downsmail.co.uk


ofOctober. The staffing commi�eewould meet to discuss theway forward.


Loose


Bridge Since aweight restriction had been placed on the bridge at the junction ofMill Lane and Bridge Street, there had been issueswithwaste collection. The narrow vehicle needed had broken down onmore than one occasion.Ward councillor Sue Grigg had been dealingwith complaints. Forstal LaneDebris fromthe sitewas being washed downWell Street in the resident’s pond and the stream. Chartway had built a trench on theWell Street boundary and filled itwith shingle, and used strawbales to forma dam. Crime reportAbarn in Linton Road had been burgled, a shipping containerwas damaged and itemswere stolen. Eggs had been thrown at a property inWalnut Tree Avenuewhile the occupantwas away. Vehicles had been parking up in the road and therewas loudmusic and a strong smell of cannabis.Nuisancemotorbikes were an ongoing issue. School Parkingwas still an issue. Parents a�ending sports day had beenwarned about parking on the path. Itwould be discussed atmeetings for newparents in September. Neighbourhood plan The referendumwas due to take place onAugust 8.Aresident had complained that the document featured a photograph of her house and it was not in a positive light. The RFOhad contactedMBC to see if the photo could be removed.After the costs of the referendum therewould be residualmonies – itwas agreed to return a sumto LooseAmenities. Newcouncillor Itwas agreed to invite Velma Benne� to join the parish council. She accepted.


Marden


Newcouncillor Cllr Barkerwas elected at the by-election andwaswelcomed to the council. Police report Since the lastmeeting there had been three thefts, one arson and a burglary. There had also been two reports of anti-social behaviour. PCSOMorris said


AMOTORCYCLE was stolen in Church Hill, BoughtonMonchelsea. Three young peoplewere trying to open


the boot of a car in Station Road,Headcorn. They leftwhen challenged. Three sheds and two cupboardswere


broken into at a school in ChurchHill, BoughtonMonchelsea. Afencewas damagedwhen a car trailer


was stolen in Lughorse Lane,Hunton. Horse head collars, food, supplements


and rugswere stolen in a break-in at two sheds at a stables inGallants Lane, East Farleigh. Agatewas damaged and tackwas stolen


in a break-in at two paddocks at a farmin Wilsons Lane, East Farleigh. Atrailerwas used to steal a Yanmar 2017


stolen items had been recovered fromtwo areas inMarden. Flooding report Itwas noted that an email fromthe EnvironmentAgency did not includeMarden on a list of parishes at risk of flooding. The clerk had contacted the EA andwas awaiting a response. GDPR The clerk had amended the policies as the parish council no longer had a contractwith a data protection officer. Members agreed the changes. Web camCouncillorswere asked by a resident to consider live-streaming meetings. Itwas decided that itwas not possible due to the various locations of meetings. Lorrywatch The clerkwas asked to start advertising for volunteers to helpwith LorryWatch around the parish.


Ne�lestead


Neighbourhoodwatch Lead had been stolen fromthe roof of a community hall in Maidstone Road; freshly cutwood had been stolen froma property inHampstead Lanewhilst the ownerwas not there; an AudiQ3 estate had been broken into in WatersideMews and a pushchairwas stolen fromthe boot. KGVfield The clerk had circulated the maintenance schedule and itwas noted that one of the cuts had not taken place. It would hopefully be used later in the season. CllrWalter said the footpath behind the fieldwas extremely overgrown. The clerk said thiswas not on the scheduled cuts, butwould informthe PROWofficer as itwas sometimes cut by the Ramblers’Association. Hopping huts The clerk had received notification fromMaidstone Borough Council of the grade II listing of theHop PickersHuts at Rock Farm. Itwas suggested that an article on the history of the huts should be put into the parish magazine.


Staplehurst


Vacant seat The information from Maidstone Borough Council about the cost of polling cards had been amended. The figureswere lower than the ones previously provided,when councillors had


decided not to request poll cards.After discussion, itwas agreed to askMBC to provide poll cards in the event of a contested election. Council surgery Cllr Perry said one visitor had asked aboutMBC support for a local festival. Cllrs Bowden and Buller volunteered to a�end the next surgerywith Cllr Perry. Parking Itwas recommended that the full council pursued the addition of double yellowlines on the bend opposite the primary school entrance. Themeeting heardMBC had taken action against parking offenders. Itwas agreed to draw up options for parkingmeasures to aply to theGybbon Rise bend, excluding the bay area, and consult residents about the proposals. AccidentAcar had gone through the hedge onto Surrenden Field and the parish council had followed up the incidentwith the driver. LukeWallondwas thanked for promptly and voluntarily replacing the damaged fence. Break-inAbreak-in at the Jubilee Field container had been reported to the police. Cllr Laine-Rose suggested that the lighting and alarmbe checked. Li�er bins Itwas noted that the parish council had no jurisdiction over the Parade, but the need for improvementwas agreed. The clerk hadwri�en to the landlord. The purchase of five li�er bins at £597 each,was approved in principle. Road safetyAfter discussion itwas agreed to submit a request to be part of a pilot study for a 20mph zone in an areawest of theHigh Street, bounded byOffensDrive and Bathurst Road.


Su�onValence


Play area CllrWard had repaired the fence around theWarMemorial play area and was thanked by the parish council. The contractor had repaired the bin,whichwas lifting fromthe ground.Aparishioner had complained about the noise of the fair. The chairman and the clerkwould respond. Speeding Thewarning sign outside the village hallwas to be upgraded to a speed camera. Bus pilot The schemewould still operate for 12months, despite the delays reported.


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


SV26 digger fromaworks site in Bishops Lane,Hunton. Somebody broke into a house and stole


some jewellery inWaverley Close, Coxheath. Achicken and a duckwere stolen froma


field in The Co�ages, East Farleigh. Someonewas seen running away. Amanwas seen shouting abuse at


another road user inHigh Street, Headcorn.He then got out of his car and kicked the other vehicle, causing a dent. Somebody stole anAudiQ5 inHeadcorn


Road, BoughtonMalherbe. It has since been recoveredwith extensive fire damage. Both gates to a farmfieldwere damaged


inHowland Road,Marden,when a vehicle was driven into them. Peoplewere seen drivingQuad bikes


over crops at a farmcausing damage in LenhamRoad, BoughtonMalherbe. Avegetable harvesterwas stolen froma


nursery in Staplehurst Road,Marden. Amanwas seenwalking down the road


causing damage to several cars inHeath Road, Langley.


Maidstone Weald September 2019 29


Parish Councils


Crime reports


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