DownsMail In touch with your parish


agreed that the clerk should re- port this to Mrs Stockell and Kent Highways.


Allotment notice


Sutton Valence Council


IT WAS noted that two allot- ments at Bowhalls were not being worked, and there had been complaints from other al- lotment holders. It was decided that the allotment holders should be issued with an imme- diate notice. The meeting heard that the borough council had approved a retrospective application for the erection of an agricultural building at Richmond Barn, New Barn Road. A plan for two dormer win-


dows on College Farmhouse in Boyton Court Road had also been agreed. A first floor extension at Lin-


den House, Broad Street, was also agreed. The council recommended


that the building of a replace- ment garage,tobeusedasa playroom, at Homewell Barn, Norton Road, be refused. Retrospective planning per- mission for a new access into Chartway Street was also rec- ommended for refusal. Members discussed the Neighbourhood Plan, and it was agreed that this should be established. Cllr Phil Taylor had reviewed


the maintenance contract and recommended extending it for a further two years. The clerk was to meet with Simon Wright to discuss the proposed dog bin in Oakdene Lane. Cllr Maurice Stancombe said


the tennis club licence had been signed. The clerk said the in- spection had been carried out and that no further action was needed, apart from the applica- tion of moss killer in one area. It was decided to install a sign


PLANS are being considered to extend and enlarge Sutton Va- lence Village Hall. The building is struggling to


meet the village’s various de- mands, and now the village hall committee is looking at ways it could increase usage – and save on expensive repairs. One idea is to build above the


flat roof and provide three new meeting rooms. With sloping roofs and solar panels, this could be a cost-effective and “green” way of making modifi- cations at minimum expense – and maximum benefit, accord- ing to committee chairman Mar- tin Stokes. He said: “A grant or interest-


free load of £75,000 would en- able the village hall committee


at the Harbour play area.The borough council had finished work on play equipment and a grant for £2,000 had been re- quested from Cllr Eric Hotson. Cllr Barry Armstrong was to check that repairs had been completed. A cheque for £400 had been received from Provian Con- struction as a contribution to- wards parking at the village hall. There had been a request from the Queens Head Oddfel- lows Fund (QHOF) for the council to consider re-marking the parking bays, but the coun- cil decided this was not neces- sary. A sign had been ordered for


the war memorial play area. The question of fencing off the cantilever swing was discussed, and it was decided to contact Plane and Simple. The clerk had contacted homeowners opposite the old play area to ask their views of using the area as residents’ parking. The clerk had written to BT asking for an explanation and compensation for the recent loss of the parish council telephone number. A parishioner’s request to


plant at Lambes Garden was ap- proved. The clerk had contacted Kent Highways Services (KHS) about lorry signs at the end of Pleas- ure House Lane. The clerk and Cllr Eileen


Riden had met with KHS. Cllr Riden said the positioning of the village sign had been agreed and the possibility of a new gateway discussed. Double yellow lines were con- firmed at Southways. A speed limit petition was


now available at the post office andWarmlake Nursery. It was decided to award the lighting contract to Simmonds. Proof of insurance had been received from Peter Shaylers Fair for the Jubilee weekend.


Cllr Poulter updated the coun- cil on the Jubilee events. It was agreed to set aside £250 for Ju- bilee mugs for the children of the parish.


Railings request


West Farleigh Council


A LETTER had been received from a parishioner asking for railings alongside the four steps to her property. Cllr Armstrong was tomeet her and report back The clerk reported that there


had been three reported crimes since January 1 – two thefts and a burglary. Cllr Bruce Scott announced


that the annual parish meeting would be at 8pm on May 14. Cllr Scott also told the meet-


ing that Helen Swan had in- quired about the possibility of building a new WI hall.Itwas hoped land leased by the coun- cil could be used. Cllr Scott sug- gested residents be given the chance to comment at a public meeting. Cllr Jill Morgan sug- gested that this take place in the church on aweekend, to give as many people as possible the chance to attend. Cllr Scott sug- gested that Helen Swan be con- sulted on possible dates for the meeting, which should be ad- vertised in Life-Line. The council heard the sad


news that John Evans had died. Cllr Bryan Merritt had re- ceived a call regarding road- cleaning and maintenance of the grass verges, concerned that money was being wasted. The complainant had seen the bor- ough council cut the grass, and then KCC cutting it again three days later. Councillors heard that the street cleaner was doing parts of the village at different times and the resident asked that the council make a formal complaint. It was agreed that as a council tax payer, the resident should complain directly to the borough council and KCC.


ning consent would be needed. “Every time it rains from the


east, the felt comes off the flat roof,” said Mr Stokes. “Before we spend £20,000 on re-roofing it, we thought it wise to look at other options. “As users increase, it becomes


to build the additional three rooms and increase its annual revenue by £20,000. Given a yearly profit of 25-30%, the loan could be repaid in six years.” The village hall committee spends in the region of £1,000 per quarter on repairs to the flat roof which now needs replacing at an estimated cost of £20,000. The committee believes the


hall’s footings will support the additional build, although plan-


more difficult to fit all of the in- terested groups into the busy diary for the hall’s rooms, so we are now investigating the possi- bility of installing three new rooms for rent.” In the coming year, the com- mittee also hopes to repair doors, windows and guttering, install new flooring in the en- trance hall and committee room, buy new chairs and tables and redecorate the hall and toi- lets, at a total cost of £14,000.


Visit Downs Mail’s website — downsmail.co.uk


The clerk reported that an amended quotation of £14,351 had been received for the climb- ing frame, subject to a site sur- vey. It was agreed that further money should be put aside for this project, with a view to ap- plying for match funding. The clerk reported a com-


plaint about litter in the lay-by on Lower Road and several in- stances of inappropriate behav- iour. This had been discussed with the borough council, Kent Highways, and Kent Police. The complainant had noticed an im- provement after the borough council had arranged for a litter- pick and Kent Police had stepped up surveillance in the area. A complaint had been re- ceived about parking at the junction of Charlton Lane and Lower Road. Kent Highways had confirmed that the verge was owned and maintained by them, and the vehicle owner had been asked to park else- where. Cllr Merrit said this had caused a further problem, as the owner was now parking at the end of the lay-by, causing visi- bility problems for vehicles pulling out of Charlton Lane. Cllr Merritt said he had viewed the area for the polytun- nels application for Elmscroft House with Cllr Beverley Hards, and the tunnelwould be clearly visible from Charlton Lane. Two alternative locations were dis- cussed, and the clerk was asked to pass them to the borough council for consideration. It was reported that the play equipment was under-used, with the roundabout being too stiff to turn easily. Councillors wanted to improve the equip- ment in a bid to attract more children. Cllr Scott reported that this would be Cllr Hards’ last meet- ing as she had decided not to stand for re-election in May. He thanked her for her hard work.


Village hall extension planned Speedwatch plea


VOLUNTEERS are needed to help re-start the Sutton Valence Parish Council Speedwatch. Following an accident on Headcorn Road and the ongo- ing concern about speeding on the A274, the parish wants to re-start Speedwatch. A meeting for interested par-


ties takes place in the village hall at 7pm on May 15. Train- ing will be given to all volun- teers. For details email the clerk on clerk@suttonvalence.org.uk or telephone 842508.


Charity firewalk A FUNDRAISING firewalk by the Friends of East Farleigh School has raised £1,000 for the school and about £1,500 for the Heart of KentHospice. Some 21 intrepid volunteers took part.


South 39


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