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Aylesford Council Parking hazard


RAY Sturgeon, of Bull Lane, Ec- cles, referred to the problems of inconsiderate and dangerous parking by youths visiting the sandpits to swim during the warm weather. They were blocking the footways and en- trances to footpaths, forcing pedestrians to have to walk in the road, which was particu- larly dangerous for the visually- impaired and those pushing buggies. The PCSOs had visited the


area and issued warning notices and would continue to monitor the situation. Mr Sturgeon also referred to


the poor care of local footpaths, some not having been touched this year and others done to a poor standard. The parish council had re- sponded to the Public Rights of Way office regarding the fixed and reactive cutting programme and continued to report com- plaints received regarding indi- vidual overgrown paths. The system of several years


ago when parish councils re- ceived a payment from PROW to cut paths within their bound- aries and could therefore react to themost urgent requirements wasdeemedtohavebeenfar more effective than the current system. Nina Montoya informed members of her role in commu- nity and well-being for Royal British Legion Industries, and her hopes for continued co-op- eration between the parish council regarding community projects and health promotion. A website link would be pro- vided and members confirmed their wish to establish strong links.


There was an assault on a


man at the entrance to the com- munity centre car park, believed to be in connection with a party at the centre. An arrest had been made. An acknowledgement of do- nations in memory of the late parish clerk Andrew Flindell had been received from the British Heart Foundation. A de- fibrillator for Aylesford Rugby Club had been ordered in his memory. The chairman and council representatives were due to re- ceive Canadian visitors.Mr Sturgeon would be invited as his local history book was to be presented to them. A meeting with the Environ-


ment Agency to discuss flood defences was being held after this council meeting. Aylesford village shop had agreed to look after an A-board for council notices. Members were informed that


a disused toilet at the end of the community centre building was


in a state of repair but could provide a facility for recreation ground users during the day. It was agreed to investigate costs to bring it into use.


Birling Council Cat problem


COUNTY Cllr Sarah Hohler told the council that there was a problem with feral cats in Sandy Lane. Kent Highways hadwritten to contractors about the M20 over- bridge work, advising that con- crete should be covered and verges levelled and seeded, but the date was not yet known. Vegetation on the footpath by


the bank should have been cut back, but this had not hap- pened. The clerk had again written to Kent Highways say- ing it was now impossible to walk along the path. The noise around the hall


was still being monitored. The council heard that Ryarsh Parish Council had been trying, without success, to contact the owners of The Stables in Birling Road to clear the vegetation covering the footpath. It would let the clerk know what action it decided to take. Cllr Helen Walker had circu-


lated photos of the war memo- rial and the clerk had obtained two quotes for cleaning and restoration work, and was awaiting two further quotes. The clerk was asked to email Cllr Hohler to discuss the possi- bility of a grant. It was noted that the interac-


tive speed sign was not work- ing. Kent Highways said it needed sunlight to operate and would only store aminimum of power on cloudy days. As it was a busy road, the stored power would soon be used up. Cllr David Hopper reported


that he had helped foreign lor- ries that had driven into the vil- lage by mistake to turn round. The clerk was asked to contact Kent Highways to see if a bigger “Not suitable for HGVs” sign could be erected at the round- about. The steps to the field opposite


the church had been boarded and wooden handrails installed. A resident had asked why the rails did not go to the top, and the clerk said this was because the steps at the top were not as steep, and it was thought it would make them too narrow. Councillors inspected the


steps and thought a short third section of handrail would be helpful, especially in wet weather. The clerk was to con- tact the public rights of way of- fice.


Cllr Jacquie Westwood said


work to repair the churchyard wall was due to be carried out during the summer holidays to avoid disruption to The Chil- dren’s House. It was noted that


the wall to the left of the lych gate running along Snodland Road was very overgrown and the clerk was asked to write to the PCC to ask if it could be ti- died up.


Kings Hill Council CCTV success


PCSO Wendy Stanley said the installation of CCTV at the com- munity centre had allowed the police to deal with nuisance in- cidents as necessary. Three serious incidents had occurred at the community cen- tre. There had been reports of young people climbing on the shipping container behind the centre, and on the roof of the centre itself. There had also been reports of youths climbing into the pre-school external play area. CCTV footage had been checked, and the police had vis- ited the culprits at their homes and spoken to their parents. Reports of smoking at the


youth centre were also being in- vestigated.


Mereworth Council Signs request


THE landlady of the Queen’s Head provided information on the sizes of signs she wanted to put on the post at the recreation area. She would provide the de- signs at a later date. She was thanked for her help with the village fete. Residents of Kent Street were concerned about the dangers of traffic on the A228/Kent Street and asked for information on the proposals they had heard about.


County Cllr Matthew Balfour


said therewas a planning appli- cation to change the current permission at Kings Hill from offices to residential and this was thought to produce less traffic than commercial use. The plans included 975 homes, a re- tirement/care village, petrol sta- tion and school. A bypass or dualling of the


A228 was not planned, but there were proposals to have a crossing for pedestrians and traffic lights to help drivers exit Kent Street. A new footway would be put behind the hedge on the A228. A resident reported that a van


was being parked in a danger- ous place on Beech Road/Butch- ers Lane. PCSO Toni Matthews said the policewere aware of this and had asked the driver to park elsewhere, but there were no parking restrictions in this area. The meeting heard that the


road surface in Beech Road was in a very poor condition. The clerk had reported it, butwould do it again. The church operations com- mittee was concerned about the quality of the grass cutting in the churchyard. It wished to


ask Kent Wildlife Trust for ad- vice on having areas for wildlife and to look at changing the con- tract. It was agreed to invite the parish council to this meeting. Residents reported that park-


ing at the school was still an issue. Drivers were parking on the verge, causing danger. Po- lice had asked Kent Highways to send a representative to look at this issue, and it was agreed that Cllr Jon Regan would con- tact the landowner to discuss ways of preventing parking. PCSO Matthews said there


had been one crime – a theft of copper cable – and no incidents of anti-social behaviour. The clerk had received a


quote from Burslems of £245 for cleaning the war memorial.An additional quote had been re- quested, but not received. Itwas agreed to accept the Burslems quote. The meeting heard that the flashing school sign had been relocated. The parish caretaker scheme


was discussed, and it was agreed that it was not a viable option for Mereworth, prefer- ring to use local labourwhen re- quired.


Nettlestead Council Crime report


PCSO Nicola Morris reported that there had been an at- tempted burglary at a dwelling in Bishops Close, a theft from a vehicle in Maidstone Road and criminal damage in Gibbs Hill. Cllr Jackie Bennett said things


were still going well at the Chat- terbox Club and they were going to try to do some fundrais- ing. A volunteer was needed to


help deliver the parish maga- zine for the next few months. The clerk had a meeting with


the street lighting engineer from KCC and he had confirmed that it would not be possible to adopt the lights in Bishops and Bryant Close as they did not meet the criteria. If the parish wanted them adopted, they would need upgrading and some extra lights installed. The parish did not have the funds for this.


Members agreed on a list of footpaths for which vegetation clearance would be requested. The clerk had applied for funding from KCC Parish Bus Shelter grants scheme and from county Cllr Paulina Stockell’s member fund. The clerk would report poth-


les as well as overgrown vege- tation and hedges in Gidds Hill. Cllr Van Hensbergen said the


King George V field looked good and the contractors were cutting the edges back. A quote to repair the bench at


the field for £370 plus VAT was agreed. A mother reported that her


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