downsmail.co.uk Birling


Water main Cllr Sarah Hohler said South EastWater would be installing a new main between the junction of Roughes Road and Woodgate Road and the new development opposite Rosehaven. School The planning application for the new hall at Ryarsh Schoolwas due to go to comiee and, if approved, it could be completed in time for the September term. Road sign TMBC had agreed to erect a Snodland Road sign and the owners of the Old Post Office had agreed that it could be places on theirwall. The clerkwas to check it would be in keeping with the sign for Ryarsh Road. Faster broadband Regarding underground cables on Birling estate: all the above ground power lines had been removed, funded by AONBat a cost of £550k for 1.3km. Discussions had started withUKPower Network about extending the project as far as Snodland. Streetlights The column outside The Close had some minor internal rusting and the one outside Birling Park had a very minor lean, internal rusting and paint fading. They should be retested in 3-5 years but may be replaced before then. Budget The budgetwas agreed with the inclusion of £250 for the Landscape PCSO. The withdrawal of the FAPC and the Council Tax Support Grantwas discussed and itwas agreed to set the precept at £9,262. Anonymous leer CllrWestwood read out a leer saying that a house in Bull Road had stones outside whichwere on the road, not on the verge, whichwas dangerous. The sender also said parked carswere obstructing Bull Road. Cllr Grimme would speak to the resident about the stones. Village hall Concern had been expressed about problems hiring the hall and access to the disabled toilets. Cllr Nevill reported that due to the expansion of the Montessori nursery in the hall, changeswere needed. Councillors expressed concern that this would mean that the hallwas no longer available for use by residents and Cllr Westwood suggested that the Charitable Trust check how this would affect its charitable status.


KingsHill


Council vote Following a survey of residents and much discussion, itwas proposed to change from a parish council to a town council. However, the motionwas not passed and itwas resolved that Kings Hill would remain a parish council. Itwas also agreed that the parish council’s status would not be re-considered for another three years. Draft budget After a majority vote, itwas resolved to accept the draft budget, and to accept the proposal to request a precept of £279,138. Residents would be informed through social media of the need to raise the precept due to the loss of TMBC grants and the consequent expected reduction in the TMBC element of their precept. Blaise Farm The scoping report proposing to increase the explosive chargeweight from 10kg to a maximum of 25kgwas discussed and itwas resolved to raise the following concerns: Insufficient notice of blastswas given to residents in Kings Hill; information on the locations of the monitoring stations would be requested; some residents


32 Malling February 2017


reported feeling the 10kg blasts; increased monitoringwas needed before any change; councillors had offered the use of their homes for monitoring. Itwas agreed to use social media to notify residents of blasts. Volunteer supportwarden scheme This was discussed and a vote taken. Itwas decided to participate in full with the scheme. Sports Park Itwas resolved that Kings Hill Parish Council would accept the kind donation of one TV from Ebbsfleet Football Club. Itwas agreed that the four remaining parish council TVs would be advertised for sponsorship or donation. Meeting times Itwas agreed that council meetings would continue to be held on Wednesdays and the 2017 schedulewas agreed. Annual parish meeting Itwas agreed that the annual parish meeting would be held in April. The meeting dates in April would be amended and suggested alternative dates proposed. The format for the meeting would be the same as for 2016.


Leybourne


Crime report The phone box and sign posts had been vandalised. This had been reported to police and would be passed on to the PCSO. Speed devices Cllr Luker reported on a KCC initiative where parish councils could get partial funding of £1,000 towards speed indicator devices, which normally cost £2,000. Larkfield Parish Council would be interested in partnering up. Security The CCTV cameras had been upgraded butwere awaiting switch repairs, which had been graded as urgent. Sunstone were due to repair the security light at the Bomb Hole. The addition of a camera to cover the bus shelter next to the church would be discussed with Sunstone. Public concerns Cllr Ulph said residents had raised concerns about illegal parking on verges and damage to bollards in Rectory Lane North. This had been reported to parking enforcement, TMBC and Kent Highways. Football club The clubwas not billed for the second half of last year and itwas agreed to write this off in recognition of the previous over-charge. Telephone box The box next to Market Row was to be removed because BT said itwas underused. However, residents had asked on social media for it to remain. The clerk would raise an appeal asking for it to remain due to the distance to the next box. Newsprint site Therewas a proposal for 450 homes and industrial development. Itwas agreed that this would have an impact on Leybourne due to traffic and basic lack of infrastructure. Itwas agreed to send an objection to this effect.


Mereworth


Police report Power tools had been taken in a burglary. Bulkywaste CllrAnn Kemp said there would be changes to the schedule for the bulkywaste collections but the service would continue. The clerk said the new schedule had been received andwas on the website. Local plan Cllr Kemp said the local planwas progressing and the public meetings had been verywell aended.


Church clockAbill for £150 + VAT had been received from Smiths of Derby for clock repairs. The repairs had been carried out satisfactorily so itwas agreed to sele the invoice. Church parkingAcar had been parked on the verge outside the church for some weeks. It had now been taxed sowas not classed as abandoned. Itwas agreed to put a polite notice on the car asking the owner to move it. White lines The clerk had asked Kent Highways for the plans for The Street and the estimate of costs that the parish council would be expected to pay but these had not been received. Seven Mile LaneAleer had been received from a resident who said shewas unimpressed with KCC’s lack of progress on the road markings requested before and afterWillowwents. Allotments Rental invoices had been posted and paymentswere still being received. Play area Repairs to the safety surface would be carried out when theweather conditions allowed. Street lightingAresident had asked for lighting in Butchers Lane, but as thiswas a minor road in a non-built up area thiswas considered to be inappropriate. Broken pipe Kentish Stone had inspected the broken overflow pipe at the pavilion and said itwas not leaking. However, the plumber would be asked to repair it on his next visit.


Oam


SignsAresident had asked if the sign at the top of North Meadow could be illuminated and this requestwas passed to KCC Highways, who said it could only be illuminated if itwas within 50m of a lamp column whichwas part of a system of streetlighting, which didn’t apply in this case. The parish council had asked if the sign at the boom of Church Road could have a larger “no lorries” graphic.Asite visit would be held to assess the existing signage. Environmental enhancements The channels along Teston Road would be completed first and these would be extended out to the gateway at the eastern end on one side of the road. Traffic lights would be needed and it was thought the work would take 14weeks. The junctions would be done later, possibly not until the summer holidays. Cllr Frankling would ask Kent Highways for a leer about the delay and an anticipated start date. Photo competition The clerkwas asked to send a reminder about entries for the competition for the 2018 calendar. Kissing gateAgate on Teston Road, bordering the quarry, has fallen down. The clerkwas asked to approach the quarry to find out if thiswas on their land and if it could be mended. Village hall The village hall commieewere praised for doing a sterling job. Theywere carrying out fundraising activities as rental on the hallwas not enough to cover running costs. Cllr Frankling suggested that at the next annual parish meeting, villagers are asked to consider including an amount for the village hall in the precept. Blaise Farm Jim Wooldridge had confirmed the blastswere monitored and within limits. Vibration and noise related to the location and orientation of the blast and there should be less vibration for the foreseeable future as


Parish Councils


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40