downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst
Police briefing There had been two aempted burglaries with no entry but damage to property. There had also been a theft of a motor vehicle. Therewere some nuisance vehicles calls in the area but none in Bredhurst. Councillors congratulated the police and PCSOs on the excellent work they do. Allotments The school had been contacted regarding the allotments with no response so far. Another enquiry had been received so therewere now two interested parties, neither of whom lives in Bredhurst. The clerk would check details with both enquirers. All allotment holders had paid the rental fee. One plotwas not particularly well-maintained and a complaint had been received. Itwas agreed to write to all holders thanking them for payment and reminding them to keep allotments tidy. Playground Therewere no maers of concern raised in the inspection report and no action needed to be taken. Itwas noted that the inspection could be obtained more cheaply from RoSPA and itwas agreed to look at this for next year. Gate The gate to the allotmentswas damaged and the repair had been requested at a cost of £70. PlaqueA donation of £30was made to the parish council for a plaque to commemorate the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012. Due to an oversight, the plaquewas not purchased but has now been bought by a resident for £40 and installed in the village hall. Itwas agreed to reimburse the resident for the full cost of £40. Training Itwas agreed to pay the mileage costs for the clerk to aend a free training course on the Transparency Code. Website Residents had made comments about documents missing from thewebsite and this had now been rectified.
Boughton Malherbe
Calendar The 2017 parish calendar is out now and on sale at Grafty Green Shop, at a cost of £5. This year the calendar is produced and sponsored by Grafty Green Village Hall, to which all proceeds will go, and the theme is Times Past. Each month has a photograph of somewhere in the village or surrounding area before itwas overtaken by change. In most cases, the pictures are accompanied by a recent picture of the scene. All photographswere taken by John Collins.
Broomfield and Kingswood
KCC budget 2017/18 Itwas reported that KCC has to find £75m savings for 2017/18 in order to balance the books to meet rising costs and demands, while funding from Government is cut. The Conservative candidate defending Maidstone Rural East in the May 2017 county council elections would be Maidstone and Ulcombe Parish Cllr Shellina Prendergast. Ward councillor’s report Maidstone Cllr Gill Fort reported the borough council must find savings of £4.2m in the next financial year due to the cessation of the government Revenue Support Grant. The Local Plan inquiry continued with much opposition to the housing numbers proposed by Maidstone Borough Council. Maintenance The clerk advised that Rob Reader, RLR Contractors had accepted the
46 Maidstone East December 2016
position of handyman for the parish. She had supplied a work order which had already been started. Website provision The clerk reported that the new EiSwebsite continued to prove a nightmare to operate. Cllr Friend offered support and would meet with the clerk to try and resolve the issues. Neighbourhood plan Following a proposal at the last meeting to write to the Secretary of State regarding the outcome of the neighbourhood plan, councillors requested the clerk to obtain advice and costs regarding the employment of a qualified planning advisor to write the leer. Policing There had been a road accident in Lenham Road. Kingswood had had no crime reports recently. Kent police had become aware that schoolswere being targeted during holiday periods and asked that residents be vigilant during half-term. He had also recommended caution during Halloween. Parish News Cllr Clarkwas happy that the Parish News would be ready to go for the end of November and asked the clerk to contact participants requesting articles by the start of the month.
Detling
Horish Wood The clerk reported that the padlock on the gate at Horish Woodwas due to be replaced by CTRL. Lierwardens Maidstone Borough Council was looking into the appointment of lier wardens. Vacancy No applications had been received for the parish council vacancy and itwas agreed that this should be advertised in the Detling News until the vacancywas filled. Ward Councillor’s report Cllr Nick de Wiggondene reported on the plans by Quinn Estates to develop Detling Airfield. Police report There had been a burglary at the diner on Detling Hill and £7,000 had been taken. There had been no further reports of motorbikes on Jade’s Crossing.A break-inwas reported at Hockers Farm – a witness said a 4x4 vehicle had been driven across the fields from Thurnham Lane into his property. PCSO Adlington urged residents to report break-ins to the police.A resident said stables had been broken into in Harple Lane. She said this had been reported to the police but no action had been taken. PCSO Adlington said he would look into this. Overgrown vegetationA resident raised concerns about overgrown verges and hedges on Church Lane. She said these were now narrowing the lane making it dangerous for two-way traffic. The clerk was to report this to Kent Highways. Old School playing field Cllr Kennard had contacted the pre-school about their play equipment and itwas for sale for £500. She said she had spoken to John Monk who had said it would not be cost-effective to move it.
Pre-school shed This belonged to the parish council. Itwas agreed that Bluebells should be approached to see if they wished to have the shed in its current condition. Benches Cllr Kennard said she would liaise with John Monk about the maintenance of the benches. Environment The parish council approved a £50 budget for Cllr Kennard to buy plants for the village planter. Cllr Kennard asked whether maintenance of the grassed area near East Court could be added to
maintenance of thewar memorial so that it was carried out regularly. Churchyard Cllr Clayton said the Church had allocated a further £1,000 to complete the works. He said a commemoration would take place and he would circulate the date to members. Defibrillator This had been installed by an electrician, Tom Woodhams, who had not charged for the work. The defibrillatorwas now registered with the ambulance service. Further training would be offered to parishioners next year. Transparency code Cllr Bowie reported on the requirements for the parish council to comply with the Transparency Code. She said the newwebsitewas being developed and this would allow compliance with the code. She proposed that the parish council bought four memory sticks to enable councillors to keep a back-up of electronic information. Thiswas agreed. Maintenance Members discussed parish maintenance and itwas agreed to arrange a parish tour to look at areas that needed aention. Christmas lunch Involve Kent had decided to hold its Christmas lunch in Bearsted. She asked members if they wished to advertise this as itwas free to residents of the parish. Cllr Clayton suggested that residents might prefer to aend a lunch in the village hall. It was agreed that Cllr Bowie would liaise with Cllr Clayton in order to progress this.
Downswood
Vacancy Peter Finchamwas co-opted as a member of the council. Police issuesAn emailwas sent to PCSO Money to inform him of intelligence provided by a resident of Foxden Drive about drug-dealing. Gore Court RoadA proposal to widen the roadwas refused and there is no opportunity to appeal the decision. Dog bins Maidstone Borough Council had advised that dog bins would be removed and allwaste should be placed in new co- mingled bins. David Nuall memorial A block of granite had been sourced and a quotationwas awaited. Itwas hoped the unveiling could be tied in with the spring-clean. Spires Medical Centre There had been some difficulty finding a date for the next meeting but further dateswere expected. Play areas Sophie Lawrie had opened the refurbished Foxden Drive play area. Mallards TAGday would be on November 24. Work would include coppicing the island, revetment work on middle island, checking rafts, cuing back overhanging branches and lier-picking. Remembrance Day Cllr Pearsonwas available to lay the wreath at the church andwar memorial on November 13.A donation of £45was agreed for the wreath. Christmas carols The clerk had asked for a meeting with Aylesford Electrical prior to the lights being installed to agree locations. The loan of a PA systemwas to be confirmed. Website Cllr Greenheadwas to explore options for a newwebsite. Itwas agreed that one person should be in overall charge. Spring clean This would be arranged for April/May. Itwas hoped to be able to clear a section of the River Len. The clerkwas to enquire about the loan ofwaders. Old Church Road KCC had cleared overhanging vegetation but Cllr Cheesman
Parish Councils
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