DownsMail In touch with your parish Continued from page 38


had probably been caused delib- erately, but it was not rusted through. A steel plate would be welded over the hole. Members discussed the possi-


bility of a neighbourhood plan for Chart Sutton. It would be a big expense for a small parish and there may not be enough vil- lage support. Progress in Staple- hurst and Boughton Monchelsea would be monitored. The Shop on the Green com-


mittee was considering obtaining a larger container when the plan- ning renewal is sought next year, to allow for storage on site. Mem- bers discussed options for mov- ing the shop elsewhere on the green or renting somewhere. The clerk had been successful


in nominating Lilypie Café for inclusion in the borough coun- cil’s list of assets of community value. Maidstone Council had added Lilypie to the published list on the website, entered its listing on the local land charges register and applied for a restric- tion of the land register. Meetingswill take place on the secondMonday of eachmonth in 2014, except January, when the council will meet on the fourth Monday. There will be no full council meetings in February and August.


Coxheath Council Plan approved


THE parish council had ap- proved in principle the draft neighbourhood plan document which will be the subject of fur- ther public consultation. Arrangements were in hand for


the annual festive lighting dis- play in Coxheath. The switching on ceremony, accompanied by carols around the Christmas tree, would be held on Sunday, De- cember 1.


Community warden Jo Jewiss


had been thanked for her hard work in organising the second Bark in the Park day held in Coxheath in September. Despite inclementweather, the eventwas judged to be a success. The parish council was to seek advice on a programme of cop- picing to be undertaken around the sports fields off Linden Road with a view to the possible cre- ation of a nature area. PCSORebecca Kemp had been appointed as temporary cover for Coxheath pending the transfer of a permanent officer in the next few months. Coxheath Parish Council was


to offer financial support to the South East Coast Ambulance Service in the provision of a Maidstone Community First Re- sponder service in the village.


Egerton Council Defibrillator


THE defibrillator had been pur- chased and affixed to the wall of the Millennium Hall. This and


46 South


another defibrillator were pur- chased with monies raised by The Friends of Egerton. It is thought the second one will be placed at the Forstal and in due course another one would be put at Stonebridge Green. Insurance cover would be investigated. Twelve people had been trained to use the defibrillators, but in an emergency following a 999 call, anyone could use them, as once taken from the case, the machine will talk through the procedure with the operator. It is hoped meetings can be arranged for various clubs such as the over 60s where the ma- chine can be demonstrated. The dog waste bin has been erected on the post provided at the skate park and the dog war- den has been informed, ready for emptying. The village is still awaiting the delivery of wheelie bins in certain areas, and black sacks left by villagers are not being collected. The clerk would follow this up. Anew close shackle padlock


had been fitted to the sports pavilion.


Youth club link COMMUNITY warden Stuart Ellesmere sent in a report. He had attended a meeting to sup- port a partnership between Headcorn, Staplehurst, Marden and Sutton Valence youth clubs. He had also been busy with traders handing out Business Watch application forms and in- cident diaries. The parish council had been advised by the owner of Tong Farm that the solar farm plan- ning application would be de- layed until autumn 2014 by a great crested newt survey. A quote had been received for


Headcorn Council


CCTV signs and it was agreed to buy two for £15 each. The Headcorn Day financial


report was agreed, with a profit of £418. CllrsBridget Dungey, Fe- licity Keeler and Sally Lewer were thanked for their work. A letter was received from Mr


Evans regarding noise from Headcorn Aerodrome.Acopyof the letter had been forwarded to aerodrome management. Alisa Maguire,waste reduction officer at Maidstone Council, spoke in relation to the recycling site and whether the parish council would like to continue with it a) as it is, b) with fewer glass containers, c) just with charity recycling banks, or d) have it removed completely. It was agreed to go with option C. Aletter had been received from


