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Continued from page 34 Alan and Scott James had quoted £230 plus VAT to fit benches around the edge of the skatepark and this was ac- cepted. Cllr Bill Smyth had been carrying out weekly risk assessments and filling in the forms for the clerk to keep on file. A meeting had been held on


older persons’ housing,with the developers and landowner in attendance. Cllr Alison Richey said progress was ongo- ing. There was a proposal for 12 bungalows, some for rent, some for shared ownership and some on the open market. The footpath behind the houses on the Glebe had been repaired. The work that was car- ried out was very good. Malcom Iles and Richard Hopkins had done an excellent jobonthe drainage on the cricket pitch. An anonymous letter had been received ex- pressing dismay that it was nec- essary for trees to be cut back on the cricket pitch. It was neces- sary to clear the roots, vegeta- tion and dead tree branches for the work to be carried out and the job to be successful. Twocopiesofthe Fields in


Trust papers had been signed and sent. Roger Harper was thanked for his hard work. South East Coast Ambulance


were holding interviews to find community responders. Sam Robinson from Ashford Council had been contacted by the clerk about what would happen to the rubbish collected by Rob Hopkins after carrying out his street cleaning duties and the wheelie bins come into force. The clerk was still await- ing a response and would con- tact Sam Robinson again. The spring clean was not very


well attended, but those who didturnupdidasterlingjob and cleared a lot of rubbish. Cllr Pat Parr was to send out welcome packs to new resi- dents, and welcomed Colin and Fraser at The Shop. Cllr Smyth had been ap- proached by the family of Alan Garbutt who wished to plant a tree in the lower recreation ground in his memory. The council supported this. Cllr Parr expressed concern


over the length of the grass along New Road and parts of Elm Close. It was thought this was the remit of Ashford Council.


Anti-social issues THEmeeting heard that anti-so- cial behaviour had increased, with incidents of under-age driving and children jumping out in front of cars. Fly-tipping, long-term parking in the High Street and dog-foulingwere also being dealt with. Andrew Connors, of Maid-


Headcorn Council 42 South


stone Council, had told the parish council that not all the houses at The Hardwicks had been filled. They had recently been put back on the Kent Home Choice bidding cycle and a list of interested persons had been sent to the council to en- sure everyone who was eligible was contacted. The CCTV unit was due to be delivered. The Youth Bus runbyCAT appeared to have left the village. The clerk was to write to KCC regarding this service. The recycling site by the church would need to be moni- tored for usage once the Maid- stone council recycling scheme was introduced. This would be on the September agenda. The following issues had been brought up at parish surgeries: A resident in Forge Lane was concerned that allocated park- ing spaces opposite their drive made it very difficult for them to get in and out of their drive. The same resident was also con- cerned about poor parking, speed of traffic, and large vehi- cles mounting the pavement to pass parked cars. AShenley park resident asked


for a bus stop on the west side forNo12buses goingintothe village. Site ownerMrWenman had agreed to clear a space to the north of the junction and put in a path to it. A resident commented on fly- tipping at the Southernden end of Grigg Lane. It was noted that lorries de- livering to the petrol station tended to park on the pavement, leaving insufficient room for pedestrians with pushchairs. Cllr Nigel Pyman was to talk to the garage owners. A group of adults and chil-


dren had to wait 20 minutes while the dust cart navigated around parked cars on Oak Lane to empty the bins. The children were late for school as a result. A resident expressed concern


about potential tree root dam- age to buildings in Foreman’s Walk. Cllr Selby had spoken to the tree warden who thought this was unlikely. The plans for Headcorn Day


were continuing and new com- petitions were being introduced to encourage more children to come along. There would be a “countryside character” fancy dress competition and a best wildflower in a jam jar competi- tion. Volunteers were needed. A resident asked about the drainage issues on the Hard- wicks development,asthe sewage was still being taken away by lorries. Cllr Andrews said a gas pipe had impinged on the sewer, and further road- works were to be expected. Borough Cllr Richard Thick reported two counts of flytip-


ping in Lenham Road and Plumtrees were being pursued further as evidence of owner- ship had been found in the rub- bish. A resident of Forge Lane felt


that the two-hour parking bays were acceptable and would not wish for any bays to be re- moved.


Accident fears MEMBERS heard from a resi- dent who feared there could be a fatal accident at a road junc- tion in the village. Alice Sim- mons said her sister Hannah had been involved in a serious accident as she was trying to pull out of Bishops Lane into West Street. She said motorists – often par-


Hunton Council


ents going to the school – parked on the opposite side of the road, restricting the sight- line of drivers coming out of Bishops Lane and Water Lane. Cllr Gary Thomas, said the council was aware of the prob- lem and had considered park- ing restrictions inWest Street to ease the problem. He added that the opening of


the footpath between Bensted Close and the village hall would allow parents to park there instead, which might im- prove the situation. Councillors opposed a varia-


tion of a condition on planning permission granted on appeal to allow for the stationing of two more mobile homes for mem- bers of a gypsy family at Mul- berry Farm in East Street.


Loose Council Award winner


COMMUNITY Warden Liz Lo- vatt was overwhelmed by win- ning the Community Safety Award for 2013. She had re- ceived a certificate for her achievement. Kent Police Com- missionerAnne Barnes had also requested to see her. She was still working on the


new app, which will hopefully assist vulnerable members of the public on where to go for help, and also engaging with other community groups, help- ing residents to feel safe in their own homes. A walkabout and risk assess-


ment had been undertaken by the pavilion and playing field committee and everything was in hand. Alarge vehicle had hit the pil-


lar holding the metal gate to the closed cemetery. It was felt not to pose a risk at the current time, although the gate did not shut properly. It was queried whether any complaints had been received about the percentage increase on the council tax bill for the parish council. One query had been sent in and dealt with by the clerk.


Marden Council Police report


SGT Taylor introduced herself as the new sergeant for this area. PCSO Nicola Morris said there had been four crimes from May 21 to June 11 – all burgla- ries other than dwellings. PCSO Morris also reported that there was ongoing work with Golding Homes in the village. More volunteers had come forward regarding Speedwatch and further training would be arranged. The PCSO said she had been working with British Transport Police following reports of youngsters throwing stones on to the railway line behind LucksWay. They and their par- ents had been spoken to. There had been a spate of damage in Yalding and Net- tlestead, with someone driving past and firing a catapult at cars. There had been no report- ing of quad bikes along How- land Road this month, but there had been reports of another area behind Lucks Way being used. She would be investigating this and speaking to the landowner. Community warden Mira Martin said she had received complaints about ball games and children playing chicken across the main roads –both were being investigated and a visit to the primary school was planned. The majority of contractors


had now left the Rookery Court development and snagging was taking place. Cllr Adam asked that the loose gravel laid in Rookery Path be spread out and that the pathway and sunken area be made good before Taylor Wimpey left the development. Thedoorofthe public con- veniences was nearly complete, but one of the locks was broken and needed to be replaced. Once the door was in place, quotes would be sought for deep-cleaning and stainless steel sanitary ware. It was sug- gested that the gents would be upgraded first, followed by the ladies. A request had been received


for the hire of Southons Field for a wedding reception in July 2014. Councillors agreed to this request, which would be the first event to extend the time frame beyond 11pm, on condi- tion that music was stopped at 11pm and all cars and people had vacated the field by mid- night. The event would be seen as a trial and the situation would be assessed after the event.


Hedging on the footpath from


the playing field to Sutton Court needed cutting back. Gulleys on Goudhurst Road needed cleaning following the road surfacing and repairs.


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