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Chart Sutton Council Shop patrols


CLLR Chris Webb said that fol- lowing the departure of PCSO Mat Thomas, he had requested that patrols were kept up at the Shop on the Green. Funding had been applied for


in respect of the electrical safety booklet. Cllr Peter Forknall said two adults and two children had been found wandering through a field of cows and had been ad- vised not to walk through the field again as cows could be dangerous. Members discussed their con-


cerns regarding the new rules at the household waste recycling centres which could lead to more fly-tipping. Community warden Liz Lovatt was tomoni- tor the situation. Members agreed that the pic-


nic benches could now be re- turned to the village green, and Cllr Forknall agreed to arrange this.


Borough Cllr Steve Munford reported on the decision to call on Maidstone Council to either turn away from the abolition of the concurrent functions grant or establish a different rating system. The clerk confirmed a petition was already under way and was in the Shop on the Green. Cllr Paul Ward said some painting had been carried out in the play area, but an invoice was yet to be received. Members discussed KALC’s decision to reject funding for grass cutting for the first year as part of the parish services scheme in favour of going ahead with the petition, and ‘Green Money’ from developers for a new bus lane from Langley Park to the Wheatsheaf. The clerk said the CCTV sys-


tem had been installed and was up and running. PCSO Stuart Moaby had given a demonstra- tion to the clerk and council- lors. Cllr Forknall said an infrared light had been installed to the camera and would now work in the dark.


Coxheath Council Bark in the Park


THE community warden had been thanked for a very suc- cessful Bark in the Park event. A similar event is likely to be held next year. Letters relating to the public consultation on the application for the parish to be designated as a neighbourhood plan area had been delivered to every household in the village. The council had finalised its formal response to the consulta- tion on the strategic sites allo- cation and the integrated transport strategy at a planning committee meeting. The timetable for a public ex-


hibition on possible develop- ments at Clockhouse Farm was slipping, and it was now ex- pected to be held in Novem- ber/December. The council had decided in principle to support the pur- chase of a mobile CCTV system to be deployed around the vil- lage to discourage anti-social behaviour. Action was to be taken to


clear undergrowth from the Beacon Field and other land next to Linden Road, Coxheath. The council was to seek fur-


ther quotations for repairs to the safety flooring in the village hall play area. Les Mitchell had taken over responsibility for the village newsletter, which would now become a quarterly publication. Costs would be partly offset by advertising. Anyone in Cox- heath who had not received a copy should contact the coun- cil.


The festive lights would be switched on following carols around the Christmas tree on Sunday, December 2. The council had taken up complaints from residents of Adams Close and Georgian Drive with BT, concerning the non-availability of BT Infinity broadband in that part of the village. The problem was said to be caused by a dispute over the land on which the junction box was located.


East Farleigh Council Clarification


THE summary of the September parish council meeting referred to the proposed parish services scheme, stating that, if this scheme was adopted by Maid- stone Council, the concurrent functions grant “would be re- moved, which would add ap- proximately £20 to the rates paid on a band D property in East Farleigh, if existing service levels are to be maintained”. Following a complaint from a parish council member, the parish council would like to clarify that this statement, though not untrue, is not repre- sentative of the minutes of the meeting. PCSO Jo Watts was unable to attend, but reported that there had been one crime in the vil- lage over the last month. A pad- dock/stable area at St Helen’s Cottages, in St Helen’s Lane, was burnt to the ground. Kent Fire and Rescue Service defined the incident as “reckless crimi- nal damage by fire”. The of- fenders are unknown at present but lines of enquiry are being pursued. The council had received a petition from the Kent Associa- tion of Local Councils (KALC), objecting to the removal of the concurrent functions grant and its replacement by the proposed


parish services scheme. Council agreed to get as many signatures as possible before the deadline of October 31. Following some training with Maidstone Council and a meet- ing with Kent County Council, the council was now in a posi- tion to re-instate Pearsons to continue doing maintenance work in the village until Christ- mas, at which time the contract will go out to tender, for a three- year period. The village plan action group reported that the traffic survey was being carried out now and the results would be passed to DHA for analysis. Following analysis of the comments received during the consultation on the proposed car park in Vicarage Lane, there were 40 individuals in favour and 22 against. As this constitutes amajority, the coun- cil agreed to submit the pro- posal for planning permission. It was also agreed to publish an- swers to questions raised by res- idents on some of the comment forms.


Concern was expressed at the increasing amount of dog mess on footpaths in the village and even in the play area at Vicarage Lane. The council would like to remind all dog owners that they should clean up their dog’s mess and put it in the maroon bins provided: these are located outside the school in Vicarage Lane, near the play area in Gal- lants Lane and in Pleasant Val- ley Lane. Please do not put dog mess in other general purpose bins, particularly not in the bins within the children’s play areas.


Prison wall work THE clerk had received a re- sponse from HMP East Sutton confirming that work to the boundary wall had been put out for tender. Three fingerposts were to be replaced and refurbished by Kent Highway Services. Flood prevention work was starting atMorry Lane. KHS were filling verges in


East Sutton Council


Workhouse Lane. The contractor had checked


and cleaned all playground equipment. Cllr Ireland had asked the contractor to clear the ground around Filmer Hall. KCC Cllr Jenny Whittle had


been contacted about her offer to pay for the bus shelter seat. An inspection of the play


area found chains on the junior swings were 40% worn, seat connectors were loose, and the surface of the basketball court was very thin, with weeds growing through the holes. Following a short discussion


it was agreed that a grant of £750 be given to the Filmer Hall Committee towards refurbish-


ment of the kitchen. Egerton Council Play park work


THE safety surfacing treatment for the play park tiles would be ordered and the infant seats and edging would also be replaced. The cost will be around £1,500. Cllr Pat Parr had completed


work on some footpaths and hoped KCC would soon com- plete the work needed on Hazeldene bridleway. Regarding broadband, the “Make Kent Quicker” postcards and explanation had been deliv- ered to homes in the parish in an effort to get people to log on and support the campaign for quicker broadband. There had been a letter confusing the speed of broadbandwith traffic speeds and the clerk would reply to that member of the public. It was noted that Bedlam Lane


was not eligible for the available highways funds, which were solely for surface dressing and didn’t cover adverse camber works. While there was praise for thework by KHS in RockHill Road, the current work in Bel- dam Lane had not been up to the usual standard. Cllr Bill Smyth would be painting the Lower Rec steps. Arequestwould be submitted


to KHS to apply a 7.5 tonne re- striction for the village. This would not affect legitimate busi- ness access. Heather James had been ap- pointed as the new parish clerk, following the resignation of Claire Finley.


Headcorn Council Parking issues


A MEETING was to be held with Charlie Reynolds ofMaid- stone Council parking services about parking bays in Forge Lane, following a complaint from a resident that vehicles had to mount the pavement to get past parked cars. The representation to the Core Strategy consultation had been submitted to the Joint Parishes Group for inclusion into the re- port, which was available to view on the council website. Cllr Lyn Selby reported on the council tax discount scheme with Maidstone Council and how it might affect the reduc- tion of the parish precept from Maidstone 2013. Cllr Selby said a useful meet-


ing had been held with the Weald of Kent golf course who were planning to promote Head- corn with tourist literature. At the KALC meeting it was agreed that the petition against the concurrent functions grant was to go ahead, and plans were in place for councillors to get signatures from residents. The Rural Community of the


Year results for Headcorn were: sustainability, com- P46


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