Car tax campaign


DownsMail In touch with your parish Aylesford Council


lamp post had been reported. Litter picking along Snodland


THE meeting heard several un- taxed vehicles had been re- moved from Eccles in the recent Operation Cubic. PCSO Kim Kittinger had been appointed to the Valley of Vi- sion project and had visited the office to report on her work. The clerk had asked her to make reg- ular reports to the council. Cllr Barry Smith reported that


the Upper Bell site was a mess. The site was surrounded by a high fence and residents were concerned as to what was hap- pening behind the fence. Cllr Nigel Tiller queried the statement that parking on the Robin Hood Lane bridge was distracting for motorway drivers underneath. It was agreed that parking on the bridge had in- creased, due to restrictions on parking at the crematorium. Borough Cllr Roger Dalton


had attended a meeting with Trenport where it was stated that work was likely to com- mence on the river crossing in 2015, and would take two years to complete. There would be a one-year infrastructure project before work could commence on the residential development. Cllr Dalton had asked about progress on the lease amend- ments for the proposed parish council car park on land next to the allotments. Trenport said a new heads of terms document should be with the council shortly. The number of passengers


using the trial evening 155 bus service were said to be just about the required number to retain the service long term. It was hoped usage would in- crease as the nights got lighter. Cllr Michael Base said he was


to meet with a representative of Aylesford Festival Committee to discuss improving relations with the parish council and the options for festivals in the fu- ture. He said there were no plans for a festival in 2013. The deputy clerk said that on


a trial basis of three months, pa- pers for the monthly council meeting would be emailed to members who had agreed this. Hard copies would be available at the meeting.


New webmaster Birling Council


CLLR David Hopper had taken over as webmaster and had added councillor’s details, in- formation on Birling Commu- nity Trail and bulk waste collection dates. Cllr Guy Nevill had arranged


for the area around the traffic calming scheme in Bull Road to be strimmed and it had been greatly improved. The waterplate on the footpath by The Bank had been resurfaced and the leaning


26 Malling


Road had been delayed by bad weather but had eventually been done, although not to a sat- isfactory standard, from the church to the village gateway. The clerk had asked for a map showing the location of hydrants in the parish which she was asked to email to councillors. An email had been received


from PCSO Laura Bullen about attendance at meetings.She had reviewed work rotas and in- formed parish councillors which dates she could attend. She had last attended Birling in November and would not be able to attend again in June. Councillors thought a six- month gap was too long and asked whether a stand-in could be arranged. Concerns were raised that flooding in Birling Road had occurred several times since Christmas and the clerk was asked to raise this matter with Kent Highways.


Parking request Ditton Council


A RESIDENT from Brampton Fields had asked to park his van in the community centre car park as there was very limited parking near his house. This was agreed. PCSO Sally Doherty reported


a great deal of work had been done by the police in connec- tion with the burglaries along the A20 corridor from Ditton to Larkfield, Leybourne and East and West Malling. Two arrests had been made when suspects were caught after a call from the public.


Inconsiderate parking in Brampton Field was improving as the community warden and PCSO continued to patrol the area, putting notices on offend- ing vehicles. After reports of a mini motor-


bike being ridden illegally around the Ditton and Larkfield area, a police patrol seized the machine inWoodlands Road. A minority of students walk-


ing through Cobdown Sports and Social Club grounds on their way home from school were causing a nuisance to resi- dents. This was being moni- tored by the PCSO. The school had been advised and would speak to the students. No objection was made to a planning application for a two- storey extension at 42 Acorn Grove.


Concern was expressed that


the proposed demolition of a single storey garage and re- placement with a new two- storey extension at 35 Cedar Close would cause a terracing effect if the neighbouring prop- erty had a similar extension. Awards to people who had made an outstanding contribu-


tion to the community would be made at the annual parish meet- ing on Monday, April 29. Nom- inations would be invited.


Post office move


East Peckham Council


A NUMBER of residents had contacted the parish council about the relocation of the post office to Orchard Road.One had expressed disappointment with the consultation under- taken by the Post Office and an- other criticised the parish council for not calling a public meeting to discuss it. Several holes had appeared


in the ceiling of the sports hall and would be discussed with the building contractor. The heating in the hall had been re- paired. The building would shortly be in need of some re- decoration. Owing to insufficient players,


the East Peckham Badminton Club had ceased to use the hall and three of the four weekly French classes were taking place at an alternative village venue. However it was encour- aging that several hire enquiries had recently been received. It was too early to gauge the success of the vending ma- chines. The hot drinks machine was proving popular and the cold drinks and snack machine would probably prove more popular during the spring and summer. In response to user requests


for wi-fi access, a quote for £210.96 had been received. The work would result in two net- works over the same broadband connection. Cllr Roper would assess whether the installation could be done in-house. The deed of dedication for the Queen Elizabeth II Field had been registered with Land Reg- istry and the formalities had therefore been concluded. The annual parish meeting


was to be held on March 27. A cheque for £799.18 towards


the skate park hadbeenre- ceived from the former youth club.


Requests for donations had


been received from Tonbridge and Malling Crew summer scheme, Citizen’s Advice,Victim Support and Paddock Wood Community Advice Centre. It was resolved that, in view of the financial cutbacks, the parish council could no longer fund ex- ternal village organisations.


Lights donations DONATIONS for the Christmas lights continued to be received with a current balance of £424.41. The present cost to the parish council after receiving Tonbridge and Malling Council match fundingwas estimated at £2,122.59.


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


Jo Stacey had resigned from


her post as admin assistant. Proposed speakers at the an-


nual parish meeting on April 24 were the Beat Project and Had- low College. PCSO Kim Hockey confirmed


there had been a few minor car- related incidents but overall things were quiet in the parish. The snow volunteer pro- gramme had been on alert and a rota placed in the notice board outside the parish office. How- ever, as yet there had been no need to act. Plans to reorganise the parish


office were under way, with consideration being given to se- cure file storage and an addi- tional fireproof cabinet for burial records etc. The verges in Victoria Road


were in a rough state of repair due to the wet weather and ve- hicles having to move off the Tarmac to enable others to pass. Concerns were raised over pedestrian and vehicle safety.


Kings Hill Council School plan


TWO newspaper articles about the involvement of the Diocese of Rochester with the third pri- mary school were discussed. An update from KCC Education about the plans was given. While the involvement of the church had not been agreed, it was reported that, if it was suc- cessful, it could run the school as either “church aided” or “church controlled”, which would affect the admissions policy. Ameeting between the leader


of Tonbridge andMalling Coun- cil and local parish councils to discuss better communication and setting up locality boards was held on March 19. It was reported that an addi-


tional 60 PCSOs would be put back on the beat. The council was writing to request one for Kings Hill. The monthly report from


KingsHill Youth Club said good work was noted. Members of the youth clubwere also attend- ing the Redeeming Our Com- munities (ROC) youth club at the community centre. It was resolved that CCTV should be installed during the main build of the new Heath Farm sports pavilion as dis- cussed with Liberty Property Trust. Liberty had submitted three names for the facility. After much discussion it was re- solved that none of them were acceptable. Collaboration with Liberty would be required to agree the final name. Ongoing problems with the community centre hall floor were reported. Members agreed that £1,000 should be made available from general reserves to cover the cost of a surveyor to assess the problem.


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