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of rubbish and vegetation growth. Cllr John Perry mentioned the inadequate maintenance of the Maidstone Council verges at Bell Lane and Cllr Rory Silkin said Cllr Paul Kelly was investigating the cost of maintenance for the parish council. Kathie Lamb Centre Councillors encouraged exploration of as many sources of funding as possible but agreed that a donation should be made from council funds too, as the building was considered to be an important resource. Planters The village enhancement group was asked to vote on the colour for repainting the planters by five votes to two, it was agreed to retain the existing cream colour. Sobell Cheshire home Cllr Peter Spearink said residentswere still having problems going to the village due to parked cars blocking the pavement. The home’s managementwas seeking to unlock the funds held by the charity’s head office for a conservatory. MP Helen Grant was to visit the home. Police report PCSO Gardner reported five crimes: one theft; one theft from a vehicle; two burglaries (other than a dwelling) and one case of criminal damage.
Suon Valence
Defibrillator Queen’s Head Oddfellows had offered a grant of £400 towards a defibrillator. Neighbourhood planning Barry Armstrong had submied a request to Maidstone Council for a grant to cover the invoice from Churchill & Churchill. The questionnaire had now closed and results were to be analysed. War memorial field The fence in the top north east corner had come down and needed to be replaced. The clerk had asked the contractor to do the work. The clerk had contacted the community payback team about the mesh fencing for the play area.
Harbour play area The frame of the toddler swingwas bent, there were cracks in the safety surface on the multiplay area, the rope bridge was fraying and metal strandswere exposed in the play area. Cllr John Davis said he could repair this.
Court jails
crash driver AN ELDERLY driver from Chart Sutton has been jailed for two years for dangerous driving. Robert Smart (71), of Marsham Crescent, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court where he admitted overtaking vehicles on the A259 and hitting a motorcyclist coming the other way. The accident happened at about
4pm at Brenzett on November 28, as Smart was driving back from a fishing trip. The court heard Smartwas over- taking slower moving vehicles when the head-on crash hap- pened. His victim, 54-year-old farmer Jeremy Payne, was airlifted to hospital and had part of his leg re- moved and a plate put in his other leg.
Allotments Two tap locks and two padlocks had been ordered. Bus shelterA parishioner had requested a bus shelter at the stop atWarmlake crossroads. Maidstone Council had refused this request. Annual parish meeting Itwas agreed to stick with the same format for next year as the event had been positive. Crime report Only one crime had been reported – a burglary on Rectory Lane. Pub tablesA complaint had been received from a resident about a pub in the parish puing tables and chairs in to the road outside the pub. As the parish council has no jurisdiction over this the clerk had passed it to KCC.
Teston
Camera Itwas noted that a surveillance camera had been erected on a property in the village but later removed. Itwas understood that if any recording of the public was to take place a notice advising of that fact would need to be displayed. LierA voluntary lier pick had taken place. Village hall The chairman gave a summary of recent progress regarding the village hall extension. The parish council had agreed at its last meeting to make available the further sum of £3,000 plus VAT. It had been hoped that the project could be completed for £77,600, but itwas clear that this would now be exceeded. It was estimated that work to complete the build would cost about £8,500. The village hallwas still due £3,500 in grant funds. Urgent inquirieswere being made to establish whether further grant funds could be obtained and KCC Cllr Paulina Stockellwas assisting in this. The parish council discussed possible options including a further grant and a public works loan. The laer might be used to help fund not only remaining extension work but also the remodelling of the kitchen, and the traffic island for Tonbridge Road if funding could not be secured through Kent Highways Services. After full discussion it was agreed that the parish council should make available a further £3,000 plus VAT and that KCC
should be chased upon the remaining grant and any other possible funds. The chairman and clerk would investigate a public works loan and as necessary place a consultation item in Tapestry magazine. The maer would also be raised at the annual parish meeting. Moles The problem of moles on the village green and in the churchyard appeared to have receded. Itwas agreed that if the problem became worse, the clerk could spend up to £100 to eradicate the moles, to be matched by church funding. BarbecuesA complaint had been received regarding the use of barbecues at Teston Bridge Country Park. The observations would be passed on to the country park management with a request for it to consider taking some steps to keep the barbecues away from the play area.
West Farleigh
Thanks Julie King had resigned andwas thanked for her work as a parish councillor. She would continue as representative for village charities on behalf of the parish council. Election Cllr Bruce Scowas elected as chairman for the forthcoming year with Cllr Bryan Merri as vice-chairman. Highways The yellow lines required on Teston Lane had been completed. Concerns were raised at the number of HGVs which were travelling along Smiths Hill towards Coxheath, especially at about 7am. Itwas noted that therewere two large potholes near the Thatched House. Footpath KM21 Both the gate and stile had now been delivered and the parish council would arrange a working party to install them as soon as possible. TreesA filbert nut tree had been planted on the green. Concernswere raised about an oak tree whichwas half dead and needed to be removed. Quotes would be obtained from a tree surgeon. Audit The end of year audit had been completed with no issues found. Memorial An email had been received from a resident who would like to have a bench or tree in memory of her husband. It was agreed that the replacement tree for the oak on the green could be suitable.
Scout leader Josays farewell
ALMOSTa century’s service to Scout- ing was celebrated in a special party to mark the retirement of the team behind Staplehurst’s successful Scout Group. Jo Gascoyne has retired after more
than 30 years’ involvement with the Vulcan and Eagle cubs in the village, many of them as Akela. Also retiringwas her trusty teamof
loyal helpers – Carol Collins, Carole Neeve, Serena Hoadley, LizDavis and Jenny Geelan. During Jo’s 30-year “reign” more
than 300 boys and girls have passed through one of the two Cub packs. Many of them convened at the Scout hut for a party and celebration to mark the team’s contribution to Scouting in the village. Chairman of Staplehurst Scouts Bill Best said:“We had agreat turn-out of
current Scouts and a past leader from two generations ago. I think we can safely say that Jo has left her mark on the village and we would like to wish her all the very best for the future.” Jowas awarded her 30-year service badge by the Maidstone South Dis-
trict Commissioner Pam Mead while she and her team were presented withflowers and gift vouchers. Jo also received two inscribed pens. The four pictured with theirflowers
are (from left): Carole Neeve, Jo, Ser- ena Hoadley and Carol Collins.
Maidstone South July 2015 47
Parish Councils
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