Electrical checks WARDEN Liz Lovatt said fund- ing of £500 had been obtained for plug-type devices to check electrical socket safety in peo- ple’s homes. She said funding might also be available for re- medial work for elderly and vulnerable people. PCSO Mat Thomas had pro-


Monchelsea Council


vided crime figures for July and August, reporting 12 incidents: two burglaries, one attempted burglary and 9 thefts. Over the same period in 2011, 17 crimes had been committed. It was noted that dog fouling


on pavements was an ongoing problem. Itwas agreed to inves- tigate Maidstone Council’s “bag and flag” events and consider letter drops to residents. Liz asked whether Boughton Monchelsea would consider hosting a Bark in the Park event in 2013. Cllrs Mike Bray and Kirstie Williams were to attend the event in Coxheath and re- port back. Cllr Stephen Munford said Maidstone Council had seemed in agreement with the parish council’s desires for extended conservation areas in The Quarries, Wierton and Church Hill.


Cllr Munford said he had


asked Maidstone Council for in- formation on the total number and occupancy of gypsy sites within the parish and adjacent parishes and would forward this to members in due course. It was noted that members’ notification of interests forms were posted on the borough and parish council websites. Cllr Munford said he had at- tended a meeting about the community transport fund and the Kent Karrier, a local dial-a- ride service was already in place. He said the bus group could put a bid in for a com- bined bus services through from Ulcombe, but interest in the scheme would first need to be established. It was agreed that two sub- groups be established to agree responses to the Core Strategy consultation. A task list was agreed for the


Royal Engineers, including the development of Shaw Stream from the reservoir to the wood- land, and a footpath from Beres- fords Hill to QuarryWood. The council recommended for refusal a planning application to allow Cherry Tree caravan park to open all year round, saying it would put an unac- ceptable strain on public serv- ices and would constitute unacceptable ribbon develop- ment into the countryside. Cllr Bray said a large “village hall” sign was to be added to


DownsMail In touch with your parish Boughton


the south elevation of the hall. Regarding the Parkwood


Farm Reservoir scheme,Cllr Peter Herrin said works were now almost complete. The pipe lining was leaking but this was being corrected. Two people would be required on site at any one time to operate the sluice gate and asked for six fit volun- teers who could do this in a flood situation. Cllrs Smith, Bracking, Brown, Ellis, Herrin, Williams and Munford volun- teered. Cllr Herrin pointed out that


the final cost to the council over the DEFRA grant would be slightly more than the £25,000 originally advised, due to issues such as legal fees and consult- ants’ fees. Cllr Ellis was to set up a fur-


ther meeting on Furfield Quarry. The boundary fence was constantly being van- dalised but had been repaired a number of times by the landowners. The PCSO and the warden were asked to keep a watch for anti-social behaviour. Cllrs Jonathan Gershon and


Jan Thompson had recom- mended improvements to the council website, which were circulated to councillors. Cllr Williams had met bor-


ough Cllr Daniel Moriarty about a footpath between the north ward developments and the Parkwood play areas. She said funds were available for this. She added that she would be looking in to funding for the To- morrow’s People scheme in Parkwood which helps young people and families. Cllr Wendy Clarke asked whether the council would con- sider buying a defibrillator for use in emergencies, and setting up a first responder scheme. She was to investigated this. Cllr Leon Date said a volun-


teer had offered to look after the village gateway planters,and the council would continue to fund the purchase of plants. He added that more Speed-


watch volunteers were needed, and he would publicise this on the noticeboards. Cllr Peter Herrin asked for nominations for the Honours List. The clerk was to pursue this with Cllr Munford.


Chart Sutton Council Shop update


BILL Forrester of the Chart Sut- ton Community Shop Associa- tion spoke about the Shop on the Green. He said the cabin had been moved away from the fence and it now sat on a tilt, making closing the door and the grille difficult. It appears it was not possible to move the cabin again without damaging it.


The third anniversary of the


shop was coming up and it was well supported. More than 30


volunteers were involved in running it, and it was antici- pated that there might be enough money for a new cabin, as the old one was leaking. Not all items for sale were profitable, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, but this was a service villagers needed. There were now enough newspapers andmagazine sales for the shop to get its own supply. The shop would be selling turkeys again this Christmas. The shop committee was grateful to the parish council for its support, allowing it to be sited on the green, and the pur- chase of the CCTV camera. There was now internal CCTV, an external alarm was planned, and SmartWater had been ob- tained. Cllr Chris Webb was ap- pointed as the council’s repre- sentative on the shop committee. A planned robbery had been forestalled by the police. The shop was open for 60 hours per week and new volunteers are always welcome. There were four crimes re- ported in October – one bur- glary, an attempted burglary and two thefts. A replacement for PCSO Mat Thomas was still awaited and PCSO Neil Denney would continue to cover Chart Sutton in the meantime. The resignation of Cllr Draper was noted. It was agreed that Marden council could borrow the SpeedWatch equipment in rota- tion with Chart Sutton and Boughton Monchelsea. How- ever, this agreement would cease if Sutton Valence wanted to use the equipment. Members discussed the flood


risk to Ashurst Gate Farm and Mole End, and the clerk was asked to write to Highways in- forming them that the head wall had collapsed, the pipe under the roadwas blocked and there was a danger of frozen water on the road. Cllr Underdown said that fol- lowing training, she was now a countryside access warden. Her duties included looking after footpaths, cutting back brambles and replacing way- marker arrows. She has re- ceived an offer of some free trees and Cllr Steven Waring was to follow this up. Cllr Waring said he had been helping to clear the grounds and car park around the vil- lage hall. Cllr Michael Brown said he


had been concerned about a ve- hicle outside his house in the early hours of the morning. The CCTV footage was checked and he was pleased to note that it was just the milkman doing his rounds. Cllr Brown asked about ongo- ing work in the old shop at


Chart Corner, but the plans for this building were not known.


Coxheath council New councillors


TWO new councillors were co- opted on to the council: Jonathan Cornish and Val Page. Avote of thankswas recorded


to Cllr Annette Codling,who had resigned from the council and moved away from the area. A safety audit of the revised


Heath Road traffic calming scheme was undertaken and arrangements would be made for public consultation. Discussions had taken place


with Kent Library Service about the future of Coxheath Library, and a dialogue had started about how to make the most of this community asset. Concerns were to be raised


with Maidstone council’s park- ing services manager over in- considerate parking in the village centre. It was not known how the Per- simmon takeover of Hillreed Homes would affect the plans for development at Clockhouse Farm.


Further quotationswere being sought for the repair of safety flooring in the village hall play area.


Undergrowth had been cleared from the western end of the Beacon Field.


East Sutton Council Prison wall


THE clerk had received a re- sponse from HMP East Sutton confirming that work to the boundary wall had been put out for tender. No timetable was given. Three fingerposts were to be replaced and refurbished by Kent Highways Services. Flood prevention work was starting atMorry Lane. KHS were filling verges in


Workhouse Lane. The contractor had checked


and cleaned all playground equipment. Cllr Ireland had asked the contractor to clear the ground around Filmer Hall. Cllr Jenny Whittle had been contacted about her offer to pay for the bus shelter seat. A plan for 20 holiday-let log cabins with hardstanding on land north of the Finches Cara- van and Camping Park was rec- ommended for refusal. An inspecton of the play area revealed that the chains on the junior swings were 40% worn, seat connectors were loose, and the surface of the basket ball courtwas very thin,withweeds 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.


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