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Kingswood Leeds bypassA meeting of local parish councillors had been arranged to discuss bypass proposals for Leeds and Langley. Annual parish meeting Various groups said they would attend and the latest information on the neighbourhood plan would be on display at the event at the village hall, Kingswood on Saturday, May 16. Permissive footpath Three quotes had been received for clearing and laying the footpath to the sports field. The neighbouring landowner had asked that the parish council considers moving the path to protect their fence line. The clerk approached the woodland owner who was willing to allow the path to move 0.6m from the fenceline and make it 1.6m wide, rather than the original 2m. However, the landowner, while grateful, said this would not resolve the problems. Councillors were concerned that changes would incur increased costs but would wait until the landowners had discussed the matter before deciding. Portable building Cllr Terry Baker had received an offer of £500 for the portable building. It was unanimously agreed to sell it, but the buyer should deal with disconnecting the electricity as part of the arrangement if possible. Caravan sales After complaints about the selling of caravans in Broomfield Road, Maidstone Council said the owner of the property had proved that the site had long been regarded as a business premise, so was in no position to ask the owner to remove anything that pertains to his business.


Chart Sutton


Police matters PCSO Dougie Muir introduced himself as the PCSO for Chart Sutton, Boughton Monchelsea, Tovil and Loose. However, areas could be reorganisd with Chart Sutton getting a different PCSO in the near future. There had been a non-dwelling burglary in PloughWents Road. A councillor reported there had been a theft of two bicyles and a TV from a barn at a property on Chart Hill Road. PCSO Muir warned about a phoney salesman in the village. However, it appeared he may have moved on elsewhere. The PCSO was asked to look out for cars parked badly around Lilypie as some were parking dangerously close to the junctions. Annual parish meeting Mary Underdown had kindly agreed to provide refreshments at the end of the meeting. Other arrangements were discussed. Parking Regarding Chart Hill Road/Lilypie parking, a meeting had been arranged with KCC Cllr Eric Hotson to discuss this. Speeding Kent Highway Services was looking into the availability of temporary solar speed signs on a rotational basis with other parishes. If the signs were successful, members would look into purchasing signs for the village. PloughWents Road Members noted the complaint received about speeding along PloughWents Road and reported the parish council had, in the past, tried to get the speed limit lowered without success,


42 Maidstone South May 2015


and that at one point KHS had wanted to raise the limit to 50mph. Borough Cllr Steve Munford advised that the authorities would only act if there was a previous accident record. The issue would be raised with Cllr Hotson. Footpath The breakdown of works/quote for £6,362.84 for the footpath from the village to the memorial field had been received by KHS, who had agreed to pay half. Councillors agreed to pay half and the clerk was asked to contact KHS to get the project started as soon as possible. Old Mortuary Hut Members discussed advice received from a resident for “gaining ownership by adverse possession” regarding the land in Chart Road which was occupied by the old Mortuary Hut, the remainder of which collapsed in January. Cllr Munford advised that Maidstone Council had spent time trying to research the ownership of the land and that English Heritage de- listed the site last year. Members agreed to take no action over the ownership of the land. They noted that the post box was lost when the building collapsed and the clerk would ask the Post Office if the post box could be re-instated nearby. Streetlight An electrician had looked at the streetlight in MercerWay, but was having difficulty in obtaining parts. The clerk advised that the light was on an unmetered supply contract, so was still being paid for even though it was not working. Buses It was noted that passenger numbers on the 13 bus had dropped dramatically when the Leeds Road was closed and had not picked up since it re- opened.


Coxheath


Clockhouse Farm The parish council was pleased to confirm that, after strong lobbying, it had been accepted that the section 106 educational contribution from the recent Clockhouse Farm planning application will be used to enhance facilities at Coxheath Primary School rather than be diverted to a new primary school in south east Maidstone. Discussions were still continuing over the use of the section 106 healthcare contribution and the connected requirement to transfer land for community use into the stewardship of the parish council. Planning The parish council was continuing to press Maidstone Council over progress towards independent examination of the neighbourhood plan, following a meeting with senior officers. Heath Road The parish council was awaiting completion of some outstanding works on the final stages of the Heath Road traffic-calming scheme before making full settlement of its contribution. An interim payment of £30,000 had been made to KCC. Charter A working group had been established to consider the parish council’s response to the Maidstone Council consultation on the new parish charter. Bins The damaged litter bin in the old brick bus shelter next to Mace Court would be removed in the near future. Quotations would be sought to replace the damaged concrete bin at the western end


of the village hall playing field. Nature area Conservation work, including the re-establishment of rural pathways, had been carried out in the proposed nature area to the north of the Beacon Field football pitch. Re-turfing The parish council would repair and re-turf a sunken area of the football pitch over the close season.


East Farleigh


Crime report PCSO Matthew Judges reported four crimes in the last month: a non-dwelling burglary in Upper Hunton Hill, theft from a motor vehicle in a layby near Lower Road, non-dwelling burglary in Dean Street and two thefts at the antiques fair at the Old School Hall. Farmland A resident farmer asked, on behalf of all farmers in the village, that walkers keep to the footpaths and keep their dogs on leads at all times. This applies all year round, but is particularly pertinent at this time of year when farmers are spraying. Village car park The clerk would order paint for the bay delineation which needed doing again. TripleMhad not come back to redistribute the gravel so the clerk was asked to contact the company again. It was agreed to sort out the gate from the car park to the recreation field, which did not close automatically. Sign The bridge information board sign had been re-varnished by a councillor. Bridge rage A resident who lives near the bridge had recently set up a Facebook page about increasing road rage on the bridge and the stress caused to residents and motorists. She spoke in the public forum. The council agreed to put the issue on the agenda for May. Play areas The council agreed to ask Pearsons to spring clean the surfaces and equipment in both play areas.


Headcorn


Hazelpits The developer seeking planning permission to build 220 homes on land bordered by Ulcombe Road, Mill Bank and Kings Road – known as Hazelpits – had appealed to the Secretary of State following Maidstone Council’s failure to make a decision on the application within the required 13-week period. The borough council’s planning committee had informed the planning inspectorate it would have accepted the scheme had it been done within time. The parish council had objected robustly to this proposed development. SouthernWater The parish council had commissioned an independent survey of the foul drainage system in Headcorn that confirmed it was far from fit for purpose. The parish council and the Headcorn Matters team had met with Southern Water who had accepted some of the survey’s findings. The firm was now carrying out a drainage area plan that included Headcorn. Meanwhile the parish had asked the borough council to block any further developments in Headcorn until the plan is complete and identifies deliverable improvements. Welcome Rob Henderson and Jan Kinzett were welcomed as new parish councillors after being co-opted. Litter Litter and flytipping in and around


Parish Councils


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