Parish Councils
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include details of landscaping and building materials. The sitewas said to be on the Greensand ridge in an area of ancient woodland andwas in an unsustainable location, with poor transport links to schools, health facilities and shops. Councillors expressed concern about the effect on wildlife, and noted that an ecological and environmental survey did not appear to have been carried out. There was also concern over the potential loss of trees resulting from the development. The council said it expected the planning authority to vet the status of the applicant to determine whether they qualified for gypsy status. Therewas concern over the lack of space on site for keeping horses and the councilwas under the impression that the applicant had no known links to the area. Itwas considered that the developmentwould harm the character and appearance of Green Lane andwould have a negative impact on neighbouring properties. Therewere also various covenants on the land which had to be considered. If the applicationwas approved, the parish council recommended that it be reviewed aer three years. No external lighting should be permied on the site, which should be screened from the road and surrounding countryside. Hardstandings should be permeable and the site should be restored to its original state if itwas no longer required for residential purpose.
East Suon
Police report Therewere no crimes for this period but there were three reports of anti- social behaviour involving fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles. Play area Everything was satisfactory with the exception of the basket ball court surface, whichwas covered in pine needles and needed sweeping. Thiswas considered to be low risk. The shearing of bolts on signswas still
outstanding.The bench and tables had been installed. Village hall The housing association had visited a resident with regard to an overhanging tree and informed them that they were responsible for dealing with this.
Egerton
DrainsWork had been completed on the blocked drains at Stonebridge Green.A working party was being formed to map where drainswere situated within the village and then the Highways drain team would visit, so that they would know where drainswere so they could be kept clear to avoid flooding in badweather. Councillorswould have areas to visit to map potholes and road problems. Highways would then be requested to rectify problems. Road sign Cllr Bill Smyth had cleared the vegetation from in front of the road sign at Forstal Road but was unable to straighten it up.
Ofsted Cllr Ambrose Oliverwas pleased to report that the Ofsted report received by the schoolwas good. The headteacher, staff and parentswere very happy. The council would send a leer of congratulation. Car park Speeding in the car park by parents and otherswas reported. The sign
46 Maidstone South April 2014
had been damaged and needed re-erecting. The clerkwould write to the school and pre-school to ask parents not to use the car park as a run-through. Broadband Phase 1 had been installed in Headcorn and the BT listing stated Egerton would be connected in the future.
Headcorn
Flooding Cllr Andrews and Tim Thomas (ex-officio member)were appointed to the Headcorn SurfaceWater Management Plan.
ChristmasAtree with lights would be placed in the Foreman’sWalk for the festive
period.Acarol singing eventwould be hosted by the tree on Saturday, December 13, supported by a local choir and Headcorn Handbell Ringers. Emergency plan The purchase of suitable equipment up to £250was agreed. Highways Concernwas raised following three recent accidents on the A274 Maidstone Road/Millbank. KCC Cllr Jenny While had advised that a petition should be raised and sent to Maidstone Joint Transportation Board and Kent County Council. Itwas agreed to formulate a petition with parishioners. Two emails had been received regarding incidents in Smarden Road and Love Lane. The clerk would contact Kent Highways for comment. An emailwas received regarding on-street parking in Wheeler Street. This would be passed on to the neighbourhood plan group for further consideration. Parish surgeryAresident suggested bus stops could be placed within the vicinity of Bankfields. KCC confirmed that an engineer was investigating this. Refuse freighter Borough Cllr Martin Round gave an informative review of his experience and the problems they encountered within the village, when he recently went out with a crew of a refuse freighter. SweepersAresident expressed concern that the mechanical road sweeperswere unable to clean parts of Knaves Acre due to commuter parking. MachineryAresident raised concerns regarding the size of farm machinery using the village roads.
Hunton
Village hall The parish council, as trustees to the village hall, is to contribute a sum (potentially £2,500-3,000) towards the cost of redecorations and refurbishments, likely to be £7,000-8,000 in total. The council is also covering the £2,120 cost of resurfacing the hall car park to be carried out in mid- September. Pavilion Danny Peacock, of the King George V playing field, commiee reported that the football club pavilion roof, which was leaking, was to be repaired at a cost of £485. Watch SteveWyles reported that the Hunton NeighbourhoodWatch scheme now had 120 members. Speedwatch The Speedwatch team, checking vehicles travelling through the village, had been more active, with four checks each in June and July. From these, a paernwas emerging, but it was encouraging that carswere slowing down when passing the village school. Repeat speeding offenderswere sent leers by the
police. Crime report PCSO Alan Hunter reported a burglary in East Street where custom jewellerywas stolen, an assault in George Street with two people accusing each other, a domestic incident and one of harassment.
Loose
Vacancies There are currently five vacant seats on the parish council. Anyone interested in becoming a parish councillor is asked to contact the clerk Jan Capon for more details at
loosepc@btconnect.com or 01622 692712. Warden’s report Communitywarden Liz Lova reported a motorbike had been seen going across the King George V playing field. Dog foulingwas reported along Kirkdale. Dog walkers No-one from the Loose Dog Walkers group could aend. Suggested new signs as previously agreedwould be sent to the group for any further comments. Planning funding from Maidstone Council of £2,500 towards the consultative part of producing the neighbourhood planwould be pursued. StallArisk assessementwould be done with a view to erecting a stall on the village green promoting the Loose neighbourhood plan to members of the public. McAlpine Trust itwas agreed that Cllr Irene Songhurstwould represent the parish council as a trustee. Resignation The resignation of Cllr Gordon Govewas received. Hewas thanked for his valuable contribution, in particular to planning, and the time he gave to his role as councillor. FeteAcash float of £60was agreed for the fete. Website Thewebsitewas having an upgrade with an ability to link with Twier and Facebook. The counter for the number of accesses to the sitewould no longer be available. Car park The clerk had placed more notices in the car park about the closing time of the main gate at 6pm.
Nelestead
Chaerbox Cllr Jackie Benne said that everything was going along reallywell.A meal had been organised for residents who were affected by the flood and power cuts over Christmas. Magazine Therewas a new distributor for the parish magazine for Nelestead. New advertiserswere being sought. Members agreed that a notice regarding Japanese knotweed should be placed in the next edition. Highways The ditch along Station Road needed clearing out and the vegetation required cuing back. Parking Regarding parking issues in Bryant Close, Maidstone Council had stated that some of the grassed area could be used for parking whichwould help alleviate the problem. The clerkwould contact the borough to check whether any fundingwas available for this project. Footpaths Therewas a reduction in footpath clearance for the coming year. The footpath vegetation behind the King George V field had been cleared. The field had been given another cut andwas looking good.
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