Parish Councils


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canopy and renew the hoardings. The chairman’s leer to the NatWest chief executive about the bank’s Staplehurst branch had been acknowledged and a full responsewas now awaited. Wimpey Field The clerk advised that hewas still seeking draft transfer documentation but the latest delay appeared to be due to the absence of TaylorWimpey’s solicitor. Cllr Spearink said he had been trying to clarify whatwas the prescribed depth of the pond, although this would not be within the parish council’s area of responsibility. Village centre The village centre development group had received submissions from architects andwas planning to hold a public consultation event in January. Staplehurst MeritAward Itwas planned to present the award at December’s Christmas social event and that he would provide the parish office with a leer of invitation to send to the chosen recipient. Public forum Four speakers discussed the support and advice (including from the carnival and fete commiee and parish councillors) thatwas being extended to residents interested in staging a fireworks display in Staplehurst. Itwas noted that the cost of the fireworkswas significant.A resident said the condition of footpath KM308was poor and he had reported it to KCC.


SuonValence


Co-option The parish council co-opted Simon Fowle as a parish councillor. The chairmanwelcomed Cllr Fowle and said how pleased the parish councilwere to have a representative of the independent school on the council. Telephone boxAparishioner had asked what lighting for the footwaywas being put in place once the telephone box had been taken away. The clerk would contact County Cllr Eric Hotson and KCC to look into the possibility of lighting in this area. Christmas boxes The chairman would contact Orchard Surgery for anyone who might be eligible for a Christmas box. Local Plan The chairman reported on the Local Plan public inquiry and her aendance.Aleer had been accepted by the planning inspector as evidence from the parish council. Planning Regarding an application for a


A VEHICLE was broken into in Green Lane, Boughton Monchelsea. A house in Gresham Road, Coxheath was broken into. Diesel was stolen from an outbuilding at a


farm in Shingle Barn Lane, Hunton. Males were seen in suspicious circumstances. InWest Farleigh, a garage at a house was broken into. A shed at a builder’s yard in Heath Road, Boughton Monchelsea,was broken into and several items of musical equipment were stolen. The wheels of a BMW 135 parked in the


road on Smiths Hill, West Farleigh, were stolen.


Someone attempted to break into a garage


at a house in Charlotton Lane, East Sutton, but no accesswas gained. A green Land Rover 90 Defender S87 888


was stolen from a resident’s parking bay in Lower Road, East Farleigh.


detached house at The Gables, Maidstone Road, with parking and access, the parish council wished to see this refused as itwas unnecessary back garden development and the accesswas too close to the crossroads. Members recommended that a proposed amendment to planning approval for a new detached house atWarmlake Farmhouse, Maidstone Road, be refused and go to commiee as it did not wish to see another access on this dangerous stretch of the road. Councillors also recommended that an amendment to the proposed demolition of existing dwelling and redevelopment of Crossway, Maidstone, to provide three dwellings be reused and go to commiee. The council said itwas back garden development, over development of a semi rural site, access on to a dangerous road and the cumulative effect of yet another application on the areawas detrimental to the character of the landscape. KCC planning responsesAparishioner addressed the meeting on planning issues and complaints about the planning system. Thiswas discussed and Cllr Hotson had agreed to meet the parishioner on site. The parish council expressed concern about planning applications which KCCwere not objecting to on highways issues, whichwere situated in an area known as an accident blackspot and for which remedial crash measureswere being investigated by KCC. Harbour play area and field The clerk had contacted Maidstone Council and requested the repositioning of the new comingled bin that had been placed in the middle of the entrance to the playing field. The contractor would be asked to look at the first goalpost as itwas slightly loose. Open spaces Five dog binswere being removed from the parish and three co- mingled bins would be installed. The bin on the public right ofway by Oakdene Farm had been removed, although itwas not on the schedule for removal. The clerk had requested that it be replaced by a co- mingled bin. Speed limit Councillors approved a request for a 20mph speed limit in Chart Road and for the clerk to progress this. Sign The clerk had chased a request for signage at the junction of South Lane and the A274 and a response had been received refusing this request on monetary grounds. Cllr Hotson would finance one sign. The parish council agreed to share the cost and


pay for the second sign. Lighting The Ombudsman had proposed £300 compensation from Haven Power. Crime figures Twelve crimes had been reported in the past month. Thesewere theft by finding in Maidstone Road, burglaries in South Lane, Maidstone Road (two) and Chartway Street (two), two criminal damage in Chartway Street, making off without payment in Maidstone Road, theft from vehicle in North Street, aempted burglary in North Street and theft in High Street.


Yalding


Bus review The bus operatorwas willing to support the proposal for a possible route via Yalding station. Councillors agreed that another request for this should be made to KCC. The clerk had established the contact at KCC. The chairman would ask residents to write request leers. UKPower The chairman had received confirmation that itwas not feasible to move the substation at Lyngs Farmhouse to Lyngs Close as this would reduce the power level to residents along Lees Road to an unacceptable level. She would forward the correspondemce to the Environment Agency. Benover Road/SpeedwatchAresident had expressed concerns about traffic speed in Benover Road and had offered to join Speedwatch. Several other volunteers had come forward and training could now be done online. More informationwas awaited. Security The security firm used by the Vicar’s Picnic would be happy to carry out occasional security visits as required to parish land. Itwas agreed that this may be useful and that the chairman should get further information and a quote. Oast Court Itwas agreed to spend £140.60 to reduce the trip hazard on the traffic calming strip.


Kintons The horses on the field next to The Kintonswere continuing to escape. Itwas agreed to investigate the process to get horses taken away if they are on your land. Bale’s Over There will be a national celebration and beacon lighting on November 11, 2018. The chairman proposed that the High Street be closed as normal for the Remembrance Day parade and then closed again in the evening for a beacon lighting and celebration similar to that held for the Queen’s 90th birthday.


NeighbourhoodWatch


Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police A vehicle parked in the road was broken


into at Chart Corner, Chart Sutton. The rear number plate of a car parked in the


Moat Road, Headcorn,was stolen. A generator and diesel were taken from a


farm in Ulcombe. Cashwas stolen from a lockbox in the office


after a restaurant in Hermitage Lane, Boughton Monchelsea,was broken into. A garage in Gallants Lane, East Farleigh,


had its roof damaged. Avehiclewas stolen from Chart Hill Road,


Chart Sutton. A jet washer and bowser were stolen from


a building site in Grigg Lane, Headcorn. Thieves took a large pile of logs from a gar-


den in Culpepper Road, Coxheath. Two stables at a farm in Dean Street, East Farleigh,were set alight, damaging the build- ing and its contents.Noanimalswere injured. AFord Transit parked inLower Road,West Farleigh,was broken into and cash and cards were stolen.


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Maidstone Weald January 2017 47


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