DownsMail In touch with your parish


of the borough. The Beacon Field football


pitch has been repaired for the new season.


Garden concerns


East Farleigh Council


A RESIDENT in Vicarage Lane had written to the parish coun- cil in response to the best kept garden competition. She took exception to the judges’ com- ment that the front gardens in Vicarage Lane were disappoint- ing. Her comments were to be passed on. PCSO Richard Chainey had spoken to the school head and agreed to a greater police pres- ence following issues with parking and the crossing lady. Members of the public voiced concerns about the village plan action group‘s idea for a village centre/village green.They found out about the proposed feasibility study in a survey de- livered by the VPAG. Although the VPAG has to work inde- pendently of the parish coun- cil, it was felt discourteous not to have run the survey past the council. Having been unable to secure


the Old SchoolHall in East Far- leigh for the parish, the council was considering joining forces with Tovil Parish Council in its attempt to purchase the Old SchoolHall in Tovil for use as a community facility and parish office. It was suggested that the council also contact West Far- leigh to find out its progress on its hall plans and whether East Farleigh could use it in the fu- ture. CllrJohnWilsonsaidthata highways engineerwas going to report on all possibilities for re- solving the traffic problems re- lating to the bridge, initially regardless of cost, so it could be decided how best to move things forward.


Loose Council Eye-spy


COMMUNITY warden Liz Lo- vatt said CCTV footage of a per- son depositing waste in a public litter bin at the King George V playing field was being followed up. A rogue trader had been op- erating in the borough and res- identswere advised to obtain at least three quotes for work. A seven-day cancellation notice was a legal requirement and payment should not be in cash. Assistant clerk Anne Rigby


stated the number of hits on the website was 30,902, an average of 162 a week. Pavilion bookings were now available online and hiring forms/conditions could be downloaded. It was agreed to produce a newsletter three times a year,


starting inMarch 2012. Litter at the KGV playing


field was being monitored. Members noted concerns ex- pressed by Walnut Tree Lane Residents Association follow- ing the removal of the bollards in the lane. A resident had asked if the parish council would pay for any required fu- ture works to the road. The clerk had pointed out


that the bottom part of the lane was unadopted and that the parish was not responsible for its upkeep. It was stated that the parish was not in a financial po- sition to pay for work to un- adopted roads/sites, which could set a precedent. It was agreed to ask the coun-


cil’s groundsman to remove a Russian vine growing in Brooks Field and reaching onto neigh- bouring properties. Two quotes would be ob- tained for work to the two dead elm trees at the top of the field. The community fete on Sep- tember 3 had been a complete success. Final figures were not available but the council had made more than last year. Gordon Gove was co-opted to


the parish council. Marden Council


Youth awards COMMUNITY warden Mira Martin had purchased some small awards to present to youngsters who are seen doing a good deed (eg picking up litter). Anoticeboard was earmarked


for Chainhurst. There was an issue with pos-


sible subsidence at the chang- ing rooms. A survey had been undertaken and a report was ex- pected. It was agreed to pay the vil-


lage caretaker the additional hoursworked from April to July and an increase of two hours per month. SouthernWater had originally agreed to cut the hedge at Roughlands Pumping Station. It still had not been done and now vegetation had grown over the chevron signs. White marking around pot-


holes along Sheephurst Lane had been painted over. How- ever, several councillors had re- ported that Kent Highway Services had just started to un- dertake work. This would be monitored. A member of public queried


the positioning of the footway along Rookery Path, and asked if it was near to the Roundel Way fencing. The clerk was to make signs regarding dog fouling and erect them around the playing field. The assistant clerk had ap-


plied for a hedging pack of 25 native hedging species as part of the Kent Free Trees scheme which, if successful, would be planted at Southon’s Field.


It was agreed not to actively pursue thematter of taking over the land at LucksWay. The council had addressed matters highlighted in the open space questionnaire for South- on’s Field by providing picnic benches, refurbishing the bench and advertising the field more. It was agreed to ask former Maidstone Council officer Colin Winn to assist the council with starting a project for renewing the playing field play equip- ment. A letter regarding cemetery


plot maintenance had been sent to a number of families with fencing, plants and large num- bers of tributes on their graves.


Jubilee plans


Staplehurst Council


COUNCILLORS discussed plans for the Diamond Jubilee andfeltthat two separate fun fairs could be held in 2012. The council envisaged sponsoring the printing of an A5, 32-page programme of Jubilee events. It was reported that the boiler


at the pavilion was causing problems and needed to be in- vestigated/serviced. Following the resignation of


Jack Davidson, council chair- man John Perry felt re-accredi- tation for quality parish status was now pointless as the elec- toral mandate had not been achieved. He had written to Kent Association of Local Councils on this issue and other councils were supportive of the line taken against the unneces- sarily-strict criteria of requiring that two-thirds ofmembers had to be elected. Cllr Peter Spearink was to


make two more noticeboards at minimal cost (using mainly ex- isting materials) for the parish bus shelters at Cranbrook Road (northbound) and Cornforth Close (southbound). Maidstone Council said no planning breach had occurred regarding the new homes at Parisfield, Headcorn Road, be- cause all landscaping works were being carried out as per the approved plan and no re- tained trees had been removed.


Volunteers plea


West Farleigh Council


COUNCILLOR BryanMerritt re- ported that nine wooden posts had been broken around the vil- lage green. He believed five were damaged by workmen in the area. All agreed with the idea of obtaining boulders to place around the edge of the field instead of wooden posts, but that an appeal would need to be made for volunteers to help as this is a large job. After a site visit from a coun- cillor and emails with fellow


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members, it was agreed to allow a resident’s request to re- move a lime tree in Charlton Lane and replant another tree. It was agreed to pay a maxi-


mumof£500for a ‘No HGVs’ sign by Teston Bridge after per- mission was given for the site to be on Teston Lane. However, the sign must not be too large. Discussions were taking place with Teston Parish Council over placing a sign at the other side of the bridge. KHS confirmed that the verges at the bottom of Ewell Lane would be cut. The parish council was given clearance to purchase a replace- ment bin near Court Lodge, which will be emptied on a two- week schedule by Maidstone Council, free of charge. A member queried the progress of the Charlton Lane speed reduction. Cllr Deborah Bailey tendered


her resignation from the parish council, but would stay until the end of the year.


Yalding Council Name request


A LADDINGFORD resident re- quested that the road from Claygate to Lees Road be given a name after a fire incident in her garden highlighted that the emergency services could not find properties in this location. There is some belief that this road is named The Street, but this has not been confirmed. Maidstone Council confirmed it has no budget for signage. KHSwould need to agree to the road being named. A Tonbridge fire officer confirmed that a postcode is adequate to find a property. The clerkwould write to the resident suggesting that they contact KHS direct. Medway Valley Countryside Partnership (MVCP) was ar- ranging to complete the fence at The Tatt. However, fence posts and vegetation needed to be re- moved. All agreed to hire a skip for £200. A working party would need to be arranged once the project has completed. Arrangements were being


made to sell the cattle at The Fen. It was agreed that the council’s involvement with The Fen should continue. Kenward House previously agreed to complete the snag- ging for the play equipment and to maintain it twice a year. This had not yet materialised. The clerk would chase. Members agreed to continue


to waive their right to a coun- cillors’ allowance. It was reported that the fencing


along the canal was in such poor repair that it was dangerous. Next year’s January and Feb-


ruary meetings are to be com- bined and will take place on January 24.


South 39


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