West Kent Wheels 2 Work re- garding the loan of mopeds to help people get to work, educa- tion or training. It was agreed to advertise this. The communications group


met to discuss the development of the village website and a num-


ber of action points were pro- gressed. A draft emergency plan was


being drawn up and a further meeting would be held to in- clude key players such as the vil- lage hall, the community warden, Sainsbury’s and local shops. Cllr Lyn Selby and Cllr David


Fox attended the parish surgery, where issues included aero- drome noise, the solar farm plan, and speeding traffic on theMaid- stone Road. Cllrs Selby and Dave Andrews attended the topping-out cere- mony at the new doctors’ sur- gery. The keys are expected to be handed over to the doctors on January 17, when the interior fit- ting will start.


Hunton Council Cricket pavilion


SIMONTaylor and Steve Jones of Hunton Wanderers Cricket Club outlined progress on the Sport England application for a new cricket pavilion. Completed sec- tions included the need for the pavilion, the impact on the sport, the sports development plan and community involvement. The sections on sustainability and the income and expenditure forecast were still being worked on. Mr Taylor confirmed that plan-


ning permission and building regulations approval would be required. Fees would be 50% of the usual cost as the application would be in the parish council’s name. Applications must be sub- mitted by mid-December and the result would be announced in early 2014. If the application is successful,


the only other obligation to the parish council will be sustain- ability. The pavilion will remain the property of the council. An informal meeting would be


held to agree the key points of the application and it was ex- pected to be formally signed off at the parish council meeting on November 11. Letters of thanks had been sent


to Annette Trought and Philip Nichols for all their work organ- ising and compering the Hunton Fete. Aletter had been written to the


head teacher at Hunton Primary School, asking that all parents be reminded to park at the village hall and use the new footpath to ease traffic congestion. PCSO Richard Chainey had been asked to carry out regular patrols at drop-off and pick-up times. County Cllr Paulina Stockell


had been asked about the possi- bility of funding marker posts on the verge near the playing field on West Street to stop vehicles driving over the verge. Anindividual had asked to use


the King George V playing field for boot camp fitness and an- other was already doing so. The management committee was


To contact Downs Mail just phone 01622 630330


happy to provide permission, subject to certain criteria, includ- ing not using the equipment in the children’s play area. Signs would be placed near the play area specifying that use is for children only. Members agreed to fund the purchase of a strimmer as not all areas of the footpath, churchyard and orchard can be cut with a mower. The cost could be around £300 plus a sum for protective equipment.


Loose Council Metal thefts


COMMUNITY warden Liz Lo- vatt reported that metal thieves were still a problem and inci- dents had been recorded in Northleigh. It had also been reported that


some dogs had been attacking other owners’ dogs, with horrific consequences. She reported on the electrical


safety advice leaflets that were about to go out to residents. Vandals had destroyed one of


the springers in the play area. Two people had been positively identified and the other two had not yet been recognised. A vehicle that had been ob- structing the highway on the cor- ner of Bridge Street and Mill Street was now parked in High- banks. A stone fired by catapult had


gone through awindow opposite Cllr Gordon Goves’ house. Police were looking for people seen in the Paddock Wood, Tunbridge Wells and Marden areas in con- nection with recent catapult in- cidents. The second public meeting on


the hazards in Busbridge Road had been very well attended. It was agreed to push for 20mph speed limits throughout the vil- lage and Busbridge Road with the long term solution being some kind of barrier to make the drop at the side of the road safe. Some youngsters asked to


speak about the facilities at the King George V playing field. They asked if they could have a skate area, but it was stated that unfortunately the field does not have the space for this. The parish council would be looking into installing more equipment at the field and their views would be very important on this. An outdoor gym and free running equipment were suggested. Regarding the possible closure


by KCCofthe Sure Start chil- dren’s centre at Loose Pavilion, there would be a huge impact to the parish council’s hire income for the building. The formal agreement between


the two councils would be checked and a letter of objection to the closure would be sent to KCC.


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