downsmail.co.uk Boughton Malherbe
Overgrown trees Members of the public expressed concern about overgrown trees on Liverton Hill affecting power lines. Police report PCSO Alan Beech reported an assault and an aggravated vehicle taking. Traffic increase There appeared to be an increase in traffic on Liverton Hill, which could be down to the Leeds Road closure. The chairman expressed concern that with plans for house-building in Headcorn, Lenham and Harrietsham, Gray Green would be swamped. Pot holes The situationwas dire. Liverton Hill had been closed for two days and dangerous potholes had been le unfilled. Kent Highways operations manager had come out and done the work himself. Ditches and gullies Some had been cleared – those inWoodcock Lane had been cleared by residents whowere fed up with waiting. Speed indicator sign The resiting of this had been reported repeatedly, but it still had not been moved. Emergency plan This first part had been draed aer many
revisions.Atemplate had recently been received by the communitywarden.
Bredhurst
Annual meeting The parish council held its annual meeting. All councillorswere willing to serve for the next year. Cllr Charlie Hewiwas re-elected as chairman and Cllr Vanessa Jones will continue as vice-chairman. The chairman’s annual statement was read out. KALC Cllrs Hewi and Steve Bowring will continue to be voting representatives at Kent Association of Local Councils meetings. Police The mobile contact point van is being discontinued as they have not been well used. PlaygroundAcompetitive quote has been received for the annual inspection. The clerk will try to find out more about Maidstone Council taking responsibility for the playground since it is likely to be listed as a strategic playground. Lighting trial Cllr Nichola Carr had undertaken a monthly review of the lighting trial. The light outside the bungalows in Hurstwood Road is now working correctly and Golding Homes is considering the request to replace the old light with a swan-necked light, in keeping with other lights in the village. ParkingAresident had complained about the unsafe parking of cars in Hurstwood Road and Fir Tree Grove when parents collect children from school. Arrangements were made for parents to park at The Bell. The clerkwould write to the school about this issue. The PCSOwas investigating another complaint about cars parking on the pavement on the Forge Lane motorway bridge. Traffic calming The clerkwould write to KCC to outline concerns about cars riding partly on the pavement to avoid speed bumps.
NoticeboardsAfurther quote had been received whichwas accepted by councillors to refurbish the main notice board on the village green. Cllr Bowring volunteered to repaint the other board by
62 Maidstone East June 2014
the allotments. Information Day Thiswas due to take place at the school on May 10. The village hall chairman has offered the use of the village hall if the event runs again next year.
Broomfield and
Kingswood Annual meeting There was a new format for this year’s annual parish meeting, on Saturday, May 17 at the village hall from 10am to 2pm, when clubs and societies publicised themselves. Public consultation will begin on the neighbourhood plan. Policing PCSO Richard Kirby reported one crime in Kingswood: a the in Ashford Drive. Neighbourhood plan Due to changes by Maidstone Council to the previously agreed plans, further adjustments might now have to be made, which could mean the launch of the public consultation would have to be cancelled. The clerk was asked to write to MP Hugh Robertson. Handyman Quotes for work had been received and an arrangement for a trial session was being arranged. Highways Residents had raised concerns about traffic on unpaved footpaths round the village and the danger to pedestrians from overhanging trees and shrubs. MeetingAmeeting had been arranged with Kent Highway Services for the clerk and councillors to go round the parish on May 21 and identify any issues. The clerk would include issues of overgrown hedges and potholes. Ashford Drive Areplacement street plate had been erected. Resurfacing Gravelly Boom Road was scheduled to be resurfaced along its entire length at the end of July. Pensioners’ outing Due to safety issues brought to the clerk’s aention aer the booking of the Pocahontas river trip, the destination was changed. The trip will now be to the Bluebell Railway for a cream tea.
Speed limits Cllr Baker proposed that a 20mph speed limit be investigated and suggested a consensus of opinion was sought at the annual parish meeting with a tick form. Cllr Benne agreed to lead this initiative. Speed restrictions could allow for more comprehensive safety and traffic calming measures, which would not be allowed within current 30mph limits.
Downswood
Crime reportAgarden shed in Monkdown was broken into and fishing equipment was stolen. Street lighting The second phase of street lighting saving was to start and would apply to Downswood. This would involve lights being turned off aer midnight. Deringwood Drive It was noted that the part of the road just before the turning for Bournewood Drive appeared to have sunk further. It was agreed to monitor the situation until resurfacing work in Willington Street was complete. Play areaAflyer had been delivered to residents in the Foxden Drive area to inform them of the proposals. Carols and lights The clerk was to ask if the lounge and the hall could be booked on November 28. There would be carols
outside before returning to the hall for refreshments aer the switch-on. Community association In view of the large projects that were in hand, it was resolved to make a donation of £500 towards both projects. Victim supportAdonation of £40 would be made. Garden competition Cllr Butler was to ask the school eco gardening club if they were prepared to judge the competition. Prizes would remain as in previous years : 1st £50, 2nd £25 and 3rd £15. DCA fete It was agreed that the council would support the fete with the following stalls: hook a duck, pick a straw, face board with sponges and the parish council information point. Cooking oil Used cooking oil had been taken from the steps at the back of the Spires Fish Bar. The oil is normally collected by a company but was missing when staff arrived. Co-opted Nicky Clifford was co-opted to fill the vacancy on the parish council. Footpaths It was noted that various Private Property signs had been erected on land which had previously been used by members of the public as footpaths. The clerk would provide information on the correct routes. Play scheme The Bearsted Parish Council clerk had stated that 20 children from Downswood had aended the 2013 summer play
scheme.Adonation of £125 was agreed. HospiceAdonation of £150 would be given to the Heart of Kent Hospice. Spring cleanAsignificant amount of rubbish was collected by helpers, mainly councillors and their families.
Harrietsham
Vacancy The parish council has a vacancy for a councillor and anyone interested should contact the parish clerk for further details. The successful candidate will become a member of the planning commiee which meets two Friday mornings a month. Rural hedge cuing The parish council will be arranging the hedge-cuing service again this year in October. If you wish to have your name added to the list, please contact the clerk Amanda Broadhurst on 01622 850089. You will still need to add your name, even if you have used the service in the past.
Hollingbourne
OrchidsAlocal farmer had invited members of the parish council to look at the orchids on his land, but these had not yet flowered. Itwas thought June might be a beer time to visit. Cllr John Cobbe said that as there had been complaints about the off-road bike courses on this land, he did not feel comfortable accepting the invitation. Aer-school club Cllr Mike Bedwell said he had been approached with the thought of running an aer-school club at the pavilion for 32weeks of the year during term time. The interested party had given costings and itwas felt that the ideawould be financially beneficial. Council precept Itwas noted that from 2015/16 parish councils need not hold a village referendum if they proposed to
Parish Councils
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