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Aylesford Council Garden thefts


REGARDING the thefts of gar- den plants and ornaments in the parish, there had been an arrest and retrieval of some of the stolen goods. Borough Cllr Dave Davis re- ported that Tonbridge and Malling Council was planning to have six beacons across its area on June 4, 2012, to cele- brate the Queen’s Diamond Ju- bilee. Applications from the parish or any other organisation interested in hosting one of these would be welcome. Cllr Davis will be lighting one of them in his role as mayor. A meeting for further discus-


sion on flooding and drainage problems in Eccles was being planned. Borough Cllr John Balcombe


had been working with the po- lice, housing association and community warden within the Royal British Legion Village on anti-social behaviour and rent arrears.


Ditton Council Lease signed


THE lease of part of the Cedar Room to Ditton Youth Centre was formally signed and sealed. Nicola Greenaway was wel- comed as the new clerk and James Yearsley and Alan Piper were co-opted as parish coun- cillors. PC Becky Ballard reported


there had been four incidents of criminal damage and four thefts in the last month. These included a washing


line stolen from a garden in Woodlands Road, plant pots from a garden in Kilnbarn Road, and amobile phone, lap- top and camera from a house in Walnut Row by an uninvited guest.


Three packets of crisps had


been stolen from One Stop and PC Ballard had used restorative justice with the offender. Councillors agreed to a re-


quest from Ditton TwinningAs- sociation to display the twinning photograph albums in the heritage centre. A leak had been found com-


ingfromthe under-concrete heating pipes in the Kilnbarn bar. A quote for re-routing the pipework above ground to pre- vent further leaks had been ob- tained. The issue of finance would be considered by the community centre committee. County Cllr Peter Homewood


had authorised part of his high- way grant for work on the ford. It was noted that a planning enforcement investigation would be undertaken at the Kentish Quarryman regarding alleged unauthorised use for a hot food takeaway.


Meridian TV news presenter Sangeeta Bhabra meets guests at St Martin’s summer fair


Summer fete will pay for trips RESIDENTS at St Martin’s care home in Larkfield can look for- ward to some great days out after their summer fete raisedmore than £1,000. The money will go towards a boat trip and other outings, as


well as a bursary fund which helps older people who can no longer afford the cost of care. Special guestswere television presenter Sangeeta Bhabra, host


of ‘Meridien Tonight’, and theMayor andMayoress of Tonbridge andMalling, Cllr Brian Luker and his wife Joy. Attractions included fancy dress competitions, a dog show, dance display, tombola and stalls.


Supply turned off


East Peckham Council


THE community warden drew attention to a neglected prop- erty in Pound Road and re- ported that South East Water had turned off the supply. While the borough’s environ- mental health officers were aware of the situation, there was little they could do as the property did not currently pres- ent a danger to the public. A resident had complained


about being inconvenienced by the recent Hop Farm music fes- tival.


Attention was drawn to Brookside roundabout which needed repairs. Kent Highway Services would be advised. Regarding the memorial tree


to Phillip Russell, Headland Garden Services considered that the problem had been caused by the oak borer beetle, and while the tree had been sprayed with a repellent, there was no cure. It was noted that most affected trees were cut down and burnt, but this seemed drastic especially with the memorial connection. It was noted that this opinion differed substantially from the borough tree inspector. Occupancy levels for the


sports hall were 80%, Monday to Friday, and new inquiries were being received. From the start of the football season, East Peckham Juniors would be hir- ing the hall on Tuesday evenings for training. The junior swing had been re- paired and the suppliers had in- stalled a new bench as a goodwill gesture and repaired a large hole in the safety surface. Members were advised that


the sports hall emergency door was often left open by users and sometimes the buildingwas left insecure. Notices advising users that the door was only to be opened in an emergency were often ignored. On one occasion the door had


been left open on a Tuesday evening, resulting in a child being able to leave the sports hall during theWednesday tod- dler group. Users would be re- minded of their obligation to leave the building secure. Should the problem persist, the council would consider fitting an alarm. It was agreed to host the chil-


dren’s puppet show ‘Wolf’s Tale’ by Applause Rural Tour- ing Theatre on November 20. A grant of up to £565 was agreed to East Peckham Methodist Church towards work on the folding doors and flooring at the Curran Hall.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk A councillor drew attention


to the nettles on the mound next to the allotments. The jan- itorial team would be asked to strim the area and remove them.


West Peckham Council


Leak repair


THE burst water pipe that leaks onto the North Access Road was due to be replaced in Sep- tember. It was hoped there would be minimal disturbance and Waterlink had been ad- vised to ensure it sought the rel- evant permissions. A request had been received


from Boughton Monchelsea Morris men to hold their an- nual picnic on July 15, 2012. Concerns were raised over the number of bin bags left on the village green following this year’s event. The council agreed unanimously to next year’s event providing all rub- bish is removed afterwards. One crimewas reported since


the last meeting and that was the theft of four hanging bas- kets from outside the Swan on the Green public house. The borough councillors


were asked if they wished to comment on the feeling of many residents within West Peckham that there had been no empathywith regard to their feelings over the Hugh Lowe farm application. Cllr Jill Anderson said that borough councillors could not be emotive but could only make decisions based on plan- ning law. The parish has ex- pressed a keen interest in being involved in a liaison group and Cllr Anderson agreed this was a positive idea. The parish planning commit-


tee would meet to form a re- sponse to the borough council asking for further clarity re- garding some of the conditions of the Hugh Lowe Farm plan- ning permission so that they are correctly understood. It was agreed that annual cleaning and clearing of gullies and drains around AdamsWell and Parsons Corner was most likely not enough, and that the time of year and weather needed to be considered. The resurfacing of the left


hand fork of Stan Lane onto Swanton Roadwould be under- taken in the future and had only been missed due to a mis- understanding between KCC highways operations and the contractor. Part of Gover Hill had now


been renamed as Oxenheath Road. This primarily affected the Old School House. Councillorswere told that the


cost of hire for the village hall would only increase in the win- ter months to cover additional heating costs.


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