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Private Gillam,whowas buried in Leybourne churchyard. Cllr Michael Mearns said that if funds permied, he would suggest a chain link fencewas put up where the wreaths could be hung, as they currently obscured the names on the memorial. Outdoor gym Thiswas still in progresswith funding from Sport England.Achange of land ownershipwas to take place, from Leybourne Parish Council to the Community Development Trust. Pharmacy The response from Earl Howe had been disappointing. Sir John Stanley was to be asked to raise in Parliament the issues of irregularities and inconsistencies in the findings of the HealthAuthorities appeal commiee. Road problem Cllr Paul Cromey reported a dip in the road outside the entrance to the school in Oxley Shaw Road. The clerkwas to report this.


Mereworth


Blocked drains Cllrs Katherine Eykelenboom and Philip Olden had reported blocked the drains on SevenMile Lane and Butchers Lane. The clerk had reported them to KCC. Some drains had been cleared but others remained blocked. Defibrillator It had been agreed to buy the defibrillator via the KALC offer. Itwas agreed that a heated boxwas not necessary. The clerkwas to investigate whether it could be added to the insurance. Village hallArequest had been made for a donation to the kitchen refurbishment. The possibility of grant funding from KCCwas also being investigated. Hospice donationArequest had been received from the Heart of Kent Hospice for money towards the minibus project. Itwas agreed to make a donation of £50. Parking congestion Rev Pat Dickin had mentioned in her report to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) that the parish council had raised concerns about parking in the village street on church service days. However, councillors agreed that this had not been discussed at any time. Itwas felt that the use of the pavilion car park would be possible to alleviate any problems. However, the clerk pointed out that thiswas used by cricket and football teams at weekends. Highway maersAcopy had been received of a leer from a resident to KCC regarding traffic problems inMereworth. Itwas agreed to write to the resident informing him that the parish council had traffic problems under constant consideration and to ask for sight of any response from KCC. Allotments The vacant plot had been taken. Themeeting heard that several plotswere still untidy – the clerkwas to contact the leaseholders. Christmas lights Members heard that the PCC did not have funds for Christmas lights. Itwas agreed to light the spire at least on special occasions, which could be partly funded by sponsorship. Salt bin The salt bin in the Butchers Lane cul-de-sacwas broken. The clerkwas to report this.


Oam


Traffic questionnaire About 90 responses had been received,which accounted for about a third of the houses in the village. Replieswere supportive of traffic calming


but most people did notwant to compromise the street scene. Main lighting was rejected although low-level lightingwas more acceptable.A20mph limit throughout the villagewaswidely popular. The main problemswere thought to be volume of traffic, heavy lorries and speeding. The answerswere to be analysed by councillors before meeting the Kent Highway Services engineer. Christmas The parish councilwanted to light a second tree with the aim of adding more trees each year. Moorlands Woods Itwas reported that patches of undergrowthwere dying. There was concern that thiswas caused by gas leakage from the landfill site. The Environment Agency would be asked to investigate. Comp Lane pond Restorationwas almost complete. It had been funded entirely from donations and fundraising. Maintenance work would have to be carried out each year to ensure it did not fall into disrepair again. There would be a fundraising quiz night in the village hall on February 28. Community awards The parish councilwas looking for suggestions of worthy recipients. Nominations could be sent to the parish clerk.


Ryarsh


Co-opted The parish council co-opted a new member,Dave Peddie. Shelter The bus shelterwas damaged by a lorry in September. It had been assessed as beyond repair. Following inspection and quotations, the insurance company had approved the work to go ahead. The damaged shelter had been removed, but it would take about eightweeks to manufacture and install the new shelter. Lighting Councillors approved work to update and improve the street lights in the village, which would also make them more energy efficient. KCC Cllr Sarah Hohler had agreed a contribution towards the work from her member’s highway fund. ParkingAmeeting had been arranged between councillors and the school to discuss the problems of school traffic and parking. Patio The parish council donated £2,000 towards the relaying of the patio at the back of the village hall.


Wateringbury


Allotments Therewere no vacant plots in the village but somewere available at Teston. Cemetery Councillors agreed to expenditure of £300 to buy back two plots bought some years ago which the purchaser no longer wished to use. The present grass contractor was retiring at the end of 2014. Itwas agreed that James Wooley be asked to take on the work until the end of the present contract period. Speedwatch The chairman thanked Charles Stroud and his small team for all their hard work. Councillorswere still very dismayed at the number of vehicles travelling above the speed limit. They hoped more people would join the Speedwatch volunteers, a worthwhile activity, and make the village roads safer. Sports and recreation association Mike Wis reported that phase three of the renovation programme had started.An area


of 1,000sqm had been fenced off and would be levelled and re-seeded.Hewas happy to report thatmany favourable comments had been received about the high standard of maintenance and the excellent facilities available on the playing fields. The areas of meadow flowers had looked superb this summer. The associationwas considering a total renovation of the main football pitch, about 6,000sqm, next autumn. Grantswere being sought towards the estimated cost of £4,500. Policemaers Once again, no crime report had been received from the police. The PCSO likely to be assigned to the villagewas still undergoing training. LightingAstreet light in Old Road which had not been working for some time would be removed and not replaced.


West Peckham


PicnicArequest had been received from Boughton Monchelsea Morris Men to hold its annual Picnic on the Green on Sunday, July 19, 2015. All councillors agreed providing therewas no cricket match on this date. Police report There had been a shed burglary in Forge Lanewhere garden equipmentwas stolen. Fly-tippingwas still occurring along Swanton Road. The NeighbourhoodWatch list stood at 109 and K Conroywas thanked for his hard work. Roads The manhole cover near the village hallwas being investigated by South East Water. The pothole along Stan Lane between Beech Farm Packing House and Beech Farm was geing wider and deeper. The edge of the roadwas breaking up along Swanton Road nearOak Coage. Firework display Robin Evans kindly agreed to take over the event. His late father Simon Evans had organised the display for many years. The council thanked Robin for agreeing to organise the display and offered its continued help and support.Avenue was discussed and itwas agreed that the top field closer to the pub could be a beer option ifMr and Mrs Edwards agreed to this and all nearby residentswere happy. The field would be checked for size and insurance requirements. Itwas agreed that the bonfire should be smaller if needed and not lit at all ifweather conditionswere not appropriate.Abudget of £750was agreed for the fireworks.Arisk assessment would be completed and the clerk would ensure the police and fire servicewere notified. Taxi voucher schemeAgenerous donation of £150 had been received from theWest Peckham Village Shoot to assist with funding. The shootwas thanked for its support whichwas very much appreciated at a timewhen obtaining fundingwas becoming increasingly difficult. Welcome packApack needed to be delivered to new residents at AdamsWell Oast. Bench Cllr Freed offered to obtain the plaque and also reinstate the plaque in memory of Colin Cables. Audit The annual returnwas received back from the auditorwith no concerns or issues raised. FloodingAleerwas sent to residents regarding flooding in Mereworth Road. Contact informationwas supplied for possible financial assistance for flood prevention.


Malling November 2014 43


Parish Councils


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