downsmail.co.uk Chart Suon
Police maers Three crimes had been reported–avehiclewas taken from Green Lane, a burglary in Amber Lane and an aempted burglary in Amber Lane. Signs Members discussed theHGVwarning signs to be put up by the parish council. It was agreed that as some foreign drivers cannot read English, the signs should show a picture of anHGVwith a line through it. However, members decided not to buy any signs until the parish council had met with County Cllr Eric Hotson to see whatwas happening with the requested “Unsuitable forHGVs” signs. Budget Members decided to respond to the KCC budget consultation, suggesting the council tax be increased by 1.99% (£20.08 on band C properties) therefore not requiring a referendum with its associated costs and disagreeing with the proposed annual 2% social care levy. Village green Cllr Forknallwas still awaiting a price for replacing the wooden posts/chains on the village green. Lier pick After the successful lier pick, volunteerswere treated to coffee at Lilypie. Itwas agreed to reimburse CllrWebb with £23.22 for the cost of the coffees. Pavilion/play area Itwas noted that Peter Underdown had done a brilliant job carrying out the repairs to the play area, the fence, and the pavilion. Members agreed that he be paid £50 for the work done. Memorial playing field Members agreed to a request for a chestnut tree to be planted at the playing field in memory of the late Edna McCarthy, whowas born and lived most of her life in Chart Suon. CllrWaring agreed to find a suitable site and would advise on the best type of tree to be planted. Chairman’s report Flytipping in Forge Lane and Lower Farm Road had been reported to communitywarden Liz Lovat. More caravanswere appearing at Lucks Lane. Cllr Forknall had chains/locks stolen on the gates to his fields.Ablack bullock had escaped locally but itwas not one of Cllr Forknall’s. MirrorAmirror aached to a post on the island at Norton Road had been reported to Kent Highways, but they did not have a problem with it, and the householder had agreed to accept responsibility if any damagewas caused to passing vehicles. Broadband The clerkwas asked to write again to BT regarding the poor broadband/lack of fibre optic connection. Parishwebsite The parish council would be geing a new lookwebsite. The clerkwas currently learning how to maintain the site whichwas very different and quite complicated. The URL address would remain unchanged.
East Farleigh
Caravan parkAresident had reported that one of the poplar trees on the boundary of the caravan park at Hartridge Farm, Lower Road, had fallen on a car.MBChad said it was outside its jurisdiction so the parish council agreed that the clerk would write to the manager of the caravan park, alerting him to this. Highways parish seminar Thiswas aended by Cllr JohnWilson, who said there had been increasing talk of parishes being asked to fund Highways work. He spoke to Roger Gough about the possibility of KCC taking over maintenance of the village car
46 Maidstone Weald January 2017
park, given that itwas heavily used by the school. Mr Gough agreed to take it forward. Workplace pension The parish council received a report compiled by Cllr Perry O’Callaghan about the introduction of a workplace pension scheme. Itwas agreed that the parish council would adopt the qualifying earnings method, rather than the certificated one. The home allowance paid to the clerk for working at home would not be included in this. Bridge feasibility study Itwas agreed that the study be funded out of this year’s budget from the Highways Improvements byway of a virement. Car park Itwas proposed that the clerk go to the High Court Sheriff in the absence of any response from TripleM to the parish council’s small claim. CllrWilson had chased up the parish council’s claim against Tesco, following damage to the car park gates and Cllr Glyn Charlton agreed to take it forward. The parish council now had a line-painting machine and the lines would be redone. Damaged sign Cllr Charlton reported that the Lower Road name sign at its junction with Dean Streetwas damaged. SpeedwatchAsession had been held at the Old School Hall. Only 2% of the cars which passedwere speeding. Fete The fete working party had agreed on an event from 3-6pm to include live bands. The parish council felt thiswas an excellent compromise. Itwas agreed to send a polite leer to the resident who regularly parked across the access to the recreation field. Flood plan The chair of the Joint Parishes Flood Group had asked how many houses flooded in 2013, which roadswere affected and whether the parish councilwanted sandbags. The clerk would respond to this. Broadband In a bid to get enough people to pester BT Openreach to move more quickly on the issue of broadband itwas agreed to canvass those interested via The Grapevine. Residents should give their names and addresses to the clerk. Quiz night The parish council had received an invitation to Tovil Parish Council’s quiz night.
