downsmail.co.uk Broomfield and Kingswood


Co-option Having aended three previous meetings and provided the required statement of suitability for office, Steven Lakin had declared an interest in being co- opted to the parish council. Cllr Lovell proposed that Mr Lakin be co-opted, seconded by Cllr Tandy and unanimously agreed. Primary schoolAquestionwas raised about the potential over-subscription of children to Kingswood Primary School in September next year. KCC Cllr Shellina Prendergast advised councillors to contact the executive head of the school, Emma Hickling. KCC was already anticipating a significant oversubscription for primary school places across the county in 2018. The clerk would write to Miss Hickling and Cllr Prendergast with these concerns . Police report The meetingwas again advised that crime figures and reports would not be received in the future. The clerk had checked the policewebsite for this information and found that itwas three months out of date and applied to theward, not the parish. Itwas requested that the issuewas included on the next police forum agenda. The PCSOwas on holiday. NeighbourhoodWatch Cllr Lakin had spoken to the area organiser at the “coffee shop” but had heard nothing further. The clerkwas asked to make further enquiries. Sports Field Three providers had been asked for a quote for their project management services, but only one quote had been received. Itwas agreed that Craigdene would be asked to design and project manage further play equipment installations. FootballArequest has been received from another football team to use the sports field on Sunday afternoons for training and league matches. Itwas agreed that thiswas not possible as the groundswere not of adequate quality to endure use by two teams and it would potentially reduce access for residents using the play facilities. Play area Theweekly inspection had shown that the basket swingswere spliing. The cost to replace them by Playdale would be £305 and theywere only guaranteed for three years. Itwas agreed to remove the swings and seek alternative suppliers. The handyman needed an electric andwater supply to clean the fences of the play area. It was proposed to ask the Scouts if he could use the Scout hut and the parish council would make a donation. Rubbish bins Itwas agreed to move the rubbish bins in the sports field to the picnic area and the exit point at the rear of the sports field. Fireworks Cllr Friend had been approached by Kingswood Primary School PTAasking if they could hold a public firework display/party at the sports field. Itwas agreed that the fieldwas not a suitable venue as itwas not big enough to safeguard members of the public, there would be potential damage to the grounds, would put neighbouring woodlands at risk and neighbours and their pets could be affected. Parkingwas inadequate and limiting access would be impossible. Village maintenance Cllr Clark thanked Mrs Lakin for her work on the village planters and councillors said how much beer they looked. Dog fouling The clerk advised that CCTV footage of a woman allowing her dog to foul


34 Maidstone East October 2017


THIS is the image of a late summer sun setting over Maidstone, taken by a walker near Broomfield. Neil Johnston (52), from Leeds, captured


this picture on August 27, in fields beside The King’sWood. Mr Johnston said: “I like to go out just


as the sun is starting to dip. It’s a good time to see a roe deer, if they’re about. “Luckily, that evening I did see a young


the footpath had been received. Itwas agreed that Cllr Tandy should put an item on the Swap and Shop Facebook page and the clerk would speak to the PCSO about using the footage for evidence. The dog warden had been notified. Bridleway Public Rights ofWay had cleared part of the bridleway between Charlesford Avenue and Chegworth Road, but there had been complaints about tree stumps remaining in it. Therewas also deep ruing, but there had been no complaints from horse riders. The clerk would meet with the PROWofficer and the landowner. Broken sign The clerk had reported the broken street sign at Cayser Drive and re- reported the missing sign at Charlesford Avenue.


Detling


NeighbourhoodWatch The parish clerk reported that the Maidstone Neighbourhood Watch coordinator and the PCSOwere investigating the current scheme within Detling with a view to assisting with the relaunch. Trees Cllr Cosgrove had met with the resident regarding the replanting of the trees in the Old School Playing Field and had set out terms and conditions regarding these. It was agreed that the clerk should liaise with Cllr Cosgrove and clarify the discussion in writing with the resident. Japanese knotweed The clerk said KCC had inspected the village and had confirmed that Japanese knotweedwas not growing near the noticeboards. The knotweed on the A249 was due to be treated. Rat run traffic KCC Cllr Shellina Prendergast said shewas aware of the ratrun issue. Cllr Clayton said itwas an ongoing issue and that Cllr Cosgrovewas looking into arranging a meeting with KCC to discuss this. Cllr Clayton said therewas a problem with the size and position of the signs.Aresident spoke about the Twenty is Plenty initiative and suggested this could be a solution to the speed issues. TudorWall Cllr Evernden said a large crack had appeared in this. He had inspected the wall and felt that the parish council should have it professionally inspected. Mr Taylor said the plants in a resident’s gardenwere the issue. Cllr Evernden said he thought


stag but it was too far away to get a decent image onmy phone. As soon as he saw me, he took off into the undergrowth. “The King’sWood is an ideal place for


them as it is large and has plenty of cover. In the evening they lose some of their caution and feed on shoots in the stubble after the wheat harvest.” Have you got a picture to share with our readers? Email simon.finlay@downsmail.co.uk


theywere growing from thewall. Itwas agreed that Cllr Clayton would arrange for an inspection of thewall. Bonfires Cllr Bowie had been in contact with MBCwho had forwarded information on bonfires. She had placed this information on the noticeboard. She suggested an article in the Detling News to try to persuade residents to dispose of their rubbish by other means where possible and to ask them to be mindful when holding bonfires. Thiswas agreed. Itwas agreed to investigate the possibility of a skip for residents’ use. Community garden Cllr Kennard had spoken to the landlords of the Cockhorse regarding the land at the side of the pub. They had agreed that the PC should approach the brewery to ask for this to be donated to the parish for a community garden. Resilience plan Cllr Bowie had met with the senior resilience officer Steve Skully about assisting Detling with a resilience plan. She asked if members would like her to invite him to aend a future meeting to give a presentation on this. Thiswas agreed. Horish Wood John Monk said no action had been taken to remove the wood from the woodland and children had been seen playing on this. The logswere stacked up to 2m high and therewere no signswarning people to keep off. The parish council would be liable if a log fell on someone. Itwas agreed that the wood should be moved as a maer of urgency as itwas a health and safety issue. Monks Meadow Itwas reported that Ash Diebackwas active in the meadow. The advicewas now to leave trees as some would be resistant to the disease and would survive. Mr Monk said some trees needed to be removed to thin out the area and he would action this. Some fence posts needed replacing. Cllr Evernden had bought these and they would be replaced. Kent County Showground Cllr Bowie proposed that the directors of the showgroundwere contacted to arrange for regular liaison meetings. Thiswas agreed by all present.


Hollingbourne


Village hall parking The meeting heard that members of the WI and their guest speaker


Parish Councils


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