Parish Councils


downsmail.co.uk Boughton Malherbe


Election Cllr Robert Turner was re-elected as chairman for the forthcoming year with Cllr Ron Galton as vice-chairman.


Ditches and gullies The chairman thanked ShaunWickens forwork done inwoodcock lane and for the erection of a stile.


Liverton HillWaterwas running down op- posite Ivy House.


Potholes The condition of roads in the parish appeared better than in many other parishes.


Emergency plan The drafting of the plan was finished and itwas hoped that the first part could be released soon.Acopy would be sent to the parish council before it was published.


History book The chairman, in his role as a history society member, asked the parish council to lend the society funds for the publication of the next parish history book, suggesting £5,240 as a draw-down. The society had applied for two grants, one of which had been unsuccessful, and the other was awaited but could provide up to £500. The price of the book would be £15 with one free copy given to each household in the parish. The launch date is December 2014. The matter would be placed on the agenda for the next parish council meeting, by which time print numbers, costs and grants would be known.


Bredhurst


Lighting trial Cllr Nichola Carr reported that a section 38 formwas needed to ensure KCC takes on responsibility for the swan- necked light in Hurstwood Road and she will action this.


Verge maintenance A meeting with the KCC landscape officer had been arranged. The area missed by the contractor had now been completed to a good standard. Cllr Vanessa Jones had requested A3 size cut- ting maps for reference.


Police briefing PCSO Quentin Carrington- Moss was welcomed by the chairman Cllr Charlie Hewitt. Only one crime was re- ported – the theft of a vehicle in Lidsing. The PCSO had brought Smartwater for added security for allotment holders and residents.Hewas monitoring the use of the byway by motorcycles and quad bikes. A section 59 notice could be issued to drivers who mount the pavements to avoid the speed bumps in the village, but a witness statement and car registration number would be needed.


Village Hall field The quote for cutting the grass in the children’s playground and around the picnic bench was accepted. A further quote for the monthly inspections would be requested.


Footpaths A quote would be sought for strimming KH49 and the footpath from Court Lodge to Strawberry Banks. Top soil was needed for two areas of the village green where tree roots are dying off and a quote will be requested.


Traffic calming Cllr Bill Anderson reported there were issues with cars meeting at the pinch point in Dunn Street Road as signs in both directions say that cars have the right of way. The clerk would seek clarification from Kent Highways Services.


50 Maidstone East July 2014


World War I commemoration Issy Wha- trup outlined her project. The parish coun- cil was asked for a financial contribution towards the printing costs of the booklet. Councillors unanimously agreed to spon- sor the project for up to £300.


Broomfield and Kingswood


Safari Due to a clash of dates with other local events, the garden safari is cancelled for this year.


Grants KCC Cllr Jenny Whittle had re- ceived confirmation that each member now has only a total of £25,000 to allocate for community grants and/or local highway projects.


Celebrations Councillors congratulated boroughward Cllr Peter Parvin on his 80th birthday and 60th wedding anniversary.


Police The area PCSO allocations had been announced. PCSO Richard Kirbywould re- main at Broomfield and Kingswood and also cover Leeds, Sutton Valence and Langley.


Handyman Two applicants for the position of handymanwere interviewed by council- lors. It was decided to offer the contract to Mark Reynolds.


Plan Maidstone Council had responded to the draft neighbourhood plan that several points would need to be addressed by the steering group. A meeting would be arranged at the end of the public consulta- tion. Councillors had been made aware that a petition against the neighbourhood plan was at the post office.


Sports field The edges of the field had been flailed and up to 2metres of ground previ- ously lost to brambles and saplings had been recovered. The areawas quickly over- growing again. A new rubbish bin would be ordered for the field.


Yellow lines KCC had reviewed the need for double yellow lines near the school and said there had been no reports of serious ac- cidents there, but to contact the police if there were still concerns. The clerk was asked to write to head teacher EmmaHick- ling to ask if a letter could be sent to par- ents requesting consideration for other road users when parking near the school.


Kerbs Dropped kerbs had been requested in Chestnut Drive, Cayser Avenue and Gravelly Bottom Road. Enquirieswould be made with KCC Highways.


Signs New signs on the A20 about HGVs had not been erected correctly and would have to be changed.


Drain KCC Highways had responded to the query about the land drain in Pitt Road that was uncovered and potentially dan- gerous, that itwas not in its remit. The clerk was asked to re-contact KCC Highways.


Outing Bookings for the pensioners’outing were disappointing with only 44 out of the 52 seats taken despite extra advertising.


Crop spraying Cllr Peter Page reported that the tenant farmer on Leeds Castle land be- hind and to the east of Broomfield Road had been spraying crops, in high wind, con- trary to National Farmers Union guidance. Concerns were raised about possible dam- age to garden plants and the health of a nearby resident. The clerk was asked to contact the Leeds Castle chief executive.


Speed Following an enquiry about 20mph speed restrictions for the village of Kingswood,KCChad stated there had been no speed-related incidents in the past three years and therefore no evidence of a safety problem that could be addressed by lower- ing the limit.


Foxes A resident had reported foxes were creating a potential problem around the vil- lage. A request to stop feeding the foxes would be placed in the village newsletter.


Detling


Borough briefing Borough Cllr Nick de Wiggondene spoke regarding the proposal for White Horse Woods to have a burial site. He had been in conversation with col- leagues at county level and all shared a sim- ilar view that itwas not a suitable location.


Chairman’s report Cllr Mike Denny had been informed that, on occasion, Arriva buses was not servicing the village but going directly up the A249. He was collat- ing reports when this happens. Residents were being asked to contact the clerk with instances when the bus does not enter the village.


Jade’s Crossing fund Cllr Denny asked whether this fund could be accessed to buy handrails for the steps. Cllr Clayton gave an overview of how it is managed and that the fund was for road safety and this may not fit the criteria. Kent Highwayswould be re- quested to provide the handrails.


Litter Cllr John Clayton requested concern over litter and general clearing up required around the steps of Jade’s Crossing oppo- site the village hall. The clerk would check whether this could be done through com- munity servicework.


HorishWoods Coppicing had finished for the season and the harvested wood would be removed. KentWoodland Employment Scheme had proposed holding an open day for residents to gain an understanding of the benefits of the scheme to the parish.An ecologist had viewed the work by Docwra and had emailed her views of the ecological damage caused and said that imported top- soil should not be brought in.


Old School Playing Field John Monk was thanked for his work and the transforma- tion he had made to the field, including re- moving the fence. Fence posts would be sourced from Jacksons Timber to be deliv- ered to Mr Monk and volunteerswould as- sist him to erect them.Agatewas requested to prevent young children walking out of the field area. Thiswas approved on the un- derstanding that the cost be borne by the Village Hall Management Committee.


ChallengeAletter had been received from Global Adventure Challenge requesting permission to erect three gazebos on the field on August 16 as a refreshment post. Thiswas approved.


Village sign An email was received from The Stone Shop regarding the village sign, the deterioration observed and the work which was recommended. The estimate was for £650. It was agreed no action be taken but to keep awatching brief.


Downswood


Crime report The following crimeswere re- ported: Possession of cannabis in Grampian


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