downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst


Street lighting Cllr Nichola Carr had checked the lights during the evening aer the switch-off on March 4.Arisk assessment had been carried out and the trial would be monitored. The Hurstwood Road swan-neck light was notworking and the contractor had been contacted to fix it. The light outside the bungalows in Hurstwood Road comes on during the day and goes off at night. Cllr Carrwould make enquiries to get this put right. The light outside Manor Farmwould be taken down but a section of the polewould be le for signage. Cllr Carrwas investigating funding for a new swan-neck light at the build-out outside Camellia. The running costs of the swan-neck light in Hurstwood Roadwould be taken on by Kent Highway Services. White lines The white lines outside The Birches by the pinch point in Dunn Street Roadwere due to be repainted, funded by KCC. WorldWar I Visitors Mr D Coles and Mr R Emme spoke about the approaches that could be taken to commemorate the start of WorldWar I. The commemoration being planned by St Peter’s Church on August 4 was explained. Some ideas about how the parish could contribute to the commemorationwere discussed. Parish plan The action plan had been reviewed and most items had been completed. Cllr Carr had been looking into the MOSAIC data used by Maidstone Council and contacted Experian regarding obtaining a licence for it. Playing field Itwas agreed to accept the quote for cuing the playing field grass, but an alternative quotewas being sought for mowing and strimming at the adventure playground. Playground Mr Swindell had offered to complete the annual inspection and the monthly inspections in place of Maidstone Council. Itwas agreed to approach him for a wrien quotation for thiswork. Information dayAplanning sessionwould be arranged for Bredhurst Information Day on May 11. The purchase of a large advertising banner was being investigated.


Broomfield and


Kingswood Annual meeting There will be a new format for this year’s annual parish meeting, at the village hall from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, May 17, when clubs and societies will be publicising their organisations. Consultation will start on the neighbourhood plan, and teas and coffees will be available. Crime Three incidentswere reported: vehicle interference in BellWay; burglary in BellWay and burglary (non-dwelling) in Lenham Road. Sports field The clerk had obtained two quotes forwork on the portable building: Mahew Benne £180, Mark Reynolds £200. Councillors offered thework to the candidate who had already supplied insurance details. Play areas The clerk had spoken to Maidstone Council about the grant funding for parishes under the play areas investment initiative. Therewas £40,000 per annum available over five years for up


58 Maidstone East April 2014


to £10,000, to be match funded by parishes. Amanda Sco recommended that the parish obtained quotations for any projects that were likely to be ready for application when decisions regarding the neighbourhood planwere concluded. Handyman The Suon Valence handyman had been contacted to see if hewould be interested in applying for the handyman job at Broomfield and Kingswood, but he said hewas too busy to take on any additional projects. Councillors agreed that a price should be obtained by a potential contractor to carry out initial one-off jobs in specified areas to demonstrate theirwork and reduce any delays in smartening up the villages. Pensioners’ outingAriver trip on the Pocahontas to Southendwas recommended.Acontribution of £10 would be needed from individuals, but the trip would include the coach to Gravesend, the pier mini-rail journey to the mainland and cream tea on the return boat trip.


Detling


Borough report Borough Cllr Nick de Wiggondene spoke about the planning application submied for the M20 J7 Newnham Court development and said it was anticipated that thiswould be rejected by the borough council. However, this did not prevent it from being taken to appeal. Aresident spoke regarding the possibility of a Leeds-Langley bypass. Cllr de Wiggondene said Maidstone Councilwas looking for more strategic sites for development and housing and suggested the bypass might be built eventually. Church Lane Following a meeting with Kent Highway Services, itwas agreed that Church Lanewould be given priority at the start of the new financial year. Waste collectionAresidentwas concerned that his recyclingwas not being undertaken correctly by the refuse collectors. The parishwould raise this with Maidstone Council. Hockers Lane The hedges at the boom of Hockers Lanewere overgrown and in need of cuing back. The clerkwould contact Kent Highway Services. Village fete Residents aended the meeting to seek the views of the parish council on the possibility of arranging a village fete for Detling. The chairman confirmed the councilwould be happy to consider any proposals for this. Sign The grant application for the sign at Monks Meadow had been turned down by South EastWater. Councillors agreed to buy the sign for £240. Tri-parish group The chair reported that for many years the chairmen of Detling, Stockbury and Thurnham parish councils had met informally to discuss joint maers and they would now like to formalise this and have a joint approach to issues. Itwas agreed that Detling becomes a member of the tri-parish group. HorishWood Dormice boxes had been put in HorishWood by South EastWater and were to be le in place and monitored.A follow-up surveywould then be undertaken. Old School playing field The chairman reported on a meeting of Detling Village Hall Management Commiee when the playing field had been discussed. The higher priority was now being given to the


refurbishment of the toilets and therefore the playing field accesswas less of a priority.Asuggestion that the fence could be removed to make it a public open space was discussed. Businesses The possibility of creating a local business forum in the villagewas discussed. Poppy seeds The clerk had bought the poppy seeds for the commemoration of the start ofWorldWar I. Itwas agreed that memberswould deliver them to all households.


Downswood


Bollard The clerkwould make enquiries as to why the previously removable bollard had been cemented in place at the top of pedestrianised Old Church Road and by whom. Enquirieswould be made with KCC as it had cut down a number of bushes and trees in the area. Play areas Therewas a strong volunteer group on March 1 at Foxden Drive. The bank had been planted up, which should help to stabilise it. Due to a change in printers, itwas no longer possible for Maidstone Council to produce flyers for the Foxden consultation process. Details of the proposalwould be included in the newsleer, Facebook,website and notice boards. Two councillors met with AES Europe. The clerkwould enquire if the Reinden Grove play areawould be maintained by Maidstone Council if the equipmentwas removed. Mallards Lake Applications of Siltex in the lakewere discussed and it was noted that further applicationswould be required twice yearly over several years for it to be effective. Details of silt analysiswould be required at a cost of £236 before a full report could be produced. Itwas agreed not to progress the maer at present. Christmas lightsAthree-year hire contract with Gala Lightswould be renewed for three star motifs at a cost of £99 each per annum, including storage and maintenance. Twier The usewould be discontinued. Olympicnic Giving bubbles as prizes would be considered as an alternative to sweets. Annual meetings The parish council annual meetingwould be held at 7.45pm on May 6 and the annual parish meeting at 7.30pm on June 3. Both meetingswould precede the monthly parish meeting.


Hollingbourne


Junction 8 The chairman reported on the exhibition by Roxhill developers at the Mercure Great Danes Hotel.Asignificant pointwas that “the most sensitive area has been moved to a point furthest away from Bearsted”. Itwas estimated that there would be 300 vehicular movements twice a day at peak times. The chairman said Roxhillwas without indepth knowledge of local issues. Itwas argued that employees would be local, but asserted they would use the M20. Its assumptionswere therefore speculative and without credence. Itwas suggested that the council should put forward and support another option such as the Detling site. Pre-school The request from the pre-school to extend the outside play areawas approved and the parish councilwould


Parish Councils


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