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CHAIRMAN: Ivor Davies CLERK: Pauline BowderyASST CLERK: Melanie Fooks Parish Office, Beechen Hall,Wildfell Close,Walderslade, ME5 9RU


Tel: 01634 861237 email: clerk@boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Website: www.boxleyparishcouncil.org.uk Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained fromthe parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website


Homes refusal is overturned


BOXLEY parish councillors were disappointed that the planning in- spector’s decision had gone against Maidstone Council’s refusal to allow the revised application for 89 homes in open country south of Gleaming Wood Drive, Lordswood. Borough CllrWendy Hinder and


parish clerk Pauline Bowdery pre- sented the views of residents and the parish council at the three-day in- quiry in October, stressing the im- portance of the Ancient Woodland and the detrimental effect of adding more vehicles to an already bad traf- fic situation. The inspector acknowledged there


would be a local impact, but the ben- efits “significantly and demonstra- bly outweigh the disadvantages”. The proposed access to the site is on Gleaming Wood Drive between the junction with Timber Tops and the parish noticeboard.


Vacant seat


THEparish council is advertising its intention to fill the vacant seat in its NorthWard by co-option. Residents interested in standing, especially from the northern end of the parish, are invited to apply in writing by January 11. The clerk will however use her discretion, eg,in case of late delivery of the Downs Mail, to ac- cept applications after this date. Candidates will be invited to the


parish council meeting on Monday, January 25 where they can speak for up to three minutes about them- selves.The appointment will then be made by a majority decision of the members. Contact the parish office for fur- ther details and an information pack.


Road flooding BOROUGH CllrWendy Hinder re- ported having raised concerns about road flooding problems in the Box- ley Road area. She had been in- formed by the KCC drainage team that the problem was caused by leaves and would be dealt with.


Next meeting THE next meeting of the parish council will be at Beechen Hall, Wildfell Close, Walderslade at 7.30pm on Monday, January 25. Members of the public arewelcome to attend.


30 Maidstone East January 2016 Park and ride site plan


A PROPOSED development on part of the park and ride site at Eclipse Park will shortly be the subject of a pre-planning applica- tion presentation by the Gallagher Group to a public meeting of the parish council’s environment committee. CllrWendy Hinder, chairman of


the committee, said: “We always welcome pre-application discus- sions and, where appropriate,


arrange a special meeting in the lo- cality so that residents can hear what is being planned.” As the parish council’s procedure


for considering pre-application in- formation states that no decision may be made by members until they receive the formal application and actual plans from Maidstone Council, no decision will be made at this meeting. Members will how- ever be able to make general com-


Be a friend to preserve park


VINTERS ValleyNature Reserve iswell used by dog walkers and bird lovers, but theymay not realise just howmuch it costs to maintain it. VVNR is a charity run by its trustees and volunteers and relies on the


support of local people and a grant from the parish council. Often de- scribed as a green gem, its fi- nancial future would be secured if everyone who regu- larly uses it became a Friend or made a small donation. External grant applications


generally require specific proj- ects to be identified, but the trustees need to fund the day to day work, minor repairs and all the small jobs that arise from general wear and tear. If you feel you can support this lovely reserve, the VVNR website at www.vintersvalley.co.uk contains details of how you can help. The trustees would like to thank the children, their parents and their sponsors who took part in the Walk4Wildlife event and especially for the money raised. VVNR would love to hear from anyone who has fund rais- ing skills who would be willing to give a little of their time or who could help in fundraising.


Community grants agreed


THE parish council continues to support local organisations with their aims and objectives. At a recent meeting, grants were agreed to the Friends of Boxley Church towards the cost of public liability insurance for public events, the Friends of BoxleyWarren to un- dertake specific environment work on the North Downs and, in princi- ple, toVintersValley Trust to repair or replace its flail mower. Other grant requests currently


under consideration are to Sandling Village Hall towards the cost of re- placement flooring and toAge Con-


cern for equipment for use in the parish hall. Chairman Ivor Davies said: “I can


think of no better way to invest in the community and Boxley’s natu- ral environment than by financially supporting the very many volun- teers and local organisations that do so much. We also readily support local organisations seeking the match-funding often required when making an application for an external grant.” Get details of how to obtain a


grant on the council’s website or from the parish office.


ments and identify conditions that they may wish to see included in the full planning application. The meeting, which will be open


to the public, starts at 7pm on Mon- day, January 18 at St John’s School, Provender Way. There will be an opportunity for parish councillors to hear the views of their parish- ioners and, if time permits, the wider community, although prior- ity will be given to the former.


Council is workingwell


THE parish council has completed its annual review of its manage- ment practices and working meth- ods. In her latest assessment of how


the council performs, parish clerk Pauline Bowdery said: “Overall, the parish council and its commit- tees are still working verywell with effective and efficient policies and procedures, members are respect- ful of each other’s and the public’s views and remain open to sugges- tions for change.” Chairman Ivor Davies shared the


clerk’s view that the parish council functionedwell, adding: “We must not be complacent, there is always room for improvement.” He expressed thanks to members


for their professional competence and to the parish office staff for their exceptional service and dili- gence. In the light of the review’s find-


ings, members agreed to put on record that the council considers its decisions are made in an open and accountableway. This enables the public to moni-


tor its work, understand how each decision is reached, recognise that the council is acting legally, fairly and in the interest of the commu- nity at large and demonstrates that the council is always seeking ways to improve its service to the com- munity. The parish council also consid-


ered its vision and business plan, which is reviewed every two years, and agreed that it was still fit for purpose.


WISHINGALL RESIDENTS OF THE PARISHAVERY HAPPY 2016


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