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Birling Council Landslip risk


WHILE trimming verges, con- tractors had strimmed off large amounts of the protective net- ting from The Bank, increasing the likelihood of further land- slips. Kent Highways had advised


that it was now unlikely that County Cllr Sarah Hohler would have the necessary fund- ing to proceed with the rein- forcement work. Due to budgetary constraints, KCC is targeting only locations with a personal injury crash record and none was recorded in Bir- ling. The clerk was asked to reply to Kent Highways, Cllr Hohler and borough Cllr Matthew Balfour, stressing the parish council’s determination that measures be taken to stop further erosion of The Bank which would result in said in- juries. Costs would be requested and the feasibility of Birling contributing to the funding ex- plored. PCSO Laura Bullen and a


crime prevention colleague were available to visit residents to give advice on security for oil tanks and sheds. Residents should contact the clerk to take up this offer. The parochial church council


had advised that the church- warden’s husband was now re- sponsible for mowing the grass but had been hampered by the recent wet weather. Following discussion, it was agreed to adopt the Kent Code of Conduct. The council had been asked to


host the seventh anniversary meeting in September/October of the Joint Parish Council Traf- fic Consultation Group. This was agreed, dependant on the village hall being free and the group providing a secretary. Tonbridge and Malling Citi-


zen’sAdvice had asked for a do- nation. A letter explained its funding had been cut and ad- vised that 41 Birling residents had received advice on a variety of issues over the year. Council- lors agreed it provided a worth- while service but that donations would be discussed later in the year. The clerk had been informed


by NatWest Bank that they were still waiting for Cllr Guy Nevill’s change of signatory forms. He confirmed that he had taken the forms to theWest Malling branch. The clerk was to check with the bank and was asked to find out whether any other banks with local branches operated accounts for parishes. Residents from Sandy Lane


had attended the public meet- ing at Snodland on the Tarmac planning application, but felt that none of their concerns about noise, dust and traffic had


been allayed. Kerbing around the gateway


in Bull Road was loose and the surface around it was breaking up.


There had been an increase in


HGVs going through the village and one resident’s vehicle had recently been damaged. It was impossible to see the


Area Of Natural Beauty and other signs as the vegetation had not been cut back by Kent Highways. Cllr Tony Beadle vol- unteered to cut it back.


Jubilee success BOROUGH Cllr Jeanett Bellamy said the Jubilee event went very well and extra medals had been ordered for the children who helped on the day. Local people were encouraged


Ditton Council


to sign up on the Make Kent Quicker campaign website to make a case for faster broad- band in the area. The response received from


KCC to the residents’ letter and petition following an incident as a result of parking in Pear TreeAvenue was disappointing. The matter would be discussed by the Joint Transportation Board. Two visits had been made to


the school by the civil enforce- ment team. The worst offenders for parking on the yellow zig- zags were blue badge holders. Advice had been given to sev- eral drivers. The crime report included


two incidents of criminal dam- age to cars and the theft of two wooden barrel plant pots from Brampton Field Regarding plans for the rede- velopment of Ditton Laborato- ries, it was suggested a speed limit of 30mph along this length of Kilnbarn Road be imple- mented and that construction traffic access the site via New Road, East Malling, and across the research station to avoid the narrow roads of Ditton. No objection was raised to amended proposals for an at- tached garage at 35 Bradbourne Lane. It wasagreedtoacceptsix special needs students, under complete supervision, to gain work experience from the grounds staff. Lambert and Foster were ap- pointed to act as the council’s agent in negotiations for the ac- quisition of land at Kilnbarn Road.


Village green bid RESIDENTS of Four Acres had expressed their thanks to the parish council for their support in respect of the action taken to try to get their green area regis- tered as a village green. A rock was thrown through the window of the village hall


East Malling Council


in New Road between 9.40pm and 10pm on Monday, June 18. This was a repeat crime. Community warden Mandy


Harris reported two stray dogs, one of them a St Bernard, had been returned to their owners. Three youths had been caught


in Mill Street throwing half bricks into the road and the warden had made them clear it all up. Two youths throwing litter in


the street were made to pick it up and bin it. She had received a call from


Aylesford School to view CCTV pictures of two youths causing criminal damage to the auto- matic gates. They were identi- fied and the police were informed. A young male had asked oc- cupants in Blatchford Close for a cigarette andwhen he refused, he smashed their fencing. A goal post had been stolen


from St James’s School and de- tails of the suspect had been passed to the police. The mail box, believed to be


stolen, at the junction of Spring- field Road/Lunsford Lane had now been replaced. Borough Cllr Anita Oakley


had met an officer from KCC highways regarding signs at the top of New Hythe Lane junction with the A20. She has asked for a new sign regarding HGVs. The hedge by Paul’s Alley


was extremely overgrown and would be reported to Kent High- ways. A quote of £1,445 had been supplied byQualitree for neces- sary work to trees at the west- ern end of the sports field.A site meeting would be arranged with residents of Thackeray Road, who had complained. Unworked allotments were causing problems for other al- lotment holders with the weeds blowing seeds on to other plots. Letters were being sent to ten- ants who were not working their plots and responses were awaited. The water tank and scaffold-


ing on one plot had been taken down. Aresident ofNew Hythe Lane


had raised serious concerns about the plane tree in Lark- field churchyard and the seeds which can exacerbate breathing difficulties for people with asthma, from which she suffers. A quote had been obtained for £240 to lift the crown to 8m. The matter would be discussed with the borough council and the Rev David Walker as the churchyard is a conservation area. The chairman reported the


death of Gordon Kemp at Folke- stone at the age of 101. He was, foralongtime, ownerofthe drapers shop, later Keemlaw, on London Road. The Jubilee Fayre in East


Malling was a success and a profit was made. The paving outside the shop


in Lunsford Lane had now been repaired by the owners and a letter of thanks would be sent. The depot atWinterfield Lane


was now occupied and the noise levels were high. This would be reported to environ- mental services. A letter had been sent to John


Burr at KCC Highways about the overgrown state of the pave- ments in Chaucer Way follow- ing a complaint from a resident of Lunsford Lane, who uses a disability vehicle. It had been agreed that the nettles be cut back but the bushes were not due to be cut until October.


Court concerns


East Peckham Council


RESIDENTS expressed their views about the future of Mar- villion Court. The chairman stated that


while the parish council could not prevent the redevelopment taking place, it would insist that residents’ viewswere taken into account in all aspects of the de- cision-making process. He sug- gested that residents’ write to Russet and other parties. The community warden drew attention to “suspicious” activi- ties taking place at the Rose and Crown and advised that the building was being monitored. Mrs Eddie Kemsley, manag-


ing director of The Hop Farm, was co-opted on to the parish council. A discussion on the events


held on June 4 and the possibil- ity of organising a 2013 Fun Day would be discussed on Septem- ber 3, immediately after the planning committee. Phase 2 of the twinning for- malities would be held in Chereng on September 16. A joint concert would take place in East Peckham on November 3 with the East Peckham Silver band and Chereng Harmonie. Funding applications for the environmental upgrade had been submitted to Lafarge and KCC. While awaiting the deci- sions, three village signs would be commissioned at a cost of £3,400. The Lawn Tennis Association would be contacted to see if any grants were available to im- prove the tennis court. The re- lining of the ball court was due shortly. The chairman and clerk had


met Mrs Kemsley regarding the Hop Farm and the meeting was interesting and productive. The Hop Farm was very keen to en- gage more with the village. It had introduced a new discount scheme and was considering ways in which it could assist with the twinning, the primary school and be more supportive


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