downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst
Playground repairsAquotewas awaited for the playground repairs thatwere highlighted in the inspection in September. Match fundingwas to be sought from the borough council’s strategic playground initiative. The clerk reported that this initiativewas on hold due to personnel changes, but borough Cllr Derek Butler agreed to take it up with the relevant cabinet member. Lighting trialAresident commented positively on the lighting trial in Kemsley Street Road and this had been recorded in the log. Cllr Anderson proposed a time switch be fied to the light outside The Birches, in Dunn Street Road, due to the darker nights. As therewas no seconder for the proposal, no votewas taken. Allotment The allotment vacancy would be advertised on the noticeboards, on Facebook and thewebsite. Planning Maidstone Council had approved a plan for a single-storey front extension, boundarywall and gates at Kingsmead House in Dunn Street
Road.An appeal had been lodged over the proposal for a manager’s two-storey dwelling at The Nursery in Dunn Street Road. The planning commiee would meet to discuss the application for a single-storey rear extension and loft conversion at Green Court Bungalow, Forge Lane and the proposal to demolish a stable in Blind Land and replace it with a three-bedroom home.
Detling
Interactive sign The chairman informed members that ameetingwas being arranged with Cllr Jenny While to discuss the speed sign and highway maers. Church Lane Cllr John Clayton reported on his meeting with a resident to discuss the buses and Church Lane. He heard about problems relating to elderly residents in the parish and said actionwas needed to address the maer in terms of communication, help and support for elderly residents in the village. Itwas agreed to place an item on the next agenda to address village communication. Water depotAleer had been sent to Clancy Docwra regarding this maer. Hall grant Cllr Janice Kennard said she had been in contact with the village hall management commiee’s chairman, Richard Alexander, regarding the hall grant. Ward councillor Cllr Nick deWiggondene updated members on planning issues relating to the village and said he had met residents about the application for eight homes east of Hockers Lane. He had asked the chairman of planning at Maidstone Council for an opinion. Cllr Mark Housden spoke about the application and objections raised by the parish council and residents. Hewas concerned the applicantwas able to make comments to planners after the consultation period regarding any objections received. He felt thiswas unfair. Cllr de Wiggondene said hewas hopeful it would be refused. He also noted an increase in fly- tipping in the area. Overgrown Cllr Kennard reported that actionwas being taken after a report from a resident about overgrown vegetation in The Street.
Comments Cllr Mike Denny reported on the status of the neighbourhoodwatch scheme.
54 Maidstone East December 2014
Awider debate about care of the elderly in the village would be on the agenda at the next meeting. DevelopmentAresident asked whether the borough council’s local plan had identified any land in the parish for development. He said that as a landowner hewas looking to develop an area in Hockers Lane. Cllr de Wiggondene said allocations for Detling had now been excluded from the local plan. The chairman said he felt the current developmentwas sufficient for Detling and further development in Hockers Lane would be inappropriate because of access. Toilets Cllr Denny reported on the work to upgrade the hall’s toilets and store room. Dogs Cllr Housden said he had received an email from the boxer dog club seeking permission to use the playing field for club meetings. Itwas agreed permission would be given, with the same conditions observed by the K9 Society. Crossing Cllr Denny spoke about the need for handrails on Jade’s Crossing following a fall by a resident. The clerk would follow the maer up with Kent Highway Services. Planting Cllr Kennard suggested enhancing the entrance to Church Lane with planting and itwas agreed she should get a quote. Air quality Cllr Clayton said he felt the air quality in the parish should be monitored. Cllr Kennard said thiswas being undertaken using equipment at the top end of the village. Itwas agreed the parish council would write to Maidstone Council asking for details about the air quality and monitoring in Detling. Village events Cllr Irene Bowie said she had been looking into the possibility of holding a boot fair and an annual fireworks’ display in the village. She stated both eventswere possible, but to progress any further dates would need to be agreed by the parish council. Itwas agreed the events would be looked at in 2015. White Horse Woods Cllr Housdenwas due to aend ameeting to discuss the future of the White Horse Woods and would report back to the next meeting. Open day Cllr Bowie reported that the parish council open day in September had beenwell received, but itwas not an ideal weekend for such an event due to holiday commitments. Itwas agreed the event would not be run again and, instead, the council would focus on other events.
Downswood
Resignation Cllr David Nuall had tendered his resignation due to moving out of the area. Mallards Maidstone Councilwas happy to organise coppicing of Mallards island, but volunteers would need a chainsaw licence. Insurance cover would be provided by Maidstone Council as an officer would be present. Notice board Repairs had been carried out to Foxden Drive notice board at a cost of £50. Itwas noted that a new door might be required in the future. LightingArequest to improve lighting on the footpath from The Beams to Foxden Drive had been passed to Maidstone Council. Finances would not stretch to an additional street light, but an officer had agreed to look at cuing back vegetation as that might solve the problem. Budget The cost of purchasing a defibrillator and agreeing a location would be discussed
at the next meeting. Gates Maidstone Council had advised that gates cut in fencing backing on to open spaceswere not considered an issue. Glebe land The chairman and clerk met with church representatives and members of Otham Parish Council to establish the exact location of the glebe land. Itwas agreed to write to Kirkwood Trust to request land at the side of the church could be used as a car park. County Cllr Gary Gooke offered to investigate moving the 30mph sign further south towards Squerryes. Christmas carols and lightsAstar motif would be hired from Gala Lights for £85 including maintenance and storage, and a tree outline with two stars would be bought fromAylesford Electrical. David Nuallwas asked to arrange for a visit from Father Christmas again. Open spaces The open spaces commiee met following the painting party at
Mallards.Areplacement tree, possibly a maple, for planting at the rear of Murrain Drivewas discussed. Itwas agreed to buy a standard variegated holly for £24.95. Five collars would be purchased to protect all hollies when the area is strimmed. Bin The clerk offered to make one more request to Maidstone Council for a replacement outer casing for The Spires lier bin. If this fails, the parish council would consider funding one.
Hollingbourne
Overgrown verge The verge opposite the school had become unkempt. Cllr Alan Bennewas to contact KCC. Some of the greens in the villagewere maintained by the residents, but the grass vergewas too large to do so. Fete proceedsAsum of £300 had been put aside for the replacement of six gazebos and other items, leaving £900. The cricket club had asked for help to buy small items for the children’s play corner, used while matches are taking place. The parish council accounts were discussed and Cllr John Cobbe said therewere restricted funds of £1,100, including £200 from the 2013 fete. The money could be used for new benches within the village. Cllr Benne suggested they could be dedicated to people who had served the villagewell. Parish assembly This would be held in the village hall but needed to be publicised. The clerk would talk to Barbara Tremble to find out when the hallwas available. New housing Cllr Mike Bedwell suggested geing the views ofMPHelen Grant on the housing issues facing the village. Vandalism There had been a lot of vandalism of the Meadows Trust hedges over the summer. Borough Cllr Daphne Parvin said thiswas an environmental services issue. Village safari The WIwas commended for the excellent safari. CllrWard said visitors needed to be encouraged to park in the Cardwell Field to avoid congestion. Lighting Cllr Cobbe said a leer had been sent to the owners of Godfrey House, Eyhorne Street, asking for their insurance details after a tree had fallen from their property destroying a streetlight. The clerk was stillwaiting for a reply and would send a reminder. Itwas noted that £1,947.38 had already been spent on the streetlights in this financial year, and Maidstone Council had still not yet reimbursed the £2,124 that Chris
Parish Councils
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