voting resulted in Richard Lewis being co-opted as a parish councillor. A cheque for £1,059.40 had


been received following the dis- banding of TRAMP. It was agreed the money go towards the Beresfords Hill footpath project. It was recommended that


plans to redevelop Wierton Place in Wierton Road, be re- fused. No objection was made to an application to replace the Scout hut at Church Hill with a new building to be used as a place of worship. A two-storey rear extension


at 92 The Quarries was refused, but only on the grounds of the external materials, which should be ragstone with red brick borders. Aportable building for the al- lotments had been procured with previously awarded grant money. Several allotment hold- ers had arranged privately to lease a piece of adjacent land to keep chickens. Allotment rents would be in- creased from October 1 from £20 to £25 for a full plot and from £12to£14.50forahalf plot.


The parish council had been


asked to remind residents that dog walking on Campfield Farm was not allowed. This would be advertised on the website and noticeboards. A flyer would be circulated, asking people if they are inter- ested in forming a residents’ group to promote improve- ments to Church Street such as


parking, lowering the speed limit and introducing more greenery. Concern was expressed that


the CliffHill nature reserve was being used for dogwalking. Bar- ratt Homes, the landowner, would be contacted with a re- quest for secure fencing and signs.


Local artist Graham Clarke


was thanked for refurbishing the village sign, which was due to be re-erected


Broomfield and Kingswood Council


New rule


IT was reported that Cllr Kim Ashbee,who had been co-opted at the last meeting, had since re- signed. Members agreed that any candidate be required to at- tend at least two meetings be- fore being co-opted. There had been no response


to the NeighbourhoodWatch ar- ticle in the Echo for a main co- ordinator, or from existing street coordinators, which was disap- pointing. However, the Police Watch liaison officer in Maid- stone had written to street coor- dinators, seeking their support, and had received several posi- tive responses. Due to the resignation of the project manager for super-fast broadband, residentGerald Luck had volunteered for the role. The parish forum was now


live but hits were slow.Ways of raising its profile were dis- cussed.


Long-term resident Sue Clarke


had requested permission to place a bench at the sports field in memory of her husband. Further complaints had been received about overgrown fo- liage across footways around the village. A second letter would be sent to residents who did not comply, informing them that KCC may carry out any nec- essary work and invoice them for costs. Ameeting was being arranged


for parishes most affected by the loss of the 59 bus service at weekends from January 1. The chief executive at Leeds


Castle had advised there would be no specific arrangements for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 but was willing for a joint parish community project within the castle grounds.


Coxheath Council Speed checks


REGULAR police speed checks would be starting in Heath Road, thanks to the intervention of PCSO Richard Chainey. The parish council has regis-


tered concerns over the current policy of allowing applications on gypsy and traveller sites to be passed by the planning au- thority without fair scrutiny. Consideration was being


given to a co-operative ap- proach involving a number of neighbouring parish councils. Acting community warden


Chris Lomax would be paying particular attention to cases of inconsiderate parking in the village, in co-operationwith the borough parking services. Councillors approved a grant


of £600 to allow the Charlton Maidstone Inclusion commu- nity football programme in Cox- heath to continue over the summer holidays. The parish council would be reminding various residents of their responsibilities to keep hedges trimmed, particularly where overgrowth was causing potential hazards to pedestri- ans. A new metal mesh backing


hadbeenfittedtothe youth shelter in the village hall play- ing field.


Egerton Council Village beacon


THE clerk would contact the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee bea- con organisers to add Egerton to the official list and investigate the possible re-use of the exist- ing bonfire-style beacon.Apub- licmeeting would be organised. It was reported that Kent Highway Services was unable to fund any works at Field Mill Road as it was not considered an accident black spot. A more precise estimate would be sought from KHS as the current £5,000 to £10,000 was too vague. Cllr Pat Parr was thanked for


her work in updating the wel- come pack. New salt bin shovels would


be purchased. A planning application to convert an existing garage to a study/playroom, erect a de- tached garage and reposition ve- hicular access at Rose Cottage, Forge Lane, was discussed. While neither supporting or ob- jecting, the council commented that careful attention should be paid to any impact on the sew- erage as this area had a history of problems. A resident of Old School


Court reported that two trees on the recreation ground were get- ting very large and overhanging his property. Advice would be obtained from a tree surgeon.


Headcorn Council Toilet time-lock


THE ladies toilet door has now been reversed but the wiring for the time lock needs to be moved. The automatic door lock timers continue not to function, leaving the toilets vul- nerable overnight. A quote was being obtained in connection wjth the work required. October 22 has been set as the provisional date to re-launch the Neighbourhood Watch


scheme at the village hall. The clerk had passed the


NVQ2 in playwork and is now a qualified member of the playscheme team, which plays an important part when dealing with Ofsted staffing ratios. Quotes were accepted for the installation of signage and two additional lights for the traders’ car park and village hall ap- proach road. Britannia Parking Services was engaged to moni- tor the car park on the council’s behalf. It was resolved that the village


hall approach road have re- stricted parking for four hours only between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Saturday.


Hunton Council Solar panels


A QUOTE of £15,678 has been obtained by the village hall committee for installing solar panels on the roof of the build- ing. Members were advised that a structural check should be made to see if any strengthening work was required. Councillors requested additional quotes and further details. Cllr Ron Porter reported that the village school was considering solar panels and it could be beneficial to co- ordinate with the school. Danny Peacock had taken


over as chairman of the King George V playing field manage- ment committee. An invitation from farmer


Clive Baxter was accepted to visit Amsbury Farm where a new large warehouse was erected despite councillors’ ob- jections. A cherry grader – the first of its kind in the UK – had been installed, as well as a pear ripening plant,which had led to the farm gaining a large contract with Sainsbury’s. Ten new staff had been recruited, bringing the workforce to 65.


Weekend bus cut Langley Council


THE number 13 Saturday bus service, which serves Langley, will be withdrawn on January 1. Three crimes were reported –


the theft of a vehicle from Leeds Road, criminal damage at the village hall and a theft in Horse- shoes Lane. The handset in the BT phone


box at Heath Road had been smashed and it had taken two weeks to repair. Members agreed to consider requesting BT to remove the box if resi- dents were in agreement. An item would be placed in the newsletter asking for comments. Following a two-month trial,


it was agreed that SteveWaring should litter pick the playing field at the same time as hand mowing, at a cost of £20 a time. The situation would be re- viewed near winter time. Due to staff shortages, the youth bus had been stopped


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