downsmail.co.uk Addington
Enforcement Members expressed disappointment with the perceived lack of enforcement action on areas of concern such as commercial lighting in rural areas. Borough Cllr Mahew Balfourwas asked to find out if therewas a policy on acceptable levels of light pollution. He explained that the planning enforcement departmentwas financially stretched. Police maers Callum Boyd would no longer be PCSO for the area as he had been promoted to police constable. Ross McMillan would continue to cover the area. Memberswere concerned at the number of recent thefts from outbuildings, sheds and garages. Seven Mile Lane The roundabout might be reviewed as there had been a number of minor incidents as a result of motorists being unsure about which lane to be in when approaching the roundabout. Play equipment RoSPAwas booked to inspect the playground at the recreation ground in June. The pedestrian gate to the new play area had mysteriously disappeared and needed to be replaced. Parish plan review The new action plan was adopted and a copy would be placed on thewebsite with results of the survey. Pension scheme The clerk had decided to opt out of any scheme that the parish council could put in place. This would be renewed annually when the clerk’s salary was reviewed. Queen’s birthday Members resolved to participate in a tribute to the Queen on her 90th birthday by lighting a beacon. The parish council had erected a permanent beacon for the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012. Big Motoring World The parish council objected strongly to proposed external lighting at the site in London Road. The clerk had asked when the borough council would be taking enforcement action regarding the landscaping. Village hall The debris from the recent serious fire involving two caravans had now been cleared. Members noted that the owners of the golf club had been very helpful during and after the incident. The insulation levels of the flat roof of the village hall no longer met current standards and the commieewas investigating grant funding to upgrade it. Recreation ground The commiee had bought and installed a smart TV. The clerk would investigate linking the laptop to the TV so that plans and documents could be displayed at future meetings. The installation of the donated kitchenwas complete and two defibrillators purchased. Village green Lorries had damaged the verge of the village green. Itwas believed the vehicleswere delivering construction materials to Oast Farm in Mill House Lane. KCC consultation Although disappointed, members would not object to the plan to stop the mobile library in Addington. Pharmacy Memberswelcomed the plan for a new pharmacy at Leybourne Chase. Lower Thames crossing Although an increase in trafficwas of concern, members were also concerned about the infiltration of more traffic on the local network of roads from the proposed new tunnel. Vacancy Members considered an application from Peter Annis to fill the vacancy on the parish council. Itwas resolved to offer him the position.
42 Malling March 2016 Aylesford
Mobile library KCCwas proposing to reduce the mobile library serving Aylesford from three to one sites and the Eccles visit had been rescheduled. Blue Bell Hill KCC’s intention to sell this site had been
suspended.At the meeting with Wouldham Parish Council and Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT), whichwas planned before the cancellationwas known, KWT indicated it would not have been interested in purchasing the site.A joint parish council initiative was mooted if KCC should decide to make it available for a peppercorn sum. Members would be interested in possible purchase if KCC considered disposing of the site in future. Accident Members sent their best wishes to Cllr Elvy who had been involved in a car accident. Precept The precept for 2016/17 would be increased by £10,651 on the previous year, making a total of £177,374. Bull Lane KCC Cllr Peter Homewood reported on the pedestrian crossing project in Bull Lane, Eccles. The design now with Ameywas being safety audited. Traffic Cllr Homewood had a meeting to come with Kent Highway Services when he would raise the outstanding improvements to the Hall Road, Aylesford zebra crossing and traffic flow at the Quarry Wood retail site/A20/Hall Road junction.
Birling
Auditor Itwas agreed that Kevin Funnell be appointed as auditor. Beacon Itwas decided to ask Cllr Nevill if he and the village hall commiee would be interested in arranging for the Holly Hill beacon to be lit to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. Light bulbsA bulb had blown at the Birling Park/Bull Road junction. Tonbridge and Malling Council maintenance had advised that this type of light had been phased out by an EU directive, and once PSR Lighting’s current stock had gone, they could not be replaced. Electoral review The final recommendationwas that Birling would remain in Malling Northward. Old photographsA leer had been received from an ex-resident with old photographs of the village. Lighting An agreement with CS Laser for electricity for street lights was signed. Roads Posts by the stream in Bull Road and the village gateway needed repainting to make them more obvious to drivers. Flowers There would not be a flower festival this year. Instead, on June 11, All Saints’ Parochial Church Council would be holding a heritage event which would include a number of flower arrangements.
East Peckham
Flooding KCC Cllr Mahew Balfour confirmed that the Environment Agency had finished its research into local flood alleviation schemes and would soon be reporting to the relevant commiee. There was a question mark over funding. Surgery More than 30 leers and emails had been received regarding the proposed closure of the East Peckham surgery and had been forwarded to Woodlands Health Centre with the parish council’s response.
Precept The 2016/17 precept would be £112,951. While the precept had increased by 2.45%, the tax base for East Peckham was more favourable for the year and therefore the parish council tax payable on a band D property was represented by a much smaller increase, of 0.77%. Jubilee Hall Regular bookings remained constant. The heating pump had failed over the Christmas and New Year break and had been replaced. Kent Heritage Tree ProjectA maple tree would be planted on April 21 to coincide with the Queen’s 90th Birthday. The parish council would look after the tree and sign a management plan. The tree and a dedication plaque would be supplied by The Conservation Volunteers. East Peckham Silver Band and the primary school would be invited to take part. Meeting The annual parish meeting would be on April 4. Tom Tugendhat MP would aend. Kent Police had been invited to talk about SpeedWatch and NHS Englandwas invited to talk about the proposed closure of the surgery. Award Itwas agreed that Brookside Garden Centre should receive a Kent Association of Local Councils (Kalc) award in recognition of its considerable charity work both inside and outside the village; its support of groups and organisations by giving raffle prizes and goods; and for a considerable donation to the Myles Miller Trust which had enabled a young village boy to buy a new wheelchair. Parish award The parish council’s Community EngagementAward 2016went to Carol Hodgson who had been nominated by Rev Sue Morrel. She said: “Carol quietly and, mostly unknown to everyone, gives her time and energy to caring for anyone who needs help and willingly offers to give her time for that. She also takes part in or supports as many village activities as she can. She willingly puts herself out for others’ sakes.” Poppy appeal The village poppy appeal co-ordinator would be retiring after this year’s appeal. Cllr Bartonwas interested in taking on the role. Vacancy Following the resignation of Amanda Hodgson, there was a parish councillor vacancy. Birthday beacon The parish council would register its interest in holding a beacon lighting event for the Queen’s 90th birthday and would ask village youth groups if they wanted to organise it. Surgery closure Cllr Graham had calculated that it would take a resident of Lile Mill nearly 2.5 hours using public transport to reach the surgery in Paddock Wood, whichwas considered unreasonable and unjust. Funeral Members had been invited to the funeral of Joan Boyle. Itwas noted that she was the widow of a former chairman of the parish council and that the Boyle family were tremendous ambassadors to the village.A donation of £250was made to the Salvation Army in her memory.
Kings Hill
Allotments An updatewas received concerning recent criminal damage on the allotment site at the sports park. Public session Members of the public raised the following: the increase of anti- social behaviour; details of recent
Parish Councils
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