downsmail.co.uk Residents challenge parish council
ATEAM of residents is hoping to bring the “best to Bearsted” in what could be the biggest shake-up in the history of the village parish council.
The 14 men and women, standing
as “Best for Bearsted Community Members” areamongthose standing for the 15 seats on the parish council in the May 7 elections. Eleven of the 12 existing members
are also standing for re-election, along withWendy Licence, the wife of Cllr Geoff Licence, bringing the total number of contenders to 26 – possibly the largest parish council battle in Britain. Another challenge for control
takes place in Harrietsham where eight members of Hard (Harriet- sham Against Reckless Develop- ment) are hoping to topple the present incumbents over their per- ceived support for local housing schemes. Eighteen candidates are battling
for the 11 Harrietsham seats after a year that has seen controversy about the council’s minutes and video clips of unminuted items uploaded on to YouTube by members of the public. Athird parish election takes place
in Yalding, with 11 people vying for nine seats. The 14 challengers in Bearsted be-
lieve that they can breathe new life into the parish council which has been beset by difficulties in recent years. The parish council suffered from a
flurry of resignations after a series of code of conduct complaints were made against members – although only onewas eventually upheld. Despite a lengthy independent hearing – which cost taxpayers about £25,000 – in which the council was told to sharpen up its act, further code of conduct complaints fol- lowed, one of which resulted in the chairman, Cllr Richard Ash, being
Leeds
Relief road KCC Cllr Gary Cooke confirmed that as yet no route had been agreed for the proposed relief road. When itwas known there would be a full consultation period. When a decision had been made, it would take three to five years to deliver. Funding would be partly from section 106 money. Schools Cllr Cooke reported on secondary school admissions in Kent and said that 86% of childrenwere given their first choice. He stated that school places would become a big issue with the housing that was currently being developed in the area. Junction 8 Cllr Cooke spoke regarding the appeal for development at Junction 8 of the M20 and raised concerns at the new policy adopted by Maidstone Coucil, which appeared to support development there. Planning The council raised no objection to an application for the erection of an oak framed gazebo in the garden at Arnoldbrae Oast, Back Street, Leeds. Maintenance Itwas agreed to advertise for
the constitution of the parish coun- cil.We hope they will notwaste that opportunity.” In a campaign broadly similar to
Some of the Best for Bearsted members standing for parish council seats Lilac ballot paper hard to source
IS Bearsted’s parish council election going to be one of the most fiercely- contested in the country? Maidstone Council, which is responsible for getting all the ballot papers published, had quite a task on its hands finding a printer with sufficient lilac paper to carry the names of the 26 contenders for Bearsted’s 15 seats. One former democratic services director from a different local authority said that in 30 years they had never seen so many names in an election. The resulting ballot paper is 14cm wide and an incredible 67cm long. A Maidstone Council spokesman said: “At least one of the printers we
approached could not quote because of the size of sheets needed.” After being told by three printing companies that they could not fulfil
the order, Maidstone Council finally found someone at the fourth time of asking.
asked to attend mediation sessions with a fellow former councillor, Tim Licence. There was a further outcry when
the council decided not to organise Music on the Green for the second successive year – one of the reasons for the election uprising. The Best for Bearsted team has pledged to bring back Music on the Green and Joanne Conner – wife of candidate Dan Conner – is already actively planning the event for 2016. However, the existing team is also pledging to “investigate ways to fa- cilitate” the event, while keeping a “a tight control on parish council spending”. Both factions have been
busy delivering leaflets to house- holds in Bearsted and Madginford, as have Mr and Mrs Licence, who also produced their own flyer. Dan Conner said: “We all want to
live in a clean, safe environment with good facilities for our children and young people, as well as caring for the older members of our com- munity. “It is important we preserve the unique character of our village for future generations and ensure that any development enhances our com- munity and does not detract from it. “This will be the first time inmany
years that local residents get the op- portunity to make a major change to
a parishwarden in the local magazine. Church car park Quotes for the replacement of the height barrier for the church car park were discussed. Itwas agreed that the clerk would order a new barrier from McVeigh Parker at a cost of £429.60 plus VAT and arrange for this to be installed by TCM at a cost of £600. Itwas agreed that the rubbish bin should be installed in the church car park, near the recycling containers. Lighting Cllr Bob China had met the street lighting contractor to discuss the parish council’s lights. The current energy tariff could be reduced if the parish council changed to LED lighting. The contractor had offered to fit two LED lights free of charge as a trial and thiswas agreed.
Lenham
MotocrossA grant of £500was agreed towards costs for local residents to oppose the proposed development of a motocross track at Runham Lane, Sandyway. The
the Government’s, the incumbents speak of their “three years of achievement” and say: “If youwant us to carry on with all the good work we have done ... put an X against all of the existing councillors listed.” Their leaflet states: “We have
achieved a great deal over the past three years and recovered from the management chaos left to us in 2012 by the previous administration. Having put things right,wewant to carry on devotingmanyhours of our time eachweek to protecting and en- hancing the character and appear- ance of Bearsted and the quality of life of its residents.” Cllr Richard Ash, chairman of the
parish council said: “Those in the Best for Bearsted campaign are exer- cising their democratic right to stand for election to the parish council be- cause they want to stage a musical event on the village green – the issue that dominates their Facebook and Twitter pages.Exiting councillors are also in favour of this popular event and are looking at ways in which it can return in 2016. “I hope that in deciding who to
vote for, the electors of Bearsted will bear in mind that being a councillor is a demanding and time-consuming job with responsibility for a wide range of important local issues that affect people’s lives. “All existing councillors are happy
to be judged on their performance over the last three years during which time we have rescued the parish council from the chaos left by the previous administration in 2012.”
parish council would write to Maidstone Council to reiterate its original objections. Car parkA quote for £220 from D Body for Maidstone Road car park gully and pipe cleaningwas accepted.A quote from S Waring for £868was accepted to undertake the Maidstone Road car park grounds maintenance. GroomWay The size and design of the proposed local needs housing project had been amended to a terrace of three two- bedroom houses. The parish councilwas awaiting the pre-application advice from Maidstone Council before proceeding. Website Itwas suggested the site should be made more interactive with the facility to leave comments. The site would be regularly updated and quotes would be sought for the running of the site. Cemetery The hedge on the left hand side of the cemetery would be cut back by Landscape Services. Following a site meeting, itwas agreed a reduction in the cost of grass cuing of the churchyard would reflect the area no longer being cut as itwas fenced off for the sheep.
Maidstone East May 2015 51
Parish Councils
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