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Emergency plan aer floods
THE parish council was to debate the need and value of preparing an emergency plan for Tovil, following the recent floods in the area.
Cllr Derek Mortimer said: “I was
out checking the water level every two hours and knocked on doors to warn people about the rising tide, but most hadn’t heard anything, in spite of being on the Environment Agency warning list.” Cllr Eddy Vinnicombe joined him
in raising concerns about the delay in Maidstone Council distributing sand- bags. Cllr Mortimer said: “In 2000, the council got sandbags out very quickly and floodingwasn’t even predicted.”
Grazing issue THE parish council raised concerns about pigs and a horse grazing on the new – provisionally named – Hayle Place Nature Reserve off Postley Road. The running of the site will be handed over to the borough council, Tovil Parish Council and the Valley Conservation Society by TaylorWim- pey, which is building 127 homes on the old Hayle Place Stud Farm site. Cllr Derek Mortimer said responsibil- ity for removing the animals re- mained with TaylorWimpey.
Slow sign plan EFFORTS are being made to get a “Slow” sign painted on the road at the foot of Burial Ground Lane in Tovil. County Cllr BrianClark said he had
visited the site with Cllr Derek Mor- timer and he would try to get the re- quest before the highway authority for this financial year. He will also follow up his requests for potholes to be filled in local roads.
Crime update DIESELwas stolen, a motorcycle was taken and therewas an attempted bur- glary in ForestHill in Tovil during De- cember, according to PCSO Matt Williams. He was working to combat highway obstructions, shed breaks in Loose and parking on Farleigh Hill.
The parish clerk reminded mem-
bers that the borough council and the Environment Agency are responsible in the event of a flood. The borough council flood plan given to the parish was last updated in 2006. The suggestion of creating a gen-
eral emergency plan for Tovil – to cover flooding and other disasters – will be discussed at a future meeting. Inquiries will also be made with
TovilWorking Men’sClub to see if the parish council might be able to make use of the facility in the event of any
future emergency. Chairman Chris Morgan-Jones,
who is pictured right, said: “Any emergency plan needs to dovetail with the Environment Agency and borough council directions.” He added: “This also raises plan-
ning issues for Maidstone Council in that if it approves plans for places where they know garages or homes are going to flood then they have to make provision for them to be able to move somewhere in the event of flooding.”
Efforts to prevent budget hike
THE council has set its budget for 2014-15 and the precept was set at £62,940, hopefully to avoid any increase in the parish’s council tax levy. However, the council tax calculation by the borough council depends on the
number of residents on the register of electors. The budget includes £7,000 to employ another part-time person in response
to a request that the council office is manned five days a week. Vice-chairman Glyn Charlton said: “If we do decide to go ahead with this, we will have the money in the budget to do it.”
Planning applications
THE parish council supported a pro- posal to turn a garage at 28 Albert Reed Gardens, Tovil into an en-suite bedroom.
Councillors felt there was no con-
cern with parking in the area. Councillors also supported a stair-
case and balcony at the riverside property 10 The Boatyard. However, they objected strongly to plans for 65 houses at Postley Road, opposite the new TaylorWimpey development. Cllr Barry Beardwell said: “We feel
the development doesn’t accord with the conservation area. We also have concerns about the size of properties facing bungalows and the high per- centage of affordable housing.” Comments have been sent to Maid-
stone Council, whose planning com- mitteewill determine the application.
Help for centre THE parish council is to decide how to assist plans to replace the children’s hut in Barfreston Close, off Courtenay Road, with a community centre. It follows an appeal from Cllr
Derek Mortimer, a trustee of the YMCA – one of the partners in the scheme – for a firm commitment as the project nears its funding target. He said: “We have interested par-
ties including Golding Homes and the YMCA.We need to know exactly how the council intends to assist the scheme sowork can start this year.” A council sub-committee will re- port back with its recommendations.
Councillor tribute
MEMBERS of the parish councilwere to discuss how best to commemorate thework of Cllr Sylvia Cuthbert, who died on December 28. Obituaries – page 34
THIS PAGE IS EDITED BY TOVIL PARISH COUNCIL
CLERK: Alison Chew, Parish Office, Rear of Tovil Working Men's Club, Tovil Hill, Tovil, ME15 6QJ TEL/FAX: 01622 675628 EMAIL:
tovilparishcouncil@btopenworld.com
24 Maidstone Town February 2014
Vacant seats PARISH council chairman Rev Chris Morgan-Jones, who is leaving the area, tendered his resignation. He stands down as chairman and councillor with effect from February 25, leaving two vacancies on the coun- cil. Anyone interested in applying should contact the parish clerk at
tovilparishcouncil@btopenworld.com
Signing off THE final details regarding the pur- chase of Little Switzerland, off Cave Hill, are being finalised. Parish council vice-chairman Glyn Charlton reported that the issue of ac- cess had been resolved and insurance policies lined up. Only confirmation from the Lions Club concerning their donation was now needed before the paperwork could be signed. Itwas hoped the paperwork will be signed early in February.
Waste issue BOROUGH councillor Mike Hogg confirmed rubbish left behind the bet- ting shop in Church Road was being dealt with. Maidstone Councilwas to serve notices on tenants living above to dispose of their rubbish correctly or face a £100 fine. Those responsible for rubbish in Tovil Hill would also re- ceive similar notices.
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