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Continued from page 33 scheme, including 33 from outside the parish. Just 18 had no connection with Headcorn. The children enjoyed activities as well as visits from Headcorn Handbell Ringers, Headcorn Boxing Club, Headcorn tennis coach Oliver Howarth and Kinetic Circus School. The council contribution to the schemewas £1,163 and a grant of £500 was received from Maidstone Council. Parish surgery Issues raised included the Oak Lane footpath, a need for a traffic survey by Hardwicks and highway visibility from overgrown trees in Grigg Lane. Post office Headcorn Post Officewould be closed for refurbishment from October 11 to 27. Suon Valence and Smarden are the nearest branches. Land off Ulcombe Road Further to the leer sent to Maidstone Council, the verdict of whether an environmental impact assessment is required for this site remains outstanding. Following the exhibition, the parish council’s comments had been submied to the developers and a meeting had been arranged withDHAPlanning. Clerk The clerk Helen Anderson tendered her resignation aer 12 years of service.
Marden
Changing room The football club had been contacted with reference to the refurbishmentwork and had stated that the workwould be carried out by the players as soon as possible. Southons Field Thewooden entrance gates were broken. The village caretaker, whowas also going to repair the brick pillars,would be asked to remove the gates. Tree inspectionAlarge conifer at the cemetery had been undermined by rabbits and the caretaker reported this could become a problem. Hewas also monitoring the dead section of the ash tree at the playing field. Village green The Marden Cricket and Hockey Club village green status application had been rejected. Cemetery Regarding the repair of gravestones where there is no next of kin, the assistant clerk had contacted other parish councils to find out what they do in these circumstances. The consensuswas that they had no specific policies in place, but either carried out basic repairs if theywere not too costly, or laid the gravestone flat. Councillors agreed to lay problem gravestones flat. Pest control Quotes have been received with reference to the problem of rabbits at the cemetery and a pest controller gave a presentation to councillors before the meeting. The village and cemetery caretakerswould clear the undergrowth around the perimeter and install wire mesh under the main gates.With reference to the 1954 Pest Act, councillors also proposed a more managed control of the rabbit population be implemented imminently by a local pest contractor. Public toilets The assistant clerk had contacted other parish councils for information on how their urinalswere flushed. Replieswere given to councillors. The assistant clerk researched the Cistermiser and gave the plumber a problem-solving checklist to try to find the source of the problem. The plumber reported the infra-red sensorwas not working and could not determine if there was a fault with the valve until thiswas
42 Maidstone South October 2014
operational.An electricianwas contacted to examine the power to the Cistermiser. Refurbishment of toilets Thiswas ongoing awaiting the outcome of the checklist given to the plumber. Cleaning schedule The cleaner’s timesheets to July 20were presented. The cleaner had run out of timesheets and neither she nor the village caretaker had notified the clerk, who had now supplied more timesheets. The assistant clerk had produced a monitoring sheet for the village caretaker and these would be presented to the commiee at each meeting along with the timesheets. Ecoclean would be asked who cleaned the toilets while the cleanerwas on holiday. CCTV TaylorWimpey had been contacted regarding a CCTV camera at the playing field and had replied:“We are reluctant to contribute towards the CCTV but are amenable to allowing you to put a CCTV camera on the side of one of the houses and for it to be fed from our landlord electricity supply”.
Nelestead
Chaerbox Cllr Jackie Bennewas not present. The meal for the residents affected by the power cut had gone ahead. Police report PCSO Nicola Morris reported five crimes during the last month. Highways The clerk updated members that the area outside the King George V field which runs parallel with the footpath had been cleared by the grounds maintenance contractor as the pavementwas almost impassable and this areawas the responsibility of the parish council. The clerk had also received a telephone call from a resident regarding the pavement through Nelestead being impassable because the vergeswere so overgrown. The clerkwas due to meet with the new highway steward and thiswould be discussed. Footpaths Cllr Anita van Hensbergen had met with Katie Cullen, from KCC public rights ofway, to discuss the Japanese knotweed problem. Itwas noted therewas a considerable amount of this, which looked dead, in the lay-by opposite Glenleigh Terrace. The clerkwas asked to do a Land Registry search on this area and report back. Village hall The clerk advised that the CCTVwas notworking. She had received a quote for £80 from the existing contractor. It was agreed to seek additional quotes including replacement of the CCTV. King GeorgeVfield Cllr Van Hensbergen said the field had been cut back nice and short. The clerkwas asked to contact the contractor to see how many cuts had taken place to date. There had also been a play inspection at the playing field. Members agreed that some of the money allocated to play equipment should be used to replace the goal nets. The clerkwould obtain prices. War memorial NAJ Carpentry had confirmed theywould carry out thework, starting in October. Planning Maidstone Council had refused listed building consent for replacement of all windows at 3 Forge Coages, Maidstone Road, Nelestead, with purpose-made timber windows to the existing style, but double glazed.
Staplehurst
Neighbourhood plan Meetingswould be held with Feria Urbanism about its analysis
of the Reg 14 consultation comments and with Maidstone Council about the local plan.
Caretaker’s report The clerk advised that the caretaker had received training from Maidstone Council and started using the new strimming equipment. Councillor Joan Buller asked that he give his aention to the Station Road/Corner Farm footpath and the library area. Itwas agreed to ask Paxman Services to include jet-washing of the parish bus stops in its cleaning activity. Lier-picking Councillors agreed to nominate to Community Payback rural approaches to the village on Cranbrook, Headcorn, Marden and Maidstone roads and stretches of Five Oak Lane, Snoad Lane and Pristling Lane. Councillors asked that vegetation at Cork Lane, Pagehurst/Marden Road, A229 Maidstone Road and the condition of the speed limit signs be raised with Kent Highway Services. Members’ allowances Maidstone Council’s review of its scheme for payment of allowance to memberswas noted. They noted the car mileage allowance remained at 45p per mile as used by the parish council and agreed by a majority vote that the parish councilwould not follow the borough council’s practice of paying 5p per mile for an extra passenger. Local transport Cllr Peter Spearink said he and Cllrs John Perry and Barre Manning would be meeting Arriva passenger representatives andMPHelen Grant to discuss service and communication issues. Emergency help team Cllr Rory Silkin said the meeting on September 18would be held aer the exercise on October 15. Playscheme Councillors noted with thanks the grant of £750 from Maidstone Council. They agreed to make good the operating loss of £1,844 incurred by Play Place on the scheme. Itwas also agreed that Play Place be engaged to run a scheme in 2015, that a revised budget should be considered, that the cost of the venue be reviewed and that the scheme should start aweek later. Surrenden playing field Cllr TomBurnham said hewas awaiting a meeting date from Cllr John Reardon and that the assistant clerkwas seeking quotes forwork on some of the trees. Street lightingAresident of Chapel Lane said hewas unhappy about the wrien consultation of residents concerning street lights and felt a meetingwould have been more appropriate. He asked that the parish council represent the view of the parishioners. Police report PCSO Gardner’s report showed 12 crimes: four thes, two thes from motor vehicles, one vehicle the, two cases of criminal damage, an aempted burglary and two burglaries.
SuonValence
Community warden Dawn Riach-Brown reported on projects in the summer holidays. Welfare visitswere being conducted and the youth club had started again. Resignation Cllr Taylor had resigned and he was thanked for all his hardwork. Local plan Design South East invited two members of the parish council to a workshop. War memorial play area The monthly check had taken place and the shackle pin on the rope and chainwalkwas about 35%worn.A quote of £102 had been received for its
Parish Councils
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