downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst


Clean-up CllrNichola Carrwas thanked for organising the village tidy-up and the clerk was to send an email thanking residents for taking part. Playing field Cllr Vanessa Jones and Cllr Carr hadmetwith the contractor regarding fencing at the playing field. The contractor stated the gap between themetal railings in the toddlers’ play area and the chain link fencewas insufficient to take the newfence and advised that the link fence be removed. Members heard the original quote of £500 plus VAT included a skip thatwas nownot needed. Councillors agreed to proceedwith the additionalwork,whichwould cost £150. Separately, the ownership of the fencewas questioned by amember of the public and it was noted that Bredhurst Parish Council paid for and erected the fence around 2002. Thematerials for the newfence had been delivered and taped off for safety reasons. Councillors agreed towrite to BVHgiving notice of the start date and explaining the removal of the chain link fence. Itwas agreed to request no signs should be a�ached to the newfence. StrimItwas agreed to ask Landscape Services for a quote to strimthe playing field and village footpaths. The play inspection with Craigdene had been booked. The contractorwas also to be contacted about the newtyre on the zipwirewhichwas preventing users reaching the landing platform. AONB signAnewArea ofOutstanding Natural Beauty sign had been installed but the posts supplied needed cu�ing back, at a cost of £135. Councillors agreed to pay the extra but to see if it could reclaimthemoney fromCroft. Boundary reviewUnder the Parliamentary boundary reviewproposals, Bredhurst would formpart of theMaidstone constituency. UltrasoundAplan to change the use of an office at TheNursery Restaurant inDunn Street to an ultrasound studiowas approved. Finance Itwas agreed not to pay the invoice fromBarge until thework on the zipwire had been discussed. The payment to Craigdenewould not bemade until after the playing field inspection. Updates Cllr Carr had spoken toHighways about the footpath over theM2 bridge at The Street. Theywillmonitor it for subsidence and ifwork is necessarywill a�empt to do it in the school holidays. Police Cllr Steve Bowring a�ended the Police Liaisonmeeting. Less serious incidentswill nowonly get a crime number. PaybackDetails of the Community Payback Scheme had been received but itwas felt the requirements of the councilwould be too great for this to be beneficial.


Broomfield andKingswood


School places Cllr Prendergast reported on KCC’s response to concerns about pupil places at Kingswood Primary School for September 2018. Full story inside this edition pon page 14. NeighbourhoodWatchAs there had been no response to a request on Facebook for a volunteerNeighbourhoodWatch co- ordinator the clerkwas asked to put another advert in the ParishNews. Data rules Further directionwas to be requested fromKALC regarding the


34 Maidstone East December 2017


implementation of newdata protection regulations inMay 2018. Time limit Councillors agreed to pilot a stricter time limit on parish councilmeetings to bring it in linewith the recommended timescale of 2½hours. Traffic Councillors concluded that the best option formanaging school trafficwould be to install ‘keep clear’ roadmarkings in Gravelly Bo�omRoad. The clerkwas asked to consult KCC about the potential impact of moving parking away fromthe village hall. HGVsigns Councillors agreed advisory signs stating ‘single track roadwith passing places’ should be erected at every junction where the ‘noHGV’s’ signs had been placed. The clerkwas to discuss costs etc.,with KCC Highways. Sports field The trimtrail had a ro�en post and the council’s RoSPAinspector suggested thewhole rail be removed.Members requested that Craigdene put forward a costing for all items requested for the sports field to viewagainst the budget. Hall extension Councillors heard part of a copy of the title deeds for the hall had been received but this did not provide the information requested. Cllr Lakin proposed a le�er outlining the full proposal is sent to the commi�ee requiring a responsewithin a given timeframe.Members agreed if this is not received the councilwould need to determinewhether to look elsewhere for its additional office space and facilities. The clerkwas asked to request a full copy of the deeds fromLand Registry. Rural transport Bus contracts are due for renewal inApril 2018. Concernwas voiced about possible further reductions in the local bus service. Resignation CllrMike Lovell has resigned for family health reasons. Councillors asked the clerk to offer their grateful thanks for his practical and sound service to the parish for over four years. Travellers Staplehurst PC asked if parish councilswith gypsy and traveller site planning issueswould considerworking together on some applications, possibly via Judicial Review. Thiswas felt to be in- appropriate as each applicationwas unique.


