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Police matters A house in The Clearway, Addington had been broken into and a garage was broken into in Woodgate Road. Award Members nominated Cllr Patricia Garrett for the Kent Association of Local Councils community awards scheme 2016 for her services to the community. Budget The total allocation for section 136 funding for 2016/17 was £3,290, including £925 for the maintenance of the churchyard.A total estimated expenditure of £27,530, including £5,000 for community projects, was agreed. It was resolved that the precept for 2016/17 should be £19,571.98 including the council tax support grant of £645.Any shortfall would be met from reserves. This would be the ninth year that the council resolved not to increase the precept. Public sessionA member of the public expressed concern about the current external lighting at Humphries and Parks and referred to informatives and conditions of previous planning permissions and a previous refusal for the site. They considered that the level of current lighting was wholly incompatible with a rural location and requested that the parish council asked borough planning enforcement officers to research the planning history of the site in line with related planning policies and take appropriate action. A member of the public expressed dismay about the activities that had recently taken place at the Scarbutts site on the A20.A removals firm had been using the site which had been reported to enforcement officers.A concrete garage had since been turned into an office and in the past week a number of trees adjacent to the site had been felled. They feared that this area would be surfaced and turned into further parking and requested that the clerk reported these concerns to enforcement officers. Humphries and Parks Planning enforcement officers had investigated and said that a breach of planning control had not occurred. The clerk was asked to challenge this decision, quoting the planning information supplied by the member of the public. Woodgate Road KCC was continuing to investigate possible problems with drains in the area near The Paddocks where the road kept flooding. Jet Garage One of its signs was regularly blocking the footpath on the south side of the A20.


Stubblesdown The clerk had reported the missing posts and damaged verge to the highways steward and was awaiting a response. Two cars had been seen for sale in recent weeks. Village hall Members discussed the serious fire in the village hall car park on December 31 when two caravans caught light. Cllr Peter Robinson played an enormous part in assisting and offering hospitality to the shocked members of the Caravan Club. Councillors thanked him for everything he had done. The event had highlighted a few areas of concern which would be considered in a complete review of the emergency plan. Open spaces The clerk was asked to find out from Tonbridge and Malling Council how the parish council could try to protect


32 Malling February 2016


both the trees and the heritage in Addington. Ideally, members would like to start a programme of identifying trees that should have preservation orders, Incidents such as the recent felling of trees in woodland near Scarbutts on London Road were of concern. It was also suggested that the clerk approach Kent Men of Trees for advice. East Street North One of the oak saplings had disappeared.


Aylesford


Lighting KCC had provided details of additional work it required to be done on YorkAvenue and Victoria Road before adoption could be carried out. The clerk was in detailed discussions with Streetlights Ltd about works required to parish-owned lighting, the drawing up of a detailed schedule and future maintenance. Eccles memorial clock Urgent electrical work was authorised at a cost of £1,600. Rogue emails The clerk reported some members receiving emails purporting to come from the council’s old address and/or from previous clerks and members. He asked members to ensure they delete these without opening and only respond to emails from the council’s current addresses. Blue Bell Hill The milestone was still with the contractor. Work had been delayed due to an injury to the stonemason. Aylesford village square There was a successful visit to Gallagher’s to view street furniture alternatives.A rustic style with a low-level table was preferred. The clerk would now pursue KCC to confirm arrangements regarding funding and aspects of work it would be undertaking. Members requested a site meeting with all interested parties before final decisions on design were confirmed. Bridleways The public inquiry into the creation of bridleways forAylesford and Burham parishes was scheduled to last for six days, starting on February 23 at Burham Old School Community Centre. River Medway towpath Work was expected to start afterApril. The parish council had committed £20,000 to the project. FerryfieldA request from Lawsons Circus to visit inApril for three nights was agreed. Eccles recreation ground The fencing of play equipment had been completed and well received. Budget The precept for 2016/17 would be increased by £10,651, making a total of £177,374.


Birling


Crime reportA garage in The Close had been broken into and garden equipment was stolen. Planning Regarding a caravan in the field opposite Langhold House, Tonbridge and Malling Council was awaiting a planning application for a dog walking/training business on the site. Precept It was agreed that the precept for 2016/17 would be £8,772, the same amount as last year. Speeding KCC Cllr Sarah Hohler had said that she would be prepared to part fund a


speed check in the village for comparison with the previous one but was not sure what would be achieved. It was decided that a possible grant and parish council fundsmight be better spent elsewhere.A letter would be sent to Tom Tugendhat MP, asking for his support in getting Kent Police to take action against speeding motorists. Emergency plan It was agreed that it would be a good idea for an emergency plan to be drawn up with contact details and information for display on the website and noticeboard. The chairman and clerk would produce a draft for the next meeting HGVs A councillor reported having seen HGVs parked on the verges at the bottom of Birling Road leading to the A20 and a considerable amount of fast food packaging litter had been left. In particular a Clancy Docwra vehicle was seen on the verge and new planting at the entrance to Leybourne Chase had been damaged. The clerk would contact the firm and councillors would take photographs of vehicles seen there in future with dates, times and registration numbers. Road study Details had been received of an A20 road study to be carried out by Amey to establish an evidence base of existing and forecast problems or issues between the A228 at Leybourne and Coldharbour Lane, Aylesford. Councillors commented on traffic congestion and lack of synchronisation of traffic lights on the route and were hopeful that the study could lead to improvements in traffic management.


Kings Hill


Town Feedback from the parish council’s consultation for Kings Hill to become a town was considered. It was resolved to defer the proposal pending further investigation. Public session Members of the public raised the following issues: the investigation of other local Facebook sites and the process of adding useful parish council information to those sites; could the parish council contact the GP surgery to discuss the time the appointments system takes; could an update on the memorial stones be added to the parish council website; issues with opening times of the Sports Park bar/restaurant area. Borough council report Cllr Sarah Barker reported on changes to the school bus service to Tonbridge; a new fast-track bus service to replace the 123 service running on Kings Hill and an update on the M20 junction 4 bridge widening. Queen Street had been adopted by KCC from Fortune Way to the GP surgery. Further investigation would take place on this matter. An assessment of the bus stops and bus stop flags would be taking place in Discovery Drive. Local plan The results of the call for sites were noted and it was agreed that the parish council would continue to challenge these proposals. Advert It was noted that Kings Hill feaures in the new Ford television advert. Queen The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations were discussed and it was agreed that the parish council would not be lighting a beacon.


Parish Councils


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