DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 30


be laid. The council has permis- sion to cut the hedges but mem- bers agreed August would be the best time. The clerk reported that work on


the gateways was nearly com- plete, according toRichard Dixon of Kent Highways Services. Following a meeting between


KHS and the council, Mr Dixon agreed to get a price for digging out the ditch and leaving the spoil on the verge. KHS agreed to put a white line down the road, to indicate where the spoil should be laid and to look into painting white lines on the road and placing timber posts along the verge. Mr Dixon also agreed to ask KHS drainage team to look at the culvert in front of the village hall with a view to put- ting a grille over it. Cllr Sawtell reported that the 20mph limit outside schools would be implemented in six pilot areas, including Hunton. Alan Bishop reported on behalf


of the King George V Playing Field committee. He said copies of the bye-laws would be dis- played around the playing field. Work on the car park was de- pendent on drainage and ditch work. There were two small jobs to be done on theplay equipment. Mr Bishop requested confirma- tion that the council had awarded the grant to the committee and this was provided. AnnetteTrought, of the Hunton


Parish Plan Steering said most of the working groups, such as litter- picking and the fete, were pro- gressing well. Six people were taking part in Speedwatch. The committee was now considering a shop and a hub for the village, and a feasibilitywould be carried out into a mobile shop. The community orchard needed a lot of planning, and funding needed to be considered. The chairman said the council


had been asked to contribute to the Village Club Jubilee event. Members agreed that the event should be supported in principle, but they would need to establish how much money they needed. The chairman said the village


sign had been replaced and that the notice board would be sanded and treated as soon as the weather was drier. Alan Bishop said solar panels


had been installed on the roof of the village hall in time to receive the 43.3p feed-in tariff. The chairman said he had a


data sheet, price list and order form should anyone require high speed broadband. The chairman said a letter had


been received from the borough council regarding gypsy sites. Members agreed there were no suitable sites in Hunton. At an extraordinary meeting, members discussed whether or not to reimburse residents the £379.36 cost (10% if the total


cost) of objecting to aplanning ap- plication for land at Lughorse Lane. Members agreed the resi- dents should not be reimbursed as the request had come after the costs were incurred. Members agreed to support the purchase of plots of land at Lughorse Lane in principle. The council considered a plan-


ning application for a greenhouse and supporting wall at The Wa- termill, West Street. Members agreed the wallwas too high, as it was very close to the road, and could obstructdrivers’ sight lines. They recommended the applica- tion be refused. Members noted the borough council had refused permission for the conversion of agricultural buildings at the Beast House, Weavering Street, to a live-work unit.Thisdecisionhad been over- turned on appeal,with conditions attached.


Village gateways Langley Council


Plans supplied by Ben Holden of KCC for four sets of village gate- ways were agreed. PCSO Richard Kirby reported


four crimes, all of criminal dam- age, in Dickens Lane, Porters Walk and Green Lane (two). Heis putting anactionplan into


place for the anti-social behav- iour issues in the village. Visits to the parish website in February had increased year on year from a daily average of 39 to 47.


Two interactive signs had been ordered for installation on the A274 Sutton Road. The clerk was to liaise with CountyCllr Eric Hotson regarding a 30mph speed limit on the Sut- ton Road. A letter of complaint had been received from a local referee about the changing facilities at the village hall. It was agreed this was a matter for the village hall management committee.


Silt clearance CONTRACTORS would take one to two days clearing silt from Tylers side of the pond. The parish website had 34,023 hits – 204 a week. Mr Harris, who works on rag-


Loose Council


stone walls for the council, is retiring and doubts that he will be able to check the stability of ragstone walls in the parish, as at present. He was thanked for his advice and support. The council heard a bogus


caller had been using the name of a legitimate voluntary organ- isation, Brighter Futures. Church Street would be closed in May for road works. A bigger bin was needed for


Old Loose Hill as the one by the Chequers Pub was always full. A quote of £201 was agreed


for repairs to the vandalised fence at Brooks Field.


