Chairman elected COUNCILLOR Roger Gledhill was elected chairman and Cllr Green was elected vice-chair- man. It was confirmed that Ayles-


DownsMail In touch with your parish Aylesford Council


and Walderslade. This would leave Cllrs Davis and Dalton with Burham and Wouldham and the new Peters Village. They felt this was the fairest distribu- tion.


ford Village Community Cen- tre’s (AVCC) licence allowed them to open their bar at events such as the festival or football tournament, even if the organis- ers had other licensed bars. Cllr V Brooks confirmed that AVCC intended to do this during the festival this year. Cllr Gadd said the council hoped there could be more co-operation between festival organisers and theAVCC in the future. Work had started on the light-


ing upgrade at Teapot Lane. Southern Water had asked to


store equipment for the rising main replacement on land next to Rose Cottage. This was agreed, as long as access to the tow path and the Scout hut was maintained. Mr Taylor, of Hallsfield Road,


asked if the council had any de- tails on Buckmore Park’s appli- cation for extended use of the sports hall to include a place of worship. Cllr M Wright said there had been a local newspa- per article which he would find forMr Taylor. Community warden David Leipnik had visited the British Legion Village and local schools. He was aware of criminal damage to a front door in Jenner Way, Eccles, and of pavement parking issues on the junction of Bull Lane and Mackender Lane. Cllr M Base referred to the


lack of police presence at recent meetings. It appears that under new policing arrangements there is less flexibility for offi- cers to change their shift pattern to ensure they are able to attend meetings. Cllr Peter Homewood had worked with local borough councillors to get flooding is- sues resolved at Alex Hill and Mackenders Lane. The drain at the latter site had been cleared, but work was needed to divert water into the field. Cllr Homewood was liaising


with Trenport and KCC regard- ing the gates to St Mark’s school.


Borough councillor Davis was working to retain the 155 bus service through Eccles, Would- ham and Burham. A survey was to be distributed and a good re- sponse was vital to save the service. The meeting heard that con- sultation was continuing about borough boundary changes. Cllrs Dave Davis and Roger Dal- ton supported the borough plan to incorporate Eccles with Aylesford North, Blue Bell Hill


32 Malling


Condolences CONDOLENCES were expressed following the death of Tonbridge and Malling Council leader Mark Worrall, who had con- tributed much to the local com- munity. Under Local Government Boundary Commission draft rec- ommendations, some parishes, including Trottiscliffe and Ryarsh, would be split into dif- ferent wards. The clerk was asked to obtain a hard copy of the report. The clerk was asked to contact


Birling Council


Kent Highways to find out what was happening regarding the site meeting at The Bank and to con- tact EDF regarding the trees rest- ing on the wires. The borough council had ad-


vised that Bull Road, Ryarsh Road, Sandy Lane, The Close and Birling Park had been cleared of litter and that Snod- land Road and Stangate Road were due to be done. A pallet had been dumped in Birling Road and the borough would be asked to remove it. Regarding renewal of the street


light maintenance contract, it was agreed to continue with the borough council who had quoted £10 per month. Another quote of £30 a month had been received. The interactive speed sign had


been ordered but the proposed site was in Ryarsh Road. As the council had expected it to be sited in Bull Road, the clerkwas asked to request a site meeting with the traffic engineer as soon as possible. The parish council had no ob- jections to a planning applica- tion for a conservatory extension and dormer window at Spring Cottage,11 Snodland Road, Bir- ling.


Objections had been sent in against proposals by Tarmac Ltd, Ham Hill Quarry, Snodland, for an aggregate recycling facility and concrete batching plant. Members were concerned that


the PCSO had not recently at- tended meetings. The clerk agreed to follow up this.


