DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 21


Peckham and PaddockWood. The price for the Christmas


lights had been held at the 2010 rate for the next two years, repre- senting a saving of at least £400. The Street Singers, East Peck-


ham Silver Band and the primary school had confirmed their avail- ability for December 14 at the MethodistHall. The village Christmas tree was


being supplied byBrookside Gar- den Centre. The sports hall was being used


for 78% of available time during weekdays and inquiries were being received in respect of both halls. Cllr J Macdonald was thanked


for all her work onyouth action. It was agreed that the information leaflets about the setting up of a youth chat room would be dis- tributed to key areas and anarticle would be placed in EPmagazine. Regarding the skate park proj-


ect, young people had been asked to design the type theywould like and were aware that they would be expected to undertake some fundraising. Funding opportuni- tieswould be investigated. Twinning links with Chereng


were progressing. East Peckham silver band would be visiting the French town in April 2012. Six people had expressed an interest in forming a twinning committee. The weekly French lessons


were going well with more than 20 people attending. The first block of six lessons had just fin- ished.


Changes to the village website


were discussed. The clerk should hopefully be able to update it shortly. It was noted that the ex- isting web hosting service was due to expire in April 2012 and the parish council would con- sider options for its development.


Bush on footway PROBLEMS caused by a pyra- cantha bush,which was protrud- ing at least 2ft 6ins onto the footway at Lillieburn, were dis- cussed. The shrub, which has sharp, long thorns, was consid- ered dangerous for the children in thewalking bus. Theparish coun- cil had written to KentHighways onmanyoccasions, asking for the situation to be resolved, butno ac- tion had been taken. The council agreed to write to


Leybourne Council


the walking bus scheme organis- ers, CountyCllrSarah Hohler and the head teacher of Leybourne PrimarySchool to press for action on the bush in Lillieburn and other overgrown vegetation along the route. It was reported that the flytip-


ping incident that occurred in July was being dealtwith by KCC and a prosecution was being pre- pared. A councillor asked why the


taps in the village hall needed re- placing as they were relatively


new. It was explained that they get stuck in the on position, caus- ing water wastage. This was due to the inexpensive nature of the existing taps. A meeting was held with the borough council to discuss the parish council’s proposals for Castle Lake. There were 14 dif- ferent parcels of land which the parish was not aware of and the borough agreed to do the searches to find out who owns them. The clerk reported that Croudace was keen to hand over ownership but the parish must prove the areas, using Land Registry searches, whichwere time consuming. The completion of the Bomb


Hole CCTV equipment was im- minent. It was agreed to object to the proposed metal recycling facility at New Hythe Lane, Aylesford, because of increased lorry traffic and the resulting congestion on Leybourne Way, Castle Way, the A228 andM20 junction 4.


Nettlestead Council Roof repair


IT was reported that the repair of the village hall roof would be going ahead on top of the existing roof as it contained asbestos.With a new roof on top of the old one, the asbestoswould be sealed in. It was also hoped to install a toilet with access for the disabled. It had been suggested at thepre-


vious meeting that residents be invited to join a working party to clear brambles around the edge of the King George V playing field. However, it had since been agreed that this was not a viable option due to the possible health and safety issues regarding residents using the machinery. The chair- man had inspected the field and stated that the hedges were also very overgrown and because of this and the brambles, a lot of the fieldwas beingwasted. An application for the rebuild-


ing of stables to form accommo- dation for holiday letting at Rock Farm, Gibbs Hill, was recom- mended for approval. There had been two burglaries


in Gibbs Hill and a theft from a motor vehicle in the village hall car park. The Chatterbox Club was due


to have a Christmas party. Snodland Town Council


Parking permits


COUNCILLORS discussed a re- quest from South EastWater to be given permit parking at Brook- lands Lake car park. Southern Water is concerned that staff are inconveniencing local residents around Rocfort Road and Saltings Road andwould like to be able to use part of the Brooklands Lake carpark to relieve the situation in the centre of Snodland. There were around 80 parking places and the council agreed that in