Detling


Parking problemsAresident spoke of concerns about vehicles parking in the parish. Cllr Bowie suggested placing an article in theDetlingNews to advise residents of enforcement action. Playing field The contractor supplying the play equipment to the council had gone into liquidation, and a le�er to themhad not been responded to. The chairman agreed to speak toMaidstone Borough Council to see if planning permissionwas required and then the councilwould seek three quotes for the equipment. Traffic enforcement PCSOMa�Adlington reported on the enforcement he had undertaken regarding the access restrictions. Many driverswere unaware of the restrictions,while a number of residents had complained about the traffic the enforcement exercise had caused in the village. Village hall The village hallmanagement commi�eemeeting had been a�ended by the chairman,who spoke positively about theirwork tomake the hall a success. The chairman also spoke about parking outside the hall,with themanagement commi�ee


having requested restrictions for an hour at lunchtimes to prevent commuters parking in the village. JunctionworksDiscussionwas held regarding plans to changeM2 J5,with the A249. Cllr Evernden said he did not agree with the proposals, and the clerk reported that Stockbury Parish Council had also raised objections, so itwas agreed the councilwould support their objections. Village highwaysAVillageHighways Groupwas being set up, and CllrHowells was to represent the parish council.


Downswood


Police reorganisation Cllr Cheeseman and the clerk hadmetwith PSCOJohn Boyd to discuss howthingswouldmove forward. While the PSCOhas a large area to cover, he was keen to establish close linkswith the council. County update Cllr Cooke fromKCC said hewas “appalled” at themanner decisions were reached atMBC's planningmeeting. KCCwill continue to object to the road layout on a proposed development north of Bicknor Farm. Cllr Cooke believes the Garden Village proposal for 5,000 homes could re-emerge in five years’ time. Tree disease CllrAlden-Morris reported concerns over possible fungal disease on several trees atMallards.Hewould forward pictures to the clerk. Salt bags Cllr Cookewould check the sizes of salt bags available for the spreaders and advise accordingly ahead of thewinter. Christmas ceremonyAylesford Electrical had confirmed that themotifswould be ready and the arrangements for the ceremonywere in place. Cllr Cheesmanwas to contact the choir and youngmusicians regarding their a�endance. Itwas agreed that amore structured programme should be introduced this year,with everyone outside in time for the switch-on.Adonation to the choir of £100was agreed. Socialmedia CllrWeeks a�ended KALC's socialmedia training and noted a lot of the slideswere out of date.While the council had one of the bestwebsites, itwas suggested that a socialmedia policywas required and a commi�ee should be considered. CllrWeekswas to investigate howthe council’s Twi�er had been set to operate. DownswoodDiggers CllrWeekswas to purchase bulbs for planting on the grass verges by FoxdenDrive, ReindenGrove and LonghamCopse. The area around the Spires noticeboardwas to be cleared. The council agreed not to join inwith the Rotary Club's crocus planting appeal in aid of polio eradication as theDownswoodDiggers would be planting bulbs in the community. Itwas noted that the bat population seemed to have increased.


Harrietsham


Parish officeAresident requested an update and itwas noted that the council has now exchanged on the building but a number of outstanding items still need a�ention. Police complaintAlack of lighting around QuestedWaywas raised by a resident,who pointed to a number of crimes in the area. The resident themselves had a classic car stolen andwas almost run over trying to prevent the theft. Two other cars have been stolen and despite clear CCTV footage


