downsmail.co.uk
Play scheme The chairmanwas to speak to the school about the feasibility of holding the play scheme at the school next year. Speedwatch Despite advertising, nomore volunteers had come forward.
Langley
Village Hall The village hall Management Commi�eewasmost grateful for the receipt of the grant application formto apply for funds from Borough Councillor Paulina Stockell’s Member Grant Fund. Fire and smoke Emailswere received fromresidents regarding fire and smoke nuisance. Itwas noted that the ground clearanceworks in a nearby field had nowfinished. The landowner had been spoken to byMaidstone environmental health department and Kent Fire Brigade. Community warden Dawn Riach-Brown reported that she continued to carry out welfare visits in the area and had been speaking to the borough councilwhen the burningwas taking place. TreeAn emailwas received froma resident seeking helpwith their chestnut tree in their garden shedding debris onto Leeds Road and due to ill health they were unable to clear it up.A number of councillors agreed to try and help individually this year, but itwas noted that the clerk should suggest to the resident that the tree should be looked at by a tree surgeon to see if it can be pruned back. Flower planters Two residents had offered to helpmaintain the planters along the Leeds Road. The parish council thanked themfor their offer, and itwas agreed that Liz Clarke and Dee Hadley be added to theworking group alongside Cllr Knowles. Play area Themonthly inspection had been received fromMaidstone Borough Council and no newitemswere reported.
Linton
Footpaths review CllrWhitmarsh said he had responded to the PROWreviewon behalf of the LintonWalkers, and asked if the footpaths officer had responded on behalf of the parish council. Cllr Cresswellwould liaisewithMr McGillivray on this. Cllr Smith said he waswilling to take over fromMr McGillivray as treewarden and footpaths officer in November. The chairmanwas to liaisewithMrMcGillivray on thisma�er. Li�er bins The clerkwas in contactwith Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) about the emptying of the sponsored bins. A229 work The chairman had responded to KCC Highways officer JennieWatson about thework on theA229 as he did not feel it had been completed, although it had improved the visual impact. Cllr Webb said that a safety reportwas due to be undertaken and suggested that this was chased. Council vacancy The clerk reported that
one application had been received for the parish councillor vacancy and circulated details
tomembers.Members considered the application fromJulie Urquhart and itwas agreed to co-opt her on to the parish council. ProposedAONB Cllr Burden informed members that she had a�ended ameeting of CPRE regarding the Greensand Ridge, but li�le had been discussed. Cllr Whitmarsh had drafted a le�er to send to MBC and this had been sent. Highways CllrWhitmarsh askedwhether the interactive signwas due to be replaced on theA229. The clerkwas asked to liaisewith KCC regarding this ma�er.He said hewould liaisewith DHA planning to ascertain the progress regarding the crossing. Li�er pick CllrWhitmarsh said hewould assistwith the li�er pick, but hewas not able to take an active part in arranging these in the future. Cllr Urquhart said she would be happy to take over this role. Crossroads Cllr Parfi�-Reid reported that designerswere nowworking on the Linton Crossroads improvements. Berry Gardens CllrWebb said he and Cllr Parfi�-Reid had a�ended a planning meeting to speak on the planning conditions for Berry Gardens. The application had then been approved by MBC. Vicarage Field The chairman informed members that a request had been received fromVicarage Field to have a surface water drainage installed under the footpath at the allotments. Thiswas likely to require an easement and the parish council had been advised that this should be drafted and negotiated by a solicitor at no cost to the parish council. Itwas agreed to give permission in principle provided that a formal le�erwas sent to the parish council and advicewas sought fromsolicitors. Environmental policy Itwas agreed that the clerkwould circulate a draft environmental policy to allmembers for consideration at a futuremeeting. Allotments Themeeting heard that two plot holderswere retiring for health reasons. The vacant plots had been taken. Allotmentsmanager Jane Sawyer said the Vicarage Field plan (above) to take up the pathwould be disruptive for allotment holders,whowould need at least two weeks’ notice of the start ofwork. One of the shedswould be demolished tomake way for theworks and compensation had been requested for the relevant plot holders. Playground Itwas noted that the fence was in need of a�ention. Itwould be inspected by Cllr Smith and repaired if necessary. NeighbourhoodWatch This had been very quiet recently. The officer, Dave Spi�er,who sent out the information emails, hadmoved to another position and the chairman had resigned earlier in the year. There had been no updates for some time. Cllr Burton had emailed the volunteer and liaison office to establish
who had taken over the positions and when emailswould be received again. Village hall The hallwas decorated during the summer holidays. The garden was seeded,was growingwell and had beenmown twice. The trusteeswere looking to replace the flooring in the hall andwere going to obtain quotes. Nick Drewewas thanked for looking after the tubs and flower troughs. YuletidersA request had been received askingwhether the parish councilwould bewilling to provide crackers for the Yuletiders’ event. Thiswas agreed by members.
Loose
Potholes Therewere still issueswith potholes in Busbridge Road. Itwas agreed that the clerkwould report the ma�er to KCC. Policema�ers The newPCSO, Ross Russell,waswelcomed.He reported a spate of garden ornament thefts in the area. There had been an a�empted distraction burglary by twowomen,who had not been
caught.Awhite Citroen Berlingo (GJ54MEV) had been seen checking out the area.Anyonewho sawit was asked to contact the PCSO or call 101. Three incidentswere reported fromthe E- watch site: the theft of amoped in Heath Road; a Ford Focuswas damaged in Hubbards Lane; partswere stolen froma Vauxhall Vivaro van in Loose Road. Inconsiderate parking The PCSO said he wasmeeting Ingrid Dutch at the school to discuss thema�er.Hewould stay until the end of the school day to see the parking issues. Clothes bank The council agreed in principle to have a clothes bank on a trial basis as long as itwas placed in viewof a CCTV camera. Pumping stationAswell as the pumping station, there had also been issueswith an overflowingmanhole cover at Busbridge Road. The clerk had contacted Southern Water and had received a call from Richard Burns to say that SouthernWater was aware of the problemandwas organising a CCTV survey to see if there was a blockage in the pipework. GDPR The clerk confirmed that the councillors’ emailswere due to go live. However severalmembers said they had been unable to sign up to the newsystem. Itwas agreed to use both old and new emails until all councillors had been able to sign up. Shed The clerk reported that the Loose Amenities’Association had not had building regulation approval for the shed on Brooks Field. Pavilion bookings Itwas agreed that the bookings for the SLCC and the defibrillator training should be free of charge. The office teamwould have a delegated authority tomake future decisions about the free use of the pavilion. Coffeemornings The community coffee morningswere goingwellwith positive
Maidstone Weald December 2018 37
Parish Councils
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