downsmail.co.uk Mereworth


Election Cllr Jon Reganwas elected chairman for the forthcoming year. Itwas agreed to continue with the rota system for the role of vice-chairman. Co-option Stephen Reynoldswas co-opted to fill the vacancy on the parish council. QuestionsAresident asked if therewas any response from KCC regarding Kent Street proposals. Itwas explained that the response had indicated that the purchase of the additional landwas not progressing so nothingwas happening. The resident had spoken to Terry Drury that day who had confirmed that hewas in negotiations with Falmouth Estate regarding the land and hoped that this would progress. Police maers The crime report included burglary other than a dwelling, burglary and criminal damage. PCSO Toni Mahews said there had been reports of bogus callers prior to the burglaries and asked residents to report any information to the police. Cllr Jenny Thorogood said she had seen an intruder on her property, who, when stopped, had said hewas looking to buy a car. Dogswere thought to be a good deterrent. Asked if the police patrolled the village, PCSO Mahews said that she and PCSO Kim Hockey patrolled but therewere few police patrols on the roads. She had asked for help in the vicinity of Mereworth Woods due to issues with motorbikes and burnt-out vehicles. Churchwardens Two churchwardens had been appointed – MartinWilgoss and Valerie Crafter. Allotments The line of trees alongside the allotments towards thewater tapwas very overgrown and damaging sheds and guering. The clerk would obtain advice.


Oam


No entry Concernswere raised about cars continuing to ignore the no entry signs at the top of North Meadow and the risk of an accident. Memberswere to take photographs to pass on to the police. SpeedWatch Councillorswere concerned at the speed of traffic through the village.At least nine volunteerswere needed to get SpeedWatch started again. Anyone interested should contact the clerk. The Pound The councilwas planning to improve this area and therewere plans to include some paving and plants such as lavender to create a sensory and fragrant area. This could be classed as a memorial garden to mark VE Day and funded from the sale of calendars and the parish quiz night. Anyone with any ideaswas asked to contact the chairman, David Frankling, or the clerk. Solar pump Itwas agreed to install a solar pump to circulatewater in the pond on Comp Lane. Notice board The councilwas funding a new notice board to be put up outside the village hall.


Ryarsh


Road sign The sign for The Streetwas stolen from the junction of Roughes Road and The Street. StreetlightsAny lights thatwere not working should be reported to the parish council.


Broadband Fibre optic cable had been


installed at the end of Roughes Road. The parish councilwas to ask if this could be extended to the rest of the village.


Snodland


School delay KCC Cllr Sarah Hohler advised that the Holborough School, which is due to be opened at the beginning of September,was running about fourweeks late and that while the building is completed, temporary classrooms would be used, together with the village hall. CAB Sarahwas discussing the relocation of the CAB to ensure that the service is maintained following Holmesdale College’s decision to use the office for further educational facilities. Parkrun Cllr Dave Keeley expressed his concern that a proposed Parkrun, which it was hoped would start at Brooklands Lake, will now start at Leybourne Country Park. It was agreed that the town council would write to the borough council expressing its disappointment and asking that the situation be reconsidered. Thanks The chairman thanked all those who were involved with the organisation of the recent events in Snodland - the five-a-side tournament, the beer festival and the carnival – and congratulated them for giving up their time to make sure that so many people had enjoyable time. The carnival bucket collection would be donated to the Dementia Cafe. Twinning The chairman advised that guests from Moyeuvre Grande in France would be visiting as part of the twinning scheme and all councillors hoped to aend the civic reception at the Devonshire Rooms


Troiscliffe


Leaflets PCSO Laura Bullen had carried out a leaflet drop in Troiscliffe to all residents, following complaints received, asking that vehicles be parked in a considerate manner. Footpaths Cllr Trevor Ledamun had expressed the council’s concern over the sate of the footpath in Church Lane, alongside Bramble Park, andwaswaiting to hear if Kent Highway Services had sufficient funding to carry out the work. The clerk had asked for a contractor to cut footpath MR186 and the start of MR187 adjacent to Whiakers. Riders Cllr Jenny Dickson had seen horse riders on footpaths and around the edges of the fields. Itwas confirmed that they should not ride there and be asked not to do so. Speed The clerk would contact Kent Highway Services regarding the problem of speeding traffic through the village, particularly alongside the duck pond where traffic mounted the pavement. Gates The large gates into the play area needed aention and the clerkwas asked to arrange the repairs.


Wateringbury


Greensted The chairman, who declared an interest, referred to the proposal put forward by Abbeyfield Kent (a not-for-profit organisation) for the redevelopment of Greensted. The proposal is to close the care home, demolish the buildings and redevelop the site with a complex of 55 one and two- bedroom apartments. The extra care centre would cater for those aged over 55 who have housing and health needs. Invitations to


residents to view the proposals at the Railway Tavern, Nelesteadwere received late.Ameeting had been arranged for councillors to meet with directors of Abbeyfield. Members of the public expressed concerns over a number of issues including the size of the development, parking and the general effect on the village. Hedge Permission had been received to reduce the height of the hedge at the cemetery car park. Warden’s report John Ibbs, villagewarden reported that things had been relatively quiet. Hewas happy for residents to call him to discuss village-related problems.Any he could not resolve would be passed on to the relevant authority. Site meetings These had been arranged for contractors to look at improving the track that leads down to the pavilion at the playing fields, and to create hardstanding in the overflow car park at Drayhorse Meadow. SpeedWatch The SpeedWatch team had recorded 288 vehicles travelling over the speed limit in the village and 65 leerswere sent out by police. Volunteerswere still needed to keep the team running. Annual return The return for 2014/15was agreed by the council. DefibrillatorArequest to site a defibrillator in the hallwas discussed. Itwas felt that as the hallwas not open to the public and therefore locked much of the time, and a key holder would need to be contacted, it would not be suitable to site the equipment in the hall.Asuggestionwas made to site it in the reception of the Premier Inn.


West Peckham


Thanks Harry Wooldridge had recently stood down andwas thanked for his many years as a parish councillor forWest Peckham. He had been a valuable member of both the council and the community and would be missed. Thanks alsowent to John Taylor who undertook the internal audit at the last minute and very kindly agreed to do so with no associated cost. Challenge hike Public liability insurance details for the Guiding event on September 26 had been received and would be kept on file.


Police report PCSO Toni Mahews reported that a section 159 notice had been issued to a man whowas involved in transporting motorcycles to the woods to be ridden. If issued twice in one year, the police had the power to take the vehicles involved. Cllr Conroywas working with the police alongside his neighbourhoodwatch role to help monitor and therefore hopefully reduce crime in the parish. Roads The bend sign as you approach the village had fallen down. This had been reported. SLOW wording on the roadwas very faint in two places. Footpaths Concernswere raised over how footpaths in the areawere very overgrown and in some cases almost impassable. Cllr Spensley would contact KCC to clarify who exactlywas responsible for progressing the maer when a landownerwas not maintaining/clearing them. Tree Concernwas expressed over the sorbus tree outside the church. This would be monitored over the next few months. Bench repair The cost of £83.20 for green oak for the bench near the kissing gatewas agreed.


Malling July 2015 43


Parish Councils


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