Parish Councils


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entrance to the village. She said her foot had gone down an uncovered manhole. The area waswalked and searched by the chairman and Martin Selby and therewas no uncovered manhole. Therewas a sharp drop by the edge of the path and a metal barrier alongside it – the individual may have slipped there and caught her ankle between the edge and the barrier. The maer had been reported to Kent Highways whowere responsible for the area. SwitchingAn email had been received from Dr Rebecca Driver asking that Headcorn council consider a move from reporting to Maidstone Council to Ashford Council. She had given a number of reasons including Ashford’s more favourable housing dispersal policy and lower rates of council tax. Councillors agreed that the clerk would make some enquiries with Kent Association of Local Councils and the Electoral Commission on the feasibility before any further review is undertaken. SpeedWatch Additional sites on the A274 had been signed off.Aspeed surveywas to be arranged on the A274.


Langley


Signs Itwas resolved to accept a quote from Kent Highway Services to clean signs in the village for one day. The priority would be Leeds Road, the village sign, Horsehoes Lane, Heath Road and the A274. GoalpostsAgrant of £900was agreed to Langley Football Club for the purchase of a new set of senior goalposts. Nameplate The Grasslands nameplated needed repair/replacing.


Loose


Police report PCSO Doug Muir reported interference with a vehicle and also nuisance with motorbikes alongsideWalnut Tree Avenue. He also spoke about known drug dealing in the Pheasant Lane area. Itwas felt that the North Loose Residents Association might be able to help with this maer.An incidentwas reported concerning ducks being aacked at Brooks Field Pond.Any similar incidents should be reported to the police on 999 rather than 101. The option of installing CCTV alongside the Brooks and Brooks Field pondwas discussed. Itwas agreed to contact Loose Amenities Association (LAA) to see if it would support CCTV or might have any other ideas. Parking Problems outside Loose school were mentioned. Theywere being monitored by the police. Borough report Boroughward Cllr Sue Griggs reported that 150 dog binswere to be removed around the borough. She had asked to be informed should any be considered for removal from Loose. Increased parking in the village, especially on both side of the road in Old Loose Hill, north end,was becoming a concern as itwas felt emergency vehicles would not be able to access the village. The parish council would write to KCC Cllr Eric Hotson to ask him to see if Kent Highways could do anything. Speed limits on A229 Cllr Eric Hotson and Brian Clark had agreed to share the funding for works to begin. KCC Highways and Maidstone Council had agreed to reduce limits from 40mph to 30mph. Public questionsAn email from a resident raised several issues, covering mainly the village green area. These included


insufficient lier bins, lack of regular grass cuing, worsening parking issues. BT exchangeAn emailwas received regarding long grass outside the BT exchange on the A229. Itwas understood that LAA had an agreement with BT and would be responsible for the area in return for erecting its village sign, it appeared the LAAwas now unable to do this because of underground cables. The deputy clerk would take this forward with BT. Rubbish Regarding unauthorised rubbish disposal by South EastWater at the King George V playing field, CCTV footage showing the vehicle had been submied to the company who would take the maer forward internally. Footpath Complaints had been received about the poor state of the path between the rear of Copper Tree Court andWalnut Tree Lane. Itwas suggested that KCC may put up a bollard to stop vehicles going down it. New member Susan Luckhurstwas co- opted onto the parish council.


Staplehurst


Pump repair Councillor agreed to accept the quoted price of £515 plus Vat for replacement of the guide rails but asked the clerk to determine whether the work could be held over until the next service. Dog bins Therewas a proposal to ask for lier bins to replace removed dog bins at selected locations. Cllr Buller had reviewed the location of bins and said the removed dog binswere in most cases not near ordinary bins so replacement lier bins would be needed in such cases. TreewalkAwarden from the Kent Tree and Pond Partnership would lead awalk in the village from 10am on October 15. Crime report PCSO Gardner report showed nine crimes: two thefts; two thefts of vehicles; one burglary other than a dwelling; one case of criminal damage; one theft in a dwelling; one burglary other than a dwelling (ATMmachine) and a theft of a vehicle used to steal theATM.


SuonValence


Exercise machine Communitywarden Dawn Riach-Brown reported that an exercise machine had been donated to the youth club. Some anti-social behaviourwas being tackled. Defibrillator Councillors felt thiswas important and grants would be sought. Telephone boxes Community Heartbeat, who took over the phone boxes, would like to work with the parish council to get a defibrillator installed. Posters would be placed on the boxes and on thewebsite and notice board asking for parishioners’ views. GovernorAnew school governorwas being sought with a focus on premises and building maers. Councillors would consider if theywere interested. CCTVAsmall television and cable needed to be purchased for the office so that the clerk could view the CCTV. Thiswas approved. Brandy’s Bay The parish council has suggested to the developer: Greensand Meadow, Hopfields, Shepherd’s Close, Oast View and The Cobbs. StaffingAn assistant clerk would be employed for 10 hours perweek to enable the clerk to reduce hours. Pavilion Councillors agreed that the


pavilionwas not worth refurbishing and should be replaced.Ameeting would be arranged with Hunton Parish Council to view its new pavilion. The builder confirmed that the floorwas safe for the teams to change there until it is removed. It was resolved that a reduced rent be charged and that the showers not be used. AllotmentsAleer had been received from a plot holder regarding the condition of some of the allotments andways forward. Following communication from the clerk over allotments thatwere not being worked, two allotment holders at Bowhalls had quit. Newsleer Cllr Poulter suggested anA3 newsleer to go out every other month, similar to the Chart Suon one. She would prepare a draft one for the next edition. Parish Enhancement Group (PEG) The group reported that itwas ticking along but membershipwas very low. It would welcome a member of the parish council to get actively involved.Unfortunately, as there were only seven councillors, no-onewas available at present to join. Police report There had been two thefts in Headcorn Road and one in Maidstone Road. Village hallAsum of £2,800 had been ring- fenced for the car park. The clerk had invoiced the village hall.


Ulcombe


Police report Therewere no reports of any crimes but 10 calls had been made to the police, including two road traffic accidents, aswell as flytipping onWindmill Hill. Sign The clerkwas to obtain a quote for the wooden sign at Jubilee Corner Cllr Kenward would inform the clerk of the relevant wording required. SpeedWatch The equipment had been received and this had been added to the insurance schedule. Planning Itwas noted that the borough council had refused permission for the change of use of land at Hawthorn Farm, Pye Corner, Ulcombe to create two additional plots for gypsy accommodation. PondsAn emailwas received regarding free guidedwalks within the parish by members of the Kent Tree and Pond Partnership. The council agreed to try and organise this for late September. Pavilion alarm Itwas resolved to agree and annual contract with High Security Alarms Limited at a cost of £75 per annum. Local Plan Itwas confirmed that Ulcombe Parish Council would be able to participate at the Local Plan enquiry. Tree preservation ordersAlist of current orders had been received and the clerkwas to source further tree identification maps. It was agreed to arrange a meeting with Nick Gallavin, of Maidstone Council’s landscape team to identify further possible trees/wooded areas for protection including Knowle Hill and Rough Field Wood. Buses Cllr Titchener reported on discussions in relation to the route taken by the out of service Nu-Venture number 66 bus in the afternoon which goes along Chegworth Road back to Maidstone as its quickest route. Due to the narrowness of the lanes, it was felt that an alternative route could be considered by the bus company. Highways Bollards along the Lenham Road needed replacing. The road markings at Five Wents crossroadsneeded to be repainted. Donation Mr C Tassellwas thanked for his donation at the Queen’s birthday event.


Maidstone South October 2016 47


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