downsmail.co.uk Broomfield and Kingswood
Borough report Cllr Gill Fort reported that regarding the Leeds/Langley Relief Road (LLRR), KCC continued to work on route proposals that would benefit traffic congestion relief to the south of Maidstone, including an impact assessment at Five Wents and the Horseshoes junctions. South Maidstone had the poorest air quality in the borough as a result of traffic. The anticipated costs of the LLRR would be £50-75m. KCC anticipated the route proposals would be published by the end of this year. Bin Councillors thanked Cllr Fort for help in geing the replacement Maidstone Council bin finally installed at the sports field.
Policing There had been two aempted burglaries of garages in Cayser Drive and two shed burglaries in Broomfield Road when a lawnmower, petrol strimmer and chainsawwere taken. PCSO John Boyd reported that itwas now not policy for PCSOs to aend parish council meetings or supply local crime figures, which instead could be obtained from the Kent Policewebsite. He reported that there were continuing problems with householdwaste being dumped in a front garden, which had been going on for two years. He asked whether this had been happening elsewhere in the parish and had not been reported to the police. The clerk reported that damage had been done to the meeting area at the sports field. NeighbourhoodWatch The clerk had contacted the regional Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator whowas aware that there was currently no co-ordinator in the parish. Planter maintenance Headteacher Darren Waters had sent his apologies. He would not be aending to discuss the primary school participation as hewas now on paternity leave. The clerk advised that the school would need to supply to the parish council a full risk assessment and provide appropriate insurance documents before pupils could work on the planters. Councillors expressed concern that this would result in further delay to the work that was needed. Two members of the public then came forward to volunteer to take over the replanting and management of the planters. They would liaise with the clerk andwere thanked for their help. Waste Quotes had been received from Maidstone Council for emptying parish- owned bins. The borough would not be able to empty any bins that were more than a few paces from the main gate due to the height bar limiting vehicle access. However, an alternative would be a bag collection service. The cost is £40 per roll, each containing 20 sacks.A second quote had been obtained from Direct 365Waste Management. Similar issues applied but a bag service would involve a cost of £130 for 50 bags. Councillors agreed to use the borough council’s bag service and for the handyman to carry out theweekly safety check once aweek. Contact detailsA councillorwas experiencing problems with the volume of phone calls received at their home address at difficult times of the day. Itwas agreed that the contact details in the parish news would be amended to reflect that the first point of contact should be the clerk. Fire hydrants Councillors reviews the Kent
34 Maidstone Weald August 2017
Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) proposal for communities to help manage local fire hydrants. KFRS would continue to inspect fire hydrants but were asking communities to carry out an occasional visual inspection only and no risks should be taken at any time, but to report any defects that may be found. Councillors agreed to personally undertake a number of these inspections but asked the clerk to carry out a leer drop in the areas that they could not cover, requesting volunteers to make checks. School Cllr Friend advised councillors of parents’ concern about Kingswood Primary school admissions for September 2018 as therewere already indications that once again local children would not obtain places and that these would be given to children from outside the parish.
Chart Suon
Crime report PCSO Gardnerwas recovering from a broken elbow andwas on office-based duties. He reported that a gate had been damaged in Amber Lane. Communitywarden Liz Lova reported an increase in aacks on Ford Transit vans, flytipping, theft of riding equipment and welfare visits. Flytipping was reported in Brishing Road, Green Lane and East Hall Hill. Village green Members considered a request to paint the village green signpost, but decided this would lead to regular painting/maintenance. Itwas agreed that a wood preserver should be used. Village hall CCTV had been installed in the village hall andwas operational. The exterior of the village hallwas currently being repainted. Weeds Cllr FiGerald noted overgrown weeds in the village. CllrWaring said they should be sprayed 2-3 times a year. The clerkwas asked to obtain a price for spraying from Highways. Scanner The council’s scanner had an internal error and needed replacing. St Michael’s Church Itwas agreed to pay CllrWaring to carry out the initial grass- cuing/maintenance at the church as in previous years, at a cost of £350 plus VAT.
Coxheath
Poppy appeal Jane Ayres of the British Legion Poppy Appealwas looking for a volunteer to organise poppy collections in Coxheath, after the retirement of Maureen Jopson. Anyone interested in this role should contact Cllr Keith Woollven. Joint surgery Communitywarden Adam McKinley and PCSO Jaz Pay were to hold a joint surgery for residents in the Coxheath Café.
Annual return The parish council had submied its annual return to the external auditors in June. Notices advising electors of the audit had been posted on all parish noticeboards and copies of key documents were available in the library and on the parishwebsite. Bus shelter Actionwas in hand to repair the shelter next to the school playing field in Heath Road. Resurfacing Kent Highways had been asked to clear the loose chippings from footways in Stocke Lane following the resurfacing work. Street furniture The traffic and community safety working group would be meeting
under the leadership of Cllr Val Page to discuss MBC plans for the refurbishment of street furniture in the village centre. Christmas lights The seasonal events working group would be meeting over the summer to start planning for the festive lights switch-on in early December.
East Farleigh
Health and safety Cllr Porter had prepared a report and a draft health and safety policy, both of which had been circulated. Itwas felt that a full health and safety policywasn’t necessary, as the parish council had fewer than five employees. Cllr Wilsonwas to look at it in more detail. Bridge report Some members had met with County Cllr Paulina Stockell to discuss the feasibility report, prior to submiing it to KCC Highways. Before then, itwas felt that the parish council should find out what residents would prefer. Defibrillator Mandy and Gary were happy to have it outside the Old School Hall and had found a suitable position for it. Itwas agreed to buy one through the KALC bulk purchase scheme, along with a cabinet and signage. The landlord at theWalnut Tree would be happy to move his defibrillator to outside the building so that it would always be accessible but it would need a cabinet (about £400). Cllr Alan White agreed to investigate funding. Dog bin Itwas agreed to ask Pearsons to move the spare lier bin on Station Hill to Pleasant Valley Lane. Speed indicatorA number of residents had noticed that the speed indicator device had disappeared from Dean Street. It had stopped working and Kent Highways was not prepared to replace it. Alternative deviceswere suggested, which the parish would have to pay for. Cllr Stockell had agreed to pay for its replacement. Village car park Following issues with overnight parking, Cllr Beasley agreed to get a sign made forbidding it. Cllr Beasley had submied the monthly car park inspection. He would ask Pearsons to spray theweeds and strim the overgrown vegetation and would deal with the pothole himself. Traffic calming Members had met Cllr Stockell to discuss traffic calming in Lower Road. Those allocated the portfolio for this would meet before the next meeting and report back. CllrWilson asked that the issue of thewall on Lower Road be pursued as itwas worsening. Itwas agreed to ask Highways if the parish could take over power to clear verges and charge the landowner. Play areas Itwas agreed to order a picnic bench to replace the roen one that had been removed. Pearsons had the plaque and would reinstate it. Cllr Beasley had done the monthly check of the Recreation Field and agreed to do a template leer for residents seenwalking their dogs there. Speedwatch Another successful session saw 35 vehicles recorded travelling at more than the speed limit. Twowarning leers were sent for first occasion speeding and one for second occasion speeding. Further sessionswere planned. ResignationA leer of resignation had been received from Michael Hogg. The parish council had had confirmation from MBC that itwas now free to co- opt.
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Parish Councils
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