downsmail.co.uk
failed to secure funding for the crossing in Wheeler Street in the current round of financial bidding. KCC has advised itwill try again in February. It suggested the traffic survey by the parish council should go ahead to support the application, at a cost of £2,000,whichwas agreed. Traveller sites Staplehurst Parish Council had been informed that the parish council did notwant to be financially involved in judicial reviewproceedings regarding gipsy and traveller sites. Heaxit Cllr D’Urso had investigated the possible alignment of the parishwith Ashford Borough Council overMaidstone. Itwas agreed to take thema�er forward by supporting the changes proposed under the newboundary commission review. It was agreed Cllr D’Ursowould draft le�ers to the boundary commission and Maidstone Council. Burial The chair outlined two separate parcels of land thatmay be considered for the provision of a natural burial ground. The first is behind houses onMillbank and is in private ownership and the other, on LenhamRoad, is currently owned byMBC. Itwas agreed to set up aworking group to research the feasibility of both sties. Nazi sales The clerk had redirected a complaint about the sale of Nazi memorabilia at Headcorn airfield in the summer toMBC, as the authority responsible for licensing. Village plan CllrAndrews confirmed the revised detail requested byMBC regarding the Neighbourhood Plan had been submi�ed. Play Scheme The clerk hadwri�en to Headcorn School to request permission for the play scheme group to use the school in the summer of 2018. Speed Cllr Dungeywas thanked for ge�ing the newHeadcorn Community Speedwatch scheme up and running again. Signs Cllr Selby advised that the issue of newroad signs bearing the “Borough of Maidstone”marking had been reported to the borough council and its response would be discussed at a futuremeeting. Resignation The chair notedwith regret the resignation of Cllr DaveAndrews after nine and a half years on the council. He was thanked for the immense amount of work he had undertaken for the parish council, especiallywith regard to planning and also the judicial
review.Members hoped hewould continue to advise the council as amember of HeadcornMa�ers.
Hunton Watermain South EastWater had
investigated the possibility of installing part of the newHunton Hillwatermain on Clive Baxter’s land to the east of the road, but due to the location of badger se�s and electricity cables, itwas not suitable.An alternative route along land to thewest is also not considered viable, so the pipewill have to go under the road. Playing field The playing field commi�ee had successfully obtained two grants totalling £6,750 to go towards the purchase of a newnest swing and replacing the safety surface under the play equipment. Village hallA grant of £1,000was received fromCounty Councillor Paulina Stockell towards the replacement boiler for the village hall.A festoon of lights had also been installed on the front of the hall by handyman Phil Jessop,with the assistance
of several local residents. Tractor troubles The councilwas towrite to LJ Be�s,who farmthe land adjacent to the permissive path onWest Street to ask themto try to avoid driving tractors across the path as it ismaking the pathmuddy and damaging the surface. HGV concerns Cllrs Thomas and Heaton had a�ended the firstmeeting of theWares FarmMonitoring Commi�ee. They provided evidence that HGVswere using Redwall Lane and East Street to travel between Berry Gardens andAmsbury Farm. Itwas agreed that HGVmonitoring would be extended to include the Redwall Lane/East Street junction. Traffic plan The Traffic and Road Safety Working Party was to look at the traffic plan that had been produced for the construction phase and consider the need tomonitor construction traffic.
Loose Good neighbours LooseNeighbours is a
voluntary organisation that seeks to act as a “good neighbour” to those in need of help or friendship in the Parish of Loose. Their services are free of charge. If you would like transport to localmedical and other appointments, or need helpwith other issues such as shopping, call themon 07909 812 139 Village fete The 2018 event is scheduled to take place on Saturday September 1. The first Events Commi�eemeeting for the fete will be held onMonday January 22. If you have some ideas that youwould like to put forward orwould like to get involved in the fete’s organisation, please contact the parish office.
Marden VacancyMichael Joneswas co-opted to fill
the vacancy left by Cllr Childs. The chairman reported that the vacancy left by the resignation of Cllr Cowin had also been advertised for co-option. SpeedMembers agreed to pay half the cost of a KCC plan to extend the speed limit restriction in Chainhurst. Councillors felt it should fund it fromthe 2018/19 budget on this occasion only as it is an exceptional circumstance because of the nature of the se�lement, the road and the previous works. Emergency plan Cllr Turner requested the assistant clerk ask if a representative from Kent Resilience Forumcould come and talk tomembers regardingMarden’s emergency plan. Newsle�erMembers agreed a request fromthe clerk to put together a library of photographs suitable for use in the newsle�er. Cllr Newtonwas asked to create a library of seasonal photos. Van Policy Councillors agreed that the trailer could also be hired outwith the van. The clerkwould update the policy accordingly. BoundaryMembers had been sent the Boundary Commission proposals,which includedMarden being groupedwithin a Mid Kent & Ticehurst constituency. Councillors supported the revision to the composition of constituencies in principle, but disagreed that Ticehurst and Etchinghambe includedwithinMarden’s constituency. KALC Councillors agreed to support KALC’s Ba�le’s Over Tribute on
November 11 2018 and added the itemto itsAmenities agenda for further action. DangerAn emailwas received froma resident concerned about accidents on B2079Winchet Hill. Cllr Tippen agreed to raise the issuewith county councillor Eric Hotson.
Staplehurst FloodlightsMembers agreed to pay £195
to submit a planning application for floodlights on themain football pitch on Jubilee Field. Maintenance Members accepted a quote for £934.69 fromLandscape Services to cut the grass on Surrenden Playing Field in 2018, noting that the cost for the 16 cuts was 3%higher than in 2017. TransportMembers agreed to renewits £15membership to the Transport Accessibility Group in light of itswork on bus service issues.A donation of £10 would also be sent. Wimpey FieldMembers agreed to spend £6,000 on trees and bulbs to be planted on the school area of the field. ParkingMembers agreed to continue its investigations into the possibility of taking on themanagement of the Bell Lane car park. Yellow lines Cllr Riordan reported that additional yellowlines in Chapel Lane and Church Greenwas unlikely as KCC did not have themoney. Therewas no need for additional yellowlines in Station Road and a schoolworking groupwas looking at parking near the school. Dawkins TrustMembers thanked former councillor JennyWhi�le for agreeing to continue as the parish council’s representative for another 12months. Untidy Cllr Buller reported that her inquiries relating to the owner of the grass verge between the junctionwith North Down and the Corner FarmRoad footpath had revealed itwas unregistered. Itwas agreed that the clerkwrite to the occupants for their viewon the use of the Community Payback scheme to clear the area and that the council should seek to take ownership of the land, subject acceptable costs. Public loos The parish council agreed to support an action by Falmouth Town Council calling for business rate relief on public conveniences to bemandatory. VacancyMemberswere told that following the resignation of CllrWhi�le, the vacancy had been advertised and the Returning Officer had advised that the Parish Council could proceed to co-option. Railway The council agreed to request a meetingwith Network Rail over the station redevelopment. Councillor Perry said he would ascertain a suitable contact. Watch Cllr Buller reported that about 50 people a�ended the NeighbourhoodWatch meeting in October.A leaflet dropwas being investigated, forwhich County Councillor Hotson had indicated he could possibly provide some funding. Those at themeeting had learned about ’Fields of Vision’, a group that shares information about security issues in the countryside.
Su�onValence Donation £250will be diverted to The Three
Su�onsHelpline aftermembers heard that themoney normally received by the Jubilee
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