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Aylesford Council Chairman stays


CLLR Roger Gledhill was elected as chairman of the coun- cil and thanked members for their support in his first year in office, especially the vice-chair- man Cllr Green, who was also re-elected. The funeral of the parish


clerk, Andrew Flindell, was to be held on June 7 at the Blue Bell Hill Crematorium. The parish council was to fund a de- fibrillator for Aylesford Rugby Club in his memory as a keen rugby supporter.Apersonal col- lection for the family’s chosen charity, the British Heart Foun- dation, was being co-ordinated by the assistant clerk Janet Col- lier.


The PCSOs’ written report


was discussed. Over the last three days, three sat navs had been stolen from cars parked in the Blue Bell Hill area. The need to remove or hide this type of item when leaving the vehi- cle was emphasised. All villages seemed to be suf-


fering from increased quad bike off-roading. One of the PCSOs has had some success in appre- hending drivers and issuing sec- tion 59 warnings in the Eccles/Burham area. Three vehicles in Bull Lane


had their rear windows smashed overnight. PCSOs will follow up a report of two men acting suspiciously late at night. Youths were gathering regu-


larly with their vehicles in Upper Mills Road. Regular pa- trols were taking place. Community warden Dave Leipnik had been seconded to the Kent Highways office for three months. Ditton warden John Newton’s area would be extended during this time to cover Aylesford, Wouldham, Burham and Eccles. Members congratulated PCSO Roxane Wilson and sent their best wishes on her forthcoming marriage. Cllr Peter Homewood was congratulated on his re-election to KCC and appointment as its vice-chairman. He invited applications from


the parish council and other local bodies for funding for projects from his member’s grant. Cllr Dave Smith reported that anti-social behaviour around Premier Parade had calmed down thanks to regular police and PCSO patrolling. The youth club now had 150 members. The double yellow lining had finally been installed at Beddow Way. Cllr Smith had asked the po-


lice to investigate the apparent overnight parking/sleeping by an occupant in a van in the TMBC village car park. Members congratulated Cllr


32 Malling


Smith on recently becoming a grandfather. The assistant clerk was thanked for her efforts over the last two weeks to ensure the work of the council continues and progressed. Thanks were also expressed to Michelle, Lee and Wally who have assisted her. A request for Forrests Funfair


to visit Ferryfield from June 10 to 18 was agreed. A quotation had been re- ceived for the Forstal Road recreation ground trench work which was considered very ex- pensive. The assistant clerk had discussed with Kent Turf care and the football club the sug- gestion of lesser works to fill in the most serious dents and a quote would be sought. No work would take place this year and any work agreed would re- quire pitch three to be taken out of play in mid-April.


Birling Council Crime report


PCSO Laura Bullen attended with her colleague PCSO Mark Thomas who covers Borough Green, Plaxtol, Shipbourne and Igtham. No crimes had been re- ported in Birling although diesel had been stolen from the old brickworks at Ryarsh and gas canisters from Spadework at Offham. The flooding in Bull Road


had been referred by KentHigh- ways to the drainage team who, due to recent weather condi- tions, had been very busy and no report had yet been received. Cllr Sylvia Spooner had con-


tacted Kent Highways about a large puddle forming in a dip in the road outside her property, which vehicles splash on her walls, causing a dark stain. There had been a site meeting, but the matter had been referred to the drainage team. The clerk was asked to find out if treating the dip as a pothole would more quickly resolve the situation. The replacement of the barri-


ers on the bridge over the M20 had been completed and the council considered the work had been carried outwell and in a timely manner. However, the kerb on the right hand side leav- ing the village was broken and the verges needed to be tidied up. The clerk was asked to speak to Kent Highways. Tonbridge and Malling Coun-


cil had approved a proposed ground floor extension at Fox- glove Cottage, 39 Ryarsh Road.


New councillor STEPHEN Richardson was wel- comed on to the council as a co- opted councillor. County Cllr Richard Long thanked the parish council and the clerk for their collaboration over the years. The chairman


Hadlow Council


thanked Cllr Long for his serv- ices to the community and wished him future success. PCSO Toni Matthews said


crime figures for the area were available online, and confirmed there had been no major inci- dents. The chairman thanked PCSOs Matthews and Kim Hockey for their work in the parish. The clerk said office staff were completing year end duties and would have the documents ready for the next meeting. The warden continued with


his daily schedule and metwith the clerk weekly to discuss any issues. During the heavy rain he had continued with the repairs to the Old School Hall. Russet Homes had taken re- sponsibility for its land bound- aries at School Lane and cleared overgrown vegetation. The village warden had cleared further areas as part of the con- ditions of licence with public rights of way. The maintenance had greatly improved the foot- path. However, it was noted that houses backing on to the foot- path were responsible for the boundaries between their prop- erties and the path, regardless of where their fences had been in- stalled. The broken gully grid in the


High Street outside the phar- macy had been reported to Kent Highways. Cllr Nick Collins said the 2012-2013 budget had not al- lowed for a donation to the Royal British Legion poppy ap- peal. He asked members whether they wished to double the payment in November, or send £50 in April and a second donation in line with the 2013- 2014 budget in November. It was agreed to send £50 in April and make a second donation in November. The Fields in Trust deed of dedication had been competed and a copy lodged with the so- licitors. The land registry form had also been completed and sent. The dead cherry tree in the centre of the village had been removed. Cllr David Carey had in- formed Kent Highways that the ash tree opposite the college was in a poor state of health.


Kings Hill Council Utility cost


LIBERTY Property Trust had been asked to provide the addi- tional electricity and other works at Heath Farm at the parish council’s cost. The extra electricity supply had been or- dered. A local brewery had offered


the community centre one bot- tle cooler in exchange for a commitment to using them to supply stock. A £20 donation had been


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


made to Homestart and a thank you letter received. Cllr Richard Long reported


that he had not received any complaints about primary school places this year. The community had been


asked to send in the ideas for a village sign and the most popu- lar ones chosen at the 2012 an- nual parish meeting had been given to a local blacksmith sign maker to submit designs to the council. Two were circulated and itwas resolved that the sign be commissioned. The location would be agreed in due course. The licence to alter the com- munity centre lease was ap- proved and signed. A planning application for a


loft conversion and single- storey extension at 2 Francis Lane was considered. The coun- cil objected to the plans as the independently accessible park- ing spaces were insufficient for the new parking standards. The parish council’s accounts


for payment totalling £9,916.94 were circulated and approved. It was reported that the sur- veyors had sent their report on the community centre hall floor and had found that the floor had been laid incorrectly. The con- tractor had been contacted and a response was awaited. A fire was reportedly seen


near Heath Farm the previous evening. The clerk would inves- tigate and report further. A request to discuss the pedestrian access at Waitrose was agreed. This would be added to the next planning and transportation agenda.


Chairman elected CLLR Bob Ulph was elected chairman with Cllr Mearns as vice-chairman. PCSO Ed Moore reported that


Leybourne Council


there had been two incidents of criminal damage in Leybourne Chase. There had been an anti-social behaviour incident in Bridge- water Place where a house party had spilled into the street. A patrol had attended. PCSO Moore reported he had stopped a group of young males and seized a small quantity of alcohol. Names were taken and letters would be sent to their parents. The chairman asked about a


speed check that took place in CastleWay and amember of the public had been fined £100 for travelling at 31mph in the 20mph limit. The issues of cars using the lay-bys on Castle Way to avoid the chicanes was discussed. Cllr Ulph noted thatworkwas going on with Kent Highways to make the lay-by difficult to negotiate. The parish council continued


to press for action on addressing safety concerns at theP38


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