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Bredhurst Council Waste update


THE new waste system ap- peared to be working well, but councillors were disappointed that the start of the scheme re- sulted in grey bins being left for three weeks in themiddle of the summer. PCSO Andy Hawthorn said


no crimes had been reported in Bredhurst during the month to August 20. A resident reported a broken car windscreen, possi- bly done with an air gun. There had been a domestic incident in Dunn Street at the end of Au- gust. A new project was being started to improve broadband speed in Kent, and particularly in rural areas, 95%of properties should have a minimum speed of two megabytes per second. It was decided to write to KCC Cllr Roger Gough to ask whether Bredhurst would benefit from this, as many residents had un- acceptably low broadband speed. Thewornpartonthe aerial


slide in the playground was to be replaced, and the annual in- spection would take place soon after this. Training was being arranged for councillors. A meeting had taken place


with Kent Highways regarding street lighting. Nothing had been heard since, despite in- quiries by Cllr Nichola Carr, who agreed to keep trying for a response. Cllr Vanessa Jones said it had


been confirmed that any 20mph roundels wouldhavetobe funded by the parish council. She would request further in- formation on whether the parish council could determine how many roundels were painted or whether there was a statutory number. The allotments gate had been damaged and there was also a rotten wooden horizontal bar. An allotment holder hadmade a temporary repair, but it needed to be made good. It was agreed this should be done as soon as practicable. Cllr Jones was to ap- proach a local contractor. Both noticeboards needed


some attention to keep them in good condition. Cllr Jones was to organise this with a local con- tractor. Two memory sticks had been bought so that a back-up could be kept apart from the clerk’s home at all times. Cllr Jones was to look after this. It was suggested that another tidy-up date should be organ- ised during October.


Broomfield and Kingswood Council


New councillor


NOTIFICATION had been re- ceived from Maidstone Council that the vacancies created by


50 East


the resignation of Mike Evans and Peter Corfield can be filled by co-option. Janet Tandy had indicated her interest in becoming a parish councillor and had fulfilled the required criteria. Cllr Paul Beaney proposed that she be co- opted. This was seconded by Cllr Peter Page and agreed unanimously. Cllr Tandy was welcomed to the parish council. A group of about seven men


aged between 18 and 30 were spotted in Gravelly Bottom Lane. Two of them were halfway up a driveway, while others were spotted “hanging around” in the lane, halfway be- tween Kingswood and Langley. There had been a report that a


man in a small black car stopped and asked a young girl on a bicycle if she had seen a dog. He then drove off. The in- cident was reported to the po- lice.


The Designscape team and representatives of the Neigh- bourhood Plan had had a posi- tive meeting with a local landowner. The clerk was or- ganising meetings with two fur- ther landowners. Information from Maidstone Council showed that the parish council could be entitled to in- crease numbers from nine to 11 councillors. After discussion, councillors agreed to apply to increase to 11 members, due to the increasing workload and ad- ditional commitments that might be required at the out- come of the Neighbourhood Plan. The clerk had received a re-


quest for a memorial bench to be placed at the sports field in remembrance of a resident of Kingswood. This was agreed, but the clerk was asked to clar- ify the siting, the base setting and the management and the long-term ownership of the bench.


Councillors agreed to renew


the Maidstone Mavericks agree- ment for 2013/14 and to main- tain the annual fee at the 2013 rate.


Ulcombe parish council wished to speak to the owner of the woods in Lenham Road about an access path.The landowner is the person the parish council needs to speak to about registering a footpath to the sports field. Councillors agreed that the two parishes should try to get together for further discussions with the landowner. Information had been re- ceived about Ulcombe Council’s proposal to run a minibus to Headcorn. It was asking whether Broomfield and Kings- down Council might be inter- ested in participating in the venture. The Pink RibbonWalk was so successful that Leeds Castle had


agreed to the walk being re- peated next year. The clerk had been asked to advise of other off-road routes that might be available.


Verges overgrown Detling Council


IT was reported that the A249 still needed cutting. The clerk would raise this with Kent Highways. The clerk reported on the ad-


vice she had received regarding the parish council banking arrangements. Network Rail had ordered the mobility gate for Horish Wood and the clerk was therefore asked not take further action re- garding this matter. PCSO Jim Stevens informed members he was now the per- manent PCSO for Detling. Anti-social activities at The Larches and aerodrome site were discussed and a councillor askedwhat additionalmeasures would be taken to mitigate the problems. The chairman introduced


Mike Phillips from the Mid Kent Downs Group who gave a presentation on the manage- ment plan for HorishWood.He spoke regarding the coppicing options for consideration by the parish council. After discus- sion,itwas agreedtoset up a sub-committee to deal with this matter. A resident spoke regarding


the proposed yellow lines for the bottom of Hockers Lane. The clerk would liaise with KCC Cllr JennyWhittle to estab- lish the current situation. A resident attended the meet-


ing to speak regarding a letter he had sent to County Cllr Whittle about proposals to have the top junction of the A249 restricted. Members reassured him that be- fore any final decisions were made, a public consultation would be undertaken by KCC. It was reported that the steps


at Jade’s Crossing were over- grown and hazardous. The clerk would report this to KHS.


Harrietsham Council Land purchase


THE council had bought the land known as Teer’s Field,be- hind the new burial ground at St John the Baptist’s Church. This would be kept as ameadow and the council was looking into having a management plan cre- ated to maintain it. Residents were urged to let


the clerk know of any other parcels of land which the parish could look to purchase in the future, for the benefit of the community. The council had received


draft copies of the neighbour- hood plan which could be viewed on the village website and in the parish office by arrangement.


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


It was anticipated that the parish council website would be up and running by Christ- mas.


Fete success


Hollingbourne Council


Cllr Mike Bedwell congratu- lated all involved with the suc- cessful fete. Woodcut Farm had applied


for a scoping opinion for an- other industrial-type scheme on the same site as the KIG scheme. Twinning developments were beginning, with a golf tourna- ment having taken place. Rounds included mixed French and English teams. The French golfers hope to visit Holling- bourne in October. The clerk asked for clarifica-


tion about the withdrawal of re- cycling facilities at the end of Station Road. It was agreed to object to the loss, as members feared the sites would not be kept clean. Kent Fire and Rescue had


asked residents to let them know if fire hydrants became overgrown or obstructed. The clerk had a map of hydrant lo- cations throughout the parish, but it did not identify locations accurately. The clerk drew attention to


the Kenward Trust, which was offering volunteers a chance to participate in their garden en- terprise plant nursery in Yald- ing. Those interested should call Diane Jenner on 01622 816087. KCC Cllr Jenny Whittle was submitting an application to in- stall a weight limit sign on the Bourne Bridge. Dr Bauer asked if the council would pay for someone to clear the excess vegetation around the British Gas site at the end of Eyhorne Street. This was not supported, as it was felt to set a precedent, and utility compa- nies should be encouraged to maintain their own sites. Dr Bauer was to contact them. It was noted that the pavements and footways were in a poor state of repair. Further reseeding/resurfacing


of the Lance Memorial Field en- trance was planned for Septem- ber. An application fee for the installation of an additional no- ticeboard near the church was awaited, and a replacement board was required by the school.


Lenham Council Allotment plea


BRIAN Long requested on be- half of the Ham Lane Allotment Association that the allotments be registered as an areawhich is an asset to Lenham parish, as it was rumoured that the owners were looking to sell off the land. Borough Cllr TomSams advised that he would work with the as-


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