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Hunter. Hewas unable to aend the meeting and sent in a crime report for November. There had been burglaries in Station Hill, Workhouse Lane, New Cut, Dean Street, Heath Road and The Green. Affordable housing The clerk had chased the survey and the reportwas with Maidstone Council awaiting its comments. The response ratewas 30%, whichwas considered good, but only four households felt a need for affordable housing. The results of the survey, once received, would be published in The Grapevine. Flood pod The items to go in the flood pod had now nearly all arrived. The council agreed to buy aweatherproof and lockable container to put them in. The council would ask if the pod could then be placed in the The Bull car park. The clerk still had a small amount of editing to do on the flood plan which would then be circulated to vulnerable residents and the parish council. Car park The clerk reported that TripleM had been happy to top up the surface free of charge during the Christmas holidays. Ashridge Trees had been contacted about the trees which had died and itwas happy to replace them. Horse trough Therewas discussion about the damage caused by motorists to the trough and the mounting steps on the Triangle. Itwas felt that measures to slow down traffic on Lower Roadwere now a priority. Play areas Following the annual inspection, itwas agreed to ask Pearsons to spring-clean the equipment and surfaces in the spring. Community awards The council agreed to adopt this KALC scheme. For details about the awards, which recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the community, email Sarah O’Callaghan at
eastfarleighpc@googlemail.com or call 01622 726842. The closing date for nominations is January 30, 2015.
East Suon
Highways Cllr Malcolm Ireland would report potholes in Charlton Lane, Boyton Court Road and East Suon Lane to Kent Highway Services. Street lighting The current contractor had not responded to maintenance requests. The cost of KCC maintenancewas £45.96 per light including parts, whichwas approved. Street maintenance contractor The parish council resolved that itwas too expensive for this year’s budget. The clerk would investigate if itwas feasible to come out on an ad hoc basis. Play area The safety surfacewas still covered in pine
needles.Aquote would be obtained for work to the fence.
Egerton
Footpaths The footpath sign directing walkers to Coldharbour Farm on the corner of Forstal Road and Bedlam Lane at Brookgatewas knocked over when a vehicle left the road andwent through the hedge. This had been reported to
KCC.Aleer from Kent Highway Services had been received showing proposed diversion of part of public footpathAW99. Following discussions, the council proposed to support the diversion. Forge Lane SouthernWaterwas to fit a non- return valve with secure manhole covers at
38 Maidstone South January 2015
the end of Forge Lane with the hope it would help with flooding problems. WelcomeAwelcome pack had been delivered to the new owners of Squirrel Lodge in Forstal Road. Sign Richard Hopkinswas being contacted to request that he straightens the Forstal Road and Crocken Hill Road finger post sign when he is passing. It may need replacing in the near future. Speeding cars The speed sign in the car park, which had been knocked down would be reinstated. Recycling Cllr Bill Smyth had made enquiries about geing new bins for villagers to recycle glass and newspapers. The money generated had to be given to charity so itwas suggested that it should go to the Millennnium Hall to help with hire costs for village clubs. Elm Close Cllrs Tim Oliver and Bill Smyth had offered to get some white paint and mark the edge of the pavement. They had also received a request from a villager to paint lines on the speed bumps so these would be more obvious during the winter.
Hunton
Highways Representatives from Kent Highway Services aended a site meeting with Cllr Ron Porter to discuss the poor condition of roads in the village, including potholes on Hunton Hill and collapsing road surfaces on East andWest Streets. The highways officer felt that the onlyway to prevent the road surface alongside the playing fields from continually crumbling at the edge would be to install a kerb but the parish council would be responsible for funding this. KCC would give an estimate of the cost. Cllr Tony Stanbridge raised the issue of flooding in the dip on East Street. The flooding is largely caused by blocked drains and the council would press KCC for more regular cleaning. Safety Parking outside the school remained a problem. Cllr SteveWyles had met again with representatives of the school and with PCSOAlan Hunter to consider possible solutions. KCC Cllr Paulina Stockell felt that the issue should be elevated to county level and would speak to the cabinet member for education and arrange a site meeting with Kent Highway Services. Bus stop Itwas agreed that the siting of the bus stop on the junction of Hunton Hill and East Streetwas dangerous for both pedestrians and motorists and that the area of hard-standing recently installed did lile to improve this. Cllr Stockell would speak to KCC to see if it could be moved to the green opposite Lughorse Lane, whichwas felt to be a more suitable location. SpeedWatch CllrWyles reported that Speed Watchwas having some effect with a reduction in the percentage of vehicles speeding through the village, but additional volunteerswere needed to help with speed checks. The councilwas to press for a 30mph speed limit throughout the village. FootpathsAcomplaint from a member of the public about blocked footpaths led to the suggestion that the role of footpaths officer be created to check regularly that public rights ofway in the villagewere passable. This could possibly be combined with that of pond and treewarden. Cricket Planning permission for the new cricket pavilion had been received and preliminary groundworks had begun. The
cricket club had obtained three quotes each for the new building and concrete base. Contractorswere selected and approved by councillors. Club members would be carrying out some of the work on the base themselves to reduce costs. The pavilionwas expected to be completed on schedule. Village hall The village hall car park had been resurfaced and a new picnic table and benchwere now in place next to the children’s play area.
Langley
CCTV Communitywarden Dawn Riach- Brown said that since the removal of the mobile CCTV camera at the bus stop in Langley Heath (ShepherdsWay and Heath Road) there had been additional reports of anti-social behaviour. She advised residents to report this to the police via 101 as more reports would flag up this area for more visible policing or enable the CCTV system to be put back. She continued to dowelfare visits and aended the youth club in Suon Valence which aracts children from the Langley area. Funding for this club remained an issue and itwas felt that possible funding could be considered by the parish council. Parking in Grasslands remained an issue and itwas felt that the clerk should contact the company for help. Competition The Otham and Langley photographic competition had been postponed until 2015. MessAresident had sent an email regarding the mess left on the corner of Ulcombe Road by gas workers. The clerk had already reported this to the gas company. Plan Itwas decided to defer the neighbourhood plan until the release of the draft local plan by the borough council in January. SchoolAresident said places at the new school would be allocated on the proximity to it and felt it should encompass Langley. Police report PCSO Pete Gardner reported that one crime had been reported in the Suon Road area – damage to fencing and crops. The PCSO had also dealt with school children playing football at the bus stop, following a call from a concerned resident. This issuewas not a nuisance but a safety one.
SpeedAmeetingwas being arranged with Richard Emme of Kent Highways regarding the Langley section of the B2163 (Leeds Road). Itwas agreed that the following should be raised: 30mph signs were faded and worn and needed replacing in Leeds Road; 30mph signswere small and should be larger in the FiveWents area; cats’ eyes needed replacing in Leeds Road; an interactive speed signwas required at the Plough/Green Lane area; bollards along the verge between the Plough and Green Lane. The issue of frequent flooding along the section of the B2163 (Leeds Road) near the roofing centre and entrance to four properties would also be discussed at the meeting. Planter Itwas noted that the planter on the corner of Ulcombe Roadwas unsightly and needed to be removed. The clerk would seek a quote.
Loose
FootpathAsite visit had been arranged with Tony Morris of Maidstone Council and Public Rights ofWay officer Kate Cullen to
Parish Councils
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