downsmail.co.uk Broomeld and Kingswood


Handyman Councillors resolved that the hourly rate for the village handyman be increased to £20. Councillors also requested that the clerk write to the handyman suggesting a daily and weekly rate that would ensure the council was obtaining maximum value for money. Sports Field Quotes were still being sought for replacing the CCTV in the Sports Field. Councillors were asked to consider whether more car parking space might be required, as this would affect where cables were laid. It was agreed that parking could be extended into the old climbing frame area. It was agreed that this would be a good time for waste/water pipes to be put into the sports eld and blocked off until required.


Single track sign It was agreed to contact the Royal British Legion about supplying a sign for Broomeld Road, and that the xings and poles be purchased from road- sign.uk. A meeting should take place with the Leeds Castle steward to ensure they were comfortable with the sign’s location. Volunteer Scheme It was agreed that the scheme should continue, but residents who were driving others to appointments etc should be reminded to wear face masks. Rubbish bins Cllr Davies expressed concerns that the new bins were quite light and could be moved. The handyman would be asked to remedy this. Broomeld Green Councillors were advised that the low wall was crumbling again. This would be discussed at the September meeting. Speeding A resident had expressed concern about speeding along the 30mph stretch of the Lenham Road. The clerk forwarded the email to the PCSO, who had suggested the community Speedwatch be contacted. Resignation Councillors were advised that Cllr Tandy had resigned, so the council was two councillors short. Best wishes and thanks were extended to Cllr Tandy.


Headcorn


Community warden The warden was undertaking his usual duties and was part of the local prescription delivery service. Crime report The following items were noted: Damage at Hogg Bridge Green to gate and CCTV, this had been reported to the police. The PCSO and community warden had been alerted to the issues and the PCSO had agreed that he would visit the site when he was in the village. Hawkenbury Road Bridge Further correspondence had been received about ooding and the lack of a walkway. This would be added to the HIP speed survey requests for Oak Lane and Lenham. Parking The spaces on Kings Road were now free to be used and the clerk would press for a sign to that effect. Litter collection The issue of litter being cleared on the roads continued to be a problem and the clerk would write to KALC for support in this matter.


White Horse Crossroads As it was now too late to plant the bulbs, the clerk would pursue the developer for a voucher or contribution for other planting. Speeding An email had been received concerning the speed of the vehicles on Wheeler Street. The clerk advised that a pedestrian crossing was to be installed in that location.


Remembrance Day The clerk would send the road closure request, although it was not known if the parade and service would take place due to Covid-19 restrictions. Speedwatch Conrmation has been received from Kent Police that the sessions could resume, and the council was awaiting approval of the site selected by HPC. The sessions would begin as soon as possible. Days Green The green was in good order, but some of the soft surface tted around the play equipment had lifted and was a trip hazard.


Marden


Amenities The caretaker’s to-do list had been completed. A noticeboard had been erected at The Old Post Office, strimming at Southons Field, and playing eld mown. There had been vandalism of the rubberised wetpour surface at the playing eld play area, which the caretaker would look to repair. CCTV Golding Homes had agreed that a camera could be installed on one of their buildings overlooking the playing eld. The clerk would arrange a meeting. Allotments There was a query regarding the water supply. A response on this was awaited. The clerk had contacted Redrow, who had asked whether the parish council would take on the car parking spaces as well as the allotment site. Cllr Tippen had reiterated to the Horticultural Society that an allotment association must be in place before MPC reach an agreement to take over the land ownership. It was agreed that the parish council would only agree to taking on the allotment site within the fenced area. Southons Field The clerk and deputy clerk were due to sort out the pavilion and install the storage units. Any rubbish would be for the caretaker to collect. Playing Field Following the cleaning of the changing rooms the clerk had sent the football club a copy of the risk assessment and stated that a copy of Marden Minors FC’s risk assessment and insurance document must be received prior to any further games being played. The clerk would monitor the Football Association website for further amendments for use of changing facilities. Dog fouling Cllr Barker asked for the community warden to be contacted about additional dog fouling signs. Litter Pick The clerk had obtained information from the Keep Britain Tidy website which said a maximum of six people could litter pick in a group. It was agreed to cancel the litter pick on October 17 and an article would be placed in the


next newsletter suggesting that residents could pick litter under MPC’s insurance if they adhered to the risk assessments and were in groups of six or less. Christmas lighting A meeting had been arranged with a lighting supplier to discuss locations and costings. Members agreed to look into providing new Christmas lights and the clerk would report on the budget. Newsletter Cllr Boswell had started to update the next newsletter and would liaise with the deputy clerk over editing. Bonuses Members agreed, in line with MPC’s policy, to award a bonus to both the clerk and deputy clerk in recognition of the extra hours and hard work undertaken during the Covid-19 pandemic.


Staplehurst


Hush Heath It was agreed to support the application to vary the terms of the winery’s licence. It was noted that many businesses had had to change the way they worked due to Covid-19. The concerns of residents were noted, but the owner had previously taken care to acceed to the requests of residents. The parish council had no reason to believe that this understanding would not continue. Remembrance Day It was agreed to book the road closure at a cost of £75. Arrangements would be nalised nearer the time, as they would be dependent on Covid-19 restrictions. The cost of the licence to attach poppies to 24 lampposts at a cost of £29 was agreed. Office The costs of making the office Covid-19 compliant had been calculated and approved. Staff were under no pressure to return to the office, but were given permission to buy safety equipment from Cllr McNeill’s list, up to £1,000. Strimmer It was agreed to buy an industrial battery-operated strimmer at a cost of £623 excluding VAT, from the Wimpey Fields budget. The strimmer would be stored in a secure facility. The mower would be serviced at a cost of £325. Donations It was agreed to make donations of £250 each to Five Acre Wood School and Space 2 Be Me. Website It was agreed to upgrade the Hugo Fox membership to a silver service at a monthly cost of £19.99. Play area It was agreed with reservations to re-open the Surrenden Play Area, following cleaning of the equipment, a safety inspection and installation of signage. Parade planters It was agreed to add two planters to the northern side of the Parade. These would be funded by the Greener Staplehurst Group. Jubilee Field It was agreed to approve expenditure of £500 from the professional fees budget to obtain solicitors’ advice on a proposed management and maintenance agreement covering Jubilee Field. Chairman Riordan introduced the report and said he believed it was an important step towards clarifying responsibilities of the parties involved with Jubilee Field.


33


Parish Councils


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