downsmail.co.uk Boughton Malherbe
Laughing gas Borough Cllr Shellina Prendergast said that fly-tipping along all roads and vergeswas a serious issue and it was important to write to Alison Broom, chief executive at Maidstone Council, copied to Helen Whately MP. Laughing gas cylinders had been tipped in Headcorn Road, from Hillside into Eastwood Road. She agreed to write an article about this for Malherbe Monthly. Insurance Cllr Prendergast said that insurance for lier picking organised by parish councilswas an issue. Other councils had found they were not covered by insurance, as at Ulcombe. The chairman would contact Alison Broom, copied to Helen Whately, and Ulcombe Parish Council about this. Thanks The chairman thanked Jenny While for all her help and support over the past 10 years as shewas not seeking re- election to KCC in May. Police report Two thefts had been reported. Community warden report Volunteers were sought to help senior citizens with computer skills. Road names All names suggested for Boughton Park were not considered to be appropriate and there was no enthusiasm for two roads with different names. Itwas agreed that the best compromisewas to call the whole development Boughton Park and simply give the house/office numbers on the road name signs, eg Boughton Park 1-14. This would make the location and postcode the same as the old garden centre. The numbering would have to be adjusted whichwas up to the developer. Finger post An estimate for £2,112 plus VAT from Duke Contractors Ltd had been received for the replacement finger post on the village green. This would be referred to an extraordinary parish council meeting as soon as possible as it was more than £1,000, beyond which a competitive tendering processwas required. Bin Gavin Reece would be asked to fix the replacement bin outside the church.
Chart Suon
Police report PCSO Gardener said there had been two crimes: a burglary in Chart Hill Road and a non-domestic burglary in PloughWents Road. He advised that there had been a spate of trailer thefts locally. CllrWebb reported a burnt-out car in Green Lane. Annual parish meeting Members noted that Mary Underdown had agreed to serve the refreshments. The annual report was noted.
Chairman’s report The chairman reported on the fly-tipping at the Memorial Playing Field, whichwas still to be cleared by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC). Cllr Forknall had spoken to some parents whose childrenwere using the play area, and they said they liked the new play area surface.
Fly-tipping CllrWaring asked the clerk to find out about instances of fly-tipping in the last four years to see if it had gone up since the restrictionswere put in place at the tip. Speedwatch Cllr Underdown had agreed to continue with Speedwatch as the process of sending the data had been simplified.
36 Maidstone Weald May 2017
Overhanging branches CllrWebb said overhanging brancheswere rubbing on the roof of the Allcars garage. Itwas agreed that any branches overhanging the boundary could be cut back by the owners of Allcars. Computer The ongoing parish computer problemswere discussed and itwas suggested that a new PC might be required. CllrWaring agreed to discuss this with TimWaring. Annual audit The external auditor had advised that the date for submiing the annual return was no later that June 12 and the final internal auditwas scheduled for May 4. Itwas planned that the annual return would be ready for approval at the meeting on May 8.
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 it was 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 commiee to discuss parish council office space. The summer fete would be taking place on July 1. Pensioners’ outing This had been provisionally booked for November 21.
Coxheath
Vacancy Gordon Downwas co-opted to fill the one remaining vacancy. The parish council now has a full complement of 13 parish councillors. PCSO Jasmine Pay was appointed as the new PCSO for Coxheath andwas expected to take up her duties fully during May. Neighbourhood plan Thiswas discussed in the light of a recent meeting with MBC. Much of the content had been overtaken by conflicting elements within the emerging Maidstone Local Plan.A final decision on whether to pursue the plan would be taken later in the year. Village improvements Meetingswere to be held with MBC and KCC Highways about possible improvements to the village centre. Linden Farm Representatives of the parish council and village hall management commieewere due to meet to discuss the housing development at Linden Farm, off Stocke Lane. Bus shelter The clerk would be meeting a contractor to assess and cost repairs to the brick bus shelter in Heath Road. Recreation ground Undergrowth clearance and coppicingwas being undertaken by Conservation Landscape Services at the recreation ground off Linden Road.
East Farleigh
Defibrillator The parish council agreed to take this forward. The clerk would pursue the maer with KALC. The Old School Hallwas considered as a possible site. Members’ issues The parish council agreed that using the club for meetingswas not going to be practical. However, Cllrs David Hussein and JohnWilson would talk to Bill Simpson about marketing the club’s business. Village car park The parish council had received £250 from Tesco’s insurance company for the gate damaged by the delivery van. The councilwas stillwaiting for a dry period to paint the white lines. Following an inspection, potholes had been found. Itwas agreed that Cllr Peter Beasley could buy the limestone needed to do the job. The code on the padlock had been changed after someone used the car park overnight. Bridge working party The bridge feasibility study draft report from DHA was discussed and itwas agreed that the current width restriction on the bridge should remain and the reference to writing to supermarkets about their delivery vans be removed. Horse trough The clerk would write to Gordon Newton at The Stone Shop to chase up his quote for the
38
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 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