principle they could allow some of these to be used by business permit holders on weekdays. There would be discussions with South East Water to agree terms and the exact number of spaces available. The council discussed the first


draft of the budget for 2012-13. The annual grant from Tonbridge and Malling would reduce by around £5,000 because of Gov- ernment funding cuts and the council also needs to find addi- tional money for the Jubilee events. Reserves also need to be put aside for the cemetery and play equipment. The present draft will be updated and fi- nalised early in January. Snodland Football Club has


asked to be leased land at Potyns as ahomepitch. Itwas agreed that this would be possible together with an area of land for future de- velopment for changing rooms. The club would be asked to draw up a plan of Potyns showing the area needed for a home pitch. There is money available from Berkeley Homes to provide new changing rooms and community facilities. It is believed that a plan to include both of these at the community centre sitemay be ac- ceptable and the Community As- sociation will be asked to comment on draft plans before a planning application is submit- ted. It is likely that additional grant funding will be needed to complete the plan. It washoped to provide lighting


in Brooklands Lake car park and this would be discussed with South East Water. The meeting was advised that the towncouncil had received a bill from the bor- ough for over £7,000 for the cost of the elections held in May this year. This was a lot more than had been expected.


New co-ordinator THE chairman Cllr Ann Kemp said that a new Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator was needed and PCSO Kim Hockey said she would advise of the work in- volved. It was reported that the village


Trottiscliffe Council


hall and a house near the church had been broken into. Anew alarm system had been


fitted to the village hall. Potholes under the motorway


bridge would be reported. Considerable damage had been caused to the bases of some play equipment and to the fence in the car park by contractors strimming too close.Theywould be asked to useweed killer in future. It was noted that the following planning applications had been granted: Clarion Cottage, Church Lane – photovoltaic system; Trot- tiscliffe House, Green Lane – re- moval of garden wall and store, erection of orangery; Mount Mead, Ford Lane – demolition of outbuilding and erection of de-


tached garage; Wrotham Water Farm,WrothamWater Road – de- tails of agricultural unit. The enforcement officer had re-


ported that the decking atTrosley Farm had been removed. A donation of £50 was agreed


for Citizens Advice. It was agreed that a beacon should be erected in Trottiscliffe for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Ideas for other events to mark this occasion would be considered at the nextmeeting. The vice-chairman, Cllr RichardWallis ,was to arrange for a Christmas tree for the village green. New residents in Green Lane


were concerned that vehicles going over the speedrampinTay- lors Lane were causing structural damage to their house. They un- derstood that the road had re- cently been re-surfaced and that the speed ramp had been altered and thiswas causing the problem. They were advised to contact the districtmanager for theTonbridge and Malling team at Kent High- ways.


Appeal date set


Wateringbury Council


IT was confirmed that the High Court date for the Drayhorse Meadow appeal had been set for December 8. Two vacant allotment plots had


been taken, leaving four names on the waiting list. It was anticipated that another plot would become availablewhenthe present holder moves out of the village. A resident of Bow Road had


sent a letter about speeding traf- fic and checks. It was agreed to reply to him, including a sugges- tion that he join Speedwatch. An email had been sent by


Teston Parish Council regarding vehicles parked on the small green triangle at the junction of Red Hill andMalling Roadwhen the North Pole pub car park was full. This was causing problems and ameeting would be arranged with Kent Highways to discuss a solution. The problem of parking in


Fields Lane on football days was raised. Residents could not get their cars out of their drives be- cause of cars parked along the road. Double yellow lines were suggested although this could cause a problem for the bulky re- fuse lorry and if used as an over- flow from the village hall carpark. It was agreed that the Sports As- sociation should ask visiting clubs to ensure vehicles use the car park at the pavilion. It was confirmed that Russet


had been contacted about the con- dition of the footpath from Bow Road. The question of the speed limit


along the A26 from Pizien Well Road to Canon Lane going from 60mph to 30mph was raised. Kent Highways had been asked


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