downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst
Police briefing Matthew Adlington had taken over as PCSO for Bredhurst. Two crimeswere reported during the previous month – an affray at The Bell and attempted burglary at a dwelling in Dunn Street. Woodland clearanceAletter had been sent to owners of land behind Green Court about woodland clearance. Councillors hadmet with the landowners and a follow-up letter would be sent regarding an ecology survey. Co-opted David Haleswas co-opted onto the parish council. Therewere still vacancies and anyone interested should contact the clerk on
clerk@bredhurstpc.co.uk. Equine crossing The location of the signage in Dunn Street Road had been agreed with Kent Highway Services – near The Nursery sign and before the bend on the approach to the village. Safety concerns The vice-chairman Cllr Nichola Carr had metwith Kent Highway Services and discussed problems during recent road closures caused by cars trying to access Dunn Street Road from The Cut, which is a blind junction. They stated itwas a health and safety issue and proposed three options – amirror on the far side of the road opposite The Cut, close the road, or intro- duce a one-way system. Councillors voted for a one-way system. The clerk would in- form residents in The Cut and ask for their comments. KHS would apply for possible funding for the work. Drains Several drainswere blocked in Hurstwood Road, near to St Peter’s. The chairman Cllr Vanessa Joneswas liaising with KHS which had stated it would be cleared in 28 days. Tree audit Maidstone Councilwas ap- proached for more tree preservation orders to be granted but would only act if there was evidence of a specific threat to particu- lar
trees.Aquotewas being sought for a full tree audit in the village. Dogwaste Dogwaste binswere scheduled for emptying onWednesdays. Residents should notify the clerk if binswere not emp- tied on time. Itwas suggested that Maid- stone Council be requested to repaint/replace the generalwaste bins to in- dicate dogwaste may be placed in any bin as the authority collects dogwaste alongside generalwaste. BroadbandAsuper-fast broadband connec- tion had been installed andwas available in some parts of the village.Availability could be checked on
www.DSLchecker.bt.com.
Broomfield and Kingswood
Co-option Annee Friend had expressed an interest in becoming a parish councillor having aended three parish council meetings. Shewas co-opted onto the council. Borough report Boroughward Cllr Gill Fort said Jon Lawrence, Maidstone Council planning officer, had reported to her that the Oaklands, Gravelly Boom Road, Kingswood planning application, which was 18 months old,was due to be determined by Maidstone Council. Policing Three crimes had been reported: burglary in Elder Close, criminal damage in Cayser Drive, and theft by finding in Chartway Street. Nuisance youths had been reported in CayserDrive. PCSO Thomas Maybank also reported that, having been given a part of a registration number of a youth suspected of causing problems at the
58 Maidstone East November 2015
sports field, he located the youth, whowas issued with a section 59 notice. The PCSO also spoke to the parents whowere advised that should this person come to the police’s aention again his bike could be scrapped. Apolice contact point would be coming to Kingswood. Operation Innovate, where numerous police officers move into one location at the same time, would also be coming to Kingswood. Sports field Thememorial bench had been erected.However, permission to erect a plaque with the previously agreed wording and to plant some bulbs around the seat areawas now being sought. Councillors agreed the plaque could be erected subject to the agreement of the other family member. However, they felt that the planting of bulbs would impinge on maintenance and therefore did notwant them to be planted. The dismantling of the Levercrest play area and the installation of the new play equipmentwas scheduled for theweek commencing October 5, with the new fencing due to be installed in the followingweek. The quote received for the erection of a columnwhich would have an electricity supply enabling the use of CCTV cameraswas very reasonable. Councillors requested CCTV cameras to be an agenda item at the next meeting. Defibrillator The clerk had spoken to the owner of the village shop in Charlesford Avenue whowas happy to have a defibrillator installed at the front of the shop as itwas for the community’s benefit. Having made enquiries it appeared that the parish councilwas one of very few that did not have access to a defibrillator. Itwas agreed that the parish council should finance the supply and installation of a defibrillator and the clerkwas requested to obtain costs. SpeedWatch The SpeedWatch co-ordinator at Ulcombe had suggested that the two parishes combine in an application for funding of equipment. Volunteers would be trained by Kent Police, who would also have to approve the routes to be monitored. The clerk had emailed this information via the parish contact list but only one person had expressed an interest and two councillors had agreed to participate occasionally. More volunteers would be needed.
Detling
Bins Rubbish bins in the parishwere still not being emptied by the borough council. The clerk would liaisewith Maidstone Council andward Cllr Nick deWiggondene to resolve this. Ash dieback John Monk reported that the infected trees had now been removed from Monks Meadow. Declaration Cllr Preston signed her declara- tion of acceptance of office and took her place at the council table. Vacancy No applications had been received for the parish councillor vacancy and itwas agreed that this should be advertised in the Detling News until the vacancywas filled. Borough report Cllr deWiggondene re- ported that therewere no large planning ap- plications in the Detling area at present. Public forumAresident spoke regarding the overgrown vegetation along Princes Way at 8 The Street. The clerkwas asked to liaisewith Kent Highway Services on this.A resident stated thatHorish Woodwas now being used by professional dogwalkers,
exercising eight to 12 dogs at a time. This was discussed and itwas agreed that the woodwas a public open space and no further action could be taken. Whippets Bags of rubbishwere being left at the rubbish bins in Hockers Lane by people organising the whippet racing in Detling. The clerk would liaise with the landowner about this. Highways The chairman circulated plans for alterations and signs at the junction of the A249. He stated that any options would be subject to a public consultation period. The proposalswere to place signs through- out the village and at the top of junction with the A249 for access only. This would need a traffic prohibition order to change the signs. Two options put forward by Kent Highways were considered by members. KCC Cllr Jenny Whittle could part fund the scheme and had asked if the parish council could put some finance towards it. Itwas therefore agreed in principle that the parish council preferred option one and would consider a contribution towards the costs. This would exclude the consultation costs. Scragged Oak Road The junctionwas still being looked into by Kent Highway Services. Cllr Whittle would be asked for a progress report. White lines Cllr Kennard raised concerns regarding the white lining in The Street. These needed to be repainted as some vehi- cleswere using all of the road to turn into Hockers Lane and thiswas dangerous. Cllr Housden would liaisewith Cllr Whittle on this.
HorishWood Cllr Evernden spoke regard- ing the reinstatement of the woodland by South EastWater andwas currently negoti- ating timescales with the contractor. Old School playing field John Monk had not progressed the wooden goalposts as the childrenwere using cones instead. Monks Meadow Itwas requested that the manhole cover at the entrance of Monks Meadow be changed to a solid cover. Village community shop The steering com- mittee had heldweekly meetings. Three siteswere being considered and start-up costswere being investigated.
Downswood
Public forum Grave concernswere raised regarding the recent closure of the Spires Medical Centre. Police report There had been a theft from a vehicle in GorhamDrive, but no anti-social behaviour
calls.An incident in Mallards open space had been a case of mistaken identity. PCSO Timon Gurr said that most of the youths who gathered in the car park be- hind the shopswere “normally very keen not to cause any trouble” and tended to use the area as ameeting place. Vacancy Paul Eadywas co-opted to fill the vacancy on the parish council. County report KCC Cllr Gary Cookewas pleased that it proved possible to keep the bus service going. TheWillington Street workswere completed early and the entrance toDeringwood Drive had been greatly improved. Some road markings had been reinstated, others would follow. Spires Medical Centre The closure of the centrewas discussed. Concernswere reiter- ated including the difficulty in changing to a new surgery, the lack of public transport and the hilly terrain.Apublic meetingwas
Parish Councils
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