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Crime report There had been eight crimes in south ward (six thefts, one incident of criminal damage and one break-in) and four crimes in north ward (one theft, one incident of criminal damage, one break-in and an a�empted break-in). Community warden Liz Lova� reported a large fly-tip at the junction of Stilebridge Lane and Lower FarmRoad. Residents were reminded never to buy and sell at the door. Threatening behaviour should be reported to Kent Police and Kent Trading Standards. Open quarter Residents expressed concern at construction traffic accessing the Lyewood Farmsite via Church Street and the west end of Green Lane. The clerk said this had been discussed with the developer who had agreed to an approved access route via Heath Road and the east end of Green Lane. Residents asked for “No construction traffic” signs on Church Street and Green Lane. Crest had agreed to this. Speed limit Residents asked if the proposed 20mph zone in the village could be extended along Green Lane to the Lyewood Farmsite entrance. The clerk advised that further speed surveys might be needed. Crest Nicholson were open to the idea of extending the zone. Bin collectionA resident said the previous week’s bin collection had left large amounts of rubbish on the road in Church Street. The clerk would report it toMBC (MBC had later advised that a rogue refuse collection vehicle had been to blame, and had been spilling out waste. This had now been rectified). Li�er signage The Li�er Qui�ers group was asking for a grant of £5,000 for signs, CCTV and bins. Cllr Ellis suggested that a sub-group be set up to take this forward, with a budget of £4,000. This was agreed. The clerk noted that there would be significant ongoing costs with extra dog bins. Warmemorial Cllr Brown said that the names fromthe schoolmemorial would be added to thememorial plaque in the village hall. Furfield Park New log seats were now ready for installation at the open space. SteveWaring would do this. AllotmentsA shed with an asbestos roof had now been removed fromthe allotment site by specialists, and the plot was ready to re-let. Precept It was agreed that the precept for 2019/20 was set at £76,963 (£48.94 for a band D home). Newmembers There had been two applications for the vacancy. Helen Stevens was not at themeeting but had sent in a wri�en application. Toby Newcomb addressed themeeting and said he wanted to tackle anti-social behaviour, housing and village identity. He was also keen to initiate Boughton in Bloomto encourage residents tomake the parish a nicer place. The vote was taken in private andMr Newcomb was
32 Maidstone Weald March 2019
thanked for his presentation and told he would be informed of the decision after themeeting. North ward CllrWilde was not at the meeting. There had been a complaint about fly-tipping at Furfield Park. The clerk said larger items were being brought in via the public right of way on Brishing Road. Themotorbike barrier had been re-set by KCC but had been pushed apart by vandals before the concrete had set. The clerk would report this to KCC. Borough CllrMa� Burton had agreed to look into covert CCTV at this location but had not responded. Bus service The clerk said the new pilot bus service was due to start in June. Instead of three buses a day there would be six, but four of the services would terminate atMorrisons, where passengers would have to change to get to the town centre.Apart fromthe school bus there would be no service along Heath Road to Linton crossroads, so no access to the newmedical centre at Coxheath/Linton. Adult fitness TheWI was keen to get involved in a project of some sort for the benefit of residents. The clerk advised that they wished to discuss a community project in general, rather than adult fitness equipment. The clerk would arrange ameeting to take this forward.
Chart Su�on
SpeedingA parishioner spoke about continued speeding along Chart Hill Road, particularly during the rush hour and at weekends, when high-powered cars were being raced on the hill. The speed limit had been reduced to 30mph in 2016. Cllr Underdown agreed to look again at sites to see if the Speedwatch teamcould carry out sessions in this area. Policema�ers PCSO Gardner said there had been three crimes: criminal damge in Cobfields; a vehicle taken inAmber Lane and vehicle interference inMercerWay. Speed checks were being carried out at reasonable intervals. It was noted that the Shop on the Green had been robbed at knifepoint, leaving the volunteer unhurt but shaken. CCTV images had been passed to the police. Village clean-up It was agreed that the spring clean-up should be carried out on March 16,meeting at the village hall car park at 10am. Football teamThe Loose Lions teamhad asked to use the pitch on Saturday mornings next season. They wouldmark out the pitch across the current pitch using a different colour and would provide their own goals, which they would store in the pavilion. It was agreed that they should be offered the pitch at a reduced fee of £250 for 12matches for the season. Legion event It was agreed that the Royal British Legion could use the Memorial Playing Field on Saturday, June 15 for an event.
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Bus pilot schemeMembers discussed the pros and cons of the bus pilot scheme. Cllr Fi�Gerald was asked to respond to the consultation on behalf of the parish council. The clerk was asked to write to Arriva about the punctuality and service of the 59 bus. Post office There had been a complaint about the reliability of the outreach post office in the Shop on the Green. The clerk was asked to write to the Post Office at Headcorn in this regard. Precept It was agreed to set the precept for 2019/20 at £22,000, an increase of £1,000 fromthe previous
year.All members agreed, apart fromCllr Fi�Gerald, who proposed a £500 increase.
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New clerk The chairman introduced Irene Bowie, who would be taking over fromTerry Ketley as the clerk to the parish council fromApril 1. In the meantime, she would work alongsideMr Ketley until his retirement. Crime report The clerk reported that according to the nation Police website, no crimes had been commi�ed in Coxheath during December 2018. However the report also indicated that the total number of crimes in the Coxheath and Hunton ward for 2018 was 286. It was felt that ameeting with Kent Police was necessary. Community warden Themonthly report highlighted high levels of anti-social behaviour; further plans for coffee mornings; working with the dog warden to discourage fouling;meeting parents at the primary school to discourage inconsiderate parking and to encourage sharing vehicles and walking buses. Postbox RoyalMail would inspect the village centre postbox and if necessary, would resolve the issue. It was agreed that they should also be asked to inspect the postbox at the junction of Stocke� Lane and HeathsideAvenue. Redundant play areas Cllr C Parker reminded the council that it was necessary to continue the process of arranging the takeover of the children’s play area inWhitebeamDrive and Fairhurst Drive as soon as possible. Defibrillator Cllr Small repeated his concern that there should be at least one defibrillator in the village centre. It was agreed that this subject would be added to the agenda of the finance commi�ee meeting. Li�er bins Cllr Down said six bags of li�er had been collected in the last campaign fromthe northern end of Stocke� Lane. He would welcomemore volunteers to join his li�er-picking team and felt that a bin should be sited near the Londis store, perhaps funded by the owner. Dog fouling Cllr Skinner again expressed concern over dog fouling on
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Parish Councils
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