Barming
Defibrillator Cllr Gooch managed to contact the fundraiser who originally arranged for the unit to be installed. The man was in discussions with SECamb to arrange training dates and to discuss ongoing maintenance of the unit. Parish field The clerk had contacted a landscaping company to discuss how to keep mud to a minimum. The company would submit a quote for a gravel track at the top of the field. Members were not keen on the idea of a track and asked the clerk to arrange a site visit to obtain a quotation to pave the top corner so that it matched the path. The bench would probably need to be re-sited. Cllr Gooch said she would order signage for the car park gate. Parish hall There had been more issues with parking. The clerk would obtain legal advice and report back. It was agreed to accept the quotation for extra maintenance of the car park area and Landscape Services would be asked to proceed with the work. Play area The clerk was waiting to hear from Craigdene about dates for a site visit. Cllr Manser said there had already been damage to play equipment posts from the strimmer. Cllr Doe would buy pet-friendly weedkiller and spray it around posts to prevent growth. Footpath Cllr Gooch said BT was digging up and replacing damaged cables on the footpath by Wesley Close and Banky Meadow. There was concern about maintenance of the footpath which was said to be overgrown. The ownership status would be investigated. Oak tree Cllr Doe said the oak tree by Cedar Drive required reducing as it was getting large. The clerk asked Cllr Doe to provide a quotation for consideration. Pavilion Cllr Manser asked that the flooring be replaced in the kitchen and toilets at the pavilion. The clerk would request a quotation. Cllr Vizzard noted that a light fitting was still required for the pavilion – Cllr Gooch would buy this when she was next in the area. Allotments Letters had been sent out explaining the new lock system and the clerk and chairman would visit the allotments soon for the annual visit.
TYRES were slashed on two vehicles in Abingdon Road, Barming. Six wheels were stolen from HGV vehi-
cles in Ashford Road. A window of a house in Postley Road
was damaged, possibly using an air gun. Eggs were thrown at a Fiat 500 in The
Broadway, Fant, damaging the paintwork. Number plates were stolen from a vehicle
in River Bank Close. A man broke into a fast food restaurant in
Week Street. He stole cash from the till and two bottles of spirits. Three young people damaged a council
bin in Church Street, Loose. Two tyres of a VW Transporter in a
leisure centre car park were cut in Willow Way, Shepway. Three bicycles were stolen from a com-
munal bike store in Hart Street, Fant. Somebody damaged the back gate of a
house in Holtye Crescent, Shepway. There was an attempt to break into a
house in Week Street. Somebody broke into a shed at a house
and stole fishing gear in Cumberland Av- enue, Shepway. A house was broken into in Woodford
Road, Fant and a £6,000 bicycle was taken. A residential flat was broken into and
searched in Willington Street, Shepway. Somebody smashed a bathroom window
of a house in Cambridge Crescent, Shep- way. A kitchen window was found smashed in
Fernhill Road, Fant. A screw was pushed into the rear driver-
side tyre of a Suzuki Vitara in Perry Street. Somebody smashed the windscreen and
keyed a Nissan Micra parked in James Whatman Way. CCTV cables were damaged by some-
body in Calder Road. Eggs were thrown at a home in Barnhurst
Road. Maidstone December 2019 37
Loose
Rogue trader Residents were advised to be aware of a rogue trader offering to install patios and driveways, and another offering to pressure wash driveways and then spotting missing roof tiles. Residents should obtain two or three written quotations before agreeing to work, and the quotation should provide details of a two-week cooling-off period. VandalismA rocker had been vandalised at the KGV play area. Any information should be reported to police on 101 or reported online. Crime report There had been burglaries at homes in Church Street and Pickering Street. In the latter, car keys were taken and later used to steal a Range Rover, a Mercedes G55 and a VW Transporter. Youths had been spotted in a shed in Leonard Gould Way and fencing was damaged at a school in Hubbards Lane. Memorial bench There had been a request for a bench in Brooks Field. It was agreed to ask the family if they would like a circular bench around the Jubilee Tree on the village green. The clerk would investigate costs. Speed limitA resident had asked for a reduction in the speed limit down the Loose Road to 30mph. It was agreed to refer the matter to the environment committee. Clothes bank It was agreed not to have a clothes bank on the pavilion car park due to concerns about antisocial behaviour. Website The report was sent out to councillors and it was agreed that a new piece about the parish council would be drafted for the site. The Neighbourhood Plan would have its own icon. The coffee mornings would continue at least until the end of the year. TreesA resident had raised concerns about sycamore trees overhanging her property in Rosemount Close. The clerk would investigate. Pavilion The bike rocker in the play area had been damaged, and during repairs the contractors found a fault with the snail rocker. The contractors removed if for safety reasons. A quote for repair was awaited, and a decision on its future would then be made. S106 funds There were two amounts of
money available - £18,751 and £530 which needed to be spent by next year. It was earmarked for open spaces including play and sports equipment. Quotes would need to be forwarded to MBC. It was agreed to look at buying multiplay equipment and flooring. Love Loose Hate LitterMBC had informed the group that they need an annual risk assessment as well as a risk assessment before each litter pick or they will no longer be able to insure the group. A letter had been sent out to volunteers asking them to submit to the MBC request, pick up at their own risk or take out their own insurance. Cllr Luckhurst was stepping down from organising the community litter picks. Anyone who would like to take her place was asked to contact the clerk.
Tovil
Police report The report from the PCSO was noted, along with his apologies for not being able to attend the meeting. The council asked if he could attend the next meeting. Bad weather The clerk reminded councillors that bad weather that caused obstructions on public rights of way should be reported to the clerk as soon as possible. The clerk would report this to KCC, who would remove the obstruction free of charge. Brambles Cllr Hicks mentioned the brambles behind the Royal Paper Mill pub. The clerk said this was the responsibility of the homeowner in the road behind the pub. The clerk would write to the homeowner. Noticeboards The boards were being updated by Cllr Mark Jess, but he could not continue with this long term. It was agreed to employ someone on a casual basis to carry out the updates. Parish events Cllr Jess asked whether it was possible to buy a piece of land for events, so that permission would not be needed for a barbecue or an open fire. The clerk said investment options were being looked into, and land was one of those options. No confidence The council asked for a vote of no confidence in the chairman, Cllr Mike Hogg. This was unanimous, with one abstention.
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