Parish Councils


Crime reports


downsmail.co.uk charity. Use of the fieldwas agreed.


Hollingbourne


Chairman’s report Cllr Bedwell thanked everyone for their help and support with the village fete whichwas a great success.At one point, the car park aendants had run out of spaces for the visitors and itwas thought that about 1,000 visitors aended, including friends from Templeuve. Elaine LawrenceAgreat many people aended the funeral andwake at the Dirty Habit public house, of Elaine Lawrence, whichwas a celebration of her life. She had faithfully served the parish council as clerk andwas a kind and thoughtful person who tirelessly put others first. Her work with children touched many hearts and she would be deeply missed. Flytipping Hospital Road had been closed. Ironically, the contractors could not access the road due to excessive flytipping and neither could they close the road to carry out the works. Merchant Navy Day The chairman had received information regarding flying the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day on September 3. The parish council decided it would not pursue the event this year due to time contraints but would like to revisit the maer at a later date. Flowers Cllr Dr Susan Bauer enjoyed the flowers and getwell wishes sent to her by the parish council andwas recoveringwell. Crime report There had been six crime reports: Junction 8 services, criminal damage, two of making off without payment, and theft; PilgrimsWay, burglary and aempted burglary whichwere thought to be connected.Avehicle had been seized and investigationswere ongoing.At the previous parish meeting, itwas reported that a burglary had occurred in Hospital Road.Anumber of fingerprints had been found on the bonnet of the moved vehicle and the policewere awaiting forensic reports. Thanks PCSO Dave Rowleywas moving to a new role within Kent Police. Hewas thanked for the huge help he had given the parish council and the villagers, who would miss him greatly. Field Itwas reported that the gates to the Lance Memorial Field and the Cardwell


SHRUBBERYwas cut back at a property in The Street, Detling, without the owner’s consent. A van parked outside a house in


CavendishWay, Bearsted,was broken into and toolswere stolen. In Harple Lane, Detling, a carwas


driven across fields into a vineyard and set alight, causing damage to the crop. A Ford Ranger pick-up parked in a


driveway in Fauchon’s Lane, Bearsted, was broken into and a Stihl disc cutter, two Makita drills and other toolswere stolen. A Ford Transit parked in St Martin’s


Close, Detling,was broken into and a sat nav, two drills a saw and various small toolswere stolen. Twowalls at an industrial site in Thurnhamwere damaged to gain access. Nothing appeared to have been taken. AnMGTF parked in a car park in Forstal Roadwas entered and a dashcam was stolen. Hubcapswere removed from a vehicle


Pavilionwere left unlocked by hirers. Itwas important that the area is kept secure and that hirers do not leave without locking up. Defibrillator The clerk would contact the village pubs to see if they would be willing to have a defibrillator installed on the outside of their buildings. Fete The Meadows Trust charity had made £530 at the fete and other charity stallswere also thought to have had a successful day. Unfortunately, one of the stallholders struggled with collapsing the gazebo they had borrowed, forced it shut and broke it. An invoice would be sent to them as they declined help in closing it safely.


Lenham


Public forumAresident reported that graffiti needed to be removed in the gents’ WCand the cubicle doors required new bolts. The bench at the Cross had been painted and the grass area cleared in readiness for the Cross clearing morning. The chairman thanked the two residents responsible. Scams The communitywarden reported on scams involving HMRC, TV licensing and requests for donations for the recent events in Manchester and London Bridge. Cold callerswere operating in the area, and residentswerewarned not to answer the door, especially during late evening. Four incidents of flytipping, some involving asbestos, had been reported. PCSO Dave Rowley would be moving to a new post after eight years working in the parish.A“thank you” card would be sent from the parish council. Swimming Cllr Culver reported that the Swimming Clubwas using the pool at Lenham school this year but may need parish support in the future to ensure the continuation of the facility. County Cllr Shellina Prendergast offered to discuss possible funding options with interested parties.


Neighbourhood PlanAmeeting with Maidstone Council to discuss the planwas satisfactory, with possible funding available. Itwas planned to hold a public consultation event in September at Lenham Primary School to present the draft 2017 plan. The allocated development sites would be made public at the consultation event.


Allotments Cllr Cocke would circulate a draft leer to respond to St John Ambulance concerning the heads of terms for the purchase of the entire allotment site. Cllr Osborne reported the cost of removing the building on the allotment site and asbestos was about £6,000. Itwas resolved to seek a quote from Sibley Pares for professional advice concerning the allotment site purchase. Banking HSBC had offered compensation for mistakenly closing dormant accounts. The accounts would be reopened once a mandate had been submied. Bench The bench at Ham Lane outside the cricket field would be varnished by the village handyman. Planning Cllr Osborne read out a leer from the owners of the BowWindow Coffee Shop, requesting support from then parish council for the change ofA1 toA3 licence application. Itwas agreed a simple leer of support would be provided. CCTV The system covering the Squarewas up and running. The next stage would be coverage of the Maidstone Road car park. There would be maintenance charges. Website Itwas agreed that councillors have a parish council email address and that the website has their photographs and details. The parish council Facebook page had had 2,000 visits to date.


Otham


Police report Councillors expressed concern that the report did not provide enough detail. Three incidents thatwere known to have taken place – the theft of gates at Lile Squerries and two vehicle collisions in Green Hill and Church Road when police aended –were not mentioned in the report. Lier pick Fourteen volunteers aended, with the two youths present as part of their Duke of EdinburghAward challenge doing a particularly good job. Notice board Itwas agreed to continue with the newsleer and social media as methods of communication. Itwas also agreed to put off buying notice boards until more informationwas available on planned housing developments. Neighbourhood PlanAsum of £5,000 would be allocated for the plan.


NeighbourhoodWatch Working to reduce crime. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or local police


that was parked in the road inwest Street, Harrietsham. In Ashford Road, a computer, cash and passportswere stolen from a property. A shedwas broken into in Broomfield


Road, Kingswood, and the door fitting was damaged.A petrol strimmer and McCulloch chainsaw stolen. A red Peugeot 308was stolen from a car


park in Orbit Close,Walderslade. A set of keyswas stolen from the front


door of a property in Maidstone Road, Lenham. A housewas broken into on Detling


Hill.A list of stolen property was awaited. In PennineWay, Downswood, a Nissan Navarawas broken into and a tool bag and


toolswere stolen. Claddingwas removed from a building


in Lenham Heath Road. Damagewas caused to a property in


Teasel Close,Weavering, by someone egging it.


CCTV & ALARM SPECIALISTS


FREE consulation: 0800 281 249


info@brooksecurity.com www.brooksecurity.com


Maidstone East August 2017 47


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