downsmail.co.uk Loose


Highways Borough Cllr Sue Grigg said problems had been reported with the resurfacing of the road at Linton crossroads. The roadside meeting atWalnut Tree Avenue had been disappointing but the issues remained and would be carried forward for further action. School Cllr Grigg confirmed that car parking enforcement around Loose Primary School had been actioned and itwas agreed that if necessary, the school would be approached again. Footpath Work on footpath KB59 had been completed andwas fully open. Brooks Field Itwas agreed that, as per the previous resolution, no dogs would be allowed on the field and there would be no designated dog areas. Any groups wishing to bring dogs on to the field for events would need to apply to the parish council. Pavilion The pavilionwas undergoing an upgrade. It had recently been decorated and new lighting would be installed. The new play equipmentwas beingwell used. HandymanAdiscussionwas held regarding employment of a local handyman. Itwas agreed that risk assessments would be completed for every job and a clear explanation of time and nature of the job should be given. The completion of an expenses form would be requested for each job. The hourly rate would be decided by the environment commiee. Community woodAquote to sprayweeds at the community wood on Brooks Fieldwas approved.


Nelestead


Nelestead Yard Two residents spoke about the planning application for the demolition of an existing building at Nelestead Yard and the erection of a replacement commercial building. They raised concerns about the current operation at the site. It had become busier with up to 10 tipper vehicles coming in and out every day. Works included grinding materials. Therewere concerns about dust and noise. The site now seemed to be used as an operating centre. Alan Howell, enforcement officer at Maidstone Council, had stated therewas a stop order on the site. The parish council agreed no objection to the replacement B1 commercial building but did object to the existing use of the yard. Notice boardAquote of £581.27 plus Vat was considered too expensive and the clerk was asked to seek further quotes. Playing field New goal netswere in place. WarmemorialAquote for £90 from NAJ Carpentrywas accepted for work on the lych gate. The Railway Both Tonbridge and Malling and Maidstone councils had denied rumours that a planning application had ben lodged for five new coages on the site of The Railway public house The pub landlord said he had no knowledge of this and had only recently signed a new three-year lease.


Staplehurst


Defibrillator Itwas agreed to assume ownership and maintain a defibrillator that SECambwas proposing to hand over to Staplehurst Library. The parish council had earlier agreed to the installation cost of £250. Display board Councillors agreed to buy a


six-panel double-sided display board for £229 plus VAT. RepaintingAquote of £3,450 from Stanley Painting Contractorswas accepted for the repainting of bus shelters and Nicholson Walk gate. Chapel Lane parking The council had opposed the application for development at Royal OakMews due to parking and congestion issues. Councillors feared that Maidstone Council’s approach to planning applications in the area would result in increased pressure on existing residential amenity. Travel pass The response from the KCC cabinet member for environment and transport to the chairman’s leer about the increased cost of the young person’s travel passwas noted. Councillors requested a further leer be sent to advocate forming a medium to long term plan for the pass. TescoAleer would be sent to Tesco about its sign in Station Approach. Development Chris Hawkins ofDHA Planning and Greg Lendrum of Countryside Properties outlined an early proposal to build 100 to 150 houses on land south of Headcorn Road. The homes would occupy one third of a site which had previously been submied to Maidstone Council in response to a land call.At that time about 300 homes had been envisaged. OmbudsmanAresident recommended that Maidstone Council’s handling of the Folly Farm planning application be reported to the Local Government Ombudsman.


SuonValence


Dog bins Home Counties Dog Training, based in Swanley, had asked to place adverts on dog bins in the parish. Thiswas refused. Quote The clerk had received a quote from S Waring regarding the area behind Church Coages in Chart Road. The costwas considered prohibitive and the parish council could not justify it. Maintenance Regarding theWarMemorial play area and field, the rabbit fencingwas ongoing. The groundsmanwas asked to stop filling in holes as thiswas not effective. Lacrosse Maidstone Lacrossewas holding free coaching lessons for childen on Monday evenings at theWarMemorial playing fields. Harbour play area Maidstone Council had reported a bent frame on the toddler swing, cracks in the play area surface and the rope bridgewas fraying. Cllr John Davis had repaired the rope bridge on the climbing frame and had also filed off a sharp bit on the gate catch to the play area. Allotments Three allotments at Bowhalls had been broken into and wirewas cut on another.At The Harbour, two tap locks and two padlocks had been fixed. One had been tampered with, which meant no lockswere on the taps. Crossing and pathAmeeting had taken place between representatives of KCC, the parish council, independent school and landowner to discuss the footpath/crossing. All land needed had now become available. The parish council agreed a donation towards the crossing of £4,750. Police maers There had been a shed burglary in North Street, vehicle interference in Captains Close, a burglary at an outbuilding in Maidstone Road and making off without payment from Suon Valence Service Station.


Yalding


Policing Councillors agreed that PCSO Nicola Morriswas excellent and asked the clerk to express this to Sgt Tristan Stevens. Cale gridAcale grid and height restriction would be fied at the entrance and exit to the car park aswell as a grid at the village end of The Lees with a budget of up to £5,000. Bin The lier bin at the Anchor had been destroyed by someone puing a hot portable barbecue into it. Maidstone Council had replaced the bin. The clerk would chase the installation of the new parish council bin. Lorries The police had given permission for a LorryWatch, suggesting threewatches in three different locations over three separate days. PCSO Morris would co-ordinate. VE Day street party The beaconwas lit at 9.30pm and about 60 residents had aended. Cale Mr Shead from Brookside would be happy to graze five or six cale on The Fen. Caravans Councillors agreed that caravans should not be allowed on The Lees car park. Aleer had been sent to tenants reminding them that therewas no overnight parking. This included the horse-drawn caravans that had been coming for several years. Local plan Itwas agreed to set up a petition against Yalding being designated as a larger village. Monitoring of traffic using the bridge would be organised and the results would be used to support the petition. It would also be used to put pressure on KCC to recommend and make improvements to the traffic flow on the bridge. Flooding The draft report on the operation of the structure during Christmas 2013 had been sent to the two consultees for comment. Therewere now enough volunteer flood wardens and training would be arranged. Signs Heritage Signs had quoted £1,265 for an old style Invicta topped sign. KCC could contribute £100. Itwas agreed to order two. Defibrillators The Vicar’s Picnic had donated £800 and supportwas offered by Friends of Yalding Surgery. The phone box would be an ideal site butwas not available as itwas required for emergency calls. Broadband The service from Callflowwas appalling. This would be pursued urgently. Yuletide market Insurance had been taken out to cover costs in the event of total cancellation due to extremeweather. This reduced the need to retain a substantial contingency fund. The parish council would be given £2,000 towards new LED Christmas lights. Charges for local arts and crafts stallholders, charities and farmers’ market stalls would be reduced to £20, but the stallholders from outside the area would still pay £50, and £75 if providing hot food. The last two decisionswere in response to concerns that more local stallholders should be aracted back to the market and to provide more street entertainment. The budget for street entertainers would be increased. Verges The verges along Vicarage Road were starting to erode. These and others would be checked and a rolling plan to reinstate verges may need to be added to the following year’s budget. Memorial Historic England had wrien to say it intended to make the Yaldingwar memorial a listed monument. Councillors agreed that thiswas acceptable. Camping CllrWilliam Bird reported there had been illegal camping on The Lees and offered to monitor this. The chairman said the police should be called as necessary.


Maidstone South August 2015 43


Parish Councils


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56