downsmail.co.uk Broomfield and Kingswood
Police report Two crimeswere reported – theft from a motor vehicle at Gravelly Boom Road and criminal damage in CharlesfordAvenue. Anti-social behaviour reports within the park could not be accessed as they fell under a differentward. The clerkwas asked to write to Anne Barnes, Police and Crime Commissioner, regarding the lack of reporting other local crime issues as had previously been available, and appeared to still be available to other local parishes.
Neighbourhood plan The proposed schedule, leading to a possible referendum in January/Februarywas discussed. The clerkwas asked to contact Designscape and arrange a meeting to discuss the outcomes of the parish public consultation as soon as possible. Sports field Work on the removal of the Levercrest area would commence at the end of
September.Arevised quote for the fencing from Jacksons had been received which had increased the cost of the installation considerably. Councillors agreed to order the fencing from Jacksons but to ask John Baker to install it. The annual safety report had been received but the clerk had been unable to circulate it aswas requested, by email. Therewere many queries as to the accuracy of the reporting for which the clerk was still awaiting replies. The clerk had also requested to be informed when the inspection would take place so that she could aend, but for the third year running, Playdale had not complied. She recommended another company be used in future. CCTVAmeeting had been held with Maidstone Council community support officer regarding temporary installation of CCTV at the sports field. However, a camera could not be supplied due to the lack of an adequate secure electricity
supply.Aquote would be obtained to install the required power supply. Padlock Additional chains and a padlock would be bought for the main gate of the sports field as the chain had been stolen. Handyman There had been three applications for this post. Itwas decided to appoint John Baker. Regulations required, where possible, employment of local tradespeople and the other two applicants did not come from within the parish. Tall Trees The cost to the parish council for the sale of the Tall Trees leased area and to relinquish the lease would be £500 plus disbursements plus Vat for each piece of land. The costs for the purchase of the land were similar. The tenants had offered to pay £3,500 each on the basis that the parish council pay all costs. The clerkwas asked to contact the tenants and inform them that it was now the parish council’s intention to have the land valued as per legal advice and that due to anticipated costs, it would require all costs to be paid by the purchasers.
Detling
Scragged OakActionwas being taken by Kent Highways regarding this junction. Public forumAresident spoke regarding overgrown trees at a property in Princes Way. The clerkwas asked to write to the owner. The issue of overgrown trees at the rear of PrincesWaywas also raised. However, thesewere covered by
46 Maidstone East September 2015 Ramblin’ Man will be back
DEBATE continues about the merits of Maid- stone hosting the Ramblin’ Man Fair but the organiser of the largest rock concert ever staged in the town has already confirmed an- other event for the weekend of July 23-24 2016.
Super Early Bird tickets are already on sale though no specific acts have been confirmed. Among this year’s festival-goers most com- mentswere positive and tickets for 2016 have been bought. Adrian Powell, who camped out over the weekend, described the festival as “well organised and enjoyable [with the] right number of people.” Some residents were not so positive and Maidstone Council confirmed it had received 25 formal complaints, a few of which came from residents of Audley House, which had the sound system from the main stage pointed in its direction. Philip Urquhart, village manager of Audley
Mote House, said: “We are aware of some Au- dleyMote House owners raising concerns re- garding the level of noise and light disturbance that carried on until11pm…as a management company we also contacted the council on their behalf.” Maidstone Council’s reply to the com-
plaints said: “The environmental enforcement team along with an independent acoustic en- gineer monitored the sound levels through- out the event. Although the music was audible in some areas around the park, the
preservation orders. Itwas agreed that the parish council would write to the owner, stating that it would support an application to have these cut back. NeighbourhoodWatch Clr John Clayton spoke regarding the need to have an active NeighbourhoodWatch scheme within Detling and to have details of police contacts published for residents’ information. The clerk would liaise with PCSO Megan Day regarding an article for the Detling News. Grants Cllr Kennardwas looking into possible grants for a community shop. Dogs Concernwas raised regarding the dog mess on the Old School playing field. The issue would be placed on the next agenda for further discussion. Monks Meadow The fence had been repaired by John Monk. The chairman noted that the poppy seeds distributed around the parish had grownwell at Monks Meadow. Wildlife KentWildlife Trust had undertaken a survey at the Scragged Oak viewpoint. Showground traffic Cllr Evernden raised concerns regarding the traffic problems at the Elton John concert at the showground, stating the traffic had been backed up on the A249 for hours. He raised concerns about the traffic management of the event and future
events.Ameetingwas being arranged by the showground management. Itwas agreed the clerk would liaise with KCC Cllr Jenny While and borough Cllr Nick de Wiggondene regarding this maer.
Downswood
County report KCC Cllr Gary Cooke confirmed that the road markings at the junctions of Deringwood Drive and minor roads would be repainted. Assuranceswere
There were few complaints from those who attended the Rambin’ Man Festival
sound levels set in the license were not breached at any point during the event.” It has promised to monitor this issue in future and to ensure the emergency hotline for noise complaints extends to an out-of-hours service in 2016. Sainsbury’s near the site saw a sales boost
from festival-goers, while the Eden Café in central Maidstone saw extra breakfast busi- ness on the Saturday from campers at the festival who had endured a wet night. HMV in town confirmed increased sales of CDs of some acts who had appeared. Liz Marks, of Downswood said: “The noise
was extraordinary and relentless…wemay as well have been right in the park for the vol- ume we had both days, well in to the night. I had many friends say the same.”
given that liaison with Arriva and KCC transport departmentwas taking place daily to avoid disruption of the bus service during the planned road works. Play area Foxden Drive play areawas due for completion by September
1.Aquote had been received for £320 for leylandii pruning. LenValley Derek Doyle, liaison officer of Len Valley Preservation and Angling Society (LVPAS), gave an update on the current status of the society now that therewas a new commiee. Various issueswere discussed and a joint meetingwas arranged. Defibrillator Installation costs of £545 plus electrician’s fee and purchase of children’s padswere agreed. Therewas likely to be a further cost for a key pad as itwas agreed to purchase a lockable cabinet. Garden competition In addition to winners’ prizes supplied by the parish council, Rumwood Garden Centre would supply £10 vouchers for three highly-commended gardens. Pictures of the winning gardens would be published on the parish council and Rumwoodwebsites. Prizes would be presented at the Christmas event. Fete The Downswood Community Association fetewas successful. Money taken at parish council stallswas passed to the association. Spires Medical Centre Borough Cllr Gordon Newton and the chairman had aended a meeting with GP Dr Singh. Despite lengthy discussion, it seems that the centre, owned by Dr Singh,was to close, although the parish council had yet to receive official notification. The desination of section 106 money set aside for Downswood Surgerywas to be investigated, aswell as GP practices in Maidstone town aainable via bus and willing to register patients from
Downswood.Aleer would be sent to the
Parish Councils
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