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racks might be placed in the village funded by money received from Redrow. Some would be at the railway station but councillors felt there were already enough racks in the village and at the library. Defibrillator The history group was considering the installation of a defibrillator in the old telephone box. Councillors felt this was a good idea. Mounting block Councillors Anne Boswell and Dorothy Reed met with Richard Emme of KCC regarding repositioning of the mounting block. Mr Emme had agreed to consider planting a new tree and puing the block between the two trees. The cost would be borne by KCC.


Speeding An email from a resident regarding speeding was forwarded to county Cllr Paulina Stockell and would be placed in a file to discuss further with MP Helen Grant.


Nelestead


Police report There had been a burglary at a home in Bishops Close, with a computer and fishing rod among the items stolen.A ladder was stolen from a Ford Transit van in Bishops Close and the window of a Transit van had been cracked in Maidstone Road. Highways The gullies along Maidstone Road were said to be full of leaves. The clerk was to report this to Maidstone Council, along with lier which seemed to be more visible since the hedges had been cut back. The clerk was also to contact Public Rights ofWay again regarding the Japanese knotweed in Seven Mile Lane. King George V field Cllr Anita Van Hensbergen said the field was looking very nice. The clerk said she had received reports that the dog bins were not being emptied. She had reported this to Maidstone Council. The clerk had also heard from All Seasons ground maintenance that the lier bin had been thrown about the field. She had asked for a quote to fix it to a concrete base. She had ordered two new goal nets from KCC. War memorial Work had started on this.


Staplehurst


Neighbourhood plan The steering group had made steady progress in its review of the draft consultation statement and was to meet to finalise responses to comments on the draft plan. Despite two recent planning decisions which appeared at variance with Harrietsham’s draft plan, Cllr John Perry said he believed there was still support at Maidstone Council for the neighbourhood plan process. Land off Fishers Close Cllr Peter Spearink proposed calling the land TheWightwicks orWightwick Close after brothers killed while serving during WorldWar I. Councillors agreed unanimously. Surrenden playing field Cllr John Reardon proposed pursuing Maidstone Council’s offer of a long lease over the field and this was agreed by councillors. Cllr Perry said he would take this up with Maidstone Council. Cllr Reardon was liaising with the school about engaging a contractor to quote for replacement play area surfacing on both sites. The clerk confirmed that it was still planned to grind down the stump of the felled tree in the


northwest corner of the field. Councillors agreed that he should see a quotation to cut the hedge at Surrenden and Jubilee fields before the nesting season.


Suon Valence


Open space The key for the public toilet would be given to the groundsman. Cllr Barry Armstrong agreed to put a lock on the inside of the pavilion for the cleaner to use. The tap on the pavilion would be repaired. An email would be sent to team managers confirming the groundsman’s decision was final on whether the pitch was playable in bad weather. War memorial play area The handyman was filling rabbit holes on a weekly basis. The base had been laid for the new bin. Harbour play area The frame was bent on the toddler swing and there were cracks in the surface of the wet pour/safety surface. Lambes Garden An email had been received from Kent Highway Services stating the lime tree was the responsibility of the school and not KCC. The clerk had emailed confirmation that the school was willing to take over the maintenance of the garden with immediate effect. Bowhalls The leak was to be repaired at the first opportunity. An allotment holder who had moved out of the area had been asked if he wished to keep his allotment. Community forum The clerk had received two emails from parishioners who were angry that they had received an email with a link through to Suon Valence Community Forum. Concerns were raised about who had supplied the email addresses. Pram race Donations of £1,000 each would be made to Dandelion Time and the Alzheimer’s Society, Maidstone. Crime report There had been reports of criminal damage in South Lane and Maidstone Road and a burglary in Tumblers Hill. Anti-social behaviour remained low.


Yalding


Lees pony fieldA cale grid and height restriction were to be fied at the entrance and exit to the car park as well as a grid at the village end of The Lees, with a budget of up to £5,000. The clerk had received a quote and artwork for the signs on the car park and the pony field, which she was to review with the chairman. The Ta The chairman was to write up the proposal for the car parking which would be circulated for comment. She would also get an estimate of the costs to draw up a legal agreement. The clerk would try to establish who was parking there and who had legal access. The ownership of the land in front of 1 and 2 The Ta also needed to be established. Dog mess The clerk had received a quote and artwork for moveable banners asking people to pick up their dog’s mess. It was decided to order two of the banners. FloodingA call had gone out for flood warden volunteers. Flood information would be included in the updated welcome pack. The chairman was to write to Maidstone Council asking for its assurance that all flood risk assessments accompanying planning applications were post the recent floods.


Damaged tree The damaged tree on Lees Road had been cleared. The clerk and Cllr Ken Gough would check that all was satisfactory. Welcome pack Cllr Jason Bryant had offered to support the layout and printing of the welcome pack and Cllr Angela Seckleman would do the research. The clerk would organise the distribution. Riverbank repair Cllr Gough was to get a quote from Robert Body to do the work at The Lees car park. It was agreed that as long as it was below the £18,000 budget, the project should start as soon as possible. High Street The verges had been reinstated following the gas work. Town Bridge There was concern that the traffic on the bridge was becoming dangerous at peak times. It was agreed to put this on the agenda for discussion at a future meeting, pending the outcome of the integrated transport strategy recommendations. Symonds Lane The chairman was to write to Martin Jeynes, head of environmental health at Maidstone Council, about the problem of foul water on Symonds Lane. Lier bin Maidstone Council had provided a list of suppliers that the parish council could use to buy a suitable bin and an order would be placed. Tree and pond wardens The clerk would establish who was willing to take on this role and would arrange training. The Kintons The junior swing seats had been repaired. Defibrillators Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) was to negotiate discounted prices for defibrillators. They cost about £700 and an extra £450 for an external heated box. The chairman suggested that one could be sited outside the post office. More details were to be sought. Lees Road junction Cllr Jason Bryant said several cars had lost their wing mirrors at the junction with Symonds Lane due to the sight lines and speeding. It would be reported to Kent Highways Services but it was unlikely that they would be able to do anything in the near future. Several hedges in the area were being cut. Sale of cale Cllr Andy Sanders had offered to buy the cale but due to a reduction in the general market this would mean a loss of about £260. If his offer was accepted the cale would need to be advertised locally for a period, and if a beer offer was received it would need to be taken. Cllr Sanders was very happy to take them to market if his offer was refused. It was agreed to accept this offer subject to no beer offers being received. Diary dates The annual parish meeting will be held on May 19, the parish picnic on September 13 and the parish clean-up on October 11. Vicarage Road It was thought that a drain cover in the road was in danger of breaking. Cllr Ken Gough was to look at it. Cllr Gough complained about relations with the current highways steward. The chairman was to write to senior officers and the cabinet member for highways. Hedgecuer The churchyard working party had asked the parish council to buy a hedgecuer for use in the cemetery at a cost of £351.20. This was agreed. Yalding sign The sign on The Lees Road had been stolen. KCC would be asked to supply a new one.


Maidstone South February 2015 43


Parish Councils


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