downsmail.co.uk Chart Suon


Crime update Communitywarden Liz Lovatt advised that doorstep callers, claiming to be ex-servicemen, had been reported. Shewas also considering joining the warden at Coxheath to run a community alcohol project. Caretaking Members discussed the Parish Caretaker Scheme, but noted Boughton Monchelseawas not interested in taking part and Langley had concerns about finding enough work for a caretaker. Councillors decided not to progress but would contact Sutton Valence council to see if it would have an interest. The clerk was asked to contact Highways to see if the parish council could claim back costs if it undertook roadwork in the parish. Play areaA sample of the Ecobound recycled rubber play surface would be obtained. Efforts would be made to see where it was used locally so that councillors could see it in-situ; further investigations would be made to determine the cost and requirements of its maintenance. Computer repair Councillors agreed to pay TimWaring £50 for fixing the parish computer. Spring clean Councillors will hold a village clean-up on Saturday March 5 to coincide with the Clean for the Queen project, marking HRH’s 90th birthday in April. Anyone wishing to help should meet at the village hall car park at 10am. Defibrillator Members have written a cheque to cover the cost of a defibrillator, of £935, plus vat, and a cabinet, with alarm and heater, for £435, plus vat. Lighting Councillors have agreed to pay £31.70, plus vat, for a set of Christmas lights for the tree on the village green. Helping hand The chairman reported that six people had received financial help amounting to £360 from the Joan Johnson Trust. Anyone wishing to nominate a person in need from Chart Sutton is invited to contact the trustees. Peas Place Cllr R Jull reported that he had attended the borough planning meeting to complain about the plan for Green Lane. It was felt the application had been approved by the planning committee without due regard to some Government policies. However, the planning committee had made it a condition that the caravan should be re-sited within three months, to make it less visible. Shop open Cllr CWebb advised that the ShopAGM will be on April 4 and that a new cabin should be in place in May, with a grand re-opening planned. Fly tipping Concernwas expressed by Cllr SWaring over the dumping of rubbish in Norton Road and Church Road and the time taken by the borough council to clear it. Itwas noted that the litter problem in the village seemed to be getting worse. The councillor had re-edged the path and tidied the area in front of the noticeboard opposite Lilypie and cut back the hedge on the village green between the shop and the garage. Meetings The parish council next meets on Monday March 14 at Chart Sutton Village Hall. Yasmin Gordine, the borough council’s new parish liaison officer, will attend the council meeting on May 9, and CPRE Kent has agreed to give a presentation at the annual parish meeting.


42 Maidstone South February 2016 East Farleigh


Police report PCSO Matthew Judges reported there had been criminal damage (fence cut) in Gallants Lane; attempted burglary (non dwelling) in Forge Lane; non dwelling burglary inWilsons Lane; a burglary and theft of awater butt, both in Forge Lane. Budget Council approved the final budget for the next financial year. The precept would be increased by £7,652 on the current financial year, representing an increase of £10.65 on the band D charge. Highways The signs and road markings for the new 30mph speed limit on Lower Road from the border withWest Farleigh to the foot of Gallants Lane had now been installed, following the campaign by St Helen’s Montessori and a group fromWest Farleigh with support of the parish council. The limit on Lower Road inWest Farleigh had also been reduced to 40mph. Bridge working party The council explained the feasibility study and the fact that it had been halted until council had confirmation from network rail that using traffic lights at this location to control traffic flowwas orwasn’t feasible. There was also concern about the safety of the current lights and the act that they show green both ways. The council would continue to pursue these issues. Maintenance Council had received a quotation from Maidstone Signs for further work on the village signs and agreed to ask the firm to go ahead with replacing the sign at the bridge (£1,226.80 plus VAT), carrying out maintenance on the one at the Heath Road end of Dean Street (£640.75 plus VAT) and to carry out an annual clean and inspection of all five (£360 plus VAT). Play areas The councilwas still awaiting a quote for remedial work to the play areas, but there was some discussion as to how much the Gallants Lane onewas used, and the difficulties council faced in carrying out weekly inspections. Itwas agreed to make the play areas an agenda item for the February meeting. Meanwhile, council would value some feedback on the use of the Gallants Lane play area in particular. If you feel strongly that this area should or should not be retained, please send your feedback to Sarah O’Callaghan, the clerk, at eastfarleighpc@googlemail.com.


East Suon


Near miss Following a report of a near miss on the country lanes, the clerk would write to Goathams,Winterwood and Oakdene Farms regarding their workers walking in unlit country lanes in dark clothing.


Neighbourhood plan The clerk would draft a letter to the parishioners on the principle of completing a neighbourhood plan. Highways The sign at the top of Charlton Lane had been hit and needed re-setting. Potholeswere reported in East Sutton Road, Heniker lane and Brick Kiln Lane. Play area report The surfacewas very thin with holes in the Tarmac.


Langley


Co-option Maidstone Council had confirmed that following the resignation of Cllr Palmese, the vacancy could be filled by


co-option. HighwaysA meeting with Kent Highway Serviceswas still pending due to awaiting a replacement for steward Gemma Catt, whowas taking maternity leave. Green LaneA meeting with DHA planning consultantswas to be considered regarding land at Green Lane. Planning The council agreed in principle to part fund up to £1,000, along with other Maidstone parishes, a report to be written by Kent Association of Local Councils (Kalc) on housing numbers. Finance Itwas resolved to have a precept for 2016/17 of £17,340.04. Combined with the LCTS grant of £1,274, the parish would receive total funding of £18,614.04, an increase of £115.37. There would be no change in the parish element of the council tax for each resident. Parish caretaker Les Apps, who emptied the litter bins eachweek in the village, had resigned. Itwas agreed to contact Maidstone Council to seek a quote. An email had been received from Chart Sutton Parish Council regarding setting up a parish caretaker scheme.


Loose


SouthernWater Itwas reported by a member of the public that the area had been looked at by SouthernWater with a camera and that tree roots could be causing sewerage problems. The clerkwas asked to write to SouthernWater requesting two updates: what had been planned for updating the pumping station and when, and what had been done to eradicate bad odours from the pumping station? Footpath KM52 Colin Finch of KCC public rights ofway was considering revealing the 1952 historic path surface. Loose Amenities Association had rejected this and the chairman had wrien to Mr Finch stating that the association did not give consent for contractors to enter its land. Stonewas already visible and the vegetationwas not intrusive on the path, whichwas just over 6ft wide in places. The path was within a conservation area and any removal of hedging would require planning permission. This areawas important for wildlife and migratory routes for small mammals. An online petition with 187 signatures had been raised. Itwas agreed to place the maer on the next agenda. Emails The main email address had changed to: office@loose-pc.gov.uk. All old addressed emailswere being redirected to the new address. New email addresses had been set up for the clerk on: clerk@loose- pc.gov.uk and deputy clerk on: deputy@loose-pc.gov.uk.


Marden


Roof Work on Marden Memorial Hall roof was completed and final invoices awaited. Police report Five crimeswere reported in the past month: two thefts, two thefts from motor vehicles and one criminal damage. Police had received a call about youths climbing over the hockey pitch fence, switching on floodlights and playing football at 2am. Neighbours had been advised to ring 101 so the police could attend and establish who the culpritswere. Reportswere also received of a motocross bike on the playing field. Liaison officer Yasmine Gordine had taken


Parish Councils


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