downsmail.co.uk Boughton Malherbe
Stepping down KCC Cllr Jenny Whittle gave early notice that she would not be standing for re-election at the county elec- tions in May 2017. She said she had really enjoyed working with her parish councils, particularly Boughton Malherbe who had shown such kindness and co-operation. She pledged to get theHGVsignage installed be- fore she stands down. Crime figures There had been one crime – a burglary in Church Road, Grafty Green. There had been four calls to the police in- volving a loose dog, and one of a house alarm going off, whichwas investigated but nothing suspectwas found. SpeedWatchNowdayswere getting longer, the crew would be operating again shortly. Liverton Hill There were the usual pothole issues. Tarmac appeared to have been just thrown in the hole at the bottom of the hill, although the surface was worn around and below it. The repaired gullywas now below the road surface withwater in it. Footpaths Dogswere being allowed off lead in fields of sheep and dog ownerswere cut- ting wire fences to get their dogs through. 59 Bus There were no proposals to reduce the financial support for the 59 Saturday service, or for the last bus from Maidstone on Mondays to Fridays, and the first bus to Maidstone on Mondays to Fridays in school holidays. Charity David Chantler and Mike Davidson had both come to the end of their term of of- fice with the Honywood and Douglas Char- ity andwere willing to continue for a further four years. It was agreed that they should continue in office.
Downswood
Police report Two crimes had been reported – criminal damage in Pennine Way and an attempted burglary (non dwelling) in Gorham Drive.A call had been received about youths causing nuisance to residents in the Pennine Way area in the evenings. It was agreed to post a comment on Facebook requesting information from anyone who witnessed the anti-social behaviour in Pen- nineWay. Residents were reminded to con- tact the police on 101 or 999 if an incident was in progress. Parking PCSO Timon Gurr was asked for advice following the parking concerns ex- pressed by Downswood Community Asso- ciation. He had already informed the
association chairman that drivers were not breaking the law and would contact the as- sociation to request it consults with KCC about parking zones if this had not been done already. It was suggested that user groups should continue to be encouraged to “police” the problem. OverflowMPEFC had advised that parking facilities for Mallards had been withdrawn by The Spot. The club was planning to re- quest use of the community centre overflow car park on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Gazebos Three gazebos were broken and unusable for the Olympicnic. It was agreed to purchase two at £160 and a further one in 2017.
Annual review It was agreed to raise the clerk’s salary by 5% from April in line with Otham Parish Council. Litter picker Itwas resolved to increase pay- ment in line with the National LivingWage from April. David Nuttall Memorial A quote was awaited from The Stone Shop. Christmas 2016 Trevor Sturgess had con- firmed he would be honoured to accept the lights switch-on invitation subject to confir- mation that he is permitted to do so in his of- ficial capacity as Deputy Lieutenant of Kent. Clean for the QueenA successful clearance was carried out and there was an opportu- nity to install the bat boxes.
Harrietsham
Police report There had been five crimes – two thefts from a motor vehicle, production of a controlled class B drug, criminal dam- age to a property and theft of a pedal bike. This was recovered when the witness shouted at the thief who then dropped the bike.
Co-option Two new councillors, Chris Roots and Malcolm Allardyce,were co-opted on to the parish council. Candidates for a third va- cancy will be considered in May. CTRL site A meeting had been held with Barratt Homes when plot 9, which will be the new parish office, was discussed, and also the land which is to be allotment/open space. The parish council agreed to accept the gift of both sites. Amenity contract After extensive discus- sion, Landscape Services was awarded the contract for 2016-18. Play area repairs Councillors had approved a budget of £250 for work required in the play area but had received a quote for £1,192. The clerk confirmed that there was
Parish councillor Ann stands down
BOXLEY Parish Council has said farewell to one of its longest-serving members after 21 years. Ann Spain MBE (below), who lives in Boxley,
has decided not to stand for re-election inMay. Ann joined the parish
council in 1995, having been a councillor in Sheffield where she had a long and intense career in local politics including a sit- down protest in the middle of the A61 wishing to im- prove community facilities. Having moved down fromSheffield in 1987
she worked on a forward-thinking project to improve energy efficiency and savings for school and central housing developments run by the London boroughs.
50 Maidstone East May 2016 For this she received the Freedom of the City
of London in 1989 and two years later, as chairman of the London Borough Energy Man- agement Committee, wasmade an MBE. Ann supported Royal Voluntary Service, Sue
Ryder Care, Age UK and has been president of the local branch of the WI for nine years. When asked for her favourite moments she
said the creation of the community orchard opened by the Earl and Countess of Wessex was a highlight, as was Boxley being the first parish council in Kent to receive Quality status. Parish council Chairman Ivor Davies said:
“Having spent a lifetime standing up for the lit- tle people and the communities she has lived in, I think I speak on everyone’s behalf when I say she will be sorely missed but deserves a well-earned rest”.
S106 money and about £15,000 had been set aside for the area. This could be used for a piece of equipment, improvements and re- pairs. Quotes/invoices would need to be submitted to Maidstone Council.Apackage covering the swing repairs, flooring and new item would be created so that the S106 money could be used. Defibrillator The parish council had previ- ously approved the purchase of two defib- rillators for £2,500. There was now a possibility of buying two units for £1,400 which would then leave spare funds to pay for the necessary electrical work. TheVillage Hall Trust had offered to place a unit on the outside wall of the hall. The possibility of placing one at The Roebuck was being pur- sued. Beacon lighting A budget of £100 was agreed for refilling the gas canisters for the parish beacon to be lit to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday. Public discussion A resident asked that, when the council meets with Crest Nichol- son, could they be asked to tidy up the Church Road site as polystyrene on the trail- ers was making a terrible mess in windy weather. Cllr Glenda Dean said shewas not certain whether Crest Nicholson owned the site but would check at a proposed meeting with the firm.
Leeds
Highways Residentswere reminded to con- tinue to report sightings ofHGVs to the clerk Sherrie Babbington on the parish website, preferably with photographs and registra- tion numbers Relief road In the Maidstone Council plan reference is made to a Leeds Langley relief road but not until 2030. Leeds Parish Coun- cil is to challenge this date. Fly-tipping Black bags had been dumped outside the sports field entrance. Maidstone Council had been informed. Fly-tipping should be reported to Maidstone Council environmental services section. Parking Vehicles were still being parked close to the junction of Wykeham Grove and the B2163 and the parish council was look- ing into the provision of bollards George Lane The overgrown vegetation in George Lane was apparently the responsi- bility of the landowner whom the parish councilwas trying to identify with a view to asking if it can be cut back. Vehicle The damaged vehicle parked on the pavement in Forge Lane had reappeared in the sports field car park. The owner is asked to remove it to free up a space for residents using the sports field facilities. Cat litter The litter bin outside the sports pavilion had been filled with what looked like cat litter. This bin is for general rubbish, not cat litter. Dog bin The dog waste bin outside the car park was full to overflowing and a request had been made to Maidstone Council to have it emptied. Sports field The parish council had agreed to replace the broken tennis net and was looking to have both courts swept and re- lined.
Lenham
Warning Community warden Martin Sher- wood highlighted the importance of ensur- ing all sheds and outside workshops were adequately secured. He reported on a series
Parish Councils
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64