Parish Councils


downsmail.co.uk Boughton Malherbe


Fly-tipping Borough councillor Shellina Prendergast said cases should be reported to Alison Broom and copied to MP Helen Whately. She noted the tipping of laughing gas cylinders in Headcorn Road from Hillside into Eastwood Road. Lier-picking Insurancewas an issue for events organised by parish councils, according to Cllr Prendergast. Other councils, such as Ulcombe, had found that they were not covered. The clerk would check with the insurers. Police report There had been two crimes reported since the last meeting. Community wardenA case of scam mail was reported. Volunteerswere needed to help senior citizens learn computer skills. Highways Traffic problems continued on Liverton Hill. The road south of the GGGC sitewas flooding again. HGV signagewas being installed. Boughton Park Names for the site suggested datewere not considered appropriate and there was no enthusiasm for roads with different names. Itwas agreed that the best compromisewas to call the whole development Boughton Park and number the houses and offices. Clerk vacancy There had been four applications. All fourwere to be invited to an interview. Finger post An estimate had been received from Duke Contractors Ltd for £2,112 for a replacement finger post sign on the village green. Itwas agreed to refer it to an extraordinary meeting and Cllr Turner would check to see if the money could be taken from The Henry Town Fund without a tendering process. Lier bin Cllr Turner was to ask Gavin Reece to fix the replacement lier bin outside the church. The bin had been currently in the possession of the clerk since purchase.


Bredhurst


Police briefing There had been one crime in Bredhurst.A van in The Street had the locks damaged and some tools stolen.A rural officer aended an incident in Scragged Oak Road relating to a catapult being fired at horses. An advertising van parked on the bridge on Lidsing Road had not been moved, despite many requests. The police would write and if necessary remove the vehicle. Itwas agreed to write to the company. Operation Yetwas run over two days and involved the Rural Task force on motorbikes and unmarked cars patrolling Bredhurst Woods and surrounding areas. Itwas a success and the council would write in thanks. Playing fieldA leer had been received from Savills but it did not answer all the parish council’s queries satisfactorily. Savills had originally raised concerns over private gates giving direct access to the field and advised the parish council to have a sub-leing agreement with the church shop which is on land which it leases. Councillors had concerns over the future legal implications of both issues and did not wish to get involved in sub-leing arrangements. Councillors also highlighted the need to consider the budget and the large amount of money spent on the field, particularly the play equipment. It would be a shame to hand the field back,


especially as its future would be uncertain. However, any lease agreement would need to address the parish council’s concerns and protect it from any future liabilities. It was agreed to write to Savills stating the parish council would only consider renewing the lease if the boundaries are altered so that the church shop is not included on parish council land and that a 2m fenced strip be instated parallel to properties in Fir Tree Grove, at the landowner’s cost to protect the parish council from any future legal issues. Playground repairs The recent inspection highlighted some low risk issues and itwas agreed to get a quote from Barge for the work. Tree survey The recent report listed some work required within three months and some within six months, although some of this could be done in-house. Quotes would be obtained for the work to be done within three months. The StreetA quote had been received to resurface the area outside Abbos Court Farmhouse and Abbos Court Stables at the entrance to the village. Another quote was awaited. Although not owned by anyone, it appeared that four parties have right of access. Itwas agreed to write to ask them for a financial contribution to the work. Dunn Street The quote for clearing the footpath between Meynell and The Old Stableswas felt to be quite high and it was agreed to ask the two landowners if they would consider doing the work themselves. Itwas also agreed to ask the landowner to do the stretch between Camellia and Cherry Orchard in Dunn Street and between Bennes Coages and Arran Bank Farm. Maintenance The chairman had met with KCC to discuss the verge maintenance which had been done to a very poor standard. More strimming had been arranged and councillors would monitor areas. Councillors would take responsibility for the buildouts.A leer of thanks would be sent to the resident who supplied the bulbs now planted at the side of Manor Farm. The soil and plants in the troughs outside Pickwicks would be replaced up to the value of £100. Banks of neles outside Oaklands and on the Forge Lane Bridge needed levelling and Cllr Greer would speak to a resident about this. Thankswere expressed for the work done in Blind Lane, the 22 volunteers who helped with the Bredhurst Tidy Up, including then leaflet distributors, Cllr Carr for organising it and Maidstone Council for the collection of thewaste. Cllr Joneswas thanked for renewing brickwork around the notice board free of charge. Public sessionA resident expressed concerns over the speed of vehicles through the village despite the traffic calming measures. Itwas agreed to write to KCC Highways and the police expressing concerns and to post on Facebook to remind residents and others of the 20mph limit.


Broomfield and Kingswood


Dog waste bins Borough Cllr Gill Fort had arranged to get a bin installed at the sports field. Therewas an offer to install additional bins around the parish, which would be collected free, but the cost of


purchase and installation would be down to the parish council. The clerkwas asked to make further enquiries about additional installations. M20 resurfacing Residents asked for the support of the parish council to lobby Highways England to provide resurfacing to reduce noise levels. The clerkwas asked to ask neighbouring parishes about petitions and to write to MP Helen Whately. Police report Farm buildings had been burgled in Duck Pond Lane, and a shed had been burgled in Lenham Road, where a padlock, generator and lawnmower had been stolen. There had been accidents in Lenham Road and Broomfield Road. Cllr Milton said a considerable number of tyres had been dumped in Charlton Lane. Handyman Despite leaving several phone messages, the clerk had been unable to contact a recently- appointed handyman, whose employmentwas subject to an insurance policy. Itwas resolved that the clerk would write, if an address could be found, and terminate the provisional offer of employment. Paul Beaney had expressed an interest in the handyman work and itwas agreed that he should take over the role subject to insurance cover. Neighbourhood plan Itwas concluded that there was no further action that could be taken to advance the plan. Cllr Hoy proposed that the clerk write to MBC to express disappointment at the outcome of five years’ work. Itwas felt the lack of support from MBCwas a main contributing factor to the failure of the plan. Peter Pease CloseA rental property had become available and once again, applicants on the parish council register of interest had not been offered the tenancy. A shared ownership property was due to become available and the clerk had contacted names on the register and circulated the vacancy. An Orbit officer had suggested councillors reconsider the S106 agreement which only permits people with a proven local connection to live in PPC properties. Pre-school Cllr Friend said Kingswood Pre-schoolwas no further forward in finding alternative premises to allow them to open five days aweek. Sports field Itwas agreed to accept the quote for the annual tree safety audit from TreeCycle but not to tag the trees. Following the latest safety report by Cllr Davies, the clerk had removed the remaining goal net. One of the safety gates into the play areawas not closing. Village hall An invitation had been received from the village hall commiee to discuss parish council office space. The village hall summer fete would be on July 1. Pensioners’ outing This had been provisionally booked for November 21.


Downswood


Medical centre Cllr Pearson would establish ownership of the building with the Land Registry. Options for use of the building were discussed, should it become a community asset. Itwas suggested that it would be beer to seek advice from the local GP practices to determine the kind of care they would like in the


54 Maidstone East May 2017 43


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