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eastfarleighpc@googlemail.com. Bridge working party The council had received an email fromAnthony Mather at KCC outlining the issues around the idea of using traffic lights to control traffic at the Bridge/level crossing. Though not highly positive, he did not rule out the idea. The council agreed to askMP Helen Grant to set up a meeting with Kent Highway Services, Network Rail and the parish council. Play area The council accepted a quote from Barge Landscapes for £3,049 to do remedial work on Vicarage Lane play area. Annual parishmeeting This is set for April 26 at 7.30pm in The Old School Hall, Lower Road. Refreshments will be on offer. Elections There is a parish council election on May 5. Speedwatch The rotawas set until July and the first session took place on March 1. ResignedA leer of resignationwas received from Cllr Lyn Topley. Changing work paerns made it impossible for her to aend meetings regularly.


East Suon


Play area The surfacewas very thin and had holes. The parish council accepted quotes from Outdoors Living for £405.90 plus Vat for painting the swing and £351.50 plus Vat for cleaning the play area. Police report There had been no crimes, but a possible poaching incidentwas reported. Highways Workhouse Lanewas due to be closed fromMarch 21 for up to sixweeks. Planning Parish councillors recommended refusal of an application for false chimney stacks at Great Oak Farm, Friday Street, but not that it should go before the borough planning commiee. Itwas felt that the stackswere not in keeping with a traditional barn conversion in the area. School KCCwas proposing to expand Headcorn Primary School from 210 to 420 places.


Hunton


Policing Two crimes had been reported – theft of two turkeys and two peacocks, and theft of tools, both in Lughorse Lane. Cllr Wyles reported that gravelwas taken from the village hall car park. The number plate of the vehicle used in the theftwas provided to the PCSO who also helped to review the footage from the village hall CCTV cameras. Playing field The chairman of the King George V playing field management commiee, Danny Peacock, reported on the lastmeeting. The drain in the car park as workingwell. Should any holes appear in the car park surface, therewas spare material to resurface it. Therewas £3,442 remaining in funds.A new gate and fencing had been fied. The commieewas to consider replacing the old pedestrian gate. Pavilion Remaining work to do on the new cricket pavilionwas new signs, changing- room fiings and installation of decking. Ditch The ditch inWest Streetwas now in good condition and Bill Axell would be rodding the culvert soon. Landowners need to take ownership for the ditches which border their properties to ensure they remain clear. Highways The bus stop at the junction of


46 Maidstone South April 2016


West Street and East Street had been relocated to the green a few metres further along. The parish council would like the 20mph advisory limit outside the school to be made permanent. Village fete The fete will be on June 18. Helperswere needed for car parking. Precept Members agreed the budget for 2016/17with the precept set at £25,000, which created a tax of £80.13 per property.


Langley


Communitywarden Dawn Riach-Brown had contacted Golding Homes about the lack of lighting in the alley at SkinnersWay. Some Langley residentswere aending the youth club at Suon Valence and would be competing soon in a football tournament. Bins Theweekly bin emptying had now started. The clerk said there had been a few issues with regards to the bin emptying at the village hall but these had been rectified. Football clubA donation of £5,000 to Langley Football Clubwas approved for their changing room extension at the village hall. Itwas agreed that £750 would be paid immediately to help cover the invoice for the footings and the balance would be given when the remaining financewas in place to finish the structure. Villagewalk The clerk and Cllr Young had identified some areas along the Leeds road which would be suitable for additional planting of bulbs and cherry trees. Early discussionswith Kent Highway Services seemed positive.


Loose


Flooding Members of the public raised a number of maers regarding the flooding inWell Street. These included: recurring issues with silt flooding a resident’s pond and killing fish; issues regardingWell Street had been raised in October without any response from Kent Highway Services; problemswith blocked gullies, for example at the boundary of Palm Coage. Borough ward Cllr Sue Grigg said the sitewas being closely monitored and the developerwas complying with everything requested. The chairman agreed that the developerwas not at fault but the blame laywith Maidstone Council whichwas shortsighted and scared of refusing a planning application that could end up going to appeal. Annual meeting The annual parish meeting will be onWednesday,May 4 at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Restructuring The parish council currently holds 69meetings in a year, which the chairman feltwas too demanding on councillors’ and clerks’ time, considering that therewere five vacancies. Therewas a financial drain on time taken to set up and run meetings.All councillors should considerways of restructuring and report back at their next relevant commiee meetings. Precept An increase of 5%for the 2016/17 preceptwas agreed. This would mean a rise of £2.89 a year on a band D property.


Marden


Police report There had been five crimes since the lastmeeting – theft, theft of a motor vehicle, burglary other than dwelling, burglary in dwelling and criminal damage. Quad bikes had been stolen from


surrounding areas, with some found. There had been reports of mud and stones being thrown at property and several youths and their parents had been spoken to. Co-opted Jane Cowinwas co-opted to the vacancy on the parish council. Local needs housing The applicant had appealed againstMaidstone Council for non-determination on the Maidstone Road development and the clerkwas asked to view the documents as to whether correspondence had been received from the Planning Inspectorate. Marden in Bloom Cllr Boswell explained the aim of Marden in Bloom and the possible areas of improvement and placement of planters. Fundraising events were planned and several businesses had been approached for sponsorship. Councillors agreed that the parish caretakers would undertake thewatering of up to six additional planters twice aweek. This would be reviewed annually. The plants in the village troughs had not flourished and would therefore be removed. Itwas agreed to plant up again in the spring. Marden station Items still not rectified included faded car parkmarkings and blocked drains.


Nelestead


Police report PCSO Nicola Morris reported there had been a burglary (non-dwelling) in Maidstone Road when a lawnmower and toolswere stolen and an arson in Station Road. There had also been a robbery in Maidstone Road where three males entered a property and jewellerywas stolen. Chaerbox Cllr Jackie Benne stated that Chaerbox takes place every third Tuesday of the month at the Hop Pole public house. Village hall CCTV repairs had been done. Field The council accepted the quote from All Seasons grounds maintenance contractors regarding the King George V field. Councillorswanted a monthly update from the contractors on how many cuts had taken place. Highways The clerk would contact UK Power Networks regarding the tree in Maidstone Road and would chase progress on hedge-cuing bordering the Old School House property. StoneA quote had been received for £225 for repair of the stone sign outside the King George V field. The clerk would contact the trustee of the field to see if a grantwas available. Planning An application had been received regarding The Three Sons in Hampstead Lane, Nelestead for residential use for a gypsy family including two amenity blocks and two chalet homes, fencing and hard- standing. Members objected to the application because the site is in the Metropolitan Green Belt, a flood plain zone and the access to the property is inadequate.


Staplehurst


Co-opted Patrick Riordanwas co-opted to fill a vacancy on the parish council. Renewal The parish council’smembership of Actionwith Communities in Rural Kent was renewed for 2016/17 at a cost of £50. Jubilee Field drainage Councillors agreed in principle to support the Jubilee Field management commiee’s funding


Parish Councils


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