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would also ask them about the loss of 24/7 status and why the parish council had not been notified. HedgesAparishioner had emailed about the hedges on the A274, saying that the police van could not do speed checks as the hedge obscured the view. The clerk had wrien to the landowner who had had the work done. Village hall The cost of meeting rooms had been increased: Longmeadow Hall had increased from £9 per hour to £10. All other meeting rooms had increased from £5 per hour to £6. Parish hall contributions to hall running costs would stay at £400 per annum.


Neighbourhood plan Cllr Dungey and Cllr Evenden put forward a strategy for progress and listed priority projects which included Broadband; parking; Hoggs Bridge Green; youth club facilities and green infrastructure.


Langley


Police report Therewere no crimes reported in the month prior to the meeting.An email had been received from PCSOAlan Hunter noting that changeswere taking place about the placement of staff. Langley would now be covered by CSO Gardner. Parking Dangerous parking still continued on the roads around the Poing Shed. Cllr Taylor Maggio had spoken to the managing director whowas trying to arrange for additional parking in the church and doctor’s surgery car parks. Bus serviceAsite safety assessment had been carried out by KCC on the Suon Road for the placement of a designated bus stop in the Maidstone-Tenterden direction. The council resolved that the site (nearly opposite the allotments)was the most feasible option, but due to increased parking in this area, additional signs/markings might need to be considered to protect passengers. Arriva had confirmed that the best place to stand to catch a bus to Tenterden would be near the Murco garage on the A274. The placement of a bus stop markerwas being investigated. Recreation ground Itwas agreed for a quote to be accepted for the refurbishment of a bench in the recreation ground.


Marden


Resignation Cllr Christopher Childs had tendered his resignation and the clerk


SOMEONE broke into the open spaces at the council centre in Boughton Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, and tried to remove gardening equipment. The attempt failed because itwas chained to a tree. An office and a warehouse at a farm in


PloughWents Road, Chart Sutton,were bro- ken into and various toolswere stolen. Therewas an attempt to break into an irri-


gation shed near the reservoir at Loddington Lane, Linton, but no accesswas gained. Three sheds at a house in Chart Hill Road,


Chart Sutton,were broken into.Are-gassing air conditioner system, two drills and other tools were stolen. The offenders also tried to break into a Mercedes van at the property, causing some damage. In John Day Close, Coxheath, lead flashing


was stolen from a communal cycle shed and bin store at a property.


advertised the casual vacancy. If no by- electionwas called by September 25 the clerk wouldadvertise for co-option. Police The PCSO would no longer be aending meetings unless therewas a specific request from the council. Crime figures and any other reports would be read out under parish maers. There had been nine crimes since the last meeting: three thefts; four burglaries; an aempted burglary and a case of criminal damage. PCSO Morriswas still covering Marden but had more parishes to cover. Itwas hoped that following recruitment of more PCSOs the areas could be re-evaluated. Communication The new format newsleer was being delivered and the council had received positive feedback. Itwas agreed to continue with the format. Thewebsitewas still being updated and councillorswere asked to submit a profile and picture.


Staplehurst


Local Plan Regarding the inclusion of land north of Henhurst Farm in the Local Plan, Cllr Perry supported taking legal advice, particularly on the questions of precedence of the plans and the materiality of 60 extra homes. Cllr While advocated an action plan that took into account points made by councillors and residents. Itwas agreed to allocate up to £3,000 for legal advice, to be taken from the general reserve and allocated to the Neighbourhood Plan budget line. Surgery Cllr Perry said he had dealt with a report of fly-tipping and an enquiry about the Neighbourhood Plan. Railway Tavern Itwas agreed to allocate up to £3,000 for an independent viability report. The parish council would ask for an extension of time for comments on the appeal against MBC’s refusal of the planning application. Housing need Itwas agreed that Cllr Riordan would work towards the establishment of a group to source and provide information about local affordable housing for local people. Parking Itwas agreed to ask the PCSO to increase the frequency of the police presence at the Gybbon Rise bend and would press for action to amend the lay-by markings to restore parking for residents.


SuonValence


Play area The clerk had received four quotes for the resurfacing of the old play area. The


decisionwas postponed until after the meeting with parishioners.The clerkwas due to meet Outdoorsy Living regarding fencing and the multiplay bridge at theWar Memorial play area. Risk management The clerk had investigated safety deposit boxes. These had been phased out by banks and neither the Unity nor Nationwide offered this service. The only bank currently offering this service was Metro Bank. The cost would be £475. The clerk would approach the conveyancing solicitor provided by Cllr Taylor. Resignation Cllr Simon Fowle had resigned and the vacancy had been advertised. CrossingAleer had been received from a parishioner regarding a crossing on the A274 by the entrance to the village hall and the school cricket ground. The clerk would progress this with KCC.


West Farleigh


Police report There had been one crime since the previous meeting – a theft of saddles. Cllr Martin said hewas also aware of four burglaries in Hunt Street and another at Bow Hill Oast. Itwas also noted that the sports club gates had been smashed. The clerkwas asked to query the figures with the PCSO. Highways Cllr Martin reported that the willow trees belonging to Rookery Estates by Teston Bridgewere causing sightline issues. The laurel hedge at the Thatched House, coming from Coxheath, needed cuing back. Potholes The potholes in Bow Hill had been painted four months ago and remarked two weeks before the meeting, but the paintwas fading again. Waste collection There had been problems with collectionwaste in Church Lane due to overhanging trees.MBChad given permission for the trees, which had tree protection orders, to be cut back. Bin collectionswere running aweek late. Berry Gardens The extension of the fruit distribution centre had been approved. This would increase the lorry deliveries through surrounding villages and problems had already been photographed. The company had looked for a more suitable site but there were none in the area. Japanese knotweed Cllr Swan reported knotweed on the footpath by the Sports Club, which is owned by Rookery Estates, and also on the lower road by Butlers Field, which is Kent Highways land. .


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


Fence panels to a field atLower Farm Road, Boughton Monchelsea,were damaged and a caravan abandoned on the field site. A delivery driver smashed a flagstone in Summerhill Road, Marden, by throwing it into a ditch. A body panel was stolen from a Mazda


MX5 in St Helen’s Lane, East Farleigh. A house in Hanover Road, Coxheath,was broken into and keys stolen. A Vauxhall In- signia and VW Golf were stolen and recov- ered. Keys to theVWGolfwere taken. A boundary fence in Vicarage Lane, East Farleigh, was damaged. A large hole was


made in the fencing and a padlock was re- moved from a set of gates. The building was not entered.


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Maidstone Weald October 2017 37


Parish Councils


Crime reports


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