downsmail.co.uk Bredhurst
Community barn A revised lease had been received. The contract was for 15 years at a peppercorn rent of £1 per annum and included the barn, car park, land surrounding the property and the road outside the barn. The landlord will pay BPC £3,000 per annum for the first five years to help with running costs. The lease was agreed and signed. It was agreed to set a budget when running costs were available. A number of groups had enquired about hiring the barn.
Broomfield & Kingswood
Speed reduction Cllr Shellina Prendergast had met Highways officers and Ulcombe Parish Council to discuss the Lenham Road speed reduction and footpath issue. Officers would be carrying out a speed survey ahead of any traffic regulation order. The footpath issue was complex, with issues including ownership and costs. Drainage There was a discussion regarding KCC’s suggestion that a holding ditch be created along the carriageway side of the Lenham Road near the sports field. KCC drainage engineer Gracie Sladden had been unable to locate the soakaways and felt the best solution would be to install three curbed slipways into the hedgerow, which might involve pruning the hedges at the bottom. The road would need to be closed to undertake the work. It was agreed that the works could take place. Footpath Members considered the KCC response about a pavement on Lenham Road. The clerk would contact KCC to find out how much land would be needed for the path and the cost of the deeds of dedication. Co-option Councillors voted unanimously to co-opt Aimee Parker on to the parish council. Police report Doors had been damaged at Broomfield Lodge; there had been a burglary at Chapman Wood; a burglary and arson at Acorns in Gravelly Bottom Road; and a burglary at the Old Forge in Chartway Street. There had been no reports of antisocial behaviour. There had been regular foot patrols in the area, and in popular flytipping areas. Speed monitoring had taken place in Chapman Way. The introduction of a boxing club in the village had been discussed with the clerk, and there were ongoing discussions regarding clubs and activities for teenagers. Play equipment A quote had been received for the parts to repair the fun buggy, but the clerk was querying whether it had been correctly installed in the first place. It was agreed to accept the quote if appropriate. It was agreed to accept the quote for replacing the swing seats and chains, and the handyman would be asked to install them. Sports field It was agreed that the quote for opening and closing the gates was too
34 Maidstone East December 2019
expensive. The clerk would put an article in the Parish News and put up notices asking for a volunteer. One of the football nets was tattered and it was agreed to ask the handyman to remove it. Litter picking The finance officer had sourced more quotes for litter picking signs, which were shared with councillors. It was agreed to buy four cone signs. Cherry picker The finance officer said the cherry picker for the CCTV pole would be delivered on December 1, and relevant councillors would meet at the Sports Field at 9am the next day. Emails The clerk had received two emails, one querying the surface that would be used on roads and another expressing concern at work being undertaken to a bungalow in Cayser Drive. Unfortunately the latter was anonymous, so the council was unable to respond. Christmas drinks Invitations needed to be sent out for the event on December 16. It was agreed to invite all residents but to make it a ticketed event, on a first-come first-served basis, due to the capacity of the village hall. Parish office Following the survey of residents, it was agreed that a potential solution would be to build a community building on the sports field. It was agreed that it should be environmentally friendly and self-sufficient. Cllr Hoy would investigate building costs and Cllrs Darling and Clark would look at grants. It was agreed to set up a working group to take this work forward.
Harrietsham
Warden’s report Police had received reports of homes being marked with black tape, possibly to identify households where there was a dog. Anyone concerned that their home had been marked should inform the police or the community warden. HMRC scams circulating, as well as one claiming to be from Thomas Cook. Two youths had been touting for work in the area, and at one house, pins were later found to have been removed from the patio doors. Youth club Katie Bishop, from Maidstone Youth Hub, spoke about the youth club in the village hall. There had been eight sessions, with 15-23 children attending each week. Road surface A resident raised concern about action on the road surface on the A20, at the junction with Church Road. The clerk had not received an update and would contact Kent Highways. Bus stops The clerk said bus companies had been consulted as part of the A20 Improvement Scheme and had requested these locations. The areas would have had to be approved as part of the scheme. Highways The build-outs had been removed due to safety concerns after they were hit by vehicles. They would be replaced by “ghost” islands. Funding had been secured for lighting and there were some surfacing and lining issues to be
Hollingbourne
Village shop The meeting heard that the village shop would be taken over by residents of Hollingbourne, Martin and Julie Wood (pictured). It will focus on the sale of fresh local produce and organic food, but will also sell a small range of everyday essentials. Opening hours will be longer, the shop will sell alcohol and have cash card payment facility. The shop opened in early November War memorial The plaque had been changed to show the correct name for Harry Barling. Thechange was funded by borough Cllr Patrik Garten, via a Community Grant (£50), Mr Barling’s family, and the parish council. Neighbourhood Watch Pria Webster, Volunteers & Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer, spoke of the importance of having a Neighbourhood Watch Group in Hollingbourne. The parish council agreed it would be beneficial. Anyone who wanted to get involved was invited to contact the clerk on
pchollingbourne@gmail.com or call 07856 180003. The clerk will contact Pria about promotion leaflets.
resolved. Additional 30mph repeater signs would be installed and a speed survey completed. Church Road The light in Church Road, nearest to the bridge, was said to be faulty. The contractor had suggested installing an LED lantern, at a cost of £325 plus VAT. After consideration, it was agreed to change all three lights in the road, at a cost of £975 plus VAT. Parish office The handyman had quoted £736 for boarding out the loft to create more storage space. This would also include making a larger access and installing a ladder. Glebe Field The parish council had obtained a SIPA grant of £10,000 from MBC to put with the S106 money towards play equipment. Five pieces of equipment were on order and it was hoped to install them in November. The clerk suggested that any money left over could be spend on safety flooring around the roundabout and additional seating.
Parish Councils
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