downsmail.co.uk


collected by Linton Park during its li�er pick the day before. She reported that the next li�er pickwould be on June 1. She thanked Linton School and theMusket Brewery for their assistance and support during the event. Extra bin The chairman spoke about an offer froma resident to finance extra li�er bins on Linton Hill. He had liaisedwith MBC’s John Edwards regarding the offer, but the officer had said itwas not likely the borough councilwould agree to empty thembecause of their location. It had, therefore, been agreed not to progress the idea further.


Marden


Crime Police figures issued toMay’s parish councilmeeting showed there had been a shed break-in, garage break-in and one report of anti-social behaviour since the previousmeeting. Councillors asked PCSOMorris to confirmwhat types of crime are reported to the parish council. Polling changes The parish council has confirmed thatMBC’s polling districts and polling stations consultation does not impactMarden. Footpaths Councillors have reiterated their opposition to an order to stop up footpath KM250 on the grounds it is not needed for public use. The parish maintains that themove is premature while further evidence is being gathered. The footpath group hadmade several applications for the footpath to be added to KCC’s definitivemap, and there is ongoing research into the path.


Staplehurst


Men’s shed Members fromthemen’s shedwere unanimously authorised to make a newgate for the youth club site. The gate, costing just under £400,will be as a pair, rather than a straight replacement for the existing five-bar gate. Members heard that planning permission would be needed for the change in design, as the youth club is in a conservation area. Itwas noted that approval fromKCCwould also be needed, in linewith the lease, if themen’s shedwanted to growand sell fruit and


CONTAINERS on a farm were broken into in Longend Lane,Marden. A tractor, trailer and tools were among items stolen. A container at a sports ground was


broken into and a tractor was stolen in Charlton Lane,West Farleigh. The rear window was smashed on a


Land Rover Freelander parked in the road in Vicarage Lane, East Farleigh. A building site was broken into and a


generator andmotor of a jet washer were taken in Vicarage Road, Yalding. An a�empt wasmade to break into a


school in Goudhurst Road,Marden. The key pad lock was broken to gain access to a garage in Dairy Lane,


vegetables fromthe youth club site. Pavements Councillors unanimously agreed to respond to a government inquiry into pavement parking.Members felt the problemhadworsened andwas an issue in Staplehurst. Cllr Burnham offered to respond on behalf of the parish council to the call for comments fromthe Parliamentary Transport Commi�ee. Councillorsmade the point that any new legislationwould need to be enforced. Pond The deputy clerk reported that Wimpey Field pond had been installed by Medway Valley Countryside Partnership’s contractor. The parish councilwillworkwith the team,which includes Natural England, to encourage wildlife to the ‘young pond’. PubMembers noted that talkswere continuing to determinewhether to apply for community asset designation for the King’s Head pub. Talkswith Shepherd Neame had been lined up. Bench Police had been informed about the burned bench inWimpey Field. Travellers Cllr Silkin reported on the KALCmeeting he a�ended onApril 15, saying thatMBC had employed a specialist legal firmto dealwith prosecutions relating to illegal gipsy and traveller sites.A newteamleader had been appointed at the borough council. Retirement Cllr Lain-Rose thanked all six councillorswho retire after theMay election and, in particular, Cllrs Burnham, Manning, Reardon and Silkin for their length of service, thework put in by them on various projects and for the skills they had brought to the parish council.All councillors showed their appreciation.


Yalding


HallAn architect had been recommended to drawup outline plans for the proposed newcommunity hall. Website The chairman and the clerk have reviewed thewebsite and, so far, found it is looking very good.Members heard it should be shortly be completed. Fen reserveMBC is reviewing sites that may have potential for becoming local nature reserves and Yalding Fen has been put forward. The parish council has been asked about supporting this. The agreementwould have to be between


MBC and the site owners. However, it is believed thatMBC can andwill delegate this to the parish council. MailMembers heard that RoyalMail vans had been parking on Lees Road in the evening and atweekends. The lease for the courtyard at the rear of the post office provides for two parking spaces and space for two bikes.A le�er has been sent toMr andMrs Chapman asking that this be enforced to free up valuable parking space on Lees Road. No reply had been received. Defibrillator The cost of the defibrillator and cabinet has been put at £1,545 plus VAT and fi�ing. Shepherd Neame has agreed to give £500, alongwith the parish council’s £500. Collier Street Parish Council had offered £250, leaving a shortfall of £295.Members heard the tenants at TheWoolpack had offered £125 and Yalding Taxi has offered tomeet the shortfall.A quotewill nowbe sought for fi�ing and the unit ordered. Path Countryside had agreed to transfer a thin strip of land between the Vicarage Road houses and the allotments and have erected a newfence, leaving a 2ft gap for access. Residents had asked if the parish councilwould allowit to be transferred into its care as a bodywas needed to receive the ownership. Thema�erwill be discussed further in light of the costs that would be involved and the need for a wri�en agreement fromall residentswith potential access onto the path regarding maintenance. Bailiff Itwas agreed that Bill Birdwould continue to act as river bailiff and that his badgewould be renewed. In future, this will be confirmed annually alongwith the appointment of contractors. Bollards Councillors reported itwas difficult to see the bollards on The Lees.A contractor has been appointed to clean and paint them. Sign The clerk had chasedMBC about pu�ing up a sign atMountAvenue. It was noted that the authority had a backlog of 60 signs to install. Ca�le Councillors had looked at the fence on The Fen in readiness for ca�le. Itwas agreed to replace the fencewith the support of Community Payback and the clerkwould arrange the grazing licence.


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


Marden, and a quad bike was stolen. Jewellery and cash were stolen


following a beak-in at a house inMarden Road, Staplehurst. Vehicle parts including the front


bumper, grill, bonnet, fog lights and airbags were stolen froma vehicle parked at an industrial unit in Bircholt Road, BoughtonMonchelsea. Trees appear to have been poisoned in High Street, Staplehurst.


A vehicle parked in Huntington Road,


Coxheath, had its back window smashed and a door dented. An intruder jumped froma first floor


window of a house in SkinnersWay, Langley, when the home owner investigated after hearing a noise. An industrial unit was broken into and


landscape gardening equipment was stolen in Heronden Road, Boughton Monchelsea.


Maidstone Weald June 2019 37


Parish Councils


Crime reports


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