downsmail.co.uk Broomfield and Kingswood
Parish handyman The clerk introduced Bill Spours who is handyman for Suon Valence and East Suon andwas recommended by their clerk. Councillors agreed to ask him to take on the work. Borough report Cllr Fort reported residents’ concerns after a number of traffic issues in Broomfield and Kingswood when Leeds road is closed and drivers are using alternatives. The planning inspector, when reviewing the Local Plan, didn’t think there would be funding in the short term for a Leeds/Langley relief road but the proposed development to the south and east of Maidstone could still go ahead.. Junction 8 The planning application for warehousing had been appealed. Cllr Fort would continue object to the proposal. Fly-tipping There had been a marked increase in fly-tipping. It could be reported via MBC’swebsite. However, anyone who experienced delayswas urged to let Cllr Fort know and she would take it up. Policing PCSO John Boydwaswelcomed as the new PCSO for the area. Reported crimes included: Gravelly Boom Road, theft of statue from front garden; Charlesford Avenue, damage to vehicle. Therewas also a road accident in Pi Road, a stray dogwas found down Chegworth Road; two reports of youths knocking over bins and a report of youths firing catapults. Kent Police advised people to ring 999 if therewere further sightings of persons with catapults. Parking There had been a lot of complaints of vehicles parking on footpaths, parking on junctions, especially around the schoo. PCSO Boyd said he would leaflet vehicles. Finances Itwas agreed to ask Lionel Robbins to carry out the internal audit for 2017. Councillors agreed to apply for a credit card facility in line with financial regulations for the clerk’s use, with a limit of £500. BudgetMBChad confirmed the parish’s precept application of £55,500 and advised that the BandDCouncil tax for this parish for 2017/18 would be £78.03. Lenham Road Councillors confirmed the decision of the parish council in 2015 that it did not support the implementation of a speed restriction along the Lenham Road to Wents crossroads, but that alternate road traffic calming measures should be considered. Road closures Susan Laporte, district manager, KCC Highways, had said she wouldwelcome the opportunity to aend a parish meeting to discuss options to prevent traffic chaos when local roads had to be closed. Councillors asked the clerk to arrange a date with Ms Laporte. Road griing Following changes after an optimisation exercise carried out by KCC Highways, Kingswood would not be automatically gried as itwas now classed as a secondary route. However, should there be a snow emergency or the likelihood of ice, the roads would be gried. Dog fouling The clerkwas receiving an increased number of complaints from residents in Kingswood about dog fouling. She had contacted bothMBCand KCC. MBChad put up posters and would be returning to carry out stencilling of the pavements. The clerk would include another article in the parish news. Dogwaste The co-mingle bins thatwere due to replace the dogwaste bins had not been installed. Therewas an increase in dog fouling in the sports field. The shopkeeper
46 Maidstone Weald April 2017
was having to remove his bins from outside the shop as peoplewere dumping dogwaste in and around them. Sports field StevenWaring would be asked to continue to maintain the sports field and increase the ratio of fertiliser to maintain the quality of the grass due to the increased use. StevenWaringwas also to be asked to ask for hedge to be included on the maintenance schedule for 2017/18 and to cut the grass verges around the village as per his quotes. Resignation Cllr Darling informed councillors of his resignation due to family commitments. Itwas agreed that vice- chairman Tina Clark would take over the chair until the annual parish meeting in May. Cllr Davies agreed to take over the weekly inspections of the sports field.
Coxheath
Vacancy Chris Birdwas co-opted on to Coxheath Parish Council to fill one of the two remaining vacancies. Linden Farm Representatives of the parish council metWesterhill Homes to discuss the design and layout of the site at Linden Farm, off Stocke Lane, which will include 1.5 acres of public open space. Forstal Lane Councillors met engineers from KCC Highways to make them aware of their concerns over access to the proposed development site in Forstal Lane and the unacceptable effects on traffic. Catapult incidents Concernswere raised over youths firing catapults at cars and other targets in the village. Anyone who witnesses such incidents should call 999 whilst they are happening, or 101 after the event. Hamilton House The owner had undertaken repairs and cleared the rear car park. Actionswas still outstanding on some damaged boundarywalls. Donations Grants had been made to the Speedwatch team towards a speed indicator device (£1,000) and Dandelion Time.
East Suon
Play area Two quotes had been received for resurfacing the play area. Itwas decided to accept the quote from Outdoorsy Living of £3,992. 20. Village hallAcleaner had been employed.
Headcorn
Co-option The council heard presentations from Simon Evenden and Paul Deacon.A wrien statementwas provided by Chris Sturdy.Avotewas taken and Simon Evendenwas co-opted on to the council. Police report PCSO John Boyd reported on the crimes and incidents. Cllr Davies said he had reported an incident of vandalism at the war memorial using the number in the parish magazine for the PCSO. John said new numbers had been given to the clerk. All other reporting should be done via 101. Defibrillator The old telephone box had been removed ahead of the deadline date for the consultation. The clerkwas following this up with BT. The village hall commiee had approved installation of the KALC defibrillator at the village hall. Fire hydrants Parish councils had been promised a report detailing the location of the hydrants and could progress it from there. The clerkwas to follow this up. TreeAn email had been received from the library service regarding a tree in the library
grounds. The treewas regularly inspected by KCC officers and allwas in
order.Atree preservation orderwas in place. May fayre Use of Parsonage Meadow had been requested for car parking for stall holders. Thiswas agreed. Playscheme The use the school would not be possible this year as the building works would continue through the summer after the discovery of asbestos on site. In addition, the hall roof might need to be replaced. Borough realignment Itwas observed that Maidstone Borough Councilwas urban centric and did not see Headcorn as a separate rural centre. The chair admied it was not clear how Headcorn Parish Council would achieve realignment to Ashford Borough Council. Itwas agreed to investigate if thiswas legally possible. Neighbourhood planMPHelen Whately had acknowledged the issues the parish councilwas having with the neighbourhood plan and would take it up. SpeedwatchAn update had been received asking that operators register on the new online system. They would be expected to take an online training course. Itwas agreed that Cllr Lavender and the clerk would get together to get the group back on track. Crossing safety Therewere concerns about the safety of crossing the High Street by the entrance to the train station. Cllr Selby said the parish council had talked about a crossing at this point. Itwas believed to be part of a S106 agreement on a large development. The clerk would investigate whether thiswas part of theWealden Homes agreement. Another hotspotwas said to be the junction of Oak Lane and Wheeler Street. TheWealden Homes plan agreed to a build-out to make it safer – the clerk would investigate whether this had been overlooked in the buyout by Crest Nicholson.
Langley
Police report One crimewas reported in the month before the meeting. Speedwatch Notification had been received from Kent Police’s Speedwatch co-ordinator about changes to procedures. All volunteers now had to pass an online test before they were able to use the equipment. All data would now be input via thewebsite portal. Planters Two planters would be bought for the corner of Ulcombe Road and Leeds Road.
NoticeboardAnoticeboardwas discussed for outside the doctor’s surgery. The clerk waswaiting to hear whether the site owners were agreeable.
Linton
Council vacancy The first statutory notice had been placed on the parish council notice boards to advertise the vacancy. Maidstone Borough Council would notify the parish council of the next stage and whether there would be an election or co-option. Police report PCSO RyanWaring said there was a PCSO in training who would cover Linton from the end of March. He said there had been a spate of trailer thefts in the area. Highways Cllr Firmin said overhanging branches had been removed on Linton Hill and that Vanity Lane had been repaired. Flag flying This responsibility had now been passed to a resident. Footpath lighting Itwas agreed to install a
Parish Councils
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