downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst
Newsleer Cllr Louise Fernewas thanked for her professional input into the newsleer and itwas said how good it looked. Itwas agreed to publish four newsleers a year and to arrange dates around local events and Cllr Ferne’s workload. Further development ideas included interviewing local businesses and residents. Footpath resurfacing The contractors had asked for the fence on the path next to Kemsley Street to be removed to assist with access. The landownerwas happy to do this but needed towait until after the haywas done, at the end of July or inAugust. The £200 contribution from the British Horse Society had been received, but the cheque had accidentally been made out toBWAG, who would pass the funding on to the parish council. JunctionAresident had emailed regarding visibility at the junction of Dunn Street and Lidsing Road and this had already been reported to KCC.
Broomfield and Kingswood
County councillor’s report KCC Cllr Jenny While said that Emma Hickling (corporate head of Kingswood Primary school) had done an outstanding job with her report to the education department regarding educational mobility. Councillors asked Cllr While to forward details of the verge and hedge cuing rota as the clerkwas receiving complaints about the conditions and visual splay along the rural roads and junction. Increase Councillors requested support from Maidstoneward Cllr Gill Fort for their application to increase the number of parish councillors from nine to 11. Cllr Fort and Yasmine Gordine, the borough’s parish liaison officer, agreed to make enquiries on the parish council’s behalf. Police report Three crimes had been reported – theft from a vehicle in BellWay, burglary other than dwelling in Gravelly Boom Road and criminal damage in Chestnut Drive. Two cases of antisocial behaviour involving nuisance youthswere reported in Tall Trees Close and Chestnut Drive. Cllr Darling advised that a resident had reported how pleased hewas with the response from the PCSO following a recent problem and asked for for his thanks to be passed on. Community Right to Bid The clerk advised councillors of this right, whereby any land or building is registered with the local authority and should the property become available for sale on the open market, the opportunity would be available to obtain first refusal on an option to purchase. Councillors discussed whether land at the end of CharlesfordAvenue would be appropriate for use as a village green and advised the clerk to make further enquiries. Sports field Leeds and Kingswood Scout Group had asked to light campfires and barbecues near the Scout hut. Councillors agreed to allow the group to have barbecues at the front of the Scout hut, also to have limited fires as long as theywere completely contained in a container/drum. Itwas also required that any residual wood, ash etc, be removed completely from the area so that no elements of fires or barbecueswere left behind which might imply, by default, that fireswere acceptable in the sports field. This agreement would only apply to the Scout
50 Maidstone East August 2016
group and not to any Scout hut user. Handyman John Baker had emailed that he did not wish to continue as the parish handyman. The clerkwas asked to advertise the position. Pensioners’ outing The visit to Brick Lane Musical Theatrewas enjoyed by all. The clerkwas requested to write to Brookline Coaches with councillors’ thanks.
Detling
Ward councillor’s report Maidstone Cllr Nick deWiggondene spoke regarding the proposed development at the Detling Airfield Estate and stated that to his knowledge, the proposals had not been supported by Maidstone Council planning officers. He had emailed Rob Jarman to establish the current situation regarding this maer. He reported that there had been problems with the refuse collection and the contractorswere working to rule. The Larches Representatives of Kent Wildlife Trustwerewelcomed to the meeting. The trust is responsible for the management of The
Larches.Aresident asked whether the trustwas allowed to stop up paths. On behalf of the trust, Alison Ruter said it had stopped up a path that had been created by cyclists but shewas unaware of any others that had been stopped up. She spoke about problems with quad bikes and motorbikes in the woodland. The resident said cyclists should be allowed to use the woodlands with other sites in the area. David Huon, from the trust, said its role was to manage the wildlife within the woodland and not to promote this for the use of cycles. However, cyclistswere allowed to use the public footpaths and bridleways. Village hall Cllr Janice Kennard spoke regarding the village hall management commiee and the problem with parking at the village hall. The commiee had been advised to contact KCC. Maintenance Cllr Claytonwas working with the parochial church council to enhance the area around the church. The maintenance work around thewar memorial had been done. The verge on the bend opposite the pubwas encroaching on the road by about 1.5m. The clerkwas asked to liaise with Kent Highway Services. Accounts The 2015/16 accounts and annual returnwere approved. Defibrillator Cllr Kennard would liaise with a locksmith regarding the security of the BT box and establish the price of a secure container to house the equipment. Jade’s Crossing The handrail on the Jades Crossingwas loose and the stepswere overgrown with vegetation, making this dangerous to pedestrians. Overgrown Concernswere raised regarding the overgrown vegetation on the central reservation of the A249. Horish Wood The padlock to the entrance of Horish Woodwas broken andwas in need of replacing. The clerk would liaise with the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL).Aduck and ducklingswere using the balancing pond at the woodland. The parish council would be willing to finance a duck house if permissionwas given by CTRL to place it on their pond. Planter Cllr Kennard had planted the planter andwas thanked for her work. Monks Meadow Thiswas being maintained to an excellent standard by John Monk.
Viewpoint The interpretation board at Scragged Oak viewpointwas in need of replacement. The artwork from the existing board had been rescued. Christmas lunch Therewas interest in having a parish council Christmas lunch for residents in Detling. Cllr Bowiewas liaising with other parishes to establish whether this could be done in partnership with them. Cupboard Cllr Housden would sort through the parish council storage cupboard at the village hall during the summer holiday period.
Downswood
Police report PCSO Timon Gurr said he would be moving to a new role in the coming months and his replacement in Downswood and Otham would be PCSO Ed Money. PCSO Gurr said he had enjoyed working with the local parish councils and groups and wished all involved the best for the future. County councillors’ report KCC Cllr Gary Cooke had obtained a quote of £4,800 for an anti-skid surface in MallardsWay. This would have to be funded by the parish council and would take about two months to arrange. Itwas agreed to monitor the situation and consider the proposal for next year’s
budget.MPHelen Whateley and Cllr Cookewere speaking to BT about the few houses in the parish that cannot receive high speed broadband. It would be a difficult problem to resolve but they would do what they could. Planning KCC had objected to the original application for land north of Bicknor Wood but had not as yet responded to the revised application. Objections would likely be based on Suon Road already being severely congested. KCC would be looking for section 106 money to pay towards the relief road if Maidstone Councilwas minded to grant permission. Spires medical centre Rajen Kantaria raised concerns for the pharmacy if the surgery remained closed. Urgent maers Damage had been caused to the outer kerbing of Mallards roundabout. CllrWeeks would email a picture to Cllr Cooke to enable him to request repairs when potholes are filled. He would also speak to the engineers to see if the road could be widened. Concern Planning applications for 85 Murrain Drive and 16 Cotswold Gardens were considered. Bothwere of concern due to the density of the proposals. Garden competition The chairman declared an interest (nephew judging the competition). Itwas agreed to present the judge with a small gift as a thank you for his time and effort.
Harrietsham
Police report PCSO John Boyd reported nine crimes – three burglaries from outbuildings, three vehicle-related thefts, one each of vehicle interference, theft of pots and damage to windows. Thirty-five incidents had been reported to the police, including the crimes aswell as two road accidents and a report of bad driving. Cllr Dean reported that a duck had been run over and killed at the station. Complaints Itwas agreed that the complaints received by the parish council be discussed under closed session.
Parish Councils
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