downsmail.co.uk Birling
Walled garden Mr Tate presented the plans for the Walled Garden wellness centre on the Birling Estate. Waste Cllr Ann Kemp said most of the waste issues had been resolved although there were some small issues remaining. Officers of the borough council were commended for their hard work. Foliage It was noted that foliage around the streetlamp had been cut back. However, the streetlamp had now been removed. The streetlight contractor was liasiing with UK Power Networks to install a new lamp. Village maintenance The contractor had visited the site and a quote for the refurbishment of the village sign was still awaited. A date was considered for the Great British Spring Clean and it was agreed to consider a date between March 20 and April 13 at a future meeting. Budget 2020/21 A precept increase of 3.26% to £10,913 was confirmed. The budget was approved at £11,148. Road issues A pothole was noted in Bull Road.
Leybourne
Police report The clerk had emailed out the monthly report. Cllr Ulph said that yet again the PCSO’s visits to the area were at times when he was unlikely to see the typical antisocial behaviour. It was agreed to push for a police officer to cover Leybourne and West Malling. Accidents The A20 and entry to The Chase, which had become accident blackspots, were being reviewed by KCC in a bid to address the problems. Doctors’ surgery Taylor Wimpey was considering applying for a change of use to the empty unit as they had been unable to attract a GP practice to the site. Conservation area Now that the Bellway proposed development had been dismissed by the inspector, TMBC was now trying to get the conservation area extended to cover the site, and ensure the extension of the green belt in the local plan. Security The new provider was working on the CCTV system and was setting up the alerts profile for monitoring. Email addresses were required for alerts. Seesaw replacement It was unanimously agreed to accept the quote from Multi Sports Court Ltd. The clerk was asked to arrange signs to discourage adults from using the equipment as there is a weight limit.
Castle Lake Whitbreads had visited the site to get valuations. The clerk chased up the signs that had been agreed in principle by the land agent. Low fencing was to be erected at Willowmead to stop fishermen crossing the grass area in their cars. Defibrillator The clerk asked members if the donated defibrillator should be put up on the side wall of the hall, or whether this should be delayed until the extension was built. More information on costs was requested.
24 Malling January 2020 Mereworth
Speed monitoring Cllr Balfour said he would be prepared to fund a speed indicator device for Seven Mile Lane if it were found to be suitable. The parish council would need to be responsible for it and it would have to be moved to different positions, previously agreed with Kent Highways, every five weeks. It was agreed that the parish council wished to have a speed indicator device and would be prepared to take responsibility and to move it as required. It would record speed and alerts drivers to slow down. School sign It was noted that the flashing sign, had been removed some time ago, as it was not reparable, but the post was still in situ. It was agreed to ask Cllr Balfour if the parish council could replace the sign. Grounds maintenance The current contract with Kent Commercial Services was due to expire this season. The clerk had received a quotation from them and one from another contractor and had drawn up a comparison of the charges, which was circulated to all members. It was agreed to accept the quotation from Landscape Services for three years. Great Fowle Meadow It was noted that the rental charges had been increased in line with the RPI by Tregothnan Estates to £546.43 (previously £500). Members queried this rental increase and the clerk would find out more. Kent Street grazing land It was agreed to keep the rent, currently £1,000 pa, at the same level for another year, when it would be reviewed. Village hall liaison The parish council had previously agreed by email to accept the quotation from Chris Keeler for cutting the hedge at the rear of the village hall car park. The work was due to be started. PCC Liaison The outside floodlights had been removed from the church but those in the belfry could not be accessed for safety reasons. Works at the tower and spire had not started as it was still being considered by the Diocesan Advisory Committee. Church Mereworth was unlikely to have a parson for a year or so but was coping well with locum priests. Lost magazines The PCC appealed for help to track down a collection of early 20th century parish magazines once housed in the church, but later stored elsewhere. The PCC was considering sending other records to the County Archives. Allotments The committee had agreed to use any wood chippings arising from the tree work on the allotments. All allotments were now let. Play area The parish council had accepted the quotation from Chris Keeler to cut the broken tree branches and these were due to be chipped and left for the allotments holders to use. Sink hole The sink hole at the far end of Beaufighter Road had been filled in and another hole, not actually a sink hole, had also been filled. Further work was being undertaken. The brambles growing from
the woods side of the road across the highway were still there. The clerk would report this.
Offham
Lorries Cllr Hohler had visited the village with the highways manager to discuss ways to prevent lorries driving through the village. It was agreed that Highways could change the signage. Cllr Hohler would look at the problem of lorries parking in the layby on Teston Road. Speed Cllr Hohler was concerned that the traffic survey showed that although speed in the village had come down, the number of vehicles had increased. Blaise Farm Quarry There was a discussion about the four applications for the anaerobic digestion plant. Potential problems were odour; traffic; noise, flies and vermin. The parish council wanted to meet with the plant operator. Crime A number of cars were said to have been broken into at the top of the North Meadow during the school fireworks event.
Lawn treatment Cllr Williams had contacted five companies regarding treatment for the village green but received just one response, from Warings Beautiful Lawns. It was agreed to appoint the contractor for the village green and the recreation ground. Trees The clerk had asked Cllr Marchant and two other contractors to quote for maintenance of the trees on the recreation ground. Only Cllr Marchant had provided a quote. Seven hornbeam trees needed attention, and power lines ran through them. Cllr Marchant’s quote was considered and accepted. A quote from Cllr Marchant was also accepted for the maintenance of the oak tree at the top of North Meadow. Cllr Dyer attended a tree wardens’ forum – they were bringing out an ash dieback toolkit for parish councils. Fire hydrants The clerk was asked to send details of the hydrant locations to Cllr Williams, who would allocate ongoing checks to councillors. Village hall There had been a steady flow of bookings and a good profit was made from teas and breakfasts on October 20. A donation was being made in memory of Nicky Amos. Fundraising was continuing to replace the roof. The ceiling was leaking. Pond Stephen Betts had offered to help remove silt from the pond. Cllr Marchant was thanked for his help with the project. Village Green A lorry had driven across the Green, causing damage. On Comp Lane, a fence had been moved about 30cm on to the road surface, making the road narrower. The road was used for parking so vehicles were driving over the village green outside Ramblers to get past, causing damage. The clerk would report this. Play area The annual inspection showed the equipment to be either very low risk or low risk. Fortnightly checks were continuing. Cosgrave Field The tennis club had asked
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