DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 26


played on a new board outside the library. With regard to the Jubilee


Hall and playing fields,itwas noted that the timers for the out- side lights had been altered. A vending machine dispensing snacks and chilled drinks would be installed on a six month trial basis. A mini hot drink machine would be in- stalled in the meeting room. Tonbridge and Malling coun-


cil would be attending to install signs at the outdoor play area and the Jubilee Fields plaque. Cllr Jenny Macdonald drew attention to the uneven street snooker playing surface.Play Innovation would be asked to rectify the problem. It was noted there was a dis-


eased tree on the playing fields. The tree warden who said the whitebeam was suffering from canker and would be felled. The tree donated by the vil-


lage of Chereng had been van- dalised. The tree warden advised removing the stump and replacing it. The free trees pack had been received, with 100 saplings ready for planting. Arrange- ments for planting needed to be made. It was noted that the 2013


aims and objectives included setting a reasonable and sus- tainable precept, deciding on key projects and investigating national and local funding streams, sustainability, mainte- nance and use of the sports hall and community centre. The council would consider


KCC’s intention to reduce serv- ices, and how they would affect East Peckham, with particular regard to youth services, com- munity transport and libraries. The KCC youth bus was com-


ing to East Peckham. The clerk had asked for more information of location and the activities available. The bank account for the for-


mer East Peckham youth club wasbeing woundupbyMrG Court, who had said the re- maining funds would be trans- ferred to the parish council for a youth project.


New councillor CHARLES Vernon was wel- comed to the council,and joined the finance and general purposes committee. The chairman said the car


Hadlow Council


wash event at Old School Hall had been well attended and raised £70 towards the skate park refurbishment. Acrossing on the A26 close to Hadlow College was being en- couraged by KCC Cllr Long and borough councillor Anderson. They also wished to see the 40mph limit extended to in- clude the farm shop.


Cllr Long encouraged the council to respond to the budget consultation. If the council wished to propose other views on how to cut costs these would also be welcomed. The clerk thanked the Speed-


watch team for their continued support and said all new volun- teers had now received training. The Big Lottery Fund con- firmed that the Awards for All grant report had been received and the file was now closed. KCC continued to look at the


costs of running libraries and the concept of sharing sites with other community bodies. Mem- bers’ suggestions included speed dating, Citizens’ Advice Bureau, coffee shop, moving the pre-school and private business. The new bridge had been in- stalled on footpath 159. Concerns were voiced as to


who was responsible for over- grown vegetation on School Lane. Ameeting with Mr Munn from Public Rights of Way had been organised. Several proposals were brought to the attention of the council regarding the allot- ments. Weed killer should be sprayed between October and March, and not when there were standing crops. Parking was also said to be an issue, as well as tenancy cost and poly- tunnels. A meeting would be arranged with tenants. There was a request for an-


other tap at the allotments, but this was denied. Hadlow youth club and Sure


Start had requested financial support and permission for a fenced enclosure behing the Hy- Arts building. Permission was granted and the request for fi- nance would be considered. Regarding a proposed foot-


path on the A26 from Ashes Lane to Cuckoo Lane, KCC had said the area was low risk and no funding was available. The item would remain on the agenda and alternative sources of funding explored. The website was due to be up-


dated and there would be initial costs but the council would have more control so admin costs would be reduced. A proposal was being consid-


ered to repaint the Golden Green village hall externally.


Kings Hill Council Crime report


THE crime and incidents report was circulated and discussed. Garage break-ins continued to be a concern and an article in the View from the Hill was to encourage residents to secure their belongings. Speeding in Kings Hill was discussed. Information from the speed indicator device was sub- mitted to the police directly from Liberty Property Trust. It was resolved that Robert


Griggs be co-opted on to the council. He signed his accept- ance of office. It was reported that the Kings


Hill youth club was working with the community centre manager to reduce the rent charge. It was suggested that the club should run for more nights a week and this was supported by the council. It was resolved that the council would support the club with £8,000 for the year 2013/14. Future support would depend on expansion according to the needs of young people. The consolidated budget was circulated and ways were dis- cussed to address the shortfall. It was reported that office staff undertook significant adminis- tration for council meetings which could be reviewed to in- crease productivity and reduce costs. It was resolved that com- mittees should consider new ways of working to reduce the number of meetings. It was resolved that the com- munity centre and sports com- mittees review their projected income. All projects should seek the maximum external funding possible. All committees should review


their expenditure and make re- ductions in costs. Proposals from the finance


and HR committees to release reserve funds should be consid- ered by the relevant committees prior to full council approval. It was resolved that the ear- marked reserve for the skate park project should be reduced by £10,000 into general re- serves. It was also resolved that the earmarked reserve towards the parish map would be re- moved and £1,000 put back into general reserves. Liberty Property Trust had ap- pointed contractors and work had started on the pavilion and artificial grass pitch. The open- ing date had been set for August 26, 2013. Nuisance issues at the com- munity centre had been re- duced and this would continue to be monitored. There was a request from the community centre to consider writing off three bad debts. Measures were being taken to reduce any reoccurrence. The council discussed the


KCC consultation on the expan- sion of the Discovery School from two form entry to three form. It decided the site and buildings were not suitable for expansion and any temporary buildings would compromise the availability of playing fields. The current parking provision


was dangerous, and, along with surrounding roads, was insuffi- cient to cope with expansion. KCC should consider an effec-


tive medium and long-term pro- posal, including the provision


of a third school. A cross parish meeting was


being arranged to discuss pri- mary school provision.


Leybourne Council Signs scheme


THE parish council was await- ing plans for the CastleWay pri- ority signage and noted that re-lining would be carried out during the work. Borough Cllr Brian Luker had spoken to the PCSO regarding parking concerns on the A20 at the Pinewood development. The Leybourne Grange plan-


ning application for conversion of the manor house had been approved. Possible funding cuts for parish councils were still to be considered. The winter plan requests from Father Matthew Buchan were discussed at length. Information would be sought from Father Buchan including the list of 4x4 drivers, confirmation that Castle Lake would run the 24-hour hotline, and the list of volun- teers for snow clearance. It was unanimously agreed to accept the precept proposal in- crease of 5.99% until any cap- ping announcement. The purchase of road closure


signs and quotes from Archer Signs and Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) were dis- cussed. Members voiced their wish to use RBLI as it is a local industry working with ex-ser- vicemen and aworthy organisa- tion. However, the difference in cost was substantial. Archer Signs’ quote of £551.76 was chosen due to the council’s need to obtain best value. It was agreed to buy an ice machine for the bar at £220 and an upgraded till at £775. Bar manager Louise Webb


was thanked her good work. The footpath to Little Market


Row from Rectory Lane North had been added to the parish portal as a slip hazard due to fallen leaves. The clerk was requested to


ask Tonbridge and Malling Council to deploy the road sweeper who covers Town Hill to undertake work in Ley- bourne. The parish council objected to


an application to convert a garage at 1 Pinewood Close, to a habitable room on the basis that there was inadequate parking and it would set precedence for future development and reduce parking across the site. The borough council had ap- proved applications for a con- servatory at 51Woodlea and an extension at 19 Rectory Lane South.


Proposals for an extension at


9GrangeCloseand at1Hay- field were refused by the bor- ough.


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