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Police matters Two crimes had been reported – a burglary at a dwelling in CharlesfordAvenue and another in Gravelly Bottom Road.A suspicious person had been reported in Charlesford Avenue.
Neighbourhood plan Should the inspector of the neighbourhood plan not require any amendments to the plan, the earliest a referendum could take place would be six to eight weeks after February 22.
Local plan Councillors agreed to discuss their response to Maidstone Council’s local plan consultation at the planning meeting on March 7 after the joint parishes group meeting on March 2. Sports field The parish council had previously agreed the purchase of two inhibitors for the ends of the footpath; however, three were required. Councillors resolved to purchase three inhibitors.A letter of response had been received from Ms Parker regarding the boundary fence. This was discussed in the public session. The council resolved to remove the fencing. The clerk would arrange with the handyman to get this done. Village hallA letter received by Cllr Baker from the chairman of the village hall committee wishing clarification on certain issues relating to the neighbourhood plan was noted. Donation To properly consider a request from the village hall for a donation, the parish council asked to see the village hall business plan and
accounts.As yet, nothing had been forthcoming. Footpath There was concern that there was no pedestrian route into the village hall though the car park to safeguard pedestrians accessing the village hall. Various options were discussed. Also discussed was the recent treatment of Cllr O’Neill at a village hall meeting when he was asked to leave; village hall constitution; the village hall accounts, and that the clerk was not receiving adequate invoices. Council resolved to write a letter. Broadband and telephone Would the parish council be prepared to contribute to the installation of a telephone and broadband service to the village hall if other users did? It was vital for day-to-day running of the pre-school. Costs would be investigated and put on the agenda for the next meeting. Mobile library service The clerk had reviewed the KCC consultation and had confirmation that the service would continue on a Saturday when the changes were implemented and stops would increase from 15 to 30 minutes. Apparently it did 85 weekly stops in Maidstone and costs would be cut by reducing to fortnightly and longer stops. After discussion, council resolved to respond, proposing weekly Saturday stops of 30 minutes.
Coxheath
Local plan All Coxheath residents were urged to participate and respond to Maidstone Council’s regulation 19 public consultation on the Maidstone local plan. The plan documents, which cover all anticipated development in the Maidstone area, including Coxheath, until 2031 were
46 Maidstone South March 2016
open for public comments until March 18. Heath Road The parish council would be expressing its concern to both Kent Highway Services and United Power Networks over the recent debacle resulting in the unexpected closure of Heath Road in the vicinity of Vanity Lane. All notifications, including road signs, indicated that the closure would be at the opposite end of the village. The mistake must not be repeated since it caused road chaos and unnecessary anxiety for residents. Heathfield The parish council was considering suggestions for the naming of roads on the new Heathfield development to the north of Heath Road at the eastern approach to the village. Police The mobile police station would be deployed in Coxheath (Clockhouse Rise) on March 28. Liaison The newly-appointed parish liaison officer at Maidstone Council was due to attend the February meeting of Coxheath Parish Council. BinA new larger volume dog waste bin was to be sited at the junction of Forstal Lane and Mill Lane tomeet the increasing demand. Kissing gate Emergency action was taken to remove a metal obstacle from the kissing gate at the entrance to the recreation area off Linden Road, which had been exposed by the recent wet weather.
East Farleigh
Highways Following yet another incident of lorries getting stuck on Lower Road, a councillor expressed the view that it should not be acceptable for lorries to use these narrow lanes. He felt that it was time for the rural parishes south of Maidstone to group together again, as the now disbanded TRAMP (Maidstone Traffic Management Partnership) had done, and do something about it. The council agreed to write to the Kent Association of Local Councils (Kalc) and ask if it would be prepared to take it on. If not, the council would look at reforming TRAMP. The clerk and chairman hadmet with Claire Chewter, the highways steward for East Farleigh and Sue LaPorte from Kent Highway Services to discuss assorted highways issues. It emerged from this that the landowner was responsible for the untidy and in places, possibly dangerous wall bordering his land on Lower Road, between Medway Villas and Lone Cottage. It had been thought that Kent Highway Services was responsible. The council agreed to write to the landowner asking him to remedy the problem. Local plan The council had received notification of the Maidstone borough local plan (regulation 19) consultation and the Maidstone integrated transport strategy 2011-2031. It was agreed that a member would prepare a response to it for discussion/agreement at the March meeting. Play areas Council agreed to ask Pearsons to do the weekly inspection of the play areas as it was too onerous a commitment for any member to take on. Heritage booklet AnnWiddecombe had agreed to do the foreword. SpeedWatchA draft schedule for March to July had been drawn up and would be
circulated shortly. Resignation The council had received a letter of resignation from Cllr Janet Elliott. Pressure of work had made it impossible for her to attend meetings and give the role the necessary time.A new member could not be co-opted in the six months prior to the elections in May.
East Sutton
Neighbourhood plan One response had been received from the flyer distributed to parishioners. HighwaysA parishioner had complained to KCC about the condition of Henniker Lane. The clerk had reported the overgrown verge on East Sutton Road. Play area The tarmac surface was very thin and there were small holes in the tarmac. It was proposed to get a quote for repairs to the surface by the basketball hoop, for painting the swing and cleaning the play area surface. This was approved.
Headcorn
Crime report Five crimes had been reported. Cllr Nigel Pyman advised that he had repaired two vehicles in the last week that had had their fuel tanks punctured while in the station car park. He was aware that both had been reported to the police. The clerk would email the station to ensure it was aware of the situation. Trees It was agreed that the parish council would contribute £400 to the cost of tree surgery in the grounds of St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church. Kings RoadA parishioner had raised concerns about the use of Kings Road by HGVs. The clerk had informed the parishioner that the council was already looking at HGV restriction signs. Days Green The council agreed to pursue the upgrading of the play area and that a working group should be established. Shenley Corner The issues at Shenley Corner had been pursued by the parish council for a very long time and the initial quote from KCC for traffic restriction markings was encouraging. It was agreed that the parish council would contribute £1,178.02 towards the completion of double white lines on the approach to Shenley crossroads.
Langley
Caretaker Chart Sutton Parish Council had confirmed that a parish caretaker scheme was not currently viable as limited expression of interest had been received from neighbouring parishes. PlanningA response to Maidstone Council’s regulation 19 and draft integrated transport strategy was approved. Queen’s 90th birthday Aletterwas received from National Association of Local Councils (Nalc) regarding the lighting of beacons onApril 21. It was agreed to forward this to the village hall. An email had been received from Maidstone Council regarding various clean up events and litter picks in the borough. Mobile library KCC was holding a public consultation on its mobile library service to find cost savings and efficiencies. It was
Parish Councils
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