downsmail.co.uk Birling


Police reportAdrill and lawnmowerwere stolen from a cabin in a field in Snodland Road. Spring clean No date would be set for a village spring clean but if any volunteers would like to do a lier pick then equipment was available from Simon Houldsworth. John May Charity Cllr Spooner would take over from the outgoing parish clerk, Jenny Grimme, as a trustee. Broadband BT Open reach would be installing a new cabinet in Bull Road between April and June to increase speeds up to 24mbps. The chairman spoke on the broadband issue and advised that George Chandler and LucyOwen from KCC would aend the meeting on May 9 to give a presentation and answer questions. Holiday schemes Itwas resolved that due to budget restraints, the parish councilwas not able to make a donation to the Tonbridge and Malling holiday activity schemes for 2017/18. Parish bag Cllr Hewe spoke on the parish bag whichwas passed round by councillors and asked what the purpose of itwas. Itwas now only really used for large documents as most correspondence came through email thatwas forwarded by the clerk to members. Itwas resolved to withdraw this bag and for the clerk to bring any large documents to the parish council meeting where members could view them. Planning The parish council objected to an application for demolition of the existing coach house, relocation and construction of a new coach house with ancillary accommodation at Langold House, 285 Snodland Road. Itwas felt that the proposed buildingwas materially larger than the existing one and would be more imposing when seen from the public right ofway, making it harmful to the Green Belt and to the character and openness of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Clerk The chairman thanked Jenny Grimme for all her hard work as clerk to the parish council for the last seven years.


East Peckham


Billy Can awards Mr and Mrs Boyle presented the 2017 awards to James Brown, of East Peckham Boys Brigade, and Mary Westerman. Shield Mr Crawford presented the Parish Council Community Engagement Shield to Serina Page on behalf of the East Peckham Magazine team. KALC Community Engagement Certificate Thiswas presented by County Cllr Mahew Balfour to Penny Graham. Garden competition Mrs Page presented the award to Mrs Feaver, whowas the 2016 overall completion winner. Guest speakers Ma Boughton gave a presentation on the work of Tom Tugendhat MPand representatives of J Clubb Ltd spoke on East Peckham Quarry. Question time The parish councilwas congratulated for organising an excellent annual meeting and members and the clerk were thanked for all their work on behalf of the community. Concerns raised included parking on pavements and the future of the village surgery. Recycling Regarding several requests for additional recycling facilities in east Peckham, itwas noted that therewas only


42 Malling May 2017


one “bring” site at the Co-op service station in Branbridges Road which had both glass, textiles and can banks and that most households had the green-lidded bin for gardenwaste, foodwaste and card, aswell as the green box for papers and cans. The waste service contractwas coming up for renewal by Tonbridge and Malling Council and officerswere looking again to see whether additional recycling services could be included. Correspondence Therewas a steady stream of completed surgery questionnaires.A leer had come from East Peckham Girls Brigade whose badgeworkwas looking at recycling in East Peckham. They had asked for additional recycling bins in the village. This had been referred to the borough council. Antisocial behaviour Mini motorbikes had been ridden on the playing fields and playgrounds. Itwas believed the culprits had been identified to the PCSOs. Community emergency planning The Environment Agency (EA) had assessed the Coult Stream with a view to removing some of the accumulated silt. They had also visited the Hatches lane area and thought thewater flow had not been impeded. They therefore did not intend to carry out any work on the Coult Stream. The EA would be asked to inspect again in the autumn. Surgery consultation After the information gathering process, public consultation events would be held on July 10 in the Jubilee Hall from 10am to 3pm and from 7pm to 10pm.A decision would be made at the September meeting of the parish council. Allotments Two plot holders had disagreed over the lighting of a bonfire. The complainant had been advised that the parish council would not be introducing any additional restrictions but advised that those lighting bonfires took a common sense approach andwere considerate of the needs of fellow allotment holders. Planting Members expressed their delight at the stunning spring hanging baskets in the village centre and felt that their decision to cancel the summer hanging baskets had been premature. Itwas resolved the summer ones would be installed. Parking Cllr Harra reported that parking outside the school on yellow road markings was still a problem andwas causing dangerous situations at the beginning and end of the school day. She asked if the school could be approached to ask if they could take some action on the problem.


KingsHill


BusesAresident raised concerns regarding the demise of the 77 bus service. Theywere disappointed that therewas no awareness of Arriva’s consultation and the information from the companywas very sparse and slow in being published by Arriva.Aresident raised concern about the X buses and how they are linked to the timetable atWest Malling train station. The parish council would write to Liberty property Trust and the borough council with these concerns. Resignation Cllr Hurring had resigned as vice-chairman but would continue as a parish councillor. Website Workwas ongoing on the new councilwebsite. Phase 3Areportwas given on the proposed access roads into the Phase 3 development and itwas noted that the access route relies


heavily on Tower View being opened. Minutes Itwas resolved to publish draft minutes on the councilwebsite seven days after they are circulated to councillors. Drones The use of droneswas discussed and itwas resolved to investigate usage of drones on Kings Hill and any restriction on the usage that there may be.


Leybourne


Public sessionAmember of the public queried why a portable loo had been situated on many occasions in a certain place. Itwas explained that itwas for the community payback team who had been assisting in clearing lier and shrubbery.A member of the public commented that it looked a lot nicer after their work. Leybourne Chase parking It appeared that until all the roadswere adopted, therewas lile that could be done. Leers had been sent to residents regarding commercial parking and enforcing where needs be. Street lighting Several streetlightswere owned by the parish and remedial work would be required.A£2,000 emergency repair budgetwas approved with the remainder of the work going to tender. Mead fencing Tonbridge and Malling Council had refused to replace the fence and no fundingwas available from the borough council for the parish to do the work. Bombhole Itwas agreed to spend £960 plus Vat on a repair at the Bombhole play area. Christmas lights The event will be on December 3.


Mereworth


Seat Itwas agreed to install a seat on Butchers Lane. The clerk would write to the landowner to ask permission to install it at the entrance to the Equine Clinic. If thiswas not given it would be installed outside the village hall. The design would be similar to those on the recreation area. Pavilion car park The electrician had aended and ensured that the cableswere safe.Arequest had been received from Mereworth village hall for the parish council to pay the electrician’s costs of £136 plus Vat. Itwas agreed to pay this. Church The church clock had caused problems recently butwas working now. The Vision Morning had been aended by 15 people who had discussed proposals on the future functions and activities of the church. Itwas requested that the mowing of the churchyard should begin soon and members of the parochial church council wished to meet with Kent Landscapes before work started. The clerk would contact Kent Landscapes. War memorial More poppy seeds would be planted as the first sowing had not been successful.Awooden post and chain fencing around thewar memorialwere broken. It was agreed that Kentish Stone replace these and that the clerk try to get a grant to cover the costs of having thewar memorial professionally cleaned. Allotments The fencingwas in a poor state of repair. The clerk had asked Kentish Stone to quote for repairs and two options had been received. The cheaper option to renew the badly-damaged posts and rails, tighten and repair existing wire and cut back growth,was agreed. Recreation areaAbag and flag day had taken place and another bin had been


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