downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst
Police report There had been no new crimes in Bredhurst but there had been a second a�empted break-in at a garage. Residents were urged to be vigilant and ensure that their properties are well secured. Homes planMembers a�ended public consultations regarding developments at Gibraltar Farm(450+ homes) and East Hill (950+ homes), both in the Capstone
Valley.Medway Council had asked for more information fromthe applicant. It was agreed that the parish council would support the opposition to the developments in Capstone Valley and would consider offering resources such as staff hours and admin costs if necessary. Playing field The statutory declaration had beenmade. Savills had confirmed that the parish council was not responsible formaintaining the fence between the field and Fir Tree Grove and a clause had been added to the lease to this effect. It also states that the parish council had no liability regarding access via gates fromsome gardens in Fir Tree Grove. The lease was signed. Garden waste had been left on the field and it was agreed to write to residents backing on to the field asking that this should stop. TheMBC grant of £10,000 had been received and the zip wire had been ordered. CllrMerrick had replaced the shackles and quotes had been obtained for waste removal. It was agreed to use MBC to remove the waste to ensure that the workmet all regulations. Quotes had been obtained for removing the old posts and CllrMerrick would obtain a further quote by the nextmeeting. Allotments The new policy had been sent out and rents requested. The person interested in the vacant plot was in the process of ge�ing public liability insurance. The tenant who had erected a fence had agreed to remove it. Buildout Cllr Carr had sprayed the buildout outside Camellia so that it was more visible to drivers. FootpathAn email had been received fromthe Public Rights ofWay officer regarding footpath KH38, which cuts diagonally across the crop field next to the village wall. The landowner had been reminded that crops growing over the pathmust be sprayed out to allow access. Donation request A request for a donation had been received from CitizensAdvice, which the parish council did not wish to contribute to.
Detling
Highways Cllr Howells said there were two issues to consider – the volume of traffic cu�ing through the village and the speed of the traffic.A publicmeeting was due to be held in January.A solution was likely to be costly and the parish council would have to work with KCC.A
34 Maidstone East February 2019
volunteer PCSO had been appointed to work with the current PCSO on traffic issues. The Rural Police speeding unit suggestedmembers be trained to use a speed gun – the cost of £600 would be put in next year’s expenditure. Overnight parking Cllr Bowie said a resident had pointed out problems with lorries parking on theA249
overnight.Mr Leach, who lives on theA249, said lorries parked outside his property and left li�er, debris and human waste on the verges and ran their engines all night. He asked the parish council for their support on closing the
lay-by.After discussion it was agreed that the clerk would write to KCC asking for the lay-by to be closed. Maintenance Tony Taylor reported on the work he had done around the parish and said some items were still outstanding. These were the drains outside the village hall, along the PilgrimsWay and in PrincesWay and Queensway.Wires were still exposed at theA249 junction. The outstanding items had been reported to KCC. Old School Playing Field The centenary bench had been ordered and would be delivered to Cllr Clayton before installation in the field. Cllr Clayton would liaise with a local carpenter about the refurbishment of the other two benches in the field. The clerk was asked to liaise withMBC about themonthly inspection of the play equipment. Neighbourhood plan Cllr Howells briefed themeeting on the process and purpose of a Neighbourhood Plan. The timescale was approximately two years and the cost could be in the region of £30,000. Grants of up to £11,500 were available. He suggested the council could undertake a light plan and focus on village issues such as traffic, air quality and preservation of the environment. He said the parish plan was a starting point. Cllr Evernden questioned the need for a plan and whether the benefit would warrant the cost. It was agreed thatmore information was needed about the process and cost before a decision could bemade. Public comments Residents spoke on the rental of office space in the community shop; the parish council contribution to the Detling News; the community shop and increased traffic. The chairman thanked themfor their comments and said they would be considered and he would respond if necessary.
Downswood
Covered shelter PCSO Turner said she had no objections to plans for a shelter in MallardsWay, near the basketball hoop. The style of the shelter would be open to view, with seating protected fromthe elements. Designs and prices would be circulated. OthamChurch The action plan for development next to the church was discussed and options were to fight it all
the way or to determine the best plan of action for Downswood. It was agreed to investigate costs for fighting the proposal. Handrail request The clerk was to ask KCC to reconsider this request for the steps atWillow Rise/Spot Lane and would chase up the repair of the street column at the bo�omof the steps. Fly-tipping There had been a report of fly-tipping in GrampianWay. The resident confirmed that they were waiting for it to be removed byMBC. Bollard It had been reported that a bollard had been knocked down in MallardsWay. This was later found to have been reinstated by Cllr Newton. Grit bins These were to be checked and empty ones reported to the clerk.A covered store for a ton of grit was to be arranged by CllrsWeeks and Greenhead. KCC would be advised of its location.
Hollingbourne
Playground The clerk would look into S106 documents for the proposed homes on Eyhorne Street between Godfrey House and Claygate, to find out when money could be released to help refurbish the playground and the Lance Memorial Field. Police report Three crimes had been reported: an a�empted theft froma vehicle; a shed break-in; and a garage break-in. The investigation into arson on Hollingbourne Hill was complete, with no suspect identified. Police were investigating violence and sexual offences in the Upper Street area, and near the recreation area. InmemoriamIt was agreed tomake payments of £25 to Hollingbourne Meadows Trust Project 100 andAll Saints’ Church, inmemory of CllrAlan Benne�. It was also agreed that the new tree being planted on Tanyard Green would be placed in remembrance of Cllr Benne�. The clerk would look into a name plaque. DebrillatorA competitive quote had been received for the defibrillator and storage cabinet and it was agreed to go ahead with the purchase. The defibrillator would be installed at the school, in a place where it would be accessible to all villagers. Woodcut FarmThe clerk had circulated the details of the S106 document for land atWoodcut Farm. The contribution of trees worth £10,000 was seen as inadequate, as the development had been refused by Hollingbourne and Thurnham Parish Councils, as well as bymany residents. House names Developers Fernham Homes were looking for names for the new houses in Eyhorne Street. Further information was placed on the parish website. Lier Cllr Garten advised the clerk of the contact atMBC whomight be able to
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