32


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showing the suspects being given to Kent Police, there had been no progress. Cllr Allardyce suggested that a formal complaint should be submi�ed to Kent Police,while the clerk agreed to contact borough and county councillors to discuss street lighting. PotholesAlarge pothole had not been fixed byKentHighways during their recentworks. Newcouncillor Victoria Foster introduced herself to the council and after a brief discussion,Ms Fosterwas co-opted onto the parish council. The nowCllr Fosterwas appointed to the Finance andGeneral Purposes Commi�ee. Open spaces The contracts have been advertised in the local press, online and via Facebook. Copies of the specifications have been emailed to five contractors so far.Any late amendmentswould be discussed and agreed at the next environmentalmeeting. Woodlandswalk The tree survey had identified three trees requiring a�ention, including one that is standing dead. Two contractors had been contacted but as they needed access via a neighbouring field, it was felt that the tree should be left and cleared up if orwhen it falls, although this would need to be revisited should the unused footpath down to Court Lodge Road come back into use.Of the other two trees, one is in the nature reserve so could be left, but the other is overhanging a garden. Two quotes have been received and that one of them, for £550,would be contacted to price up some otherwork. CllrGriffiths proposed that if thework came to less than £999, it should be completed as soon as possible. Memorial treeAquote had been received to replace the vandalised tree. The quotewas £175 plus VAT for a cherry tree and a further £180 plus VAT for ametal guard. Itwas decided to place the newtree in a different area ofWest StreetGreen so that if the old tree dies, therewill be another for the plaque to be added to. Vergeworks The verge on theA20 by The Hollies needed clearing to allowplanting of spring bulbs and it also looked very untidy. CllrDean had received a quote of £180 plus VAT fromtheA20 contractor to complete a one-off clearance and itwas agreed for the work to be carried out. Dogmess Complaints had been received regarding dogmess around the village. Fine warning signs in one particular areawould be spray painted on the pavement.


Birling


NUMBER plateswere stolen fromtwo cars parked in Tydeman Road, Bearsted. Motorbikes caused damage to crops


Hawthorn bush Itwas agreed that the work needs to be carried out by a qualified tree surgeon. Cllr Stewart offered to obtain quotes from local businesses, with a view to having the work done before the Heritage Day. Clerk vacancy Cllr Spooner had advised the clerk that she had spoken with a resident whowas interested in applying for the position, but nothing had been received. Street lights The clerk had met with Richard Emme from KCC to look at all the street lights.A survey needed to be carried out and a quote detailing options would be sent, possibly by September. Parsons Corner The light was not working and needed to be replaced.A quote had been requested from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. As itwas likely to be cheaper to replace the light as part of the LED replacement project itwas decided towait until the KCC quote had been received. Drug debris CllrWalker said youths had


TWO cars in Bush Row, Aylesford,were broken into on the same evening. A handbag, cash cards and personal items were stolen from a Ford Fiesta left on a driveway, while cash and cardswere taken from a Saab 9-3 parked on the road. A whiteBMWX6was stolen from a


driveway in Lapins Lane, Kings Hill.A week earlier, a black car of the same model had also been stolen from Quindell Place, Kings Hill. ABMW318 convertiblewas stolen from


a residential driveway in New Hythe Lane, Larkfield. The tracker of a Mercedes Sprinter van parked in Briar Close, Larkfield, was removed and discarded before the vehicle was stolen. It contained a number of cordless tools. Three HP laptops, cash and jewellery


when theywere driven over farmland in Court Lodge Road, Harrietsham. Five leaf blowers and awacker plate


were stolen from aBMWX1 parked on a driveway in Spruce Close, Larkfield. A Toshiba laptop and surveying equipmentwere stolen when a steel cabin at a construction site in Tower View, Kings Hillwas broken into. A cocker spanielwent missing from London Road, Ryarsh. The dog may have escaped the property boundary and may have been seen being taken from the area in a silver car. A secured black Pegasus hybrid bicycle


were stolen froman outbuilding at BearstedGolf Club. Criminal damagewas caused to a vehicle


parked in Impton Lane, Boxley. A group of youthswere seen a�empting


in Cross Keys, Bearsted. Jewellerywas stolen froma residential


Forge Lane, Bredhurst,was broken into. All fivewheels and tyreswere stolen. Jewellerywas stolen froma home in


to steal a BMWin CountryWays, Lenham. A rabbit was stolen froma secure garden


property in BirlingAvenue, Bearsted. A Peugeot 2008 parked on a driveway in


Hurstwood Road, Bredhurst. A large quantity of clothingwas stolen


Malling October 2017 Maidstone East December 2017


in of a Ford Transit van in Falstaff Close, East Malling. A handbag containing cash, a mobile telephone, credit cards and a pursewas taken from a vehicle in Beech Road, Mereworth. Medical equipmentwas stolen from a


Ford Fiesta parked in Eagle Close, Larkfield. A motorcyclewas taken from a property


froma store at a shopping centre in Bearsted Road, Boxley.A second break-in


inWateringbury Road, East Malling. Clothes, a buggy, an XBox games console, controller and gameswere among


was stolen from a communal garden in Admiral Moore Drive, Aylesford. Marine equipment was taken when a Citroen Berlingo van parked in Medway Court, Aylesford,was broken in to. Power toolswere stolen during a break-


in of a van in Plover Road, Larkfield. A deWalt drillwas stolen during a break-


Newbins Concrete bases have been put down for the newbins to be installed, but MBCwas still awaiting their delivery. Remembrance Sunday The council agreed to donate £100 to go alongside thewreath for the annual Remembrance Service. Glebe Field TheWeald of Kent Rotary Club had submi�ed their annual request to use theGlebe Field for theNorthDownsWalk on June 10 next year. The council agreed the use of the fieldwith the usual caveats. The same applied to the field’s use for the Big Lunch,which takes place aweek earlier.


