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Egerton Footpaths Complaints about the state of the
footpaths in the field behind the school and the path from Rock Hill to the donkey sanctuarywould be investigated. Wheelie bins Ashford Council had refused to supply another bin for the rubbish collected by the street cleaner. All rubbish generated by people who book the hall should be taken away by them, as the bins are not for general public use. Burst pipeWaterwas gushing from a burst pipe in Forstal Road and damaging the highway. Benches Anthony Hicks had been asked to clean and treat the benches on Elm Close. He would carry out thework in the spring when theweather improves. Poppies Poppy seedswere purchased to sow on the bank between the upper recreation ground and the cricket field. More seeds would be purchased for the bank between Elm Close and the car park. Planning Ashford Councilwas preparing a new plan to cover the period to 2030 for homes, business and other facilities.Within Egerton two areas had been put forward, but the borough council stressed itwas very important to note that no assessment had been made yet. Nothingwould happen until assessments had been made and a full consultationwas made with parishes.
Headcorn
Police officeAmeeting was held with Inspector Maxine Martin of Kent Police to discuss the possible provision of a police office within the village. Funding and suitable premiseswere two key issues that were to be considered further. Speed sign Michael Heath of Kent Highways had reported that as there had been no reported personal injury crashes within the last three years from the 30mph sign to Orchard Glade, an interactive speed sign could not be considered for Wheeler Street. Twinning An article on twinning would be placed in the parish newsleer to see whether any residentswould consider this idea and form an independent association. Christmas lights Itwas resolved to not renew the contract to install and remove the decorations in 2014 with Blachere Illuminations. Days Green toilets The open spaces commieewould make the final decision on the quote for
refurbishmentworks.Asum of £3,286 from Maidstone Council’s business rate refund could be used towards the project, with the parish council adding up to £2,500.
Marden
Road safety The communitywarden detailed her concerns over the lack of a road crossing patrol at the primary
school.Aroad safety schemewas to start during the winter. 7.5 tonneweight limitAmember of the public raised concerns over the high number of HGVs travelling through the centre of the village and the restrictions that were affecting local businesses within the parish. One businessmember had taken the county councillor along the routes that now had to be taken and the more “direct” route that used to be used. County Cllr Pauline Stockell informed the meeting that the restriction followed a petition and concerns over the use of bridges over the Medway by HGVs.
34 Maidstone South January 2014
One of the biggest concerns over the past 15 yearswas the use of rural lanes by HGVs. Unfortunately the parish councilwas in the middle of these concerns between residents and business. TRAMP had been set up by 14 parishes to deal with the problem. The current restriction had raised more concerms from businesses and residents. Councillors agreed to reiterate to KCC the pressure from the businesses, the points raised by members of the public at the meeting and the impact the restrictionwas having on the community. County Cllr Stockellwas asked to look at evidence of high level of HGV movement through the village. Howland RoadAresident raised concern about the narrow/non-existent footway along part of Howland Road and the parking of cars on the bend. Thiswould be forwarded to the next neighbourhood plan
meeting.Amember of the public raised his concerns over the potential high level of traffic if the proposed developments go ahead in the area. Flooding The owners of theWest End Tavern had asked the parish council for support in obtaining sand bags for when flash flooding occurred and thiswas agreed.
Staplehurst
PavilionAquote was being sought by the parish council clerk for repair of a pipe and tap in the Surrenden pavilion. Licensing Councillors expressed their support for a licensing application from Pizza Cucina to trade in Staplehurst. Local transportAdedicated bus service had been agreed for Cornwallis pupils, but it would only accept those with a certain bus pass. Chairman John Perry had wrien to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, KCC andMPHelen Grant. Supermarket Members asked the clerk to seek ameeting with Sainsbury’s to obtain information on progress with the proposed supermarket. Power supplyAquote was accepted from British Gas for a one-year contract to supply electricity to Bell Lane toilets. Planters It was noted that the cost of maintaining the planters would increase in 2014. Public forumAresident stated that a footpath from Frienden Road was blocked and this would be reported to KCC public rights of way. The resident also advocated a 20mph limit in the urban area of the village.
Suon Valence
Local planAleer from the Joint Parishes Group to Rob Jarman aboutWaterside Park had been circulated, as had a leer from Bearsted Parish Council objecting to Waterside
Park.Anews release from Maidstone Council justifying its decision not to include windfall sites had been circulated. WarMemorial Themonthly check of the play area had been carried out and all was satisfactory or low risk. Holes had been filled by the handyman but were still being reported byMaidstone Council. The clerk had questioned this. Meter replaced TheEDFmeterhad been replaced with a smart meter. The position and condition of the housing had been reported. Harbour play area All was found to be satisfactory or low risk in the monthly check. The bench had been repaired by the handyman, but was still being reported by Maidstone Council.
Football pavilion It was agreed that keys to the barrier and the field would be le in the pavilion in case of an emergency. It was agreed that the hockey players would be allowed to use the changing rooms when they were not being used for football or lacrosse. The clerk was to calculate the cost. The clerk had asked a builder to assess work needed on the pavilion. Youth club The club had received a grant of £500 from county Cllr Eric Hotson’s community budget. Speed limit Cllr Robinson proposed a reduction in the speed limit on the A274 at the south end of the parish from the end of the current 40mph zone to just beyond New Barn Road. This was agreed. The clerk was to write to Kent Highways for its opinion on this.
SpeedWatch Two new sites had been agreed at the boom of Suon Valence Hill. Training was to be arranged for volunteers. Lighting The lamp outside the village hall had no power to it. The clerk was to look in to the cost of resolving this. KCC drainage had claimed that a light put in by the parish council in Chart Road had gone through the drain. This lamp had been installed in 2010 aer a lorry owned by developers wrote off a lamp post. It was agreed that the parish council was happy for this lamp to be re-sited nearby.
West Farleigh
Crime report Cllr Geoff Martin had been told of horse blanket thes in the area. Cllr King said she had heard of crimes in the East Farleigh area, such as burglaries at a property and boats and the the of 30 laurel bushes from a garden. Guest speaker ChrisWheal, of the Rural Safety Initiative, spoke about the importance of fire protection due to the higher risk of fires in rural areas. He said he had checked all ofWest Farleigh’s fire hydrants and asked for help in doing this in future. Mr Wheal also asked that any large swimming pools or reservoirs be registered with the fire service in case extra water was required. Highways issues Cllr BryanMerrit had received complaints about parking at the sports club in Charlton Lane. He had counted 42 cars parked along the path, with the only gap being outside the main gate which was about 6 long. This meant there had been no passing places for some distance. He suggested another leer be sent to the club to enquire whether any progress had been made finding land for parking. Cllr King suggested that the PCSO be informed so that he situation could bemonitored at weekends. It was also pointed out that if busesmet another vehicle along this stretch, it was illegal for them to reverse while carrying passengers. That meant theymight have to consider missing out this part of the route. Verge crumbling Cllr Bruce Sco said he had seen a cyclist go down the damaged verge on Teston Lane, which was becoming increasingly dangerous. Kent Highways had agreed to install pedestrian warning signs and county Cllr Paulina Stockell had offered to fund the scheme. Court Lodge Park The clerk had received a leer from the owners of Court Lodge Park regarding the number of accidents affecting their wall, and raising concerns about the speed limit on Lower Road. Cllr Merri said this had been looked at before and Kent Highways said it would not be reduced.
Parish Councils
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