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New members bring experience to council


TWO new councillors have joined Bearsted Parish Council.


Focus on dog waste as bins


are removed A CRACKDOWN on dog-fouling has begun in Bearsted. Local people are being encour-


aged to report offenders to the vil- lage’s community warden, Sally Williams.


Maidstone Borough Council an- nounced the phasing out of bins for dogwaste at the end of 2016. Pet owners are currently being


asked to use “co-mingled” bins but some of these are becoming full to overflowing, causing complaints from many different sources. This has resulted in some pet- owners hanging bags of dog mess in trees and hedges or simply throwing them on the ground. Maidstone borough councillor


Mike Cuming has requested the timetable of bin emptying in Bearsted. He said: “The bins are overflow-


ing not just from dog poo but from ordinary waste as well. So I’ve asked for the schedule of bin emp- tying. “It could be that either the parish council obtains more bins and is li- able for emptying them or the bor- ough council increases the frequency of collections.” Cllr Geoff Bennett said that dog owners should take home their pet’s waste if they find a bin is too full. At a previous council meeting in January, Cllr Richard Ash said that he sees people taking their waste home near to where he lives.


Warden’s work COMMUNITY warden Sally Williams is to investigate a com- plaint from a member of the public regarding the advertising board for the car-washing site next to the Rose public house on the Ashford Road. She will also look into the issue of a blocked drain in Roseacre Lane.


Terry O’Sullivan


Cllr Terry O’Sullivan and Cllr Jonathan Askin are the new mem- bers to join the authority. Cllr Askin was co-opted unani- mously by council members after a brief discussion in closed session on February 7. Cllr O’Sullivan,whowas co-opted on to the council at the end of last year, told Downs Mail: “I wanted to join the council to assist with the great work done in the parish, I think it's a great opportunity to learn about the


hard work that is put in by people for the benefit of the community. “I have lived in the Bearsted area


since 2008, Hollingbourne prior to that and my wife has lived in Bearsted all her life. “I currently work as a site audi- tor/quality control/health and safety


compliance officer for Stobart Bio- mass. I amin the early stages of my health and safety career, but think in the long term I could be of value to the council. “I have previously worked in the chemicalwarehouse at Aesica Phar- maceuticals on the Isle of Sheppey. This is where I initially became in- terested in the health and safety side of things.” CllrAskinmoved from London to Bearsted a couple of years ago with his partner and their two young chil- dren. He is keen to ensure Bearsted re-


mains a thriving village with great schools, community events and a safe environment for all. Jonathan is a lawyer in London with over 12 years’ experience advising on com- mercial issues. Hesaid:“We really enjoy living in Bearsted and enjoy having the local amenities, the annual fete and Music On The Green. We are also now much closer to my in-laws, as my


Dates for road work


TRAFFIC lights came into force in Bearsted in February and will continue in the village for several moreweeks at various locations. The KCC schedule


states there will be temporary road clo- sures and parking re- strictions


from


mid-February until early May. The dis- ruption is to allow Vir- gin Media to install ducting in the car- riageway. The restrictions will


be in three phases: phase 1 – Crosskeys to Mallings Lane; phase 2–Mallings Lane to outside Holly House; Phase 3- Holly House to out- side The Limes. Roseacre Lane, February 25, 2017 (3weeks) – Phase1–Windmill Heights to Tower Lane. Alternative route is via A20 Ashford Road, The Landway, Roseacre Lane. Phase2–Tower Lane to A20 Ashford Road. Alternative route is via Tower Lane, The Landway. Tower Lane, March 20, 2017 (3weeks) – whole length of the road Alternative route is via Roseacre Lane, A20 Ashford Road, The Landway. Yeoman Lane, April 10, 2017 (3weeks) – whole length of the road. Alternative route is via A20 Ashford Road, The Landway, Hog Hill, The Street.


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Bearsted Parish Council www.bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk


28 Maidstone East March 2017 Jonathan Askin


partner grewupin Boxley until leav- ing for university, so we know the local area verywell. “I have many years’ experience dealing with public sector bodies at all lev- els from central government to parish councils, encompassing manydifferent is- sues. I feel that I could genuinely add to the skills


that are already in place at the parish council. “I feel very strongly at the mo-


ment that Bearsted is at an important turning point with new develop- ments planned, roads becoming busier and the local infrastructure being tested to its limits. I would verymuchlike to help to ensure that such matters are dealt with in the best interests of the parish and com- munity.”


‘Titch’ tribute


ONE of Bearsted’s famous sons, A.P. (Titch) Freeman, will be hon- oured when the new block of re- tirement-living apartments at Kent Cricket Club’s headquarters, Can- terbury, is named Freeman House. Kent’s leading wicket taker lived


in a house on Ashford Road, Bearsted, called Dunbowlin.


Choir concert


BEARSTED Choral Society pres- ents Joseph Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Mozart’s Solemn Vespers at The Friars in Aylesford at 7.30pm on March 25. The conductor will be Andrew Lowen. Tickets are £10, and free for stu-


dents. Call 01634 666730, email tick- ets@bearstedchoral.org.uk, or pay on the door.


Car damaged


MEMBERS of Bearsted Parish Council were keen to stress that they do not condone the criminal damage to a vehicle inWare Street. The issue of parked vehicles in


that part of the road sparked a de- bate about how to proceed.


Council Office: Madginford Hall, Bearsted Telephone: E-Mail: Chair:


01622 630165


clerk@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk Fiona Redman


MEETINGS HELD SECOND TUESDAYOFMONTH (7.30PM) AND THE PUBLIC IS VERY WELCOME


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