Kings Hill Lenham


Street lightAresident reported that a street light outside the estate agents in the Square is on during the day. Cllr Scrivens agreed to report to KCC. The same resident also reported broken bolts on the gents’ toilets. Newsubstantial bolts are to be installed. Parish divisionWith the expected increase in population, itwas asked if the parish would be divided into north and south wards. CllrGreenwood said thatwhile there could be an increase in the number of councillors, thiswould not necessarily lead to a division in the parish. Overhanging trees The lights in the pathway fromOldAshford Road toGroom Way are being obscured by overhanging trees. The clerkwas to establish ownership of the trees and request they are cut back. Councillor resignation The chairman announced that JohnNye had resigned from his role on the council and thanked himfor his efforts during his timewith the council. Therewere nowtwo vacancies for the south ward,whichwould be advertised. Neighbourhood planMore than 300 a�ended the consultation into the plan,with 150 replies having been received to the questionnaire,whichwas to be analysed and put on the council’swebsite. There had been an overall positive reaction to proposals for development sites, green spaces, school development and newextended sports facilities, but concerns had been raised about development to thewest, traffic congestion and parking. Funding fromoutside bodies was to be pursued to ensure future budget facilities are in place. Allotment site The conclusion of the purchase of the allotment site atHamLane was imminent following the drainage


blond hair, caused criminal damage to a shop sign at a petrol station in Church Road, Addington, by kicking it. He was driving a purple Citroen Xsara estate. A house in Hall Road, Aylesford, was broken into, but nothing was taken and no damage was done. Two cars parked – one in Bell Lane and


the other in Oak Drive, Dion – had paint sprayed on them by vandals on the same evening. A car parked in Cobdown Close, Dion,


NeighbourhoodWatch


was broken into. A house in Sandy Lane, Oam, had a window smashed. Steel security gates at a farm were damaged in Adlington Lane, Troiscliffe, but nothing appeared to have been taken. Items were taken from a shed at a house


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


was a�empted two days later, but a security guard scared off the offenders. Containers at a farminAshford Road,


Hollingbournewere broken into. Several lawnmowers, a chainsaw, a leaf blower and other toolswere stolen. Telephone cableswere stolen fromthe


in Snodland Road, Birling. A garage at a home in Orwell Close, Larkfield, was broken into. The outer panel of a double-glazed bedroom window at a house in Columbine Close, East Malling, was broken in an act of criminal damage. Seven windows at the same house in Bondfield Road, East Malling, were broken in three separate incidents. Stones were thrown at a parked vehicle


woodland at Hill Green Road, Stockbury. A BMW520 parked in Coppice View,


Boxley,was keyed. The trailer of an articulated lorry parked


offender threwa stone at it in Bellgrove Court, Boxley. Various low-value items ofvarious sorts


in Swallow Road, Larkfield, causing damage. The wing mirror of a car parked on Woodpecker Road, Larkfield, was deliberately smashed off. Criminal damage was caused when keys


in Old ChathamRoad, Boxley,was broken into and packages stolen. A patio doorwas smashedwhen an


were run down the side of a Honda Civic, parked in a residential car park space in Shoesmith Lane, Kings Hill. The rear windscreen wiper of a Hyundai


i20 parked on Heron Road, Larkfield, was broken off. The same night, a Seat Leon


Emergency access Therewas much debate about access to Kings Hill and vulnerability in relation to the size of Kings Hill, entrance points and proximity to them. Itwas agreed to investigate a high level emergency access plan and maintenance of emergency routes. Area 63 Itwas agreed to accept the proposed road names of Josephine Lane and Keepsake Drive for Area 63. LandscapingA resident raised concern about landscaping by KCC in Victoria Drive. Itwas agreed that the resident would send photographs to the deputy clerk who would liaise with KCC on his behalf.


been seen by the stream in the field behind the church where drug debris had been found and that more youths had been in Birling Park, being noisy and leaving lier. She had reported the maer to the landscape PCSO and next time would also report it to 101.


