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Monchelsea Council Carolling time


THE Christmas tree is to be erected by councillors on Satur- day, December 11, at 10am. A PA system would be borrowed from the village hall for Carols on The Green. The clerk was asked to invite Scouts, Brown- ies and the vicar from St Peter’s Church to attend and to buy mince pies, sausage rolls and mulled wine for the event, using money donated by coun- cillors. Cllr Ian Ellis was to make arrangements with Mrs Harrison who kindly makes the soup each year. The clerk was to write to the


police expressing concern at the increase in crime and request- ing additional patrols. PCSO Richard Chainey had


reported eight thefts (four motor vehicles, one pedal cycle, three thefts from properties), two in- cidents of criminal damage to property and one attempted burglary during September. During October, there were six thefts (pedal cycle, village hall key, roofing tiles, two mobile phones, one theft from a prop- erty), two incidents of criminal damage (vehicle and property), three burglaries from properties and one fraudulent telephone call.


Cllr Williams missed the meeting as she was setting up a new Neighbourhood Watch group for NorthWard. Maidstone Council was look-


ing for suitable sites for recy- cling banks. It was suggested that community warden Liz Lo- vatt might approach the owners of the social club in Church Street and Campfield Farm off Haste Hill Road. A resident asked whether the cutting back of trees close to Harling Close had been pro- gressed. Cllr Stephen Munford advised that there had been no progress on this by TaylorWim- pey. He further advised that the land had not yet been trans- ferred from the developer to Maidstone Council. Cllr Munford said he had yet


to contact Mrs Stout regarding the planters on Heath Road. Kent Highway Services were unable to provide the commu- nal salt in 25kg bags. Only a one-tonne bag was available. This would be delivered to the parish hut on The Green. The clerk said KHS had in- structed its contractor to cut back the overgrown vegetation at the junction of Joywood and Brishing Lane. It was agreed that a builder should be employed to take down the sign on The Green and deliver it to Graham Clarke for renovation. Maidstone Council granted planning permission to allow


30 South


the conversion of a garage to living accommodation at 11 Haste Hill Close, despite the parish council objecting due to loss of parking. Cllr Ian Ellis, who had helped


to develop the concurrent func- tions grant during his time as a borough councillor, was now leading the group to retain it for the parishes. It was noted that the latest


water bill for the allotments had increased substantially from the bill for the same period last year. Cllr Bracking stated that the water tanks had now been sourced and hopefully this would reduce water usage once the tanks were filled and in use. The clerk advised that there were now several vacant allot- ments following the renewal of leases at the start of October. It was reported that new cur-


tains had been fitted to the win- dows and stage of the village hall.


Negotiations were continuing between English Rural Housing Association and a site owner over local needs affordable housing. Concerns regarding highway safety had been brought up relating to the site entrance and further investiga- tion of this would be necessary. Cllr Sara Evans said several residents had complained to her about the lateness of postal de- liveries. It had also been re- ported by local Royal Mail staff that in the New Year, the post would be delivered over an hour later than it currently is. It was agreed that the clerk should write to Royal Mail, asking for earlier deliveries. Cllr Bracking said several res-


idents had expressed concern at the speed of traffic through Marlpit. Cllr Mike FitzGerald said that safety measures had been taken in the past, includ- ing hedges being cut back to aid visibility and an advisory speed limit of 25mph. Cllr Date sug- gested that police could be asked to identify a location in Marlpit for use as a Speedwatch site. It was agreed to take this forward.


Chart Sutton Council Pavilion concern


Mr R Adams spoke on behalf of residents detailing their con- cerns over the replacement pavilion. The possibility of a referendum was discussed but it was decided that further in- formation was required. Bor- ough Cllr Mike FitzGerald agreed details would be printed in the next Village News. A report had been received


from Alan Howell, from Maid- stone Council’s planning en- forcement department,who had already investigated the issue at Little Acre, and advised that there was no breach of planning


control as it was not a wooden building but a caravan. Two councillors advised that it was indeed a wooden building and this was to be reported back to Mr Howell as he may be looking at the wrong site. PCSO Richard Chainey and


Community Warden Liz Lovatt were unable to attend and no crime figures had been pro- vided. Cllr FitzGerald said there had


been a high number of crimes in Boughton Monchelsea and that residents should continue to be vigilant. A letter was to be sent to the


Post Office to inquire why postal deliveries were getting later in the day. Regarding planning applica-


tions, no objection was made to proposals at Wentways, Warm- lake Road, for listed building consent for garage and loft con- versions and other alterations. Applications for a garage con- version at Girvan, Warmlake Road, and erection of replace- ment stables at Apple Cottage, Chart Hill Road, were recom- mended for approval.


Shelter plans COUNCILLORS accepted pro- posals for a new bus shelter in Heath Road and allocated £2,000 towards the cost. The council is to support the initiative led by the Kent Asso- ciation of Local Councils to re- duce the scale and increase the timeframe for the withdrawal of concurrent functions grant sup- port by Maidstone Council. A list of projects would be submitted to the Kent Probation Service with a viewto accessing the use of the Community Pay- back Scheme. A concrete litter bin was to be installed near the youth shelter at the village hall playing field. John Trent, a resident of the


Coxheath Council


new Avante development, was co-opted to fill the casual va- cancy on the council. Members approved a grant of


£200 to the Coxheath Twinning Association in support of their activities to foster relations with the village of La Seguiniere in France.


Notwithstanding the owner-


ship of the footway, the parish council was to arrange for the path between Park Way and Stockett Lane to be cleared of brambles and excessive weeds. After many years of service,


PC Gary Shaw is to retire from the police. Councillors recorded a vote of thanks for his valuable work on behalf of the commu- nity. It was agreed to supply and install a commemorative seat near Holy Trinity Church in memory of the late Cllr Cynthia Webb.


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Further discussions would be


held with Kent County Council over the relocation of a bus stop, currently situated outside 155 Heath Road.


Plan progress


East Farleigh Council


COUNCILLOR Peter Beasley said there often seemed to be no movement on issues relating to the village plan and that it re- ally was not good enough, as people in the village felt that nothing was happening. It was agreed that Ray Morris, chair- man of the East Farleigh Plan Action Group, should be in- vited to the next council meet- ing to talk about progress and discuss ways of working to- gether with the parish council to move things forward. Borough Cllr Colin Parr con- firmed that he and fellow ward members would support the council and residents of East Farleigh who wish to see the wind turbine planning applica- tion at Castle Farm refused. There was no Speedwatch re-


port as the equipment had bat- tery problems. The council had received a detailed and thorough report from Digley Associates on the two recreation and play areas at Vicarage Lane and Gallants Lane. Members agreed to study the report’s findings in detail and obtain quotations for get- ting the remedial work done. Chairman Cllr Glyn Charlton


reported that Brachers solicitors had been appointed to report on the history and status of the old school hall. This would cost about £1,000. He also reported that Maidstone Council’s plan- ning department had stated in writing that change to residen- tial use would not be granted for the building. The council interviewed a prospective councillor with a view to co-opting, but was not in favour, so the candidate’s offer was declined.


Headcorn Council Pothole priority


THE council was to send feed- back to Carillion, a company bidding for the KCC highways maintenance contract, explain- ing that regular gully emptying and quick pothole repairs were the key elements required by the parish. Cllr Bridget Dungey reported


that a purple beech had been se- lected as the preferred tree in memory of Sandy Bruce Lock- hart and the location agreed in Parsonage Meadow. Residents were asked for donations to- wards the tree and circular seat. Communitywarden Viv Hick-


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