downsmail.co.uk Broomfield and Kingswood
Ward report Maidstone Cllr Gill Fort said that following enquiries, it seemed that the parish did not have enough people on the electoral role to increase the number of councillors to 11. The figure was 42 short of the required total. For nine councillors, 701 to 1,350 electors are needed and currently the parish has 1,309. For 11 councilors, the figure would need to be more than 1,351. Cllr Fort suggested that the parish ask parishioners to make sure they are registered on the electoral roll. Policing Four crimes had been reported – theft in Gravelly Bottom Road, burglary (non-dwelling) in Peter Pease Close, and criminal damage in Lenham Road and in Cayser Drive. Cases of anti-social behaviour involving nuisance youths had been reported in Charlesford Avenue and Copperfield Close. Community Right to Bid Further enquiries had revealed that there was only a CRB on an asset of community value which has been in current or recent use for the community and that it contributes to the wellbeing of that community. As the land in question is privately owned, it cannot be registered as a community asset. The alternate option would be to write to the landowners directly. Councillors requested that the clerk write to the landowners of two parcels of land at the end of Charlesford Avenue advising of their interest to purchase. Sports field Signs at the field needed to be updated to include more warnings that dogs are not allowed in the play area. The clerk was asked to obtain quotes for replacement signs. The clerk had requested costs from Maidstone Council for emptying waste bins at the sports field, but they had not been received yet. The loaned CCTV from the crime support unit had now been removed. The weekly sports field checks would be done by Cllr Clark and forwarded to the clerk for filing. Mobile home A retrospective application for replacement of a gypsy mobile home at Orchard Drive, Chartway Street, Sutton Valence with a single-storey detached dwelling had been refused by Maidstone
Council.The applicant had lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.
Coxheath
New councillor Marilyn Hansford was co- opted on to Coxheath Parish Council. Two other residents expressed an interest in joining her. Vegetation Following discussion with Kent Highways, vegetation and trees on the island at the junction of Amsbury Road and Hunton Hill were to be felled to improve sight lines for motorists leaving Amsbury Road. Older’s FieldA delegation from the parish council had met with representatives of the Chartway Group to discuss the community’s aspirations regarding the development of the site. Parking Following complaints from residents, the PCSO was to be asked to undertake a campaign to discourage drivers from parking on pedestrian footways in the village. Pedestrian crossings The parish council had approached Kent Highway Services
46 Maidstone South September 2016
to refresh the faded markings on the two pedestrian crossings in the village centre. Litter bin The replacement concrete litter bin sited near the youth shelter on Coxheath village playing field had already been vandalised. Pensions The parish council had registered with the pensions regulator to allow it to operate a workplace pension scheme.
East Sutton
Police report There were no crimes but nine calls to the police included a report of an abandoned motorbike which was found to have been stolen. A car was abandoned outside the church. Highways Cllr Malcolm Ireland was to contact KCC to complain about the poor swathe cut and to report the condition of Morry Lane. Play areas The picnic table anchor bolt was coming out. This has been checked and was not a safety concern. Cllr Tim Turnill carried out the check and reported that everything was satisfactory.
Headcorn
Neighbourhood plan The plan was with the examiner and Maidstone Borough Council had advised that the examiner had indicated that a hearing would be called. Grigg Lane footpath The path had re- opened but there were complaints of its usability and concerns that it was to be re- closed in late August. The clerk was to look into the matter and advise. Kingsbridge signsA proposal for temporary directional signs for the new housing development on Lenham road was received and reviewed. It was noted that the traffic would be directed down the high street and not Oak Lane, which was a positive factor. The proposal was agreed. Grigg Lane development Cllr Selby had received phone and email contact from the developerWealden Homes about the site. They could not wait to progress the site further following the delays with the legal department at MBC and had sold the site to Crest Nicholson. MBC had confirmed that the planning permission and section 106 agreement transferred with the sale. The clerk was asked to contact Crest Nicholson to ascertain what was happening about the pavement and also the road build-out at Wheeler Street. Work at the boundary hedge had started and should be urgently reviewed., as should the situation with the public right of way. Mobile home plan The council considered a plan for a mobile home and touring caravan at Ten Acre, Love Lane, which included hard standing and the erection of a stable and utility room for one traveller family. The council wished to see the plan refused for reasons which included a lack of evidence to support gypsy and traveller status for the occupants, and no consideration had been given to the disposal of sewage. White Horse Inn A plan to render front elevations of the pub was discussed. Opinions differed and a vote resulted in six in favour and one against. The council wished to see the application approved on
condition that the render is white.
Nelestead Church Speaking as a member of the parochial church council, Yvonne Cronk said that St Mary’s Church would like to thank the parish council for supporting the Queen’s 90th birthday party at the village hall. She also thanked the parish council for its support on the repair of the footpath from the lych gate to the church, this had made a huge difference to the footpath. Grass cuing Margarite and David Allen spoke about the grass cuing at the church, stating they were not happy with the way itwas being done. When itwas strimmed, the grasswent over the headstones and it was not cut once a month as it should have been, but only twice since September. The grounds maintenance contractor apologised to Mr and Mrs Allen for cuing the harebells. She also said that it had been cut more than twice and regarding the grass left on the gravestones from the strimming, therewas not much that could be done about this as itwas not in the contract to sweep every grave. Itwas also noted that the churchyard received one initial cut and then 11 further cuts between April and November. The chairman added that when contactwas needed, it must go through the clerk and not directly to the grounds maintenance contractor. Mr and Mrs Allen assured the council that this would be the case in future. Footballs Mr and Mrs Smith from Bishops Close spoke about their problems with footballs coming into their garden from the King George V Field. Quite a few panes of glass had been broken in their greenhouse. The Smiths asked if the parish council would consider moving the goals. Itwas noted that there was a large net at either end of the goals to avoid ball going into neighbouring gardens, but it seemed itwas a game to hit the balls higher than the nets. Mr and Mrs Smith offered to help move the goalposts. The parish councilwas concerned that moving the net to a different location could cause a health and safety risk as the balls could then hit children on the play area. Chairman David Meredith resolved to call the meeting into closed session to discuss this for legal reasons and all members of the publicwere excluded for this part of the meeting. Police report PCSO Nicola Morris reported an aempted burglary (non-dwelling), theft from vehicle parked on a driveway, and criminal damage to fencing, all three in Maidstone Road. Therewere also two incidents at Gibbs Hill – a burglary when an Ipadwas taken from a property and outbuildings on a farm broken into. Chaerbox Cllr Jackie Benne stated that Chaerbox takes place every third Tuesday of the month at 1pm at the Hop Pole public house. Village hall The quiz night would take place on September 23. Old School House The overgrown hedge had been reported previously but would be reported again to the owner and to KCC.
Staplehurst
Parish surgery Issues raisedwere parking outside the school, the bus service, an overgrown hedge between the school field and the A229, churchyard maintenance,
Parish Councils
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