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look at the overgrown pathway going towards Valley Drive/Bray Gardens. Dogs The monthly report of the Loose Dog Walkers Groupwas received. Some memberswere still picking up dog faeces after some owners did not respect others’ use of the field. It did appear that the number of people prepared to do this task had dwindled. BusesAresident had raised concern regarding bus services in Hubbards Lane. The East of Maidstone Rural Transport Group had been looking into the maer of public transport generally. The maer would be monitored. Communitywardens Proposed changes to the servicewere explained by community warden Liz Lova.Aresponse to KCC’s consultationwas put together on behalf of the parish council. The chairman said that members should also send in individual responses. ComplaintAcomplaint from a member of the public who aended the neighbourhood plan eventwas discussed. Itwas agreed that a response be sent to the complainant, thanking him for his concerns and concurring that there might have been serious consequences as a result of the overcrowding, but that the parish council remained vigilant at all times. The situation was dealt with to the best of the council’s ability and the fire exit doorswere opened. Planning Hilary Hunt had tendered her resignation as secretary of the Loose Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group. The council agreed to write to her, thanking her for her huge contribution. HospiceArequest from the Heart of Kent Hospice for a donation towards the hospice minibus servicewas regreably declined. White stuff Itwas reported that “white stuff” had been driven over outside the post office. Maidstone Council had dealt with it.
Staplehurst
Donations Councillors expressed thanks to the businesses who had generously made donations towards the cost of the Christmas lights – Homeleigh Timber and Building Supplies Ltd, MurcaoWines, Radfords Estate Agents, Spuds&Buds andWI Crouch Butchers Ltd. Surrenden Three quotes for work on trees on thewest side of Surrenden playing field were outlined. The quote from Forestry First for £1,595was accepted for work on the line of trees. The quote from Landscape Services for grass cuing at the field in 2015was accepted, noting that the total sum of £872 was a 2% increase on 2014. Abraham Lincoln Correspondence had been received from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum regarding a leer sent to the US ambassador by representatives of the Staplehurst community in 1865 on the occasion of the assassination of President Lincoln. Councillors agreed to discuss a response at the next full council meeting. Plan The steering groupwas continuing to review consultation comments on the neighbourhood plan and hoped to complete the task in January. CaretakerAnew hedge trimmer had been delivered for the caretaker’s use. Street trading Councillors voted to express to Maidstone Council their support of an application for a street trading licence by Mr Luca Leonardi trading as Pizza D’Onore.
Four councillors abstained. Buses Residentswere still expressing serious concerns about the bus
service.Ameeting with Helen GrantMPand interested parties was due on January 9. Defibrillator KCC had agreed towaive the £500 estate works charge it had been proposing to levy on the siting of the defibrillator at the
library.Aquote of £250 was accepted from Gary Hicks to install and connect the defibrillator. ParkingAresident expressed concern that parked vehicleswere creating risks for pedestrians crossing Offens Drive near the shops. Planters The chairman of the Staplehurst Society said it would be willing to consider funding maintenance of two planters at the Marden Road/A229 junction and at Chestnut Avenue footpath, such funding to be recognised by signs on the planters.
SuonValence
Emergency planning The Kent resilience form had been circulated and 60 copies ordered for distribution to the vulnerable and elderly. No further action on emergency planning would be taken. Defibrillator The British Heart Foundation would supply a defibrillator for a donation of £400. This would be a locked unit which could be opened via a code given when the emergency serviceswere called. The clerk would approach the village hall over sharing the cost. Post office The post office and sorting office would move to Haven Farm in March. Footpaths Itwas agreed to appoint Brian Jones as footpath officer. War memorial play areaAparent had phoned to report that her son had tripped on rabbit holes in the play area. The clerk had asked the handyman to check the play area and fill in holes. He would now check weekly. Rabbit fencing would cost about £400. The fence between the toilet and play area had been completed. Skate parkAn email had been received from a younger parishioner asking for a skate park at The Harbour play area. The Harbour consultationwas ongoing. Bollards The damaged bollards and traffic sign atWarmlake crossroads had been removed. Lighting Failed lights had been reported to the contractor with no result. KCC had been asked to repair the lights not working at a cost of £45.67 each including parts. In view of the difficulties in finding the original contractor, the clerk recommended working with KCC. Itwas agreed to use KCC for future light repairs.
Teston
Finance The year-end figure of £6,500was noted. However itwas also observed that some of the budgeted figureswere contingency ones and some spending would not occur in this financial year so the year- end figurewas likely to be higher than the financial statement indicated. The allotment budget appeared to be reasonably stable. Thewater bill had been somewhat higher than anticipated but enquiries of South East Water and a comparison with previous years showed that the billwas compatible with previous paerns of use. Wayleave Under the proposedwayleave agreement regarding the cabinet at Ash Tree
Corner, BT had offered a one-off payment of £1,554. The terms and paymentwere accepted. Parking Itwas noted that parking at the southern end of Livesey Streetwas presenting a problem, particularly for vehicles approaching from the East Malling direction and aempting to make the tight left turn. The PCSOwas monitoring the situation. Ambulance sirensAfreedom of information leer had been sent to SECAMB. Village stores The signswere promising that the extension project would come in on or close to budget.
West Farleigh
Highways The chairman reported on the freedom of information request to Kent Highway Services regarding the work at Teston Bridge. The response had stated that the drainage work had cost £3,674.56 with an additional cost of £54,607.73 for the resurfacing work. After further investigation, Kent Highways had stated that the resurfacingwas required due to the damage caused by the drainage issues and had not been due to the wrong adhesive being used, as the parish council had previously been informed. Bollards Eleven reflective bollards had been installed at The Thatched House in Heath Road and the speed limit had also been reduced to 20mph, which seemed effective. Marquee The parish council had bought a marquee some years ago. However thiswas no longer being stored by a member of the parish council. Councillors requested that the marqueewas returned to the parish council. Cllr Martin offered to store it so that it could be loaned to groups for their events. Kele Lane Borough Cllr Brian Mortimer reported there had been two accidents at Kele Lane, which supported the petition requesting that the speed limit be reduced in this area. Lier Cllr Stockwell said there had been a lot of lier in Charlton Lane following a football match. Itwas disappointing that parents had not cleared up after their children. TreesWest Farleigh had been voted as one of the top 10 villages in the Kent Men of the Trees competition. As a prize, the council could purchase an indigenous tree to the value of £25. The tree work required on Lower Road and the installation of the replacement posts had been discussed with Geoff Underdown who had offered to complete it all for about £600. Therewas money left in the parish service scheme budget to pay for this and itwas agreed that he should complete the work. Audit The audit for 2013/14 had been completed with no issues found. The clerk was thanked for her work on this. BroadbandAresponse had been received from KCC leader Paul Carter detailing the issues with bringing faster broadband to the
village.Acopy of the leer would be placed in the notice boards for residents to read. Water pipes South EastWater had confirmed that itwas not completing any pipe replacement work in Charlton Lane and added that any pipes changed would be linked to a private property. The onlyway that pipes could be placed across the village greenwas if the residents had the right of access wrien into their deeds.
Maidstone South January 2015 39
Parish Councils
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