Parish Councils
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follow the normal planning procedure. Consequently, the decision to permit this had already been taken by Ashford Council before the meeting. Boroughward Cllr Geraldine Dyer had been asked to follow this up.
Headcorn
Crime briefing There had been nine reported
crimes.Aresponsewas received regarding the correlation of crime statistics and the gypsy and traveller community and itwas noted by the police that it “could not be determined as to whether this has caused a decrease from the travellers as crimes commied on the sites are normally between themselves or domestic issues. Crimes linked to the sites have and remain very low”. An exit strategy is being planned by the gypsy liaison team with a view to return if issues arise. PCSO cover Details of a replacement for PCSO Alan Beech had not yet been received and itwas agreed to write to ensure temporary coverwas provided. Community wardenAleerwas being sent to congratulate Stuart Ellesmere on his recent award by trading standards following his actions to help stop a scammer from defrauding a local resident out of a substantial amount of money. SurgeryAuseful meetingwas held with Drs Thorpe andWinch in relation to the seling-in at their new premises. Itwas noted that the parking provisionwas sufficient according to NHS guidelines but they would continue to monitor the situation. Repeat prescription forms could be dropped in at the Village Tea Rooms and delivery of medicines could be arranged under special circumstances. Local plan Itwas felt by some members and visitors that the Maidstone Council local plan consultation exhibition at the village hallwas of a poor standard. Itwas agreed to write to the borough council about this and post a statement on the parishwebsite. Flypast The chairmanwas to contact a local pilot to see whether a flypast over the High Street with the dispersal of disposable poppies could be done during the Remembrance Service in November. DonationAsum of £50was agreed for the Heart of Kent Hospice,Aylesford. An emailwas received from a resident regarding the appearance of the empty shops in the High Street. Itwas agreed to write to the leing agent of the old plumbing shop. Bouquet Cllr Felicity Keeler formally resigned from the council. Shewas presented with flowers and thanked for all her hardwork. Dance The barn dancewas being organised for September 6. Traders The issue of traders parking in the High Street bays had been raised.
Hunton
Annual meeting The annual parish meeting is at the village hall on Monday, May 19, when sports clubs, parish organisations and club delegates will be giving activity reports. Tea and coffee will be served at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Lile Clock House Residents aended to express concerns about an appeal by the
applicant from Lile Clock House against Maidstone Council’s refusal of expansion plans for the site. Parish councillors are to oppose the appeal. Itwas felt that the site was too restricted for siting further caravans and a business using heavy lorries. Lughorse LaneAproposal by the Gypsy and Traveller Association for four permanent pitches at a site in Lughorse Lane off Linton Hillwas being opposed by the parish council. Crime briefing No crimeswere reported. PCSO Alan Hunter said this may have been due to the formation of the neighbourhoodwatch group, which now had 106 members. Fly tipping Therewere two cases of fridge freezers being dumped in the parish, possibly unwanted aer the floods. Benches Aer a request to Cllr Ron Porter from peoplewanting to sit down while children use the play equipment, the parish councilwas looking into providing benches, one as a memorial to the former council clerk, the late Vikki Stancombe.
Loose
Dog notices The public were invited to put forward their views regarding the resolution moved by the parish council’s pavilion and playing field commiee on the erection of notices asking for dogs to be put on leads. Several members of the public presentwere dog owners and opposed the
decision.Asmall minority who aended demonstrated antagonistic behaviour towards the parish council. The chairman acknowledged that the council could have done beer in some areas and that there should be some form of measure. The trial periodwas due to end on May 7. Crime report There had been an assault at the Tamarisk Shell garage in Linton Road and a burglary at Herts Crescent. Ward report Boroughward Cllr Susan Grigg reported that a resident in Linton Roadwas affected by highway vibrations and there had been issues with an unsightly garden in Rosemount Close which had now been cleared. ParkingAconcernwas raised regarding parking outside the school and on side roads during school pick-up and drop-off times, also people parking on double yellow lines at Copper Tree Court. Traffic officers do visit the area on an ad hoc basis but there was no long-term solution. The parish councilwould contact Maidstone Council parking enforcement. Loose Neighbours Chris Lack spoke about the good neighbour service aimed at the elderly, disabled and anyone requiring urgent assistance and advice. The steering group consists of seven members and three other volunteers and morewould be welcome. All members carry out services for free. The group recently helped a resident who had a flooded kitchen. The council agreed thiswas an excellent idea and to support it in any way possible. Surestart Itwas confirmed that the children’s centre at the parish pavilionwas due to close. However, KCC wished to use this facility as an outreach centre under the same licence agreement. Further advice would be sought on the licence situation. Council vacancies Aer the sad death of Cllr David Large, the parish had five vacancies.
Award The chairman Cllr Vianne Gibbons was congratulated on achieving an award in the education category at the Celebrate MaidstoneAwards for her school and communitywork.
Marden
Planning Thirty-six members of the public aended an extraordinary full council meeting. An amended outline application for 85 dwellings at Stanley Farms, Plain Road, Marden, with access from Napoleon Drive and Plain Road,was considered. The amendment included access now being from Plain Road only. Councillors recommended refusal on the grounds of the robustness of the traffic survey in respect of the time and dates undertaken; road safety, and design and sustainability of the development. Members preferred the original scheme where accesswas shared between Napoleon Drive and Plain Road. However, they would prefer to see some measures for pedestrian safety in Napoleon Drive, for access to the playing field with a speed reduction along Plain Road. The clerkwas asked to reiterate previous comments when responding to Maidstone Council and to ask why this amendmentwas made by the developers. Solar farm Councillors recommended refusal, on the same grounds as before, of an amended application for a ground based solar farm at Great Pagehurst Farm, Pagehurst Road. The amendment included an agricultural land classification report.
Staplehurst
Neighbourhood plan Councillors voiced their initial impressions of the dra consultation document prepared by Feria Urbanism. Comments covered dealing with housing numbers, making a stand on affordable housing and a wish to go into more detail about constraints to development, such as drainage and sewage issues. Residents made a range of comments including how itwas important to distinguish between the community’s input into the neighbourhood plan and a parish council response to the Maidstone Council dra local plan. Next stepswere agreed. Library surgery There had been seven visits by residents to discuss the neighbourhood plan and parking on Station Road near Gresham House. Councillors agreed to write to Gresham House and KCC. Staplehurst carnival and fete Councillors agreed to book a stall at the carnival on June 28 at a cost of £15. Cllr Kelly said he could source two gazebos. Detailswould be supplied to the parish office to facilitate the ordering of a suitably sized banner. Playing fieldWork on the trees at Surrenden Field had been completed. Bell Lane The grass on the vergeswas too long and needed cuing. Thiswould be raised with Kent Highway Services. Planters There had been positive comments on the displays around the village. Police report Nine crimes had been reported: three thes, one burglary, one criminal damage, two burglaries other than dwelling, one the from a motor vehicle and one aempted burglary.
Maidstone South May 2014 47
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