Parish Councils


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two possible candidates for the vacancy. Local planAcall had gone out for more potential development sites, with the proposal that Suon Valence should become a larger village. The clerkwas to write an official leer of complaint to chief executive Alison Broome. War memorial play area The monthly check had shown everything to be satisfactory or low risk.Weekly checks would be continued. The tree on the fence had been removed by Paul Burne. Car park Itwas resolved to accept a £3,690 quote from Peter Mackelden to repair the potholes. He had also provided a quote for converting the old play area into a car park and the parish council agreed to approach two other firms for quotes. Suon Valence HillWater had been running down the hill and an order had been raised to repair the drainage system. Lighting UK Power had confirmed that therewas dead service to the light outside the village hall.Aparishioner had complained about the length of time it had taken to repair a light outside his house. Public transport Arrivawas prepared to run the No 12 bus from September to take commuters to Headcorn station for 6.42am. War memorial The clerkwas to get quotes for cleaning the memorial. Church footpath Itwas agreed to accept Peter Mackelden’s repair quote of £2,596. Allotments Fallen trees on Bowhalls allotments had been removed by an unknown person. Mrs SWight had given up her allotment at Bowhalls. Several allotments and sheds had been broken into and livestock had been stolen.


Staplehurst


Street lights Itwas decided to accept Kent Highway Services’ quote of £8,913 for upgrade and decommissioningwork. Neighbourhood plan The consultation event had been a success. Itwas clear that drainagewas assuming a higher profile. It was agreed to leaflet housholds about the next event on April 24, 26 and 27. Churchyard agreement The proposed agreement between the parish council and the parochial church council over maintaining the open churchyardwas approved. Library surgery There had been no visitors to the surgery. Memorial project Cllr Peter Spearink requested a decision on the site of the WWI memorial and remembrance garden. There were reservations about commiing youth club land and itwas suggested that other sites should be considered. Surrenden Mews Councillors agreed to support the proposal by Clarendon Homes to name the scheme 1-4 Surrenden Court. Crime report PCSO Gardner’s report showed six crimes: two burglaries; one aempted burglary, one case of criminal damage; one the from a motor vehicle and one burglary other than a dwelling.


Teston


Crime report PCSO FrankWoolle said there had been a recent spate of oil thes. Two people loitering in a vehicle had been moved on, and there had been two incidents of damage to fencing at Boathouse Meadow. Precept It had been reluctantly agreed to


increase the precept by 7% to £20,350. This was partly due to an expected reduction in funding via the parish services scheme and the council tax support grant. Fence damage The fence of Lower Boathouse Meadow in Teston Lane had suffered damage in the floods. Teston Land Conservation Trust (TLCT) had obtained two quotes, and repairswould cost about £1,800. Itwas agreed that the parish council would meet the cost of the repairs, and deduct the sum from the S137 funds to be paid to TLCT. Grounds maintenanceAquote for the year would be considered at the next meeting. Allotment fencing There had been 10 major crop thes and two episodes of vandalism. The chairman of the allotments association had proposed a 1.8m high stockwire fence with chestnut posts, costing £550, and a requestwas being made for £450. The allotment holderswould supply labour free of charge. The council indicated it could give £250, with the remainder coming from the association’s reserves, including any increase in rent. Lile Court Lodge Farm The channel across the entrance to the farm had been cleared butwas inadequate for the volume ofwater that streamed down the track. The clerkwould raise this again with KCC. Repairs There had been repairs to ground around the manhole cover near Crown City and the pavement near Ripton Coage. The pothole at the village crossroads had deteriorated andwould be reported again. Springs The blocked channels for the springs, particularly the one east of Barham Court,were creating a hazard withwater pooling in the road. Street lighting KHS had offered to replace, for free, the cover of the street light opposite Teston Lane. Parking problems The clerkwas trying to get a quotation from Maidstone Council for installing signs at Church Street. Street cleaning Itwas felt all roads and pavements in the villagewere in need of cleaning and this should be raised with Maidstone Council. Lier bins The clerk had reported to Maidstone Council that the lier bins at the bus stopswere full and had asked for the schedule for emptying. The dogwarden was now responsible for emptying both dog and lier bins. Village green planting Cllr Leve proposed that the hawthorns on the green would be interplanted with cherry trees. to enhance the visual appearance of the green and keep cars off. Seven treeswere to be purchased and planted for £500.


West Farleigh


Police report PCSO Alan Hunter saidWest Farleigh had been virtually crime-free over the winter. Paperless planning Maidstone Council’s planning departmentwas moving to paperless planning on June 1. The parish councilwas to object to this, along with other parishes, as itwas impossible to collectively view plans at meetings. Charlton Lane The councilwelcomed the sports club’s planning application for a car park. However, it had not received details. Although present parkingwas a severe problem, some residents felt the bus company had over-reacted as the parking was of limited duration.


WorldWar I Councillor Christopher Stockwell suggested the centenary could be marked by asking residents to plant poppy seeds in their gardens. The seedswould be provided. The ideawas enthusiastically received as long as the spread of poppies into agricultural areaswas controlled. Planning enforcement Regarding the Tutsham Estate, itwas noted that rules on conversion of agricultural buildings to domestic use had been relaxed, but clarity on their prior usewas needed. Maidstone Council had denied that the parish council had grounds for complaint over a planning maer – a view thatwas seen as unacceptable. Lier Cllr Julie King noted with regret that lier on Lower Road seemedworse than ever.


Yalding


KintonsAbudget of £5,000was agreed to improve the Kintons footpath to the High Street. Police PCSO Nicola Morris said gas boles had been stolen from Lile Venice during the floods and anti-social behaviour had been reported at the surgery. Pony fieldAcale grid and height restrictionwould be fied at the entrance/exit to the car park aswell as a grid at the end of The Lees with a budget of up to £5,000.Aquote and artwork for signs had been received. Website Photographs of councillorswould be put on thewebsite. The Ta The chairmanwould write up the proposal for car parking whichwould be circulated for comment. Shewould also get an estimate of the costs to draw up a legal agreement. The clerkwould aempt to establish whowas currently parking there and who had legal access. The ownership of the land in front of 1 and 2 The Ta also needed to be established. Post office Itwas agreed to write to the delivery sector manager expressing Yalding Parish Council’s concerns about changes to Royal Mail delivery services. Dogs Itwas agreed to purchase two moveable banners advertising Pick Up Your DogWaste. Tree Aspenwas asked to quote to remove the field maple in the High Street. The chairmanwould consult residents via the parish news. Christmas tree The power supply to Laddingford Christmas treewas damaged in the flood.Aquote to repairwould be sought. Play areas The Kintons and Jubilee Field play areas had both been highlighted as strategic by Maidstone Council andwould be supported by funding from the borough. Parish councils could apply for up to £10,000 matched funding from a pot of £200,000 for their strategic play areas. The chairman had wrien as part of the consultation suggesting thiswas not fair and that all play areas within the borough should be treated equally as parished residents pay the same amount of council tax as those in unparished areas. She also said that as Yalding parish consisted of two villages, with a play area in each, annual parish funding under the parish services scheme should be doubled for play areas. School Itwas agreed that The Friends of Laddingford School could hold their fair on Jubilee Field on June 29.


Maidstone South April 2014 43


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