DownsMail In touch with your parish Cllr Sams thanked Cllr Bones


Leeds Council HGVs reported


RESIDENTS were urged to keep up the pressure on the police by reporting, online if possible, HGVs using the B2163. This can be done through the village website. KCCislookingtopilot a


Lorry Watch scheme and the parish council and some local volunteers were discussing how to implement this. The 20mph limit was about to


be enforced around the school and there was a new pavement layout to make the crossing safer. Various societies had been


asked to keep their pages on the parish website up to date and to update the diary page. The council is considering how to give the site a complete over- haul and make it more interest- ing.


The parish warden started in


April and there had been a vast improvement in the look of the village. He had added some flower beds and the council thanked the resident who had contributed to the costs. Malcolm Gallihawk has re- turned to the council, leaving one remaining parish council- lor vacancy.


Lenham Council Path repairs


A RESIDENT said he was pleased with the repairs to the flooded footpath at Ham Lane, and reported on graffiti on the doors of the gents’ WC. Anothermember of the public


said residents were concerned about the two sites designated by the KCCWaste and Minerals Extraction policy. He asked the council to help put forward a comprehensive response, in- cluding the effect on residents, if the sites were to go ahead. Cllr Godfrey said the council said the concerns raised would be highlighted. Cllr Sams enjoyed the Jubilee celebration and said the first Lenham Family Festival was due to take place. It was hoped it would become an annual event.


for hiswork reporting highways issues to KCC and ensuring works were carried out. The vandalism to the BMX


ramp had been repaired. Cllr Greenwood recommended a six-monthlymaintenance check be carried out. The first inspec- tion will take place in Novem- ber/December. The trees had been removed


from the driveway at the ceme- tery. Cllr Hugges suggested the tree work at RoytonAvenuewas incomplete. It was resolved to put up a sign asking people not to climb the trees. It was resolved to get repairs carried out at the Ham Lane play area as soon as possible. Cllr Newman gave a brief up-


date on the Neighbourhood Plan. The next step was to pro- duce a brochure including the project report and send it to a list of stakeholders. It was de- cided to set aside £3,000 for the plan budget. Cllr Bone was to track the


work orders issued by Kent Highways for works in Ham Lane/Mitchell Close and West Street. The importance of keeping


the emergency plan workable was discussed, and concerns were raised over the transporta- tion of the elderly and infirm. Cllr Goodwinwas to produce an article for inclusion in the Focus magazine outlining the plan. Cllr Godfrey had investigated


the possibility of a rain water harvest system at the commu- nity centre, and was to organise a site meeting to discuss the idea. Cllr Bone suggested vegeta-


tion should be cut back oppo- site the Chinese restaurant to improve the sight line for driv- ers joining the High Street. Cllr Godfrey was to ask LEA if they could cut back some of the bushes. The community hub contin-


ues to be well supported. A day trip to Herne Bay was to be or- ganised for the summer. It was resolved to allow LEA to place floral Olympic rings on


the grass verge at the commu- nity centre.


Otham Council Oil tank raided


THE theftofoil from a tank in Green Hill had been reported. Residents need to remain vigi- lant and spread the word about thefts.


Horses in Caring Lane had


been removed by the RSPCA, assisted by the police. Problems with off-road bikes


had been reported to the police. Residents John Middleton,


Paul Aplin and Sheila Trench were co-opted as parish coun- cillors.


County Cllr Gary Cooke was


asked whether he could assist with the problem of traffic speeding through the village. Speedwatch was discussed but had been considered and dis- counted previously. It was agreed that Cllr R Drake would accompany the chairman to the next Police Forum to see if there had been any developments. Cllr Cooke would check the weight limit for Caring Road Bridge. KCC community engagement officer Abi Jessop was present to explain her role and discuss the various grants available. News was expected shortly on


the requested grant for resurfac- ing the play area. The vice-chairman and clerk


had attended ameeting with the chairman of Downswood Parish Council and Kent Highways representatives. Topics in- cluded Holly Farm Road (bad potholes); Green Hill (large hole near Greenhill House); The Street (road in bad condition/ possible serious subsidence problem).


Subsequent update from KHS advised Otham Street/Otham Lane/White Horse Road – some patching works will be carried out late season (Sept/Oct) and will be considered for surface dressing next year. The verge post by the Stoneacre sign had been knocked out. The clerk would arrange for it to be reinstalled. Smith Gore had been re-


quested to remove several ash trees growing close to Madam Taylor’s wall as they could un- dermine the listed building. The annual return was re- viewed and signed and would be forwarded to the Audit Com- mission.


Ulcombe Council New chairman


CLLRPeterTitchener was elected chairman and Cllr Trevor Sharp was elected vice chairman. Cllr Titchener welcomed new members to the council. It was noted that the PCSO


had not been able to attend a council meeting since April 2011, and there had been an in- crease in crimes over the last two years. The clerkwas to raise concerns with Kent Police. Cllr Hazel Bingham had in-


spected the play equipment and noted cracks on the front of the junior swing seats and missing rubber caps on the cradle swing seats. The safety surface was lifting a little. The clerk was to take further advice on the faults and clear hedge cuttings from the ditch. Cllr Bingham had inspected


the recreation ground and car park and no new concernswere noted. The electricity meter was to


be replaced by EDF in June. The electrics inspection had been carried out and a smoke alarm had been ordered. There were no new concerns following the inspection of the bus shelter and noticeboard. The council had been notified


of drainage and camber faults as well as extensive potholes at Water Lane, which had been re- ported toKentHighways Services by a resident. Repairs were to be carried out. There was also extensive litter


to be cleared and white lines at the junction with Chegworth Road needed replacing. Blocked ditches by Little Poplar Farm in Ulcombe Road would be reported to KHS. The clerk was to draft a notice


to recruit new volunteers for Speedwatch and circulate it for agreement at the next meeting.


Parishes start work on neighbourhood plans


BROOMFIELD and Kingswood Parish Council has decided to prepare a neigh- bourhood plan which can help to shape the future of the area. Introduced by the Localism Act, neigh- bourhood plans cover a range of issues such as community facilities that are needed and green spaces that should be protected. Following a public meeting, the council


has formed a steering group and has ap- plied to Maidstone Council to define the area that the parishwants the plan to cover. A map of the proposed neighbourhood


area is included with the application, which can be viewed on the borough and


parish councils’ websites and on the vil- lage noticeboard.More detailed plans will be drawn up after consultation during the coming months. Comments must be re- ceived by September 18. Harrietsham and Lenham are also among the first parishes in the borough to initiate the process. To help develop its project, Harrietsham appointed Feria Ur- banism, who have been working with resi- dents and organisations on issues such as housing growth, rural services and coun- tryside protection. Athree-day design forum was held at the village hall, with a slide show on the final


day.More than 30 position statements have been sent in from individuals and groups, including 1st Harrietsham Guides, South East Water, Harrietsham History Society and Bovis Homes. Lenham has made the initial step of ap- plying to the borough council for thewhole parish, rather than just the village, to be designated as the neighbourhood area. The parish said the hamlets within the parish and the intervening open countryside had planning issues which ought to be ad- dressed by the neighbourhood plan. Details are publicised on the parish web- site and in the Focus magazine.


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