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mittee had rejected the idea of turning the courts, which would allow better access to Cosgrave Field. However, they still wanted to resurface the courts and had obtained four quotes. They needed the approval of the coun- cil and also wanted it to run the contract for the work, which would cost £16,400 plusVAT, and were hoping for a contribution to- wards the cost. Members were disappointed


the courts would not be turned, but heard this would add about £5,500 to the bill. The clerk re- ported that the councilowned the tennis court land andwas in prin- ciple happy to manage the proj- ect, and had done for similar projects in the past. The council needed to be satis-


fied that the tennis club could pay for the work and asked for bank statements and written assurance from the club. The question of a financial contribution was de- ferred. The meeting heard there was a


need for better ways to commu- nicate with villagers. The clerk had prepared a draft email list and members were asked if they could provide any more details. Cllr Wendy Williams obtained


a safety inspection of the playing field and play area, organised through PlaySafe. The report made a number of recommenda- tions. The wood where the rope was attached to the climbing area had a gap and was a trip hazard. Cllr Williams spoke to PlayDale, whoinstalled the equipment, and it confirmed it would be a trip hazard under current regulations, but complied with regulations at the time of installation and so did not need to be changed. The see- sawwas wobbly andwould break if it wasn’t repaired. Quotes for the work had been obtained and negotiations were ongoing. A leg of the bench had sunk into the as- phalt. Cllr Barry Oliver said he would deal with this. Adrian Marchant had quoted


£470 to fix the holes in the village green and had been instructed to go ahead with the work. The maintenance contracts


would shortly be up for renewal. Stuart Betts had been cutting


the churchyard but could not continue doing so. He had ap- proachedAlan Jenner to carry out the gardening. Alan had quoted £100 per cut and the clerk was asked to contact him to accept the quote until the end of the year.


Police presence Ryarsh Council


THE closure of the police offices in East and West Malling had been a big issue for some villages. PCSO Laura Bullen said there would be no loss of police cover- age and policing in the area would not change. Anyone who wanted to see a police officer could make an appointment on the 101 number. Anyone who


needed to produce documenta- tion would have to go to Ton- bridge or Maidstone. The burglary of a property and


theft of a ride-on lawnmower in- volved the police helicopter in August. It was suggested the heli- copter and police resources could have been put to better use. Vil- lagers were warned that someone had been seen jumping over a fence and acting suspiciously in Park Farm Road. The front of the post box on the corner of Church Road had been stolen.The police andRoyal Mail had been made aware. Theparish council was asked to


thank Kent HighwaysServices for the drainage work on The Street, which had made a great differ- ence. However, there was a dip in front of the driveway to Scannells Cottage where thewater company had put in a meter before the drainage and resurfacing work. Therewas a constant puddle, and the road surface needed to be lifted up. Potholes were reported along


the carriageway up the hill in The Street. Cllr Dave Storey reported that


the play area was okay. Some minor damage to the swing had been repaired. Sandy Lane had had the soak-


away jet-washed out, but the pond still needed digging out. The clerk was asked to contact Birling Parish Council regarding the potholes onBull Road, which were in a deplorable state. The light outside Moonfield


and Brooks Coaches on The Street was not working. The clerk was to report this. The light out- side Forstal House was still being blocked by the trees. An arm ex- tension should have been fitted to resolve this problem. KHS had reported ongoing problems with vegetation cover- ing the footpath outside the sta- bles. Cllr Storey had been unable to contact the owner to deal with it. The clerk was to inform KHS. Councillors heard that the first


bus out of the village was at 9.14am, but pensioners could not use their bus passes until 9.30am. The first bus they could use was at 10.40am. In the past there had been a concession on this route because there were so few buses. The clerk was to contact Cllr Hohler to see if this concession could be reinstated. An application had been re- ceived for a ground floor exten- sion to form enlarged dining and hall, amendments to existing car parking and front boundary in Stoned Lodge, The Street. Cllr Coleman, having declared his in- terest, left the room. There had been two previous applications for Stoned Lodge which had been refused and an appeal against refusal was also dismissed. Cllr Balfour said the application would be called be- fore the planning committee to be


determined. The parish council voted and five objected to the ap- plication and one councillor ab- stained. The council objected on the basis of the views being taken away from 1 Rose Cottages, the street scene being altered in a con- servation area, concerns over parking and thewidth of the road at that point. Cllr Storey had incurred com-


puter costs as a result of having to recover storedwork from a failed hard drive. He had asked the parish council for a contribution towards those costs. It was agreed that this cost be taken from his chairman’s allowance.


