downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst


Notice boardsAquote had been received which councillors feltwas too high. An alternative quotewould be sought. Playing fieldAquote from a local contractorwas obtained for mowing and strimming the adventure playground, whichwas accepted. Police briefing During the previous month there were two burglaries in Forge Lane and a break-in at a riding school in Boxley. Fuel was stolen from outside the Harrow Inn public house. Itwas noted that councillors had yet to meet the PCSO. Street lighting trial The Hurstwood Road light had now been fixed. White lines had been repainted outside The Birches and in the centre of the road nearby. Cllr Carr would contact Kent Highway Services to ascertain the extent of the repainting. The light outside Manor Farmwould be disconnected shortly. The light outside the Hurstwood Road bungalows had an incorrectly fied timer. Golding Homes would get this corrected andwould also consider the possibility of changing the light to a swan necked light in keeping with the otherworking lights in the village. Cllr Carr had undertaken a monthly review of the lighting trial. Bredhurst Information Day An advertising banner would be purchased for the event, which is being held on May 11. The headteacher had given permission for a flyer to be sent home with children at the school.Afirst aid kit had been purchased. Aqualified first aider needed to be available for the event. The village hall chairman had offered the use of the village hall if the event runs again next year.


Detling


Hedges Overgrown hedges at Hockers Lane had been reported to Kent Highway Services. Flooding Kent Highway Services had confirmed that work on the junction of the A249was due to begin. Borough briefing Borough Cllr Nick de Wiggondene spoke regarding the progress of the local plan and presented a map of the proposed areas of development. Members spoke regarding the proposals for development at M20 Junction 7 and the need for a footbridge in this area. Cllr de Wiggondene stated that as yet there were no detailed plans for the development and no formal planning application had been submied.Aproposal for a rural burial site at White HorseWoodswas also discussed. Chairman’s report The chairman reported that two councillors had met Mr Faller to discuss his concerns regarding the Villager of the YearAward. The parish council expressed its regret at the way its activities had been interpreted and hoped its explanation and apology had been accepted. Itwas agreed that a standardised procedurewould be developed for future awards. Nursery Aresident spoke regarding parking near Pennies Day Nursery. This was discussed by members and it was agreed there was lile that could be done due to the vehicles parking legally. Cllr Clayton questioned the action taken by the parish council to date. The chairman confirmed that the parish council had lobbied KCC Cllr Jenny While and double


62 Maidstone East May 2014


yellow lines had been considered but not progressed. HorishWoods The coppicing of the woodlandwas progressing. Old School playing field John Monk had transformed the area andwas thanked for his hardwork. The lier binwas no longer needed in this location andwould be placed on the verge at Monks Meadow. One fence panelwould be removed to give access from the village hall to the playing field.Aquotewould be sought from Glebe Fencing forwork on the damaged fence at the back of the playing field.


Hollingbourne


School parking The school had reminded parents about not parking dangerously, on the zigzag lines or on corners. Twinning Village memberswere invited to the twinned French village Templeuve on May 17 and 18. The visitwould include a trip into town, a meal, dancing and musical entertainment. Therewould also be an international football tournament in 2014. Village sign The replacement of the sign was progressingwell. However, it was advised that the reconditionedwooden sign should really be kept indoors as adverseweather condtionswould quickly ruin it.Afibreglass copywas being produced and it was recommended that a second sign should also be commissioned, as itwas more economical to have two signs produced simultaneously. This would be financed by the surplus from the 2013 fete. ThanksAleer of thanks would be sent to ValWilliams of the WI as members had sorted through all the gazebos at Cardwell Pavilion in preparation for the village fete. Itwas a long and arduous job. Orchids Councillors had been invited by a local farmer to see the orchids on the Downs and archaeological finds. Eight members wished to aend. Finance Councillors heard that funding cuts from Maidstone Council meant it was imperative to increase various rents for Cardwell Pavilion and Lance Memorial Playing Field. Itwas decided to honour any present obligation for free use of the pavilion including the WI (pancake races and village safari), Messy Church and the breast cancer charity run, and then to charge users. Itwas estimated that the pavilion cost at least £8,000 a year to run, and for every £1 per hour received, £4was spent. Ideas for promoting the pavilion so that it could be more profitable were discussed.


Leeds


B2163 An update on the B2163was given by Katie Lewis of KCC. She informed the meeting that surrounding laneswould be repaired and the verges reinstated at a later date. Extensiveworkswould be undertaken onWillington Street aer the B2163was reopened and the trafficwould be diverted through Maidstone town centre. Signswould be placed strategically to try to avoid traffic diverting through Leeds. KCC Cllr Gary Cooke spoke regarding the proposedweight reduction for the village from 17 to 7.5 tonnes, stating there was no set criteria for this but KCC needed to establish the impact on business and users.


Aconsultation with surrounding villages and businesses had already begun. Itwas anticipated a reportwould go to the Maidstone Joint Transportation Board in October 2014 with possible implementation shortly aer. Cllr Cooke said the B2163would be reopened when itwas safe to do so in terms of highway, property and personal injury. The cost of theworkswas anticipated to be about £3m, with half of this being spent on Leeds village. Concerns were raised that the B2163would automatically become a diversion route during theWillington Street closure. Special constable An updatewas given on the police recruitment event in the village hall. Cllr John Gove said itwas hoped that the parish council might be able to finance two special constables and still have the funds le from the approved budget.Aspecial constablewould have the same powers as a police constable and training would take place towards the end of the year.Aleer had been received from the WI raising concerns about the parish council’s decision to finance the appointment of a special constable and the way in which this had been dealt with at the January public meeting. The chairman reported that the parish council had responded to this leer and a copy had been circulated to all members. Parish maintenance Rubbishwas collecting around the recycling units at the church car park. The clerkwould liaise with Maidstone Council about this. Playing field Therewas still a problem with dog mess in the playing field. Itwas agreed a general tidy-up of the fieldwould take place, that the rubbish bin should be installed as soon as possible and the windows in the pavilion should be replaced.Agrant application had been submied to KCC for the refurbishment of the pavilion plumbing system. ParkingAresident raised concerns about parking at the junction of Old Mill Road and the A20. Cllr Cooke said hewould liaise with KCC Cllr Jenny While to take action to deter the parking as it fell within her constituency. Meetings An alternative venuewas needed for parish meetings as the village hallwas booked. The clerkwould liaise with the vicar to ascertain whether the church could be used.


Lenham


Community orchards Pippa Palmer gave a brief presentation on the community orchards project, whereby £220,000 match funding had been successfully secured. Orchardwardenswould be trained as volunteers to maintain the sites and put together a management plan for the 15 parishes that have them. The chairman thanked Pippa for all her hardwork in making the scheme a success and adding another amenity for the residents of Lenham and others. LightsAresident reported the lights in Old Ashford Roadwere still notworking aer he reported them three months ago. Kent Highway Services had reportedly undertaken the repair. The resident also reported that the lights in the gentlemen’s public toiletswent out aer just a short time. The clerkwould investigate both problems.


Parish Councils


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