YOURloCal What’s happening where you live...

the removal of the MBC dog waste bins. It was agreed that a written question would be put to the Maidstone Borough Council Meeting. The Treasurer of Weavering Street Village Hall thanked the parish council for its financial support for the conversion to Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Report from Borough Councillor Cllr Derek Butler, Mayor of Maidstone, reported on some recent undertakings. Cllr Wendy Hinder raised concerns over fly tipping and notified members that HGV’s were appearing in Chatham Road again. The Clerk was authorised to purchase some signs and lockable A frames in the different languages to advertise that this was not allowed. Reports from Councillors/office Maidstone KALC met on February 6 and the Chairman gave a report notifying members that the draft minutes were inaccurate as they failed to record the lengthy discussion on the lack of MBC Planning Enforcement. Valley Schools Proposed New School, the report was received. Members welcomed the idea of a specialized Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths School but expressed concern over the additional traffic and parking issues that would come with the development of the site. It was agreed to invite the Head Teacher to address the parish council of use of land from agriculture to land for the keeping of horses and erection of new stables and menage. Refuse Lake Farmhouse, Green Lane. Full and listed building consent for the conversion of existing outbuilding to provide annexe accommodation. Notification of appeal lodged with the Planning Inspectorate in relation to condition 4 of the Planning Decision Notice. Members agreed to support the appeal. Lested Farm, Plough Wents Road. Extension to bin store to provide pumpkin maturing and wood chip drying store. Refuse unless increased screening is introduced all around with larger plants. The following decision from Maidstone Borough Council was noted. Lambs Cross. Retrospective planning application for a detached garage storage room above. Refused. The police were unable to attend the meeting but sent notice of two crimes in the last month. Councillor Webb reported a burnt out car in Green Lane. Members were asked to consider whether to respond to the proposed main modifications to the Maidstone local plan. It was agreed to monitor it. A letter had been received from Garry James who does the litter pick in the centre of the village. Due to a problem with his hands he has been unable to carry our his duties some weeks. Rather than let the council down he will understand if the council finds someone else to take over the job. It was agreed to write to Garry and tell him that he should continue, working as and when he can. Councillor Forknall reported that he has spoken with users at the playing field regarding the new surface in the play area. It has been well received. Councillor Webb reported on the AGM of the shop and Councillor Fitzgerald reported on events that he had attended. The fly tipping which has been at the entrance to the playing field has been reported by three councillors and the clerk at different times. The clerk has also spoke to the council about it but has not received any satisfactory advice on when it will be removed. Councillor Underdown reported that she has resumed Speedwatch and is able to report data easily now that a cut down version of the programme has been made available. Concert: There will be a concert performed by Kent Police Male Voice Choir this Saturday, April 22, at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church Sutton Valence. Tickets cost£10, including a glass of wine, available from Mary on 01622 843748 or on the door. Correspondent: Jenny Scott Mob: 07785 974951 Marden Walks: On Saturday, April 22, Marden Walkers will meet at Marden library at 2pm for a walk to view apple blossom. On Wednesday April 26, they meet at the library at 9.45am to walk the first half of Marden Thorn. Anyone for Cricket?: Yalding Cricket Club is gearing up for the new season and would like new players of any age or level to join in. Regular nets take place at The Kintons on Saturday mornings at 10.30am from April 22. Do go along. More information from Martin Tripp on martin.tripp@ gmmail.com or Richard Field on randv.field@gmail.com. Check the website for fixtures www. yalding.play-cricket.com Church affairs: The PCC agm will take place on Sunday April 23 from noon to 1pm, following the regular Sunday morning service with Holy Communion at 11am. On the same evening at 6.30pm, evensong will take place at St Margaret’s followed by a social gathering. Quiz night: If you have yet to get tickets for the quiz night in church on Saturday April 22, call 01622 872278 or 01892 730323 to check availability. Tickets are £5 each and teams up to eight persons. Proceeds are in aid of church funds. Patients’ Participation Group: The agm of the Patients’ Participation Group takes place upstairs at Yalding surgery on Wednesday April 26 at 7pm. All patients and staff are welcome. Visit the website www.patients@yalding.com for further information. PARISH COUNCIL White Hart pub: Several residents attended the April parish council meeting last week. They had requested to address the council with concerns about the plans for the White Hart public house. The new owners of the premises have boarded up the pub whilst they await planning permission to upgrade and refurbish the building. Residents who live nearby have expressed concerns about the proposals, especially the plan to add a roof terrace to the extended restaurant. Safer Collier Street: PCSO Nicola Morris attended last week’s monthly pop-in for an informal chat with those attending. The usual delicious refreshments Correspondent: Maureen Jopson, 68 Stockett Lane, Coxheath, ME17 4PY Tel: 01622 746086 PARISH COUNCIL: Gordon Down has been co-opted on to Coxheath Parish Council to fill the one remaining vacancy. The council now has a full complement of 13 Councillors. Jasmine Pay has been appointed as the new PCSO for Coxheath and is expected to take up her full duties during May. PARISH COUNCIL: The Coxheath Neighbourhood Plan has been discussed in the light of a recent meeting held with MBC. Much of the original plan has been overtaken by conflicting elements within the emerging Maidstone Local Plan. In these circumstances, and in the belief that any new plan could be overridden during a review of the Maidstone Local Plan in the next five years, it may not be worthwhile pursuing the Neighbourhood Plan. A final decision will be taken later in the year. Meetings are to be held with representatives of MBC and KCC Highways to discuss possible improvements to the village centre in Coxheath. PARISH COUNCIL: Representatives PARISH COUNCIL: The next meeting of Coxheath Parish Council is on Tuesday (25th) at 7.30pm in the small hall at the village hall site. Hearing Aid Clinic: The next monthly hearing aid clinic is on Friday 28 between 10am and 1pm in Family Room 1 at The Heathside Centre. As well as supplying batteries and cleaning tubes, they, also, have details of various equipment available for the deaf and hard of hearing. No appointment is necessary