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ofWest Malling and Leybourne as the 10th highest on the list of 21 areas where crime was reported. He expressed concerns about these statistics and how they differed from the information that had been given by the local police. Memorial Community leaders had met to discuss proposals for the commemoration ofWorldWar I. Therewould be a service with the unveiling of the refurbishedwar memorial and a tree planting.Apicnicwas proposed at the cricket club with an ashes cricket
match.An exhibitionwas proposed and a talk from Cllr Sophie Shrubsole who is a balefields historian. The clerkwould check if the village hallwas available on August 2.
Questionnaire The results of the parish partnership questionnaire had been circulated and a leaflet needed to be produced to inform residents of the results. On the whole residentswere happy living in Leybourne. Hall hire Itwas agreed to hire Leybourne Chase hall for meetings in June, October 2014 and February 2015 at £10 an hour. Donkey fieldATonbridge and Malling Council environmental health officer had met with Mr Bes, the owner of the donkeys, and advised the land next to the donkey fieldwas shared by KCC and the borough council. He confirmed therewas no further evidence of rats but itwould be monitored. Residentswould be asked not to leave cooked food out for foxes. Streetlights Concern had been expressed by residents regarding the potential for rise in crime due to the KCC streetlight switch- off. Itwas noted that KCCwasworking with the police and most crimes take place during the day. Thiswould be monitored and hotpsots reported back. Extension The plan for the village hall extensionwere about to be submied to the borough council.
Mereworth
Crime report There had been two crimes reported: criminal damage to thewall of the Queen’s Head pub and the the of diesel from an industrial unit. Highways Therewas concern that the works at the roundabout on Seven Mile Lane and London Roadwere causing congestion. Cllr Mahew Balfourwas to take this up with KCC. A228 survey Cllr Balfour saidtherewere no results yet but its aimwas to see if a crossingwas possible for pedestrians and vehicle egress from Kent Street and to realign the road. Cllr Jon Reganwas concerned that a footway on the other side of the hedge could pose a danger. Cllr Balfour said hewould bring any plans to the parish council as soon as theywere available. School Governor Sue Darbyshire said she was due to retire from the governing body and itwas agreed to nominate Marian Regan to serve as a governor. Mrs Darbyshirewas to take this nomination to the next governors’ meeting. Clerk’s salary Itwas agreed that this be raised by 2% and an additional eight hours per month. Therewould be a quarterly review to take account of any extrawork caused by the changes in the running of Mereworth Village Hall. Village caretaker The clerk and Cllr Philip Olden had met with Ray Berwick to discuss
working one day aweek for £150 per day. The village hallwas willing to go halves on the
cost.Itwas agreed that he should be employed. Ray had startedwork and had already completed much of the outstanding work. Village hall Cllr Olden said his proposal for the future running of the hall and pavilion had been prompted by the treasurer’s intention to retire. He had suggested that councillors take an active or alternate role in MVH, that MPC andMVH meetings take place concurrently and quarterly and that renewal of the hall lease later this year be done by exchange of le
ers.Itwas agreed to hold quarterly meetings prior to the parish council meetings at 7pm. Churchyard The clerk had arranged with KLS that itwould contact church representatives when itwas towork on the churchyard. Church clock Cllr AndrewWells asked for financial help from the council to repair the western face of the clock, which had been damaged in the winter gales. Itwas agreed that the parish councilwould pay the insurance excess of £1,000 as a village project. School parking Cllr Regan had received agreement in principle to plant shrubs on the verges to discourage parking.A planting schemewould be agreed once the licence had been received. Neighbourhood watch The broken neighbourhoodwatch sign had been repaired by Ray
Berwick.Acar had been damaged on Butchers Lane and graffiti had been painted on the Queen’s Head pub
wall.Aresident had been concerned about a man posing as a meter reader. Police had been informed. Recreation area Ray Berwick had cut back the hedges, removed dead trees, repaired boundary fences and allotment fencing and replaced the motorcycle springer footrest. The annual inspection had pointed out the that gate in the railing should be adjusted to close within four to eight seconds. The clerk had asked Ray to deal with this. Cricket club The clubwanted to replace some of the fencing at the recreation area before the start of the cricket season. Ray Berwick had repaired the gaps in the hedge, but the clubwanted to ensure the ball could not pass through them. Itwas agreed that they meet Mr Berwick to discuss this.
Oam
New homes The planning application for phase 3 of development at Kings Hillwas discussed and objectionswere raised about the expected increase of traffic and pressure on infrastructure. Crime report The the of a gas container was reported. Annual parish meeting About 50 villagers had aended. The presentation by TSSwas poor, but itwas agreed to pay the invoice. The parish councilwould not be using TSS for any further consultation. Traffic calming County Cllr Mahew Balfour agreed to investigate the possible traffic calming options and the reliance on lighting. Cllr David Franklingwas elected to chair a panel of invited villagers to discuss what traffic calming measures would be acceptable to residents.
May Day Theweather had been good and the daywas a success. The May Queenwas commended for her speech. Cllr Martyn Begbey suggested the May Queen should be invited to participate in any meeting involving youth projects in the village. This ideawas approved. Photo competition Jackie Hart took the winning picture. Two hundred calendars were being printed, to be sold for £5 each, and a sponsorwas found for each month. The selected pictures had been displayed on May Day and had proved popular. Some orders had been taken. Teston Road playing field CllrWilliams had requested 420 free trees from the Woodland Trust whichwould be used to reinforce the hedge around the recreation ground, where it borders Pepingstraw Close. Any surplus treeswould be offered to residents to make good storm damage. Village pound The new head at the primary schoolwas keen to use the pound as a project for the children. This initiative waswelcomed. Churchyard Itwas agreed to pay £1,000 towards the cost of churchyard gardening. Trees CllrWilliamswould chase the contractor to sort out the dead branches in the oak in Pepingstraw Close. Landfill siteAsite meeting had been arranged to discuss the recent gas migration to the south of Comp Lane and general tidiness of the site. Pond At Cllr David Frankling’s request, FCC had removed the overhanging trees from its land. He had arranged aworking party to remove more trees. The next stage was to use a lorry to remove the dirt. The liner and laying could cost about £4,000. Highways CllrWilliams reported the hole in the roadside in Church Lane. Thiswas due to be filled. No entry signswere to be repainted on the carriageway of North Meadow.
Ryarsh
Brickworks site Signswere up confirming that the site had been bought by Redrow. The company intended to start demolition work in July. There might be changes to the appearance but the layout and number of houseswould remain unchanged. Kent Highway Services Therewas a new highway steward, Kris Rigg, whowas replacing John Gouge. Cllr Storey had met the new steward. Workhouse LaneAbroken plastic pipe might have been crushed when the quarry was filled. KHSwas going to bring the pipe up to road level and add a couple of gulleys sowater ran off the road. Itwas also going to clear the ditches. Streetlights KCC had confirmed that the parish owns the streetlights on London Road. The clerkwas to prepare a questionnaire for residents near the lights to establish if theywanted to keep the streetlights. Woodgate Road flooding It appeared KCC had put the grille in without the knowledge of the landowner, whowas refusing to clear it. KCC had agreed to maintain it. Recreation ground play areaAcontractor had agreed to install artificial grass to replace theworn grass under the swings. Cllr Jenner had a quote to concrete the area so the grass area could be aached to it. The clerkwas to find out whether itwas safe to use concrete in that area.
Malling June 2014 43
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