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on the role with Maidstone Council. She would be invited to a full council meeting. Southons FieldA request had been received for the use of the field in 2016 for the renewal of vows. Councillors agreed to the event and as the hirer did not wish exclusive use of the field, there would be no charge. Lines When the B2079was resurfaced, part of the single yellow line had not been replaced outside the Vestry
hall.The clerk was asked to contact Kent Highway Services to rectify.
Nelestead
Chatterbox The Christmas fayre, which was also a fundraising event,was verywell attended. Village hall Quotes for removal of the CCTV electrics for £75 and removal of the mast and repair to the brickwork for £200 were accepted. Field The grounds maintenance specification for 2016 for the King George V fieldwas discussed and the number of cutswas amended. Three companies would be asked to quote for the contract. Highways and footpaths Two new footpath signs had been installed. The owner of Old School House had been contacted regarding the hedge. Finance Itwas agreed to increase the precept for by 8.5% from £13,769.19 to £14,939.58 and to also increase the grounds maintenance budget by £500
Staplehurst
Fishers Farm Councillors discussed the proposed 185-home development and raised many concerns including design, housing mix, transport, drainage and community contributions. The council recommended refusal of the application and requested it be referred to Maidstone Council’s planning committee. Budget The parish precept for 2016/17 was set at £126,700, equating to £55 per annum for a band D property, an increase of 2p. Caretaker The caretakerwas undertaking weekly litter collections and inspections. Transport Southeastern would be asked when it would be installing a community noticeboard at the station. Recent service failures had been reported to Arriva. Bell Lane toilets The parish council agreed to enter into the new lease proposed by Maidstone Council, noting it would expire in 2028 but that the parish could give six months notice of early termination. Knoxbridge highway project The parish council allocated £1,000 towards the cost of proposed gateway and 50mph speed limit measures on the A229. Frittenden Parish Council had been asked for a similar contribution. The remaining balance of up to the £5,000 would come from KCC Cllr Eric Hotson’s member’s fund.
Suon Valence
Water slideA presentation was given by Lyndon Davies and John Starnes on behalf of QHOF about a proposed village fun day, involving a giant water slide, in mid-July. Councillors heard the event would raise some money for charity and an approach about parking at the school had already been made. The fun day would include stalls and events. The parish council gave
its support. Web question Members agreed itwas not necessary to record their meetings, to share on the web – at the present time. The issue was discussed following the news that this is being done by Harrietsham parish council. Parish clinic The public are able to attend a parish clinic at the parish office every Thursday from 11am-3pm as part of a three-month trial, from December, agreed by councillors. Housing pledge The parish council agreed to offer up to £250 to KALC towards an independent report into the ‘housing need’ suggested in Maidstone Council’s local plan. Members also accepted Leeds parish council’s call for support for a Leeds/Langley relief road. Councillors said that while they accepted the need for a relief road, they do not support the idea of further development to fund it. Play area The clerk had ordered a replacement for the deteriorating strap on the toddlers’ swing and asked the contractor to cut back the trees. Walking bus The clerkwas asked to write to KCC regarding a plan by the primary school for a “walking bus” from the village hall in the morning, urging the head teacher to first consider using KCC land. CrimeA carwas stolen from North Street and another from the High Street, while a motorist made off from Braemar Service Station without paying. Caretaker The appointment of Andrew Usher as caretaker/cleaner of the pavilion was agreed by councillors in January. They heard Mr Usher is willing to undertake minor repairs. Allotments Members heard in January that several allotmentswere broken into at Bowhalls and some poultry was stolen. Theywere also informed that notice would be served on an allotment holder at The Harbour with two years’ rent outstanding. Toilet light The clerkwas to arrange for the light outside the public toilets to be fixed, following reports that it was not possible to switch it off.
Ulcombe
Police report Twelve calls had been received during the previous month, including theft from a van, criminal damage and theft of a motorbike. Four arrestswere made at Martins Gardens. Communitywarden Dawn Riach-Brown reported on damage to a resident’s grass at Pye Corner. She had informed the PCSO and advised the resident to report it to the police. Tree works There had been a preservation order on the metasequoia tree in the building plot next to the school. Councillors agreed they would like the order to be restored as the treewas planted by the school 40 years ago to show children how trees looked in the age of the dinosaurs. CCTVAnew camera had been installed on the pavilion. PlaqueAn event had been organised to celebrate the installation of the plaque in the village hall to honour the Tassels. FootpathsAn email from Katie Cullen at KCC had been received regarding the public right ofway next to the school. The developers planned to build on the legal line of the path, which meant theywere able to apply directly to Maidstone Council to divert the footpath under the Town and
Country Planning Act. Maidstone Council would administer the diversion application and KCCwere simply consulted. The clerk would contact Maidstone Council to confirm if a diversion application had been made to ensure the parish council is consulted.
West Farleigh
Police matters There had been one crime reported – the theft of a trailer. Warden Adam McKinleywas introduced as the new communitywarden for East andWest Farleigh, Linton, Hunton and Coxheath. Highways Barriers had been erected by Kent Highway Services on Smiths Hill due to a collapsed drain. Thesewere on the bend where the roadwas narrow and forcing vehicles into oncoming traffic. Therewere nowarning signs and and there had already been one accident and several near misses. PCSO Judges offered to visit the area after the meeting. Ivy Cllr Martin had cleared the ivy which was spreading across the footpath close to the Tickled Trout. Play area Councillorswere thanked for installing the new bench in the play area. The clerk had spoken to Park Leisure who had supplied the roundabout. It had quoted £4,754 to install an inspection hatch to give access to the bearings so they could be greased regularly. Cllr Merritt said there was a design fault and that the company should pay half the cost of installing the access point. The clerk would contact. Coffee There had been a reasonable turnout at the recent coffee morning with the new communitywarden attending. Flytipping There had been a number of flytipping issues inWest Farleigh and the communitywardenwas able to help with reporting these if needed. Budget The precept was set at £17,250, an annual rise of £5.10 per band D household per year.
Transparency code The parish council had been awarded £935 to help with meeting the requirements of the code. This had been to set up the website (clerk’s hours), the purchase of a laptop with the Office package and part of the cost of the printer.
Yalding
Inspections of council landA dead horse was in the field next to The Kintons. Councillorswere concerned and disappointed that no onewas taking any responsibility. Local plan The parish council confirmed it would contribute £1,000 towards hiring a consultant to review the Maidstone Council housing numbers. Neighbourhood plan Feria Urbanism had been appointed andwas preparing a detailed costed fee proposal and an expected timeline of work. Floodwardens Yalding had 32wardens and five co-ordinators and its scheme had been accepted and registered with Kent Resilience Team. Defibrillators Two defibrillatorswere now in place and registered and twowere on order. One had been paid for by the Church Cleaves Fund, with the cabinet purchased by the parish council. The other would be purchased by the parish council with the cabinet funded by the residents of Little Venice.
Maidstone South February 2016 43
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