The crossing lady at Loose school is very happy with the installation of the new railings. Low branches over the foot-


path in Copper Tree Court had been removed following a re- quest from Cllr Jim Andrew. Overhanging vegetation in Cop- per Tree Court was also men- tioned as a potential hazard.


Marden Council Copper thefts


PCSO Nicola Morris said there had been eight crimes since the last meeting: six thefts (five of which were copper wire from electricity poles), one of crimi- nal damage and one burglary. Councillors raised concerns with PCSO Morris about the speed limit along Sheephurst Lane, Speedwatch and cars parked on pavements. Ecological studies were being undertaken on a couple of sites around the parishwith regard to affordable housing, and a report was due to be presented to the annual parish meeting. Cllr Dorothy Reed was to at-


tend the Police Forum on May 23.


The summer edition of the newsletter was due to be printed on May 25. AFacebook account had been


set up to advertise meetings and other parish events. A final draft of the council ac-


tion plan had been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting. All were in agreement and the document was to be presented to council at the next meeting. The parish council is to have


a stall at the Jubilee Fete on June 2.


Problem dogs COUNCILLORS discussed complaints from residents about problem dogs. Councillors agreed something should be done before someone was hurt by the dogs. Chairman John Perry agreed to write to Alison Broom of Maidstone Council and to speak to PCSO Pete Gard- ner. It was noted that the southerly pedestrian gate wasn’t closing properly and needed attention. Cllr TomBurnham agreed to in- vestigate. A letter from Lain & Rose re- garding Staplehurst Café was noted. Cllr Peter Spearink noted that


Staplehurst Council


the new Arriva bus timetable was causing problems for pas- sengers in Pinnock Lane. Cllr Paul Butcher said progress was being made re- garding Huntsman’s Stables. The Alcohol Control Zone


was discussed and itwas agreed to buy a third CCTV camera, subject to funding being avail- able. It was understood that Maid- stone Council would no longer


be funding parish playschemes. Councillors agreed that the parish playscheme should con- tinue and would write to Maid- stone Council to ask what would be happening. The Rural Settlement Group


had been updated on planning issues. It was understood there was under-capacity at the pri- mary school and the population demographic did not support a secondary school. A resident suggested that Sur- renden Playing Field be turned into a park. This would be con- sidered by the playing field group. The spring-closing of both of the gates at the play area ha been broken. Cllr Burnham agreed to arrange the repair. A problem was reported with the safety surfacing and it was agreed to obtain three quotes for repair. Cllr Paul Kelly noted that four planters were to be installed by early May and he was liaising with Growing Concern about summer plantings. Painting quotes for Bell Lane toilets had been received, but they were for labour only so paint costs also needed to be considered. Cllr Joan Buller said the an-


nual clean-up had been a suc- cess with 60 volunteers. Three more residents had requested litter-pickers and it was agreed that six should be purchased. Cllr Adele Sharp said Jubilee


polo shirts were available to buy and a council group photo had been suggested. Cllr Butcher said the church-


yard extension gate needed ur- gent repair. A risk assessment had noted uneven paths and trip hazards. This was to be in- vestigated. It was agreed that the care-


taker should remove the old no- ticeboard at the Parade and the Paddock Wood Lions’ badge could be displayed on the new one in recognition of their do- nation. The board was to be in- stalled on April 21. It was agreed to make a dona-


tion of £100 to McCabe Dia- mond Jubilee party, and to loan the council gazebos. A request to carry out a great crested newt survey at Ponytell Pond was agreed in principle. Cllr John Kelly said he wished to resign from the parish council. He was thanked for his valuable contribution. PCSO Pete Gardner reported


three crimes – two burglaries and one theft from a vehicle. He said anti-social behaviour re- mained low, and weekly speed checks were continuing. An email had been received


from Paulina Stockell, saying a 50mph limit was proposed on Sheephurst Lane within Collier Street parish. Councillors were of the opinion the speed limit should be 40mph, and it was


38 South Support YOUR local paper — and we can support YOU - advertise on 01622 630330


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40