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requirements up to £2,000 and requested that further quotes be obtained, including from the installer of the original drainage, and that grant funding be investigated.A representative of the commiee reported that the football pitcheswere at times unusable due to some areas failing to drain, with up to four months use being lost. This meant Staplehurst teams had to play more away games and pitch hire feeswere being lost.


Caretaker The caretakerwas currently working two mornings aweek. He would be aending to a repair of the memorial bench by Crown Coages in High Street. Parish surgery Residents had discussed concerns about the crossroads, the development at Hen and Duckhurst Farm, advertising boards on roadsides, Headcorn Road speed limit, dog fouling, lier at The Parade, the gas leak roadworks and NeighbourhoodWatch activity. SpeedWatch The new speed indicating devicewas being bought and the old one would be offered for sale. Carnival Councillors agreed to book a stall at Staplehurst Carnival and Fete for £10. Clean-up Following the successful village clean-up day, the council agreed to buy additional equipment – 10 bag openers for a total of £80 and 10 lier pickers for £11.99 each. The youth club would be given £50 in thanks for the use of its building on the day. Oliver RoadAmeetingwas to be held with TaylorWimpey to discuss progress towards handover of the open space.


Suon Valence


Communitywarden Dawn Riach-Brown reported that anti-social behaviour had reduced since the youth club had started. Cleaner The caretaker and cleaner of the pavilion and toilet had resigned. The clerk had acquired the services of the village hall cleaner, whowas self-employed. Parish clinic Itwas agreed that the clinic would be reduced to the first and third Thursday of the month from 11am to 1pm and that a councillormust be present. Neighbourhood plan The clerk had completed the end of grant return - £1,745.91was to be repaid. Car park The hockey club had requested the use of the car park next season and were prepared to give a donation. The parish council agreed to a three-month trial. Pavilion The boiler had to be repaired at a cost of £295.20. Kent Men of Trees The parish council decided not to enter the competition. Church path It had been reported that a nearby landownerwas going to cut back the trees over the path. The clerk had to apply to Maidstone Council for permission to crown lift. Bowhalls The parish council approved an allotment holder’s offer to cut back the willow trees on the allotment and use the material. Lighting Haven Power had not billed for the street lighting for nearly two years despite being chased. Itwas now asking more than £5,000. Itwas agreed to offer a payment of £4,000 or go to the ombudsman. NoticeboardA noticeboard on the A274 at the north end of the parish had been damaged. The clerk would write to the landowner insisting that this be reinstated.


Ulcombe


Communitywarden Dawn Riach-Brown noted that many flytipping incidentswere quickly reported by members of the public for removal. She hoped to aend a fundraising event near Ulcombe Church on April 17 andwas liaising with the organisers regarding road signs on the Lenham Road to help make the event safer for pedestrians. Dogs The “No Dogs” signs for the recreation play area/car park had been received.A borough-wide audit of all dog waste binswas being carried out and any notwidely used would be removed. The clerk would request that the one by the village hall be removed. Village party No response had been received from residents to form a working group. Itwas felt that, as timewas running short, a picnic on the recreation ground could be arranged for June 11. Medals Itwas resolved to order 130 commemorativemedals for school pupils to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday. File storage Three four-drawer files would be purchased up to the value of £350. HighwaysA layby appeared to be emerging in the Ulcombe Road near the junction of Boy Court Lane.


West Farleigh


Public discussion The 30mph signwas repeatedly being removed in Charlton Lane. This had been reported to Kent Highway Services again, urging it report the issue to Kent Police. The chairmanwas very disappointed as everyone had fought so hard to get the speed limit lowered. Concernwas raised about dog fouling, especially as a resident had seen a fellow parishioner not clearing up after their dog. The communitywarden said he could help to tackle this issue.A resident raised concerns about lier in the village. The clerk would report these to Maidstone Council and find outwhen the villagewas due its lier pick. Police maers There had been one crime – the theft of a vehicle on Lower Road. Highways Potholes in Ewell Lane from Charlton Lane had not been rectified. The clerk would contact Kent Highway Services.A large boulderwas sticking out from the verge in Ewell Lane about 300m from the green. Thiswas extremely dangerous and a vehiclewaswitnessed hiing the boulder and being forced into themiddle of the road by the impact. Play area Councillors had spent some time dismantling the roundabout to seewhether the bearing issue could easily be resolved. Itwas likely that the repair would be about £2,300 while the potential cost of a new one with easier to maintain parts would be from £3,000 to £6,000. The clerkwas asked to obtain information on play areas where the roundabout had been installed about two years ago so that councillors could go and view before commiing any more money to the replacement. Marquee The parish council marquee would be professionally cleaned for £50. Stepping down Borough Cllr JohnWilson, who is stepping down at the election in May,was thanked for the support he has given the parish council over the years. Lambing day Cllr Martin thanked all who came to the lambing day which aracted a


great turnout of about 230 people. Councillors thanked Cllr Martin and his wife, Candy and son, Ollie for making the day such a success. Itwas lovely for 70 children to see a birth. Donationswere agreed of £600 toWest Farleigh Evergreens and £400 to All Saints’ Church. The Sports Club had requested a donation of £510.39 for the defibrillator case whichwas approved as a one-off grant. The WI had submied a request as itwas about to update and improve the hall including new windows, toilets and kitchen. Itwas felt that no further money could be awarded this year, but if moneywas still required next year (2016/17), a further request should be made.


Yalding


Church clock The parochial church council had obtained permission to fell the tree that was obscuring the view of the clock.An invoice had been submied for payment of the annual maintenance of the clock. Poo fairy banners Banners encouraging people to pick up their dog’s mess would be moved, one to outside the tea rooms. Yuletide market Themarket had more or less broken even. The working party review had suggested several areas requiring improvement, including the traffic congestionwhile stallholderswere seing up. Itwas agreed to apply for the road closure to move from 4pm to 3pm. The working party would appoint someone to manage traffic and stallholders would be asked to arrive after 3pm and have all cars removed by 4pm. FloodwardensA test ofmessaging via text was carried out during the recent heavy rains as therewas vandalism of the telephone cable and some floodwardens were without phone or internet. Those with Callflow internet remained online even though the phoneswere out. Cllr Michael Stewart thanked the chairman for the email news bulletins which really helped people during thewetweather. Press and media policy Councillors agreed that the press and media policy should be adopted. Cllr Andy Sanders wished for it to be minuted that he did not agree with the policy in relation to councillors not being allowed to speak to the press. Scout scarves The Scout groupwas considering buying new scarves/neckers bearing the Yalding logo and had asked if therewas a possibility of a donation towards them. The chairman suggested that the Scouts be asked to complete a grant application form for £500. Precept The 2016/17 preceptwas set at £57,648, meaning an increase from £58.32 to £60 for a band D property. Queen’s birthday Ideaswere requested for the celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday on April 21. Tree TheWI has asked to plant a tree in Yalding village to commemorate its 100- year anniversary. Itwas suggested that an oak tree be planted on The Lees. Lyngs CloseA resident had raised concerns about double parking at the top end of Lyngs Close, especially on the corner. Itwas feared a fire engine would not be able to get through. The clerk would write to Golding Homes. Glass The bin lorrieswere leaving broken glass in the village. The clerk would talk to Maidstone Council.


Maidstone South April 2016 47


Parish Councils


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