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alsowent to South EastWater, who not only supported this event, but also Holmesdale College in its project for equipment for care and design for the sta- tion garden, through the company’s Com- munity Chest fund.
Troiscliffe
Defibrillator An awareness session for parishioners and visitorswas being organ- ised to show how a defibrillator can save lives. Dog bin The chairman explained that the parish council, as an elected body,was within its rights to locate the dogwaste bin at its current site in Pinesfield Lane with- out the need for consultation. However, having heard the comments from con- cerned residents, members had agreed to meet officers from Tonbridge and Malling Council and residents to discuss the siting. The borough council offered to relocate the bin, free of charge. Alternative siteswere discussed. Itwas resolved that members would consider and report back at the next meeting with ideas for an alternative loca- tion and that the bin would stay where it was until another sitewas agreed. Banking The Nationwide accounts had been closed and all funds transferred to new NatWest community accounts. Nationwide had given the parish council a £250 compensation payment for the incon- venience experienced. Grass mowing contract Itwas agreed that £3,000 for the grass cutting and £500 for the hedge cutting should be included in the 2016/17 budget. Budget 2016/17 Members considered the draft budget prepared by the clerk. Itwas agreed that at least £5,000 needed to be al- located to repairing the playground equip- ment and that such expenditure could be ongoing. Given that the forecasted expen- diture for 2016/15 was in excess of £20,000, members discussed the implications of an increase in the precept. Itwas resolved that the precept should be £13,000 excluding the council tax support grant of £332. This would mean an estimated increase for a band D property in Trottiscliffe of £5.65 from £43.77 to £49.42. Public sessionA member of the public stated support for the parish council carry-
ing out some consultation in the prepara- tion of a parish plan. Concernwas ex- pressed about the condition of the hedges in Green Lane. Traffic on pavement Memberswere de- lighted to hear that KCC Cllr Sarah Hohler had agreed to fund the feasibility study for a proposal to install priority signs in Tay- lors Lane, and if deemed acceptable to all consultees, to pay for two priority signs. Memberswere also pleased to hear that Cllr Hohler had offered to fund the statu- tory process and the installation of two new 30mph signs to progress a proposal to reduce the speed limit from the A227 Vigo crossroads to the start of the 20mph zone in Taylors Lane. Village sign The village sign formerly lo- cated at the duck pondwas being refur- bished.A new location next to the fingerpost on the village green opposite The George Inn had been approved. PlaygroundA quote of £2,310was agreed from Ludus Leisure Ltd for repairs. Fur- ther works would be required and some al- lowance had been made for this in the budget for 2016/17. The damaged fence panel around the play area had been made safe and would be repaired shortly.
Wateringbury
Co-option Catherine Morland of Red Hill was co-opted to serve on the parish coun- cil.
Allotments While most allotmentswere in good order, a fewwere not, so there would be an inspection before renewalswere of- fered in March. Police matters Crimes reported included: attempted theft of power cable from a gen- erator near the crossroads, owned by UK Power Networks; theft of parts of a stable being constructed in a field in Fields lane; theft of a packet of pasta worth £2 from a store in Bow Street; theft of tools from a works vehicle parked overnight on a drive- way in Glebe Meadow; theft of two phones and two work cameras from contractors working on the roof at the school. Defibrillator It transpired that the defibril- lator to be installed on the outside of the village hall needed to be connected to elec- tricity so a power point would need to be installed. The village hall trusteeswere to
obtain an estimate from their electrical con- tractor. The annual cost of the electricity would be about £10. Fly-tipping Itwas reported that on three occasions in recentweeks quantities of household items had been placed on the pavement close to the traffic lights in Red Hill. Itwas decided to report this to the vil- lage PCSO as anti-social behaviour. Overhanging vegetation The clerkwas in- structed to write to KCC asking them to deal with the dangers of overhanging vege- tation on Tonbridge Road, Bow Road and Red Hill. All householderswere asked to cut back overhanging branches from their boundaries. Planning The chairman announced the clo- sure of Greensted Care Home. Itwas not known when the planning application for the replacement of the present building with 55 supported housing units would be considered by Tonbridge and Malling planning committee. The council had no objection to the application for a lawful de- velopment certificate for existing stables and garage for the keeping of four horses and two cars at land next to Lyn Glen, 70 Teston Road. Provided the public footpath was not restricted at any time, the council had no objection to the application and op- eration of a ground-mounted solar PV array with associated substation and access track near Mereworth Business Centre, Danns Lane. Sports and recreational association The re- furbishment of 7,000sqm of the fieldswas going to plan. It would be rolled shortly and then the rest of the sports area would be fertilised. Further incidents of petty van- dalism had taken place. Future village fetes would be organised by an independent committee and not the association. Arrangements for next year’s fete on Sun- day, June 5werewell in hand. Traffic pollutionA meeting had been arranged with Jane Heeley, Tonbridge and Malling Council’s chief environmental offi- cer to discuss the longstanding problem of pollution caused by traffic queuing for the lights at the crossroads. It had been known for some years that the air pollution in the villagewas among the worst in Kent and it was feared the problem could only worsen, given future housing developments, if no actionswere taken.
Council refuses to help fund path
A NEW riverside path from Allington looks unlikely to re- ceive any financial support from Tonbridge and Malling Council. The 10.5km path, which would
run between Allington Lock and Barming Bridge, is being backed fi- nancially by both KCC and Maid- stone Council, which have asked Tonbridge and Malling Council for £300,000 to extend it to Aylesford Station. But as the Downs Mail went to
press, council officers in Malling said well-publicised funding cuts meant they were unable to recom- mend offering any financial help. A report due to be heard by
Malling’s finance committee notes the county council’s progress with the plan for the tow path and the £2m investment secured, and an in- dication from Maidstone Council of funding of up to £500,000. The report goes on: “Whilst it is recognised that the proposal would be desirable in terms of improving access along the riverside, it does not meet the council’s priorities or stated criteria for capital funding, and no developer contributions are either available or forthcoming. “A contribution of £300,000
would be in excess of the council’s entire annual allowance for fund- ing new schemes and could bring
forward the date when the council would have to borrow to fund cap- ital plan schemes, which, based on current projections, is likely to be the case from 2019/20. As a result it is felt that the proposal from KCC cannot be supported.” The path, which is intended to encourage more people to cycle or walk, will stretch into Maidstone, passing Fant, the Gallagher Sta- dium and on to Tovil with a pro- posed cycle hub at Lockmeadow. WhileKCChopes the path could
be completed this year, the impact of Tonbridge and Malling Coun- cil’s decision will need to be con- sidered.
For more local news
www.downsmail.co.uk Gifts can
help hospice WONDERING what to do with those unwanted Christ- mas gifts? The Heart of Kent Hospice would be very grate- ful for any donations. The charity welcomes all items, from chocolates and toiletries to bottles of wine which can be used as raffle prizes or sold in its shops. Donations should be marked “Re-gifted” and dropped in to a hospice’s shop or reception at Preston Hall, Aylesford between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday. For details of loca- tions go to
www.hokh.org.
Malling January 2016 43
Parish Councils
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