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planning meetings, projection would enhance proceedings and developers who are pre- senting should be encouraged to adopt a professional approach. Cllr Rory Silkin suggested a


land registry search be under- taken to establish the recorded ownership of Surrenden play- ing field. This was agreed. Cllr Peter Spearink had inves- tigated the non-running of the 9.30 bus on April 8, which was due to two buses being in an ac- cident. He said he would give an Arriva contact number to post on noticeboards for the use of waiting passengers. Cllr Paul Butcher said it seemed Maidstone Council would consider the deferred Tesco application in May. Cllr Tom Burnham said test repairs to a sample of the play surface area at Surrenden field seemed not to be effective. He said he had received the results of the survey of the field levels which would help progress drainage issues. It was agreed that Cllr Paul


Kelly and the clerk should be the points of contact for liaison with Growing Concern about the planters, which would be planted in May. PCSO Pete Gardner said year- on-year crime figures were down by 16.2%. He reminded parish- ioners to call 101 if they wit- nessed suspicious behaviour. Councillors discussed an ap- plication to extend the time limit for implementing a planning per- mission at Hen and Duckhurst Farm, Marden Road. Consent had previously been granted to establish offices on the land, but this was due to expire after three years without the development beng implemented. Councillors observed that


since the original decision, local circumstances had changed. They felt that the application should be re-evaluated in the context of these changes, high- lighting a proposed residential development by the same devel- oper; approval for a major super- market application with another application outstanding, and a


need for a road connection west of the site up to the A229 to ad- dress critical traffic problems at existing junctions. They recom- mended refusal.


Footpath work


Sutton Valence Council


WORK on the footpath from South Lane to the garage and shop on the A274 had begun. The parish council had been fighting for a footpath for five years. Residents from the south of the parish frequently use the shop and the traffic is fast and dangerous. The Jubilee committee sadly


had to cancel the lunch for sen- iors planned for Easter but had re-booked the village hall for Sat- urday, June 8. A summer fair was being planned for 2014 which would be a community event. The parish council offered condolences to Gover James on the very sad loss of Brenda James. She gave her time and love to the whole community and would be sadlymissed. The Royal British Legion had requested the war memorial be cleaned for its 90th anniversary on June 9. This was refused as it was cleaned in 2011 and the work is budgeted for every three years. Five parishioners had recently


been trained to participate in Speedwatch which had not op- erated in the parish for several years.


Following an in depth discus-


sion, the parish council agreed to start work on a neighbour- hood plan.


Pavement plea


West Farleigh Council


A RESIDENT had reported a number of incidents due to the lack of pavement between the Tickled Trout pub and Teston Lane. Kent Highways had previ- ously stated that a footpath could not be installed because there were no reported accidents or injuries. It was suggested a pe-


A GP FROM Loose has stepped down in protest over the latest NHS reforms. Dr Paul Hobday (right), who hasworked at the Sutton Valence Surgery for almost 30 years, wrote an article for The Guardian news- paper explaining why he chose to take early retirement rather than become a part of what he called the “privatisa- tion” of Britain’s 65-year-old health service. Dr Hobday believes that under the Health


and Social Care Act 2012, which came into effect on April 1, care will no longer be pro-


tition could be arranged as this had assisted with the speed limit reduction in Charlton Lane. Hedges in Court Lane had


been cut back but the cuttings had not been removed, resulting in the path being even narrower. The clerk would report this. Cllr Bryan Merritt raised con-


cerns at the volume of traffic using Teston bridge and won- dered whether traffic lights might regulate the flow. It was noted this could affect the rail- way crossing. The SmithsHill pavement had


still not been completed. It had been promised for September 17, 2012, and then February 11, 2013. Cllr Merritt said that Teston


Lane was to be redressed,not resurfaced, which he felt would be a waste of money as the last redressing only lasted eight months. The annual parish meeting would be held on May 20 at 7.45pm, following the usual parish council meeting at 6.30pm. The new play equipment was


due to be installed and the Good Intent pub had kindly given per- mission for a container and skip to be sited in its car park. The new equipment would not need any work within the next 10 to 15 years. The padlock had been re- moved from the gate at Tutsham Farm and the lane was in use again.


Yalding Council PCSO report


PCSO Nicola Morris said there had been only one crime since the last meeting. She had been working with Golding Homes and said it had its own CCTV they could put into vulnerable homes. The chairman met Collier


Street Parish Council, Ben Hilden from KCC and county Cllr Paulina Stockell to discuss the weight restriction. Collier Street PC was in favour of the scheme but would like Claygate Road and Spenny Lane in- cluded. Horsmonden Parish


vided on the basis of patients’ needs and providers of that care will no longer work together for the good of the patients. In- stead, private companies will compete for the right to treat patients to make money. He described patient choice as an “illu-


sion” and said GPs were restricted in terms of where they could send patients and what treatments they could offer. He said: “Sadly, patients are now right to


be suspicious of motives concerning deci- sions made about them, which until re- cently, almost uniquely in the world, have been purely in their best clinical interest.” Looking back over three decades of caring


for patients in the Maidstone area, he said: “It’s been an amazing privilege working as a


Council was concerned at an in- crease in HGVs, although this was said to be unlikely. Ben Hilden said KCC wouldmonitor the scheme and the effects on the surrounding area and in- crease the restricted area if needed. An advance warning sign scheme was being drawn up.


Regarding the war memorial re-pointing, the clerk had met with one of the potential con- tractors who had provided a more detailed proposal ofworks at a cost of £1,992. It was agreed to accept this quote. It was confirmed that the cost


of £840 for the bronze plaque in- cluded the lettering and it was agreed to accept it. It was agreed to ask Derek Hudson to prepare the specifi- cation of works for the lock-up. The chairman was to obtain a quote for a new traditionally made oak door using the exist- ing door furniture. It was also agreed to look at erecting a plaque giving historical infor- mation. KCC had again confirmed it would not consider changing the bus routes. However, ithad provided details of grants for a community service. Cllr Stock- ell said she might be able to pro- vide a top-up grant. It was felt the original scheme should be pursued further. It was agreed to have a site meeting at The Kintons to dis- cuss the siting of a 20ft con- tainer to solve


ongoing


problems with council storage. Maidstone Council’s building surveyor had agreed to look at the wall that runs along Lees Road for signs of shifting. Medway Valley Conservation Partnership had asked the parish council to support an ap- plication for fruit trees for the Fen. Yalding Scouts had agreed to undertake the project in con- junction with MVCP and the parish council. Planting would be on November 24, in National TreeWeek. It was agreed to buy three new


cows to graze the Fen for 2013, but a new supplier was needed.


Village GP quits job over ‘privatisation’ of NHS


family doctor. I am trusted with the care and health of sometimes four generations, and I have tried to help with their most complex problems. It’s the best job in medicine, and the NHSwas the best place to practice.” However, despite saying he was proud to


have been an NHS GP, Dr Hobday felt he was unable to continue working for a “multi-company, money-making machine” that was no longer about looking after a na- tion’s health but rather about making some people very rich. He concluded: “We are being dragged into


that machine and I want no part in it. The politicians responsible for this must live with their consciences, as it is the greatest failure of democracy in my lifetime.”


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