DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 32


Castle Way junction with the A228. PCSO coverage was discussed


at length. It was noted that shift patterns were mainly based around late shifts as this is typ- ically the time crime occurs. In his annual report the chair-


man said the parish’s innovative CCTV system continued to re- ceive accolades from safety partnerships and organisations and provided a safer environ- ment and security for parish- ioners and assets in the village as well as an invaluable service to the neighbourhood police. Consultation would begin shortlywith parishioners on the proposals for the village hall ex- tension and refurbishment. It was noted that residents of


CastleWay were not happy with the priority signage scheme. County Cllr Sarah Hohler had approached all houses in Castle Way to discuss it. The current scheme would be monitored. Cllr Hohler suggested a com- plete survey for residents of Leybourne may be necessary.


History project ANDREW Wells spoke about the Living History project in- volving residents’ recollections. It was hoped to publish findings in July. He said he no longer wished


Mereworth Council


to be considered for co-option due to having taken on other re- sponsibilities. Jan Warren- Smith was co-opted as a parish councillor. PCSO Toni Matthews said she


did not have access to the crime figures but reported there was a problem with dogs being stolen (not in Mereworth itself) and she was working with the dog warden, advising residents. Metal and fuel thefts had re- duced but fly-tipping had in- creased. Cllr Dennis Styles had met


with the landlady of the Queens Head pub to discuss the signs but no more progress had been made on the issue. Some of the gazebos had been checked to see if they needed to be replaced and the rest would be done later. Cllr Stephen Reynolds re- ported on a meeting where a presentation had been made by Liberty regarding further devel- opment at Kings Hill. Initially one-and-a-half car parking spaces were required, but this had increased to two in future building. There were no plans to make additional access roads to Kings Hill. Concern was expressed that


more houses were planned without the infrastructure being in place. A donation of £50 was made to the Heart of Kent Hospice.


The annual playground in- spection report had suggested repairs to the safety surface, for which a quotation from Darren Smith had already been ac- cepted. It also included moss killing and Darren would be asked to undertake this as well. The clerk had contacted Kent Highways about the request for wooden bollards to deter park- ing along Seven Mile Lane. Kent Highways had replied that they would try enforcement of the double yellow lines before con- sidering installation of the posts.


Darren Smith had agreed to repair and repaint the notice boards outside the old shop and the church when weather con- ditions permitted. It had been agreed to go ahead


with work on the football pitch by Kent Landscapes, at a cost of £270 for two visits. Barming FC had contributed £135. A quote was being obtained


from Burslems for cleaning the war memorial.


Nettlestead Council Officers elected


CLLR David Meredith was elected chairman for the forth- coming year, with Cllr Rodd Nelson-Gracie as vice-chair- man.


Thanks were extended to the outgoing chairman, Cllr War- wick Eden, for his outstanding and long service to the parish. PCSO Nicola Morris read out


an annual report. Cllr VanHens- bergen had received a telephone call from Bow Bridge Marina stating there had not been any thefts of boat motors from the marina as previously stated in the parish magazine. The resi- dent said there was a night watchman and he had not re- ported anything. PCSO Morris said if anyone


was interested in Speedwatch training, this could be arranged. Cllr Jackie Bennett said there


were two new members of the Chatterbox scheme. The clerk had been making enquiries to see if it was possi- ble to place a bench near the bus stop in Maidstone Road.It was confirmed that no planning permission was needed. Further informationwould be sought on where the bench would be bought and the cost. The King George V field grass


had been cut again and was looking better. The clerk spoke about various work which was needed at the field, including a new bench and bin, filling in the tunnels, and dealing with fly tipping. A quote for £350 plus VAT from All Seasons Ground Maintenance was ac- cepted. It was agreed that the clerk should get another quote for removal of the fly-tipping. A resident whose property backs on to the field had asked


for permission to erect a mar- quee at the rear of their property for a 30th birthday in Septem- ber.After a long discussion, this was agreed, on the basis of no li- ability falling to the parish council and a donation. The clerk would look at the coun- cil’s liability insurance and up- date the members before the resident was contacted with an answer. Cllr Bennett confirmed the mowing of the churchyard was vastly improved and this had been commented on by David Allan, the churchwarden. All Seasons had carried out


twocutsatthe bottom of Gibbs Hill, but a resident had asked why the daffodils had been cut down so early when they had not finished flowering. All Sea- sons had replied directly to the resident. Cllr Van Hensbergen stated


that all areas were looking good and that it was a vast improve- ment.


Offham Council School parking


THE meeting heard that park- ing continued to be a concern at schools in Offham, Leybourne and Ryarsh. Both Kings Hill schools were expanding and Leybourne Chase was nearing the size where a new school would be needed. A consulta- tion would start soon. County Cllr Sarah Hohler de-


clared a personal interest in the provision of broadband to vil- lages, but referred the council to Roger Gough’s answer of Thurs- day, March 28. The clerk was asked to contact Pluckley Parish Council, which paid for better broadband connections for their village. PCSO Laura Bullen had at- tended the school but no traffic violations had taken place. She would attend again, and speed checks were due to take place in the village. The personwho had been tak-


ing down trees in the village had been identified and the landowner was aware. The po- lice had not been asked to get involved, but would make a re- port if asked. Regarding an amendment to


the village green by-laws,the clerk was asked to send a copy of the draft to residents border- ing the green for their informa- tion. Any comments could be made in writing or at the next parish meeting. CllrWendyWilliams had sub- mitted her report regarding re- pairs and maintenance at the Teston Road playing field. Cllr William Pierce had put in the stakes surrounding the tree on the green, and approval was givenfor himtoput inalong metal pole to support and straighten the tree as it grew. The latest stage of work on


the tennis courts had been com- pleted and the tennis court was open for use. Colour coding would take place at a later date. Councillors agreed to meet to look at the work that had been undertaken. Councillors had seen the re- sponse from Offham Primary School to the parish council’s concerns about traffic and car parking. Councillors Martyn Begbey and Pierce would dis- cuss options with Stephen Betts for an alternative car park. There was approval at the an-


nual parish meeting for a trust to be started for the benefit of the village. If parts of Cosgrave Field were sold, this money could be used to set up the trust. Sir John Stanley had re- sponded that, as the date for submissions regarding Blaise Farm had passed, he could take no further action. A response was awaited from


Kent Highways about the road at the side of the pond. Coun- cillors Pierce and David Frankling would meet with the owners of the land at the side of the pond. On behalf of the May DayWorking Group, Clare Innes had agreed that they would pay £250 per year towards the main- tenance of the pond. Cllr Paul Nelson would ask the Offham Society for a similar contribu- tion. Volunteers were coming for-


ward for Speedwatch and the clerk was to put a notice on the website. Cllr Frankling agreed to be team leader and would contact the police about training for the group and new sites.


Ryarsh Council School places


COUNTY Cllr Sarah Hohler spoke about oversubscribed schools locally. She said 66 par- ents put Ryarsh school as their first choice, for only 30 places. She said there would be even greater pressure on school places when the Brickworks de- velopment was finished. The new school for Leybourne Chase would be built around 2014/15. The meeting heard that the expanded BP station on the A20 was the nearest shop to the vil- lage. A resident suggested that the shop would be of greater benefit to the village if the path- way which runs across the fields was improved. Matters for reporting to Kent Highway Services included pot- holes outside Brook Farm, blocked gulleys between Brook Farm and the Old Vicarage, and potholes along The Street. The operators on the Brick-


works site were said to bework- ing out of hours, eg on Sundays and in the evenings. Any infor- mation should be passed to Ton- bridge and Malling Council’s planning department.


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