Snodland Town Council


New homes


COUNCILLORS considered the application to create new flats and houses on the site of the United Church in theHigh Street. It was generally agreed that itwas very positive to see that the exist- ing buildingwould be retained al- though it was regretted that there would be no parking provision for the new homes. The latest plan for development


at Holborough Lakes was dis- cussed. This section of the devel- opment will mean that the parking spaces in the temporary visitors car park will be lost to- gether with several on road park- ing spaces. Members agreed that they could only support this plan if Berkeley Homes was able to lo- cate additional sites for parking. Concerns were expressed about the likely impact ofnewdevelop- ment at St Katherine’s School. It was felt that as parking was now such a very serious issue, KCC should consider how to reduce the impact of the problem on the area.


Councillors would also ask that


the words “for community use” be taken out of the planning ap- plication, as a letter had been re- ceived advising that there was no intention for thenewbuildings to serve the wider community. Themeeting was pleased to ac-


cept a plan to plant woodland areas at new Potyns Field as part of the Big Tree Plant.


Flower bed board COUNCILLOR Martin Collins said the village hall committee wished to erect a notice board in the flower bed at the entrance to the village hall car park. There were no objections. Cllr Mike Day drew attention to the woodwork at the rear of the village hall which required painting. Two potholes had been re- paired, one near White Clouds in Taylors Lane and the other out- side the George public house. Several hedges in Ford Lane needed cutting back. Cllr Trevor Ledamun was to report them. It was agreed to order a salt bag to be stored in the corner of the


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


village hall car park. It was agreed not to apply to


add the access road to Oak Cot- tage, Hillside, The Shack and St Ives to the definitive map. Resi- dents agreed they would no longer approach people asking them not to walk along the path. The RoSPAreport had been re- ceived on the play equipment and it was agreed to seek a re- placement seat for the posts on the steps of the multi-play area. The inspection had not listed the broken bar inthe overhead ladder and the deterioration of the mon- key bars. Cllr Day was arranging for these to be replaced.Excessive movement in the seesaw had not been reported, and this had now been removed as it was danger- ous. It was suggested that RoSPA repeat the inspection free of charge when all the work had been carried out. The council agreed with Mr Gough’s request to reduce the crown of trees in the recreation ground to enable him to mow closer to the edges, including the maple hanging over the play area. It was agreed that the hedge be- tween the tennis courts and the recreation area needed reducing in height and there would be an additional charge for this.


West Peckham Council


Watch area


PCSO Toni Matthews said one crimehad been reported since the last meeting, a theft from a motor vehicle in the Hurst. The neighbourhood watch area


had been increased and Kurt Conroy had kindly offered his services. PCSO Matthews was to speak to him. It was reported that accidents


were occurring onthe sharp bend in Oxenhoath Road. Cllr Wright was to contact Kent Highway Services. Other issues needing attention included the repainting of the traffic calming gates and the verge alongMereworth Road near the Octagon. It was felt that the walnut tree


on the village green most likely had leaf blotch and there was no sign of new growth. The only op- tion was to wait and see if the tree recovered next spring. Acomplaint had been received


about overhanging branches damaging cars in MatthewsLane. The rose briar had since been re- moved. Aresident had asked for a litter


bin to be situated in the lay-by in Church Road.The council agreed this was a good idea. This year’s firework display


was to take place on a field close to the green.Cllr Edwardswas in- vestigating insurance costs. Due to some additional expen- diture, usage of the taxi voucher scheme would need to be re- duced slightly. CllrWright was to contact users of the scheme.


Malling 35


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