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


items stolen during a break-in at a property in GlentonAvenue, Kings Hill. Gold jewellery and cash were taken in a break-in at a house in CastleWay, Leybourne. A man, described as in his 30s with short


searches,with CllrsGreenwood and Walmsley to sign the agreement to purchase the site for £45,000.Discussionswould then to take placewith theAllotmentAssociation. Square ownership Following ameeting with KCC, itwas agreed ownership of the Square needed to be established. Parking markings and signage in the Squarewere reported to be incorrect. Speed reduction The project to reduce speed of traffic in theHigh Streetwas under discussionwith KCC,with CllrWalmsley to draft a le�er outlining concerns about changes to the original plan and extra costs imposed by KCC for a traffic survey. Planning permission The carwash inOld Ashford Roadmust apply for retrospective planning permission. The advertising boards were blocking site lines to theA20, so Cllr Scrivenswas to report to KCC. JonesHomes CllrOsborne proposed that the council object to an approved application for development on the JonesHomes site north ofWestwood Close on the basis that it does not comply to the emerging Lenham Neighbourhood Plan. Therewas no provision for a newjunction onto theA20 to thewest end of the site, andwould require a break in the proposed buffer zone to allow the newaccess road, and the application had no provision to improve the junction of the A20 andHamLane. Toilet proposal CllrGreenwoodwas to report back following further discussions withMBC about the toilets. Cllr Scrivens suggested a count of usage could be undertaken and the annual running cost information discussed. Cemetery improvementsWork at the cemeterywas progressing. The newshed, sponsored byAWCourt, and the compost bins, provided by LenhamStorage,were to be ordered. Police dissatisfaction Cllr Culver reported dissatisfactionwith the police responses to CCTV evidence submi�ed following incidents of vandalismand antisocial behaviour. Cllr Smith-Essex said that incidents in LenhamHeath had also received poor police service. Cllr Prendergast hadwri�en to the police and crime commissioner outlining residents’ concerns. Tree disease CllrOsborne reported tree disease at the CherryDowns picnic site. It was to bemonitored.


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Allotments Regarding the quotations to re- turf two paths at the allotment site, it was agreed to give the clerk delegated authority to select a contractor and proceed with the works. Itwas resolved to give notice to allotment holders that the annual allotment rent would increase by 3% or £3. Grass cuing The mower had been received and would be kept at the Sports Park. Tree inspection works Itwas agreed to give the clerk delegated authority to select a contractor and proceed with the works. Sports park Itwas agreed to accept the request to place a portacabin at the Sports Park and that all costs relating to instatement and reinstatement would be met by the hirer. Open air cinema Itwas agreed to accept a proposal for an event at the Sports Park on October 29. The hire charge for this event would be £300. Salt bins Itwas agreed to accept the quotation for Landscape Services with regard to refilling the salt bins.


parked on a driveway in the same road was broken into and cash was stolen. A Seat Alhambra parked in a supermarket car park in New Hythe Lane, Larkfield, had its rear window smashed in an apparent break-in aempt. A Mitsubishi van had its rear window smashed in Wren Close, Larkfield, but nothing was stolen. A Vauxhall Astra parked in Holborough


Road, Snodland, had a wing mirror damaged. The baery from a vehicle parked in Holborough Road, Snodland, was stolen. Several trees were cut down in a residential garden in New Hythe Lane, Larkfield. No access was gained in an aempted break-in at a residential property in The Brucks,Wateringbury. An insecure Nissan Qashqai in Beadsman Crescent, Leybourne, was entered and searched – but nothing was taken.


–were stolen fromcampers in thewoods at Crismill Lane, Thurnham. Partswere taken froma vehicle parked


in Harple Lane, Detling. Potswere removed froma garden in Horton Downs, Downswood.


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35


Garden play equipment and a tree were damaged in an open space in Oxley Shaw Lane, Leybourne. A secured back garden in Roundhay, Leybourne, was broken into but nothing was stolen and there were no signs of an aempt to get into the house. A waste bin belonging to the local council was moved on Oxley Shaw Lane, Leybourne, dragging with it the concrete post it was secured to.


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