downsmail.co.uk Di�on
Casual vacancyA resident had registered an interest in the parish council vacancy and thiswould be followed up. Police report Cllr Dalton advised that therewere inaccuracies in the police crime report. Itwas noted that this is issued by the police for information only andwas not the responsibility of the parish council. Itwas noted that vanswere still parking on theA20 opposite the Kia garage and itwas suggested that KCC be contacted about double yellowlines being put there and other problemareas such as the corner of Bradbourne Lane and over the bridge in St Peter’s Road.A red pick-up truck similar to the one leased by the parish council had been seen being driven at speed by a lady
driver.Memberswere reassured that council staff drive the parish vehiclewith care and respect at all times. Heritage centre CllrMulcuck asked about the possibility of a grant for repointing the Heritage Centre. County Cllr Homewood said thiswas not possible as the Heritage Centre did not own the building. Remembrance SundayAll arrangements were in hand and the road closures had been granted. Cllr Cooper volunteered to do the readings. Itwas agreed to buy two seated soldier silhoue�es and one small statue for the service.
Leybourne
Former clerk Itwas noted that the previous parish clerk, Neil Curtis, had been found guilty at crown court for offences under the computermisuse act and had been fined, given community service and a supervision order. Policema�ers There had been several burglaries and police had asked residents to be vigilant. Drug dealing in the area appeared to be
ongoing.Amember of the public asked if policing had been stepped up due to the burglaries.Another resident said speeding driverswere racing up and down Lunsford Lane, along theA20 and back via CastleWay. This had been reported to the police but therewas no a�endance. County councillor’s report Cllr Sarah Hohler had agreed to contribute £2,000 fromher funding to the village hall extension. Therewere investigations at The Chase as towhether a roundaboutwould help those trying to leave the estate. The lowering of the speed limit on theA20 to 40mph between the BP garage and the Church Road junctionwas also being investigated. Driverswere ignoring the no entry sign fromBirling road onto theA20 and Cllr Hohlerwas to use her fund to create a curve on the exitwhichwould prevent illegal turning. Nuisance There had been reports of nuisance and threatening behaviour in the Mallingwoods and these had been reported. Seating The seating had been inspected and onewooden bench had been removed as itwas ro�en. The otherswere considered likely to last onemore year. Christmas event Cllr Stewardwas still gathering quotes and information but
32 Malling November 2018
would like a budget of £1,500. Thiswas agreed. Hallmaintenance Itwas agreed to spend £500 on tools and equipment forwork on the hall.
Mereworth
School parking Therewas a complaint about theworsening problemof parents parking in the Street at school pick-up and drop-off times. Church Closewas unadopted and carswere being turned around and breaking up the surface. There was also a problemwith cars parked on Mereworth Roadwith children being taken across the busy SevenMile Lane. Cllr Olden had been consultingwith the school. TMBC, Kent Highways and the bus
operator.Approval had been given to turn the lay-by outside the school into a drop- off only zone and the school had been giving out leaflets to persistent offenders. Church parking There had been an improvement in the parking situation since the pavilion had beenmade available for parking during church special events. Community resilience Dennis Styles felt that li�er-pickingwas under control, the triangle under the village signwas always well looked after, grasswas cut and flowers planted, He suggested that working partiesmight be formed to deal with the verges on the south side of the street and asked if the coffee shop idea for the pavilionmight be pursued for older people. Hewas asked if hewould be prepared to organise this. Pavilion Patio improvements and seating had been completed in time for the village fete. Cllr Balfourwas thanked for the grant. PCC liaison The churchyard had been designated as a Kent LocalWildlife Site. It was reported thatmowing contractors had done a good job, but they needed chasing for lack of activity. Warmemorial This had been designated a grade II listed building. The clerkwould ask the caretaker to clean it before November 11. Allotments Nessie Brooks of the allotments commi�ee asked for clarity on the responsibility for the RecreationArea gate. The clerk said the gatewas used by others on occasions, so the gate and padlockwere the responsibility of the parish council but the keys for allotment holderswere the responsibility of the allotment commi�ee. There had been five thefts fromthe allotmentswhich had been reported to the police. Therewere two vacant plots. The fencing repair had been delayed as the groundwas too hard, but this could nowgo ahead. The parish councilwould pay for the fence posts. Beacon The beaconwould be lit in the field to the east of Butchers Lane on November 11. Refreshmentswould be provided. Residentswould be invited to apply for free tickets. Village fete Funds had been distributed as agreed. Neworganiserswould be required for next year as Cllr Thorogood and Helen Card had resigned.
O�am
Speeding Cllr Hohler andMP Tom Tugendhat had received complaints about the traffic speeding along theA20 between Brickfields and the Church Road junction. This had becomeworsewith the new developments, such as Leybourne Chase. It was agreed to support the extension of the lower speed limit of 40mph. Armistice centenary Rev JimBrown had obtained a grant for 10 soldier silhoue�es to be placed in the church.A fund to raise money for the eventwas goingwell. The parish council had paid for poppies and plaques to be installed on the village green. The parish council considered and agreed to pay for the printing of the book thatwas being put togetherwith details of villagers who died in
thewar.After the church service drinks and cakeswould be available in the hall and therewould be an exhibition curated by Suzanne Youngwith photos and details of everyonewhowent towar fromthe village. Village green Itwas agreed thatweed killer and feed should be applied to the playing field in the spring. There had been complaints about parking on the village green opposite the pub, in breach of the byelaws. Cllr Frankling was organising no parking signs and KCC could install posts to prevent parking. Lime trees Itwas agreed to pay for the felling of the lime trees in Teston Road car park as the sapwas damaging cars. Cllr Marchantwouldmake the application to TMBC. Race night Itwas agreed to hold another race night in February with a fish and chip supper. CllrWilliamswould set a date with the village hall. Maintenance Various nuts and bolts had been replaced in the play area and Cllr Williams had swept it regularly. Cllr Marchant had put stakes in the trees and had taken away the top part of the bench in Cosgrave Field andwould remove the rest. Pond The pond areawas becoming overgrown. Cllr Piercewould discuss a working partywith Cllr Frankling. Defibrillator training Twelve villagers a�ended the first training session and six a�ended the second. Itwas intended to run training sessions every year and a villager whowas a consultant nurse and advanced life support instructor had offered to help. The Pound CllrWilliamswould like to make the Pound look be�er. Therewas a complaint about installing a bench so it was agreed to putmeadowflowers in there and leave it as it is. CllrWilliamswould cut back the ivy. Christmas lights Itwas agreed that the lightswould be switched on on Sunday, December 2, the first Sunday inAdvent.
Tro�iscliffe
Policema�ersA number of used ba�eries were stolen fromthe driveway of a property onAddington Green. Concern was expressed about several incidents involving cars being driven across
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