Parish Councils
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Co-option Jackie Moorewas co-opted on to the parish council. HighwaysAhighways report had been circulated to all councillors. Cllr Janea Sams added there had been an issue with wastewater coming up into homes along the A20. Thiswas now being investigated. PilgrimsWay Cllr Tom Sams reported that scalpings had been added to improve the footpath on the PilgrimsWay by the sculpture of Percy. The wooden railings would need treating but the sculptor would need to be contacted about the correctway to maintain Percy. North DownsWalk The clerk had been contacted by the Rotary Club, days before the North DownsWalk, as a 4x4 vehicle had damaged the route for the six and nine mile walks. Two of the threewalks needed to be rerouted, meaning that all the maps needed to be reprinted. Thiswas completed two days before thewalk, but cost an extra £211. The organisers had asked the parish council if it could consider making a donation towards the cost. Itwas suggested that this would set a precedent for the future and that councillors could make a personal donation, and thiswas agreed. Public discussionAresident spoke regarding pothole repairs and white line painting. Cllr Sams said she would discuss these maers with KCC Cllr Jenny While.
Hollingbourne
Verges Chairman Mike Bedwell asked Borough Cllr Patrik Garten when the verges would be cut in the village, particularly opposite the school. Fly-tippingAcardboard box had been dumped in Greenway Court Road. Cllr Bedwell had found details on the box of a purchase order and supplier of the goods. He had contacted the enforcement team at Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) butwas told it would cost too much to carry out an investigation. Fete Sir David Steele, chief executive of the Leeds Castle Foundation, had wrien to the clerk thanking her and the council for inviting him to open the fete. Golf tournament The tournament between Hollingbourne and Templeuve had been very enjoyable, with lunch at the Fairfax, Leeds Castle and dinner in the Dirty Habit. The tournament ended in a draw. Crime report PCSO RyanWaring had sent in a crime report. There had been no crime reports this month and no cases of antisocial behaviour. There had recently been a spate of burglaries other than dwellings in other areas of Maidstone, with garden tools the most common items targeted. The police had investigated the case of criminal damage in the garden of a property near the Windmill Pub. As the suspect had absconded from a mental health sectioned unit and had commied damage elsewhere in the county, the policewere not pursuing the
case.Acarwas damaged in a driveway in Eyhorne Street after someone tried to disarm the security alarm to enable the car to be taken. Housing plan Mr Osborne gave a short presentation on behalf of the owners of the paddock next to theWindmill pub about the plan for 12 houses in the area. Therewere concerns about the narrow access to the site with no passing places and no footpath. The developers had not consulted with Enterprise Inns PLC, which owned most of
theWindmill Lane footpath whichwas the access route for the site. KCC Highways had described the site as “particularly difficult for pedestrians”. Health information Itwas suggested that Cllr Anne Benne join the patient participation group at the Bearsted Medical Centre on behalf of the parish council to provide information to villagers about health services available. PotholesAfind and fix potholes campaign was being launched – reports of highway faults should go to Susan Laporte (
susan.laporte@
kent.gov.uk). PlaygroundMBChad confirmed that Wealden Homes had designated £22,050 to the parish council for the children’s playground on the Lance Memorial Field. MBCasked for prices of the equipment and quotations for the supply and installation of the goods. Bus stop Cllr Jenny While had arranged a meeting with Stagecoach, Cllr Bedwell and Cllr Garten regarding the bus stop on the Ashford Road. Environmental report Cllr Benne reported that the hedge outside Bourneside Terrace in Eyhorne Street had been cut back. Natural fence Cllr Dr Susan Bauer had been instrumental in building a natural fence near the Ashford Road entrance of the village. It was very beautiful and gave a good first impression of the village. Recycling area Jennifer Shepherd of Maidstone Borough Councilwas trying to obtain a copy of the lease or licence for a recycling area to be on Network Rail land at Station Approach. Fete report Badweather had hit takings at the fete and the provisional surpluswas likely to be less than £200. Sewerage inspection The councilwas awaiting information on the problem of overflowing storm drains, particularly near Tanyard Coage, and the surface drains at the corner of Eyhorne Street to the river. The replacement of sewerage pipework in the Hasteds areawas more complicated than first thought by SouthernWater and the parish council’s embargo on new development continued.
Lenham
Police report PCSO John Boyd reported therewere five
incidents.Atotal of 32 phone callswere received concerning Lenham and eight for Lenham Heath. Nuisance youth problems in Lenham Heathwere being monitored and other agencieswere involved to decide how best to resolve the situation. Cllr Nye reported pey thefts in Plas Heath.
Communitywarden’s report Martin Sherwood reported recent fly-tipping issues. He asked that anyone employing contractors to remove household rubbish checks that they have the appropriatewaste carrier licence. Communitywardenswere becoming more involved in care andwelfare issues and could, if requested, visit residents in need of extra support. DoorAquote would be sought for the refurbishment of the door on the lock-up. Play equipment Proposals for the two-phase upgrading of play equipment at Ham Lane and Cherry Close play areaswere outlined. Itwas resolved to undertake phase 1 (£3,358) for maintenance and repair and to instruct the contractors to install the new equipment at Ham Lane as soon as possible (£42,593).
FencingAquote for the replacement fencing at Maidstone Road car park and gate repairs at Maidstone Road footpath (£1,315)was accepted. CemeteryAquote for extending the rabbit- proof fencing along the A20 boundary would be provided by R James Fencing Ltd. Aquote of £200 for removing spoil from the cemeterywas accepted. Meadow Itwas resolved to cut the meadow at the cemetery inAugust and remove the cuings as quoted by Landscape Service (£150). Lights The lights in the churchyard needed aention. The Christmas lights commiee was organising the erection of the lights and the switch-on day as two separate issues. Planter The planter outside the library still needed to be made secure. The clerk would contact the contractor as a maer of urgency.
Otham
Police report Therewas an aempted burglary (non dwelling) at White Horse Lane and criminal damage at Holly Farm Road. Green Hill KCC Cllr Gary Cooke confirmed the condition of the road at the boom of Green Hill appeared to be geing worse. Village green Repairs to the swingswere carried out by MBS at a cost of £20.A maximum cost of £100was agreed for Paul Waring to remove hanging and broken branches as part of a general tidy up. Neighbourhood plan David and Caroline Bes had volunteered to give input from a farming perspective. Two further residents had offered to help. Planning Regarding a retrospective application for four roof lights and other alterations at Madam Taylors Coages, Otham Lane, a grade II listed building, the parish councilwas concerned the scheme would not be in keeping with the local ancient buildings in a conservation area. Competition Itwas agreed that the Otham/Langley 2016 competition would return to photography, rather than home- grown produce. The theme would be Village Life and the competition would run for 12 months with a closing date of May 2017.
Ulcombe
Police report Three crimes had been reported. PCSO John Boyd reported that Maidstone NeighbourhoodWatch had recently launched a “Guard Cam” which is a complete all-in-one PIR floodlight, speaker and DVR system which could be bought from theirwebsite,
www.maidstonenhw.co.uk. Dogs The additional No Dog signs had been erected at the recreation ground. Cable The fallen cable at Ulcombe Hillwas reported to the authorities and later followed up by BT. SpeedWatch The purchase of equipment was proceeding following a slight delay. The manufacturer require confirmation of grant funding on the Kent Police portion and this had only just been confirmed. Highways The road markings at FiveWents crossroadswere poor and needed to be repainted. The clerk would report this to Kent Highway Services. Traffic Resolved to fund the placement of three automated traffic counts on the Lenham Road, Ulcombe, to assess traffic.
Maidstone East August 2016 51
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