downsmail.co.uk


White lines The proposal to share the cost of thewhite lines on Church Roadwas discussed. Itwas agreed that the scheme would benefit Downswood residents and a contribution of £447.50was agreed.


Hollingbourne


Website The clerk has liaisedwith Cllr Cobbe� aboutwebsite training,whichwas taking place. Police report Therewere no reports of crime in the village. However, there had been reports in neighbouring villages of sheds and outhouses being broken into and tools stolen.Amanwas caught trying to break into a home in Hucking, but he drove offwhen challenged by the neighbour. The police surgery at the Cardwell Pavilionwas a success. PCSO Dan Gennwas keen to liaisewith residents, giving advice and listening to concerns. The clerkwould find outwhat the police could do about speeding and inconsiderate parking around the school. Chairman’s report CllrWard said the parish councilwould be sad to see Dave Skinner and his familymove from Hollingbourne. They had been an important part of the village for about 40 years. Dave had also helpedmaintain the verges and children’s playground and helped out at village fetes. Hewas thanked for all his support. Benches CllrWardwas to contact Fernham Homes, the developer building houses between Godfrey House and Claygate, to see if they could sponsor some bench seats for the village. Two benches had been earmarked fromMBC, but additional seatingwas required. Bin emptying The clerkwas to contact MBC about ge�ing the bin in the playground emptiedmore frequently. The parish council cleaning contractor emptied the bin regularly, but itwas still overflowing. The clerkwas pursuing quotationswith regards to tidying up the area. Tree stump The clerkwould contact the tree surgeonwho had removed the dead tree on Tanyard Green to bore out the stump so that itwas not a trip hazard. Textile bankAn email had been received froma company askingwhether a textile bank could be placed on parish council landwith an offer of paying rental of the


ALOCKED and secure vehicle left in a lay- by due to mechanical problems was stolen in Sittingbourne Road, Detling. A three-axle HGV trailerwas stolen from


a loading yard in Thurnham. A Decathalonmountain bikewas stolen


froma house in Court Lodge Road, Harrietsham. The rearwindowof a vehicle parked in a


driveway in High Street, Lenhamwas smashed.Nothingwas stolen fromthe vehicle. The rear sidewindowof a vehicle


parked outside a housewas smashed in LenhamHeath Road, Lenham. A black Peugeot 308 saloon had been damaged on the road in High Street,


land.Although itwas felt itwas a good idea in principle, frompast experience the banks a�racted fly-tipping which the parish councilwould then need to pay to have removed. Remembrance service The clerk had received an email fromthe churchwith regards to having a table at the Remembrance Service on November 11. This itemwould be placed on the agenda for the nextmeeting. Highways plan Cllr Prendergast recommended that a Highways Plan be formed by the parish council once the results of the speed survey had been collated. The plan could highlight whether further speed restrictionswere necessary and if the SpeedWatch initiativewas needed to be run by volunteers. Therewas an innovative traffic light systemin Lenhamwhich sensed vehicles approaching viawire embedded in the road. This could be anothermethod of slowing traffic down and avoiding congestion. Cllr Prendergast also said that although KCC could be approached for financial helpwith special requests, the parish councilwould need to fund the majority of the highwayworks, following the results of the speed survey. Swanton FarmBorough Cllr Garten said transport planning consultants considering this applicationwere investigating different routeswhich could be used to access the farm, avoiding Hollingbourne.A 12-tonneweight limit could be placed on vehicles driving through Hollingbourne on heritage and conservation grounds. This stipulationwould also be put upon the Highways Plan. Woodcut FarmA S106 legal agreement for the application atWoodcut Farm(Junction 8) had been drawn up. The applicant formallywithdrewtheir appeal at the planning tribunal. The outline approval by commi�ee fromlast Novemberwas the onewhichwould nowproceed. GDPR The clerkwas progressingwith data protection procedures.Members agreed that theywere to be contacted via the clerk’s email address, pchollingbourne@gmail.com. The names andmobile numbers should be the only contact information on thewebsite for parish councillors. Fireworks Cllr Bauer said events in neighbouring villages often involved


firework displayswhich distressed pets and their owners. Fireworks used to be expected three or four times a year, but nowdisplayswere held farmore often. Cllr Garten suggested contacting theMBC licensing department. The licence holder responsible for the displaywould have to meet certain requirementswhen their licencewas renewed, for example, the type of fireworks used and the regularity of events.A temporary event licencewas only valid for up to 15 events per year and fireworkswere not displayed after 11pm. The noise caused by the fireworkswould be reported throughMBC’s Environmental Health team. Highways Cllr DArdley advised that the speed surveywas to take place in the village and a detailed report could then be obtained of the speed, number, and type of vehicles driving through Hollingbourne.A le�er had been received froma villager whowas keen to volunteer for Speed Watch, if required. Pond CllrMarshall hadmade enquiries into the cleaning of the pond in the MillenniumGreen Park.A helpfulmember of the village holds an aquatic licence and was therefore able to assist in applying the pond cleaner. The pondwas void of fish andwas dry, but still contained invasive rhizome plants,which iswhy it needed to be cleaned.


Leeds


HighwaysA number of residents expressed concern about the rising number of HGVs thatwere using the B2163 through the village, especially at night time. The parish councilwas towrite to the police to ask themto spend time in the village to undertake enforcement. Right of way There had been a query over the Public Right ofWay (PROW) opposite the George Pub (KH262). The parish council and KCC had investigated this and itwas clear that the PROWdid not extend along the concrete road past Foley Farm Barn,whichwas private land. KCCwas asked to provide be�er signage. Flytipping This should be reported to Maidstone Borough Council. CCTV Thiswas to be installed at the playing field and the church car park to deter anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and to keep an eye on the highway.


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


Lenham. A Fiat Ulysse had been damaged on a


driveway in High Street, Lenham. Somebody broke a ground floor


bedroomwindowat a house in Glebe Gardens, Lenham. The rearwindowof a vehiclewas


smashedwhile itwas parked on a driveway in Cayser Drive, Kingswood. The rearwindowof a parked vehicle


was smashed in LenhamRoad, Kingswood.


There had been an a�empted burglary at


a house in Blacksmith Drive, Boxley, but nothing appeared to have been stolen. A door fi�ing had been opened, causing


the lock to fall off, in Henley Fields, Boxley. Awingmirrorwas damaged on a


vehiclewhichwas parked at a house in Forstal Road, Boxley. A blue Seat Ibiza, registration LG02***,


was stolen froma company yard in Westfield Sole Road, Boxley.


Maidstone East November 2018 35


Parish Councils


Crime reports


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