DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 23


posed site being within metro- politan green belt. The warden had almost com- pleted the path edging at the cemetery. There were two new tenants


at the allotments and the an- nual skip was put in place to clear unwanted waste. The planning and environment committee did a site inspection and was impressed with the plots. The new boundary fence installed by Hadlow College was also acknowledged. Tree works at the cricket ground had been completed and also a new bracing placed on the chestnut tree in Old School car park. The vandalised seats on the access trail needed replacement as they were indicated as rest- ing placed on maps. Considera- tion would be given to stone benches. A request for a memorial


bench at the cemetery for the late Philip Anderson was ap- proved.


Peaks challenge CHAIRMAN Cllr Bob Ulph con- gratulated residents James Knott, Ciaran Lismore, Paul Gould, Matt Dunn and James Chapple who completed the Three Peaks challenge to raise money for the Abigail’s Foot- steps charity. PCSO Ed Moore reported


Leybourne Council


three crimes in May – a bur- glary in Old Orchard Lane, a theft from the village shop on Little Market Row, and a theft from Leybourne Chase, where a quantity of building material was taken. There were two inci- dents of anti-social behaviour. The parish council had discov-


ered six more “drug wraps”in the past month and Cllr Ulph asked how these should be re- ported. PCSO Moore recom- mended ringing 101. The recent discovery of the


used needles in Castle Lake woods had not been included in the crime figures as it had been reported directly to PCSO Moore. He confirmed that any incidents reported directly to him would not be included in the crime figures although intel- ligence reports would be up- dated. Cllr Kevin Wagstaff asked


about the accident on Lillieburn where a truck which regularly parked on the bend had been hit by a car. PCSO Moore said the truck was “on his radar” as it caused a blind spot for oncom- ing traffic. Regarding the reported park-


ing issues in Old Barn Road and the church lay-by, PCSO Moore was investigating op- tions of dealing with this. Cllr Martin Abbotson said


several pits had been dug in the woods and filled with wood. PCSOMoore said the wood had been put in to deter youngsters from playing in them. Cllr Ulph suggested ameeting


with Kent Police Commissioner Ann Barnes including West Malling parish council and the Malling Action Partnership. The clerk was to arrange this. Cllr Paul Cromey asked about police surgeries and was told that police contact points had been created where mobile po- lice stations would be set up. The mobile surgery would be sited inWest Malling. Cllr Ulph said some good sug- gestions had been received from the public regarding the Castle Way works. KCC is unwilling to underwrite the cost of any changes at this time. A complaint was received


about school admissions policy. Thelackofschoolplacesfor Leybourne children was dis- cussed and it was agreed to write to David Adams of KCC Education to ask him for an up- date.


Nettlestead Council Radiator theft


THERE had been a burglary at a house in Gibbs Hill where ra- diators were stolen. Cllr Jackie Bennett reported


there had been a new member of the Chatterbox Club. The clerk confirmed she had emailed all the details of the lights in Bishops Close and Bryant Close to see if they were of a standard that they might be adopted by KCC. A letter had been sent by KCC detailing where and when the public rights of way vegetation clearance would be taking place. The council was also asked to nominate some paths for extra cutting, totalling 1,904 metres. It was agreed the extra cuts should be two on the foot- path behind the King George V Field KM176, two cuts leading from the lychgate by the church KM182, two cuts on the en- trance to the field in Nettlestead Green KM188 and KM183, one extra cut to the footpath behind Stately Park KM184. The village hall annual meet-


ing had taken place and there were some new members, in- cluding Katrina Farrell as chair- man and Kirstie Meredith as treasurer. Four existing commit- tee members had stayed on and there were two retirements and another new member David Allen. Cllr Anita Van Hensbergen mentioned the rat problem at the village hall and it was con- firmed the committee was in discussions with the owner of the land that bordered the vil- lage hall, and the environmen- tal health officer. The King George V Field


looked good and the tunnels had now been filled in. All the members agreed on a


new bin for the field and this will now be ordered. Cllr Van Hensbergen would speak to a local carpenter to see if the bench could be mended and re- port back. Maidstone Council had at- tended the field but had not been able to find any fly-tip- ping. The clerk said some of it had gone but she could not as- certain if the fly-tipping on the boundary had gone as it was so overgrown. It would be dis- cussed again when everything had died back. The clerk was asked to speak


to the owner of 2 Rectory Cot- tages with regards to the con- crete foundations to the new fence as they are sticking out way above ground level and this will cause a problem for any strimming that takes place. The clerk was asked to look


into possible funding for a new bus shelter under the Commu- nity Grants application.


Offham Council Orchard plans


THE parish council had no ob- jections to a lawful develop- ment certificate application for a new access to farm/orchard at AldonManor. Tonbridge and Malling Coun-


cil had approved planning ap- plications for a kitchen extension and porch at Comp Farm, Comp Lane, and for the removal of trees overhanging the pond opposite 3 and 4, Pond Cottages, Comp Lane. Therewas a discussion on vil-


lage green bye-laws following commentsmade bymembers of the public at the last meeting. It was agreed that an up-to-date set of bye-laws would benefit the village. Councillors were not sure what action could be taken to enforce bye-laws and the clerk was asked to contact PCSO Bullen about this. It was agreed that horses should be prohibited from rid- ing over the Green to prevent damage. Taking into account the opinions represented by vil- lagers, there should be no refer- ence to ball games. Cycling is permitted providing it does not cause damage or nuisance. The clerk would prepare an amended list for councillors’ approval. Adrian Marchant had quoted


£450 for work on the cherry tree on the small green outside the Kings Arms public house. If nearby residents are in agree- ment with this work, the coun- cil will approve the quote. Bill the handyman had been


away but would be working again next week, including fill- ing in the holes on the Green from May Day. A play area inspection had


been booked for July. Cllr Williams had applied for


a licence to improve the Aldon Lane entrance to the village. There had been a public re-


quest for a sign directing visi- tors to the village hall. The clerk would contact Tonbridge andMalling Council about this. Councillors would meet rep- resentatives from the school committee to discuss parking proposals, and the possible use of the field opposite the school for additional parking. At present, Cosgrave Field


was considered by the parish council to be amenity land as the required condition of proper access had never been achieved in order for it to be registered as a public open space. One resi- dent had raised concerns about a possible sale, particularly in regard to access and the poten- tial to build or extend property. Councillors had spoken to a number of other residents about this proposal and there had been unanimous support. The cricket club would meet


with councillors to discuss the possibility of the club taking over parts of the field. The clerk was asked to formally approach the tennis club to discuss whether they want to take re- sponsibility and maintain an extra area of Cosgrave Field. It is intended that covenants


will be imposed to prevent building, and that neighbouring houses who purchase parts of the land may in time convert then into garden. The land would not be sold right up to the tennis courts, but a small strip of amenity land would be kept by the parish council. There had been a strong


odour from Blaise Farm, but it had gone within a couple of hours. Cllr Williams was congratu-


lated for selling village calen- dars worth £330. There were 30 calendars left and more needed to be printed to meet demand. Money from the calendar


sales would be put towards the pond restoration project which is likely to cost £3,500. Other fundraising ideas included a quiz and the clerk would con- tact the village hall committee about available dates in the new year. Lottery funding may be available. The clerk was asked to make a formal request for funding from the May Day working group. Volunteers were needed to


help with the work and details would be included in a leaflet and on the website.


Ryarsh Council Charity theft


THERE had been a theft from the charity clothes bin in the village hall car park and a large number of similar thefts locally. Residents should be aware, be


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