DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 31


time to consider proposals for redevelopment at Invicta Works, Mill Street, to provide nine dwellings. East Malling Conservation group had ob- jected for a number of reasons. The parish requested the appli- cation be referred to the plan- ning committee. Aresident ofNew Hythe Lane


had expressed concerns over frequent loud crashing noises coming from the new skate park, even after dark. It was agreed to contact the consultant who had overseen the work being carried out.


East Peckham Council


Plough solution


RESIDENTS had complained of motorbikes being ridden on fields off Smithers Lane. The matter had been referred to the police and community warden. The fields had since been ploughed which appeared to have solved the problem and the police and community war- den were remaining alert. The community warden was


aware of the recent disturbance at Hale Street involving trav- ellers. The Royal Horticultural Soci-


ety had been unable to establish the cause of the problem affect- ing the Philip Russellmemorial tree but had suggested it might be honey fungus. The sports hall was being


used for 74% of available time during weekdays, and inquiries were being received in respect of both halls. The new goal posts,part funded by East Peckham Jun- iors, had been acquired. Cllr Lorraine Baseden re- ported that she had become in- creasingly concerned at the lack of facilities for young people in the village and stated the case for a skatepark. It was resolved that she investigate products and funding. The 2011 summer play scheme had been successful with an attendance rate of 84% across all four weeks. The parish council’s contribution was £810. The village Christmas event would be held on December 14 and the East Peckham Silver Band, primary school and Street Singers would be asked to par- ticipate. The bus shelter at 6 Old Road


hadbeendamaged byS&SDis- tribution who had accepted re- sponsibility. The council’s insurers had advised submitting a claim which totalled £1,754. As this was the third time it had been damaged by a collision, a quote had been obtained for its relocation, which was £275. It was resolved to ask if the shelter could be turned round so its


back faced Old Road. If thiswas not possible then the shelter would be relocated to the bus stop at 55 Pound, opposite Westwood Road. The deputy chairman and


clerk had attended the leavers assembly at East Peckham Pri- mary School where the 2011 Citizenship Award was pre- sented to Kirsten Vallender. The Friends of East Peckham School summer fair had raised more than £2,500 and the parish council was thanked for its do- nation towards the raffle. It was suggested that the vil-


lage have a Christmas fair in 2012.


Kings Hill Council Skate park


THE skate park forum had been well attended and youngsters who had been involved two years ago were still interested in the scheme. The chairman said there was still a lot of work to be done and £80,000 to £100,000 would need to be raised from grants. It was agreed to consult Tonbridge and Malling Council about noise levels and seek more information on funding sources. Two applicants for the vacant


seat on the parish council were to be interviewed at the Novem- ber meeting. The bus shelter in Discovery


Drive was due to be installed. Details had been passed to County Cllr Richard Long for the Discovery Drive crossing. The application for funding had been submitted and he was waiting for Kent Highways to reply.


Celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee were dis- cussed. It was agreed that the focusshouldbeafeteatthe community centre on Saturday, July 21, and to seek proposals for a community event. The council agreed an in-


crease from £100 to £200 in its grant to Citizens Advice.


Leybourne Council School pick-up


THE chairman had received


several calls from residents con- cerning school parking on what had been a particularly bad day.


PCSO Edward Moore said that this was a difficult issue to re- solve as, when there was a po- lice presence, people tend to behave themselves. He had popped down at the ‘right time’ to catch people and could pos- sibly adopt this technique in fu- ture. The PCSO had taken details of


night fishermen at Castle Lakes and advised them they should not be there. An incident in- volving fishing equipment being taken by threat of harm by known offenders had been dealt with. The school development at Leybourne Chase was dis- cussed. The statistical analysis had been done and because of the strength of Leybourne pri- mary school, a satellite school was thought to be the most likely option. Councillors dis- cussed the possibility of a new school in the parish and the ad- missions policy of local schools. It was agreed this would be dis- cussed further by the parish council should a new school be considered by Kent County Council. It was agreed to purchase a gazebo for the village hall at £200, to hire out for weddings and functions. Councillors agreed to spend


£150 on a Christmas disco after the lights switch-on. A request to spend £800 on


new doors and repainting at the village hall was agreed. Communitywarden Viv Hick-


mott would cover as many days as possible in Leybourne before a full-time warden is hopefully recruited in 2012. She had been patrolling the Bomb Hole area in the evenings to investigate any anti-social behaviour.


Mereworth Council Traffic calming


A REQUEST had been made to Kent Highways for a survey of The Street with a view to traffic calming. The possibility of solar-powered interactive flash-


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


You can write to us at: Downs Mail, 2 Forge House, Bearsted Green Business Park, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4DT or email: info@ downsmail.co.uk


‘Malling’ should be in proposed seat name


REGARDING the parliamentary boundaries review, these pro- posals are due to the decision to reduce the number of MPs by 50, so bigger seats with tight number guidelines have been imposed. I feel the Tonbridge seat does not really cover an area that has


real local ties. With East and West Malling in the revised Chatham and Aylesford seat, I feel Malling ought to be in its name. As Chatham Central is being transfered to Rochester per- haps ‘Medway South and Malling’ would be better.


David Thornewell, chairman of East Malling and Larkfield Parish Council


ing 30mph signs outside the church lay-by and the school was being investigated. County Cllr Richard Long advised cau- tion as traffic calming was often withdrawn when problems arose after installation. It was agreed that Cllr Long arrange a site meeting with parish councillors and high- ways representatives. The church would be apply-


ing for a capital grant towards the installation of a toilet. Trees had been pruned at the recreation area but more work was needed. Some discussion took place


on the idea of a list of those res- idents considered to be vulner- able andinneedofhelpon occasions. It was agreed not to draw up a list but continue to keep an eye on those who ask for or who were known to re- quire help. The bus stop in The Street


had now been installed.A letter of thanks had been received from a resident. Two allotments were in need


of attention and the clerk had contacted the plot holders. One wished to have a wildlife area and had been asked to keep this to a small section. The new slide at the play area


had been installed. It had been agreed to go ahead


with the Queen Elizabeth’s Fields Trust andtosignthe charitable trust documents. A plaque would be put on thewall of the pavilion and residents would be informed through the noticeboard and ‘The Record’. A broken drain cover and fly- tipping in Butchers Lane were being reported to the borough council.


Nettlestead Council Pub fundraiser


IT was reported that Chatterbox Scheme members would be fundraising at the Hop Pole every Friday. The clerk had spoken to Kent County Council with regards to the bus shelter. It had collapsed when it was removed and would not be replaced in the foreseeable future. BT had advised that the phone box had been repaired. Inspection during a recess of the meeting revealed that the tele- phone boxwas still broken.The clerk would call BT to report it. It was agreed there would be


no further action on the street light at Gibbs Hill at present. The chairman reported that


the village hall committee now has 10 members, so the question of parish council representation will not arise until the annual meeting inMay 2012. The com- mittee agrees that the issue of the personal liability of com- mittee members should be pur- sued with an independent broker.


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