Parish Councils
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about ongoing parking issues at the junction of Grasslands.A resident volunteered a vote of thanks in recognition of the hard work carried out by the chairman.
Loose
Drainage Silt and debriswere still being washed downWell Street from the proposed development area off Forstall Lane, andwas also reported to be going into thewaterways and Loose Stream. The drain had been unblocked inWell Street by Kent Highway Services. The parish council would continue to monitor the issue. Twier The benefits of Twier and its use in geing to harder-to-reach groupswas discussed. Itwas agreed to place this on the agenda for the next meeting. Risk Therewas a large boulder at the top of the bank above the ragstonewall next to the allotment site and it appeared that an animal had been digging around. Itwas feared this could make the boulder unsafe. The sitewas rather high from the pavement so a full assessment had not been made. It was agreed to alert Kent Highway Services and to ask landscapers to inspect it. An arboricultural report had been supplied covering all the trees owned by the parish council but none needed aention.
Marden
Lier pick Councillors thanked borough Cllr Burton for his help at the village lier pick. It had been very successful with 70 volunteers turning up. Police report There had been four crimes since the last meeting – two criminal damage, vehicle interference and burglary other than dwelling. There had been several reports of nuisance youths and motorbikes. A meeting had been held at Rookery Court regarding anti-social behaviour and crime prevention measures. Workwas continuing with British Transport Police over youths causing trouble at the rail station. Surgeries were being held at the station and regular meetingswere held with residents and Golding Homes. Councillors asked that the issue with 101 not being answeredwas raised at the next Police Forum meeting. Communitywarden Callswere being received regarding anti-social behaviour involving footballs being kicked into roads. Thewarden had visited the location but the youths had moved on. Several groups of youthswere currently around the village and the communitywardenwas visiting groups and working evenings to ascertain who theywere. Memorial Hall No chairman had been elected at the annual meeting so the commiee would continue to elect a chairman at each meeting. Trees Councillors agreed to enter this year’s Kent Men of Trees competition and to pay the £10 subscription fee. Post officeA leer had been received from residents concerned over the future of Marden post office. Therewere rumours that the post officewas to close, but the clerk had spoken to the postmaster and this was not the case. He would remain in post until another locationwas found or a managerwas employed to run it. Marden station The clerk had reported the potholes and faded white lines andwas asked to provide photographs. This had
been done and a responsewas awaited. Public forum Lier and other flytipping was reported on private land next to the downline at Marden station. Reflectors were missing on the road between Milebush Lane and St Anne’s Green Lane.
Nelestead
Village hall The youth clubwas still an ambition butwas on hold at the moment. Playing field Cllr Anita Van Hersbergen had carried out her normal inspection on the King George V field and itwas looking nice. Itwas noted that five cuts had taken place to date on the field. The clerk asked to speak to the dogwarden regarding dog fouling in Nelestead. The clerk then reported on the damage to the plaque and that a quote had been received from The Stone Shop, whichwas £450 for repairs and £250 for cleaning. The clerk would check on funding and would contact KCC Cllr Paulina Stockell to see if a member grant was available. Station signal boxA report had been received from Ted Bates of the Wateringbury History Society who had aended a meeting, along with members of Wateringbury Parish Council, with the Community Rail partnership on the future of the station signal box in Nelestead. The parish council would like to offer its support toWateringbury Parish Council and the history society and would like to be kept informed on any future developments. Freighter service Itwas noted with regret that the freighter service offered by Maidstone Council would be ceasing at the end of April. Footpaths The clerk reported on the hedge which borders Old School House. The owner of the property had confirmed that the hedge had been cut, but itwas felt by the parish council that it had not been cut back enough and therefore would be reported to KCC. The clerk would also contact the managing agents for the property as the clock had stopped and it was the responsibility of the resident to keep the clock to the correct time. Play scheme Itwas resolved to give a donation of £50 to the Yalding summer play scheme.
Staplehurst
Caretaker’s report Following heavy rain many areas of the playing fieldswere particularly sodden. Bus proposals Regarding consultation on KCC funded bus services, councillors noted that the proposed service changes affected Staplehurst in that the evening number 5 service to and from Maidstone would be diverted via
Coxheath.They observed that the proposal appeared reasonable and agreed not to comment further. Croudace Homes The developer had offered to transfer a strip of land between A229 High Street and ChestnutAvenue to the parish council without charge. The council thanked the firm and would respond after taking advice about the proposed documentation. Parish surgery Residents had raised issues about parking at Jubilee Field, also the proposed development at Stanley Farm and land offered by Croudace Homes. Contingency fund Staplehurst Village Centre Trust had requested the release of
£10,000 from the village centre contingency fund held by the parish council “to carry out immediate safety, security, health and amenity improvements”. The clerk outlined the details of the fund whichwas a minimum £12,000 to be retained by the parish council to be made available on request by the trustees for substantive necessary works, not day to day running costs, and would normally be expected to be replenished by the trustees within an agreed period. After some discussion, it was agreed that the amount be released on condition that subsequently the trust formally advise the parish council of its repayment plans. Floodwarden AndrewWatson reported that, as Staplehurst floodwarden, he had aended a meeting organised by KCC about its Staplehurst surfacewater management plan.A report would be issued in May and would include comment of flooding at the northern end of Clapper Lane. Overall, the general conclusionwas that Staplehurstwas not at risk of flooding in the severe sense of the word but a need was recognised for some kind of aenuation measures to protect the River Beult.
Suon Valence
Co-optionA former councillor, Eve Poulter, had shown an interest on being co-opted back on to the council. Thiswas agreed. War memorial play area The clerkwas to get quotes for rabbit fencing. The play area reportwas not available. Cllr Lorraine Cook reported on the pavilion refurbishment.A copy of the tennis club accounts and the signed agreementwas received. Open spaces The clerk had reported an overgrown area on the A274 by The Plough to KCC but had received a quote from P Waring for £200 to clear this. She would chase up KCC. Allotments Itwas proposed that an allotment holder from each of the two sites be approached to act as a representative of the parish council and to join the allotment commiee. The clerk had approached two people whowere willing to come forward. An allotment at Bowhalls had been rented out following the advert in a neighbouring parish’s newsleer. All allotment holders had paid, with the exception of one. Arriva An email had been received from the bus company confirming that there would be no changes to the No 12 and 59 bus timetables. Lighting The changeover to LED would cost £229 per lamp. There would be a 60% saving on power plus savings on repairs. Noticeboard The board on the A274 at the north end of the parish had been damaged. A leer had been received from the landowner. Jubilee Cllr Eileen Riden reported that the seniors’ lunch would be a celebraton of the Queen’s 90th birthday. Crime figures Four crimes had been reported – one of making off without payment from Suon Valence service station; a theft in North Street; vehicle interference on the A274 and a theft from a vehicle in South Lane. There had been four crimes in the same period last year. Village hallA sum of £2,800 had been ring- fenced for the car park. ToiletsA proposal that these be kept open all year roundwas approved.
Maidstone South May 2016 43
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