DownsMail In touch with your parish It has been agreed to revert to


using the main hall for Christ- mas ceremonies. Cllr Anne- Marie Butler is satisfied that the drink spillage was an accident. The accident book was not pres- ent, but an entrywas made later. PCSO Jim Stevens said it had


never crossed his mind that conditions in the hall could be considered dangerous. Cllr Butler was happy to be nominated as first aider for fu- ture events. A PA system was to be used to ensure all members of the public are kept informed. The community association is to be asked to leave the side gate open during the evening, as it had previously been padlocked. Rajen Kantaria told the meet-


ing that the natural boundary between the shop estate and Spot Lane walkway had disap- peared and requested that the council look at alternatives.


Litter clean-up


Hollingbourne Council


AS a result of the matter of lit- ter discussed at the lastmeeting, a“deep clean” had been under- taken at the A20 entrance to the village by Maidstone Council and it was looking greatly im- proved. The clerk acknowl- edged borough Cllr Daphne Parvin’s support in this. Residents were encouraged to


report other litter hotspots to MBC by telephone or on-line. When an area is repeatedly identified, it will be added as a regular litter pick. The chairman was pleased to


note the signage at the A20 en- trance to the village and the erection of the white gates. He hoped more could be done


in future to ease the speeding and general traffic situation. He thanked the councillors in- volved, as well as County Cllr Jenny Whittle for financing the improvements through her Member’s fund. The new format of the parish magazine had been well re- ceived and he thanked Katrine Callander as the new editor. A resident’s request to use the


Lance Memorial Field for a charity football match was agreed. The borough council had


asked parishes if they could suggest areas which might be developed as gypsy/traveller sites. The parish council re- sponded that on this occasion, it was unable to help. There had been two reported crimes during the previous month. Both involved damage to property and the culprits had been dealt with by restorative justice. It was agreed that the sign on Eyhorne Green should be taken down. Quotes would be ob- tained for a replacement in wood/resin/fibreglass.


It was agreed that the parish precept would not increase in 2012/13. Plans for this year’s fete were discussed. Spending of up to £350 on ropes and arena stakes was authorised as these are no longer available on loan from Leeds Castle. The clerk asked if the council


had considered a youth shelter for the village. It had not been a discussion item during the past five years, and complaints about groups congregating at various locations were ongoing. The matter will be considered by the council and residents.


Parking problems Leeds Council


A MEMBER of the public raised concerns about parking prob- lems at the playing field on a Sunday, when football was being played. It was agreed that the clerk should draft a letter to be put on the windscreens of the cars regularly parked at the playing fields, asking them not to park there during the hire pe- riod on a Saturday or Sunday. The council also heard that


rugby training sessions were being held from 9am to 1pm on Sundays. Members agreed to speak to the person responsible. The pavilion had been left in


amess by hirers and it was agreed that a letter should be sent to them reminding them of their obligation to keep it clean. Problems were reported with


the pavilion’s electrics and it was agreed that an electrician would be contacted. PCSO Richard Kirby said


there were no crimes to report. Plans for the conversion of


two agricultural buildings to three homes at Abbey Farm, Lower Street, were discussed, and there were fears they would lead to increased traffic. The council heard that the


dove cote and the Slype were in need of renovation and it was agreed that Councillor Gill Fort would liaise with David Slack on the subject. Youth football training taking


place at the playing field with Hollingbourne Football Club was to be taken over by a pro- fessional company. There were fears this could have implica- tions for the charges and might mean a rise in subscription paid by the children. It was agreed that a meeting be set up with Hollingbourne Football Team. Two accidents were reported, which had led to a road closure. It was agreed to hold council meetings in the pavilion from April. It was suggested that the gate


to the overspill area at the vil- lage car park be kept locked to stop unnecessary use as the ground was becoming muddy. The car park was used by the school and the height barrier


wasleftopentoallow the school bus to be parked there. It was agreed that the clerk would write to the head on the subject.


Lenham Council Memorial work


THE council heard that volun- teers from Swadelands School’s sixth form were joining other volunteers to add a new layer of chalk over the Memorial Cross on the North Downs. The PoliceWatch scheme was


to start soon, and more volun- teers were welcome. PCSO Dave Rowley said there


had been 14 reported crimes in the last three months, mostly thefts. He also reported that the new model of policing seemed to be working, with response times down. The PCSO advised that the


new non-emergency contact number, 101, replaced the old Maidstone number. There had been an increase in


cold callers in Lenham and Har- rietsham and the Kent Commu- nity Warden Martin Sherwood had distributed leaflets and given advice to residents. Mr Sherwood also advised of telephone scams, including the servicing of Kirby vacuum cleaners, the selling of health products, and burglar alarms. The warden also advised that


the indoor sports event he had organised would take place and be advertised locally. Cllr Jenny Whittle had at- tended a meeting with parish- ioners of Platts Heath to discuss the problem of speeding on the Lenham Road. The PCSO agreed to carry out a speed gun campaign in the area. Mr Ewan Drylie was co-opted


on to the council. The lock-up was inspected


and it was agreed that work needed to be carried out to the building. A quote was accepted and work was to start soon. Several councillors inspected


trees with the borough council’s tree specialist, Mr Paul Hegley, including the lime trees on Lenham Square and in Royton Close and Lenham cemetery. Recommendations were made, and quotes were to be obtained. A new map showing fire hy-


drant sites was being drawn up, and it was reported that the fire station was fully staffed, and not included in the closures list. The police car partnership


had been dissolved and some of the money left in the account would be used for crime pre- vention equipment and the residue returned to the council. The clerk said she would


workwith the sexton to identify asitefor a tap in the church- yard and the work would be carried out soon as possible. The Age Concern outing to


the pantomime at the Hazlitt Theatre was well attended.


Otham Council Football plea


CHAIRMAN Cllr David Marchant appealed for more people to be involved in the parish council. While he is happy to continue as amember, he would like to stand down as chairman in May. An appeal for councillors would be made in the next edition of Ragstone. County Cllr Gary Cooke re- ported that no changes would take place regarding winter services, and salting of roads would continue. He would in- vestigate whether anything had been done about the damaged salt bin in Avery Lane as coun- cillors were concerned that the contents could leak into the water course. The vice-chair- man offered to check the bin and report to the clerk. Borough Cllr Gordon Newton


was thanked for his generous offer to donate a commemora- tive stone to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, but the chair- man suggested itwould be good to involve the parish. Cllr New- ton stated he would be happy to top up the fund, as necessary. KCC advised that Otham would not be eligible for a Small Community Capital Proj- ect grant towards resurfacing of the play area. It was agreed the parish should explore other means of funding, including re- questing contributions from res- idents, and if necessary, using some of the reserves. It was agreed to increase the parish precept by £500 to £7,400 for 2012/13.


Ulcombe Council Football plea


A MEMBER of the public re- quested use of the football pitch in the 2012/13 season. The team wouldbemadeupmainlyof people living in the parish and neighbouring parishes and would play in the Maidstone District League. The clerk was to seek advice and draft terms and charges. The following planning ap- plications were discussed: A two-storey extension at the


rear of Bank House, Streetfield, was recommended for approval. A detached garage at Coach-


man’s Cottage, Ulcombe Hill was recommended for approval. Village gateways had been in- stalled, with the exception of the tarmac patches. Paul Waring would carry out


the mowing and strimming for 2012, as he had previously pro- vided a very reliable service. The council agreed to set


aside a sum of £120 to provide Jubilee souvenirs for children at Ulcombe School. Members also discussed the school’s request for help with its running costs, and agreed to make a grant of £200.


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