Headcorn
Police report The crime reportwas reviewed. Cllr Pyman mentioned that he had been assaulted at his business premises. Defibrillators The group working on this maer had secured a donation of £1,000 from the developer Crest Nicholson, which had been secured after the work had begun at the site on Grigg Lane. G&Tsite plan The council wishes to press for a clearer representation of the G&T sites and numbers. The clerkwas to follow up. Bank signatory forms Cllrs Smith and Lavenderwere reminded to get their bank identity forms completed without delay. Traders/Starnes car park Starnes advised that the site had been surveyed and they were looking at the viability of business premises on the site. Their architectwas drawing up plans. The clerk would follow up.
Hardwicks Golding Homes completed the tidy-up of the area and reinstated the safety fencing. Ringles Grigg LaneAn alleged breach of planning permission had been lodged with MBCand the councilwas awaiting their findings.
Locks Yard The clerk reported that the small wooden train from Day’s Green play area would be sited at Locks Yard. Beult Catchment Improvement PlanAn update had been passed to Penny Kemp who had agreed to review it and write a report for the parish council. Cllrs Smith and Padbury would review the detail. Donations Itwas agreed to donate £400 to the Headcorn Traders Christmas Event and £141, the cost of 4,000 crocus bulbs, to Bloomin Headcorn. Oak Lane MrABowler had emailed with possible suggestions regarding the restriction ofHGVs using the road. Cllr Dungey confirmed that this continued to be a focus of the council and various maers were being pursued, ie footpath, road markings, andweight restrictions. Dog bins Plans by Maidstone Council to remove dog bins and replace them with dual purpose binswere agreed to be acceptable. Mobile police station Kent Police had sent final confirmation that the mobile police station had now ceased. The council noted that thiswas countywide and due to lack of funding, and that it had not beenwell subscribed to by the village. Speedwatch Cllr Lavender explained how to use the new equipment. He aims to set up meetings to arrange rotas and get volunteers for next year. Days Green inspection Cllr Mather had completed the regular inspections and the reportswere distributed for any work to be incorporated into the schedule of works. Lenham Road Itwas noted that there had been a clean-up of the Lenham Road by the residents of the Meadows. The clerk had published the council’s thanks on Facebook. Speed limit indicatorAquerywas raised concerning the speed limit indicator sign at the top of Mill Band and suggested it needed calibration. The clerkwas to report it to KCC. White lining This had still not happened in the village. The clerkwas to follow it up.
Staplehurst
Bell Lane pond Councillors decided to accept the quotation from Twig Group of £785.16 plus VAT to undertake additional clearance and excavation to restore the pond’s connection to its natural inlet and to facilitate KCC’s examination of the inlet pipe andwater flow. Itwas noted that the work to date had much improved the pond area. Carillion had been identified as the owner of land adjacent to footpath KM312 to the north of the pond and would be contacted about the condition of the path. Youth club Members agreed the quotation from Forestry First of £1,220 plus VAT to cut out the internal hedge to ground level and replace with privet. Parish surgery Subjects raisedwere the use of Bell lane car park, Stanley farm planning appeal, Sainsbury’s sites. Clerk’s report The closing date for survey responses about parking in Headcorn Road had passed and a report would be submied for the next meeting of the council. The parish officewas preparing arrangements for the Christmas social evening. The formal notice of vacancy had been issued for former Cllr Kelly’s position and if no call for electionwas made within the alloed time there would be two posts available for co- option. Sainsbury’s had advised that it planned to take down the petrol station
Parish Councils
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