Ditton Council New PCSO


THE chairman welcomed new PCSO Sally Doherty.She re- ported a total of seven crimes: two of criminal damage; one at- tempted burglary; three thefts and one theft of amotor vehicle. A letter from Savills offering


land for sale was read. It was noted that the land was part of Ditton quarry still owned by


Tarmac, and the council paid £10 per year to use the land. It was resolved to express interest in the land but to say it had hoped it would be signed over as part of the nature reserve. Borough Cllr Carol Gale had


met with a TMBC officer about anti-social behaviour at Wood- lands Parade, but they had few enforcement powers. KCC had said they could not assist. Cllr Gale has spoken to the borough solicitor who will report back to the parish council. There was a problem between


a local playgroup and a neigh- bouring property and media- tion was being set up. It was hoped the public trans-


port issue at Pembury Hospital would soon be resolved. The clerk reported that both


local football teams and the bowls club would like to report to the meeting.


New chairman


East Peckham Council


CLLR Peter Street was elected chairman and Cllr GrahamHay- cock was elected deputy chair- man.


County Cllr Richard Long said


an engineer from Kent High- ways Services had agreed to re- view speed limits for Hale Street and Tonbridge Road. KCC was considering a Freight Transport Plan for Kent, which was to be considered by the Joint Transportation Board. Community warden Paul Harfleet highlighted his in- volvement with the Cubs’ Bash the Trash event. The clerk said she would be nominating them for a TMBC Environmental Champion Award. Gala Lights had agreed to


waive the extra costs owed by the council for the Christmas Lights. The third party insurers said


they were dealing with a claim following an incident at theOld Road bus shelter in August last year. An incident in March this year had been witnessed, so the council would be obtaining a statement and submitting a claim to Arriva for the cost of the repairs. The work was scheduled for completion by mid-June. Cllr Penny Graham was to at-


tend a KCC meeting about li- brary services. Arrangements were in hand


for the twinning ceremony with Chereng on June 4. The sports hall had been booked for 75% of the available time, with new enquiries being received for both halls. KGS had been reminded that


grass cutting was to take place during school hours. RBS had carried out some electrical work and Wicksteed Leisure would soon be attending to carry out


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


repairs to the surfacing in the toddlers’ play area. The draft deed of dedication


was being prepared for Fields in Trust. Once approved the coun- cil would receive a commemo- rative plaque. An enquiry had been received


from the Golden Green adult football team for use of the foot- ball pitch. In line with council policy that only youth teams could use the pitch, the request was declined. Members said they wished to


mark the playing fields becom- ing one of the Diamond Jubilee fields by renaming the commu- nity centre and playing fields. They will become the East Peck- ham Jubilee Hall and Playing Fields. French lessons in the meeting


room had been a success. It was however decided that the coun- cil could no longer offer the room free of charge, andwould charge 50% of the hourly rate between September and December and the full rate from January. A letter had been received


from solicitors acting on behalf of the family of the late Norman Stephens regarding the poten- tial sale of allotment land, which had been valued at £12,000.The clerk had con- firmed the council’s interest and offered £2,000. The meeting heard many parishes were considering whether to start work on a neighbourhood plan and con- tact had been made to find out their views. Some parishes did not feel their influence would be strong, some thought it was too early to take action, and therewas very little information about how a neighbourhood plan should be carried out. It was decided to defer the matter for future consideration. Cllr Lorraine Baseden said she


and Cllr Stephanie Watson had discussed fund-raising with “funding buddies” from the skatepark project, and the pos- sibility of applying to the Co-op- erative Store’s community fund was mentioned. Following the decision by Russet to redevelop Marillion Court, Russet had met Cllrs Penny Graham and Graham Haycock and the clerk. They had agreed to hold an open event in the community centre from 4-6.30pm on June 21. A request had been received


from the Friends of East Peck- ham Primary School for a dona- tion towards the summer fair.It was resolved to make a dona- tion of £100.


Youth services BOROUGH councillor Jill An- derson asked about youth serv- ices in Mereworth and it was explained that there were Scout groups, the council had


Mereworth Council P46


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