downsmail.co.uk Boughton Malherbe


Public session Itwas pointed out that in thick fog it is difficult to drivewithout white lines. Though itwas now known that they are not applied to roads less than 5.5 metres wide, it was considered that Crumps corner needed doing on safety grounds. The surface of Liverton Hillwas breaking with frosts and rain and the whole roadwas looking very bad. Borough Cllr Martin Round would pursue this with KCC Cllr Jenny While. Police report Therewere no crimes to report. Therewere three calls to the police involving an abandoned vehicle, a found dog and a suspicious person. Community warden Stuart Ellesmere reported that he had been working closely with PCSO John Boyd on local issues. They had been to Liverton Hill to help set up a NeighbourhoodWatch scheme there. Liverton Hill Therewas a petition about weight restriction whichwas goingwell. It would be presented to the joint transportation board in April. The one pothole at the boomwas now four and geing deeper resulting in complaints. Ditches and gullies Regarding Elmstone Hole Road, KCC said the banks needed resolving before the road andwater could be sorted. The banks were privately owned. Church Road The slippage repair would be done in April after lambing at an approximate cost of £75,000. Buses Bus service 59 would continue to run but would have to be supported/used. Parish history book Slightly more than half of the free books had been distributed. Lier pickA lier pickwas suggested for the end of March. Precept An increase of 1.87% or 44p in the parish preceptwas agreed to maintain the current level of funding. This would equate to £24 for a band D property.


Bredhurst Council


Police briefing Megan Day is the new PCSO for Bredhurst. Cllr Vanessa Jones had met her and given her a tour of the village. The clerk had contacted the Maidstone NeighbourhoodWatch office to ask why crime reports concerning Bredhurstwere still not being received via email. Village maintenance Two quotes had been received for repainting of the fingerpost. It was agreed to accept the lowest price. Cllr Joneswas to contact the contractor to confirm a start date. The sink holes on the village green had been filled.A tidy-up daywas needed and would be organised for March. Cllr Nichola Carr had completed the fire hydrant checks. Lighting Therewas concern that the lighting column at Cherry Orchardwas both very high and very bright.A leer was to be sent to the landowner to ask him to rectify this. Vegetation The problem remained from Cherry Orchard to The Old Stables.A leer would be sent to ask for this to be done. Cllr Jones would contact the landowner. Information day Itwas agreed that it was important to publicise the event more comprehensively this year. Itwas noted that the village hall had been offered, free of charge.


34 Maidstone East March 2015 Broomfield and


Kingswood Neighbourhood plan Itwas hoped that the final draft had been submied to Maidstone Council for it to commence its consultation process. However the borough subsequently requested a further meeting whichwas arranged for March. Councillors requested that representation wasmade at the Kent Association of Local Councils branch meeting onWednesday that consideration be given to it representing the parishes in reporting to the Local Government Ombudsman the difficulties being experienced with neighbourhood planning in the borough. Alternatively, consideration should be given to a judicial review. Policing PCSO RyanWaring reported that there had been four crimes: two thefts from motor vehicles and one criminal damage in Gravelly Boom Road, and a burglary (non dwelling) in Holly Tree Close. Nuisance youths Following reports of nuisance youths at Kingswood Village Hall the PCSO had aended the village hall several times during the past fewweeks at about 7pm to see if there were any youths hanging about, and had been in and spoken to people aending the dog training session. He had not seen anyone there during his patrols, but would continue to monitor the area. Dog fouling There had been a considerable rise in complaints about dog fouling on the pavements and in the sports field. Councillors requested that the clerk print posters and put them up around the village and sports field asking for dog owners to clean up after their dogs. Residents had complained to the parish council that they had encountered problemswhen aempting to use the Maidstone Councilwebsite intended for people to report problem areas. Assurances had been received from Martin Jeynes, environmental operations manager, that the current teething problems being experienced would be resolved at the earliest opportunity. Parish policing Councillors asked the clerk to write to senior police officers regarding their disappointment at the lack of action following input regarding a new initiative called Country Eye and to forward the leer to neighbouring parish councils. Leeds bypass The clerk received a response from Leeds Parish Council regarding the planning progress of a bypass/spur road for Leeds village, stating that it had received no further information. Councillors asked the clerk to see if a meeting could be arranged between the parish councils that would be most affected by this proposal. Electoral review The clerkwas asked to ascertain exactly whatwas required from the review and, if appropriate, forward the comments that this parish council would feel that it would be beneficial if the boundary of the parishwas enlarged slightly to include land up to Chegworth Road which would then encompass the Broomfield & Kingswood sports field. HighwaysAmeeting with Kent Highway Services had been arranged to discuss parish issues. Sports fieldAmeeting had been arranged with the landowner of the woodland abuing the sports field, a KCC public


rights ofway officer and the parish council. Pensions The law onworkplace pensions now included every employer with at least one member of staff. The law now required the councils as the employer to provide a workplace pension for certain staff. Assistant clerk There had been four enquiries andwere now two firm applications for this role. Election Cllr Garten advised councillors that he had been selected to stand for election asward councillor for Lenham. Dogs Cllr Tandy announced the creation of a new group starting at the village hall on Monday evenings.A group of volunteers had been established with trained dogs to help children deal with their fears of dogs, called cynaphobia. Cllr Tandy would provide more information to be included in the next edition of the village magazine.


Downswood


Police report Therewas a report of a burglary of a home. There had been no reports of anti-social behaviour. Councillor vacancy Maidstone Council had confirmed that the vacancy could be filled by co-option. There had been interest in the vacancy and it was hoped to fill it at the next meeting. Waterside Park Maidstone Councilwas planning to fight the proposals by hiring a short term legal specialist. An appealwas expected to be heard in May. Draft budget Itwas agreed to set the parish precept at £27,000 for 2015/16. Spires surgeryA resident had been in touch to say she had experienced problems when trying to book appointments at the Downswood surgery for herself and her husband. Theywere an elderly couple and they were concerned as itwas highly likely that they would not be able to make a trip to neighbouring surgeries in the future. Poppy appeal A total of £535.97 had been collected.


Hollingbourne


EyhorneA leer had been received from Alison Broom of Maidstone Council regarding the planning approval of the houses being built opposite Godfrey House, Eyhorne Street. The clerk would distribute it to members. Asbestos An asbestos check of the Cardwell Pavilionwas scheduled. Chairman’s report Itwaswith much sadness that the chairman reported that Cllr Daphne Parvin’s husband Cllr Peter Parvin had passed away. The parish council sent their condolences. Also sadly, the Rev Norman Dabbs had passed away after baling a long illness. Hewas a cornerstone of the local church and Royal British Legion. Youth clubA youth club would be opening in February in the village hall. It had been agreed with the organisers that the club would also use the Cardwell Pavilion and Lance Memorial Field for outside activities. TreeA tree along Greenway Court Road was threatening to fall down. The clerk would arrange for work to take place. Crime report PCSO RyanWaring reported that there had been several instances of nuisance vehicles in Hospital Lane. One of the drivers had been reprimanded and details of the vehicle recorded. Quad bikes had also been a problem in Greenway


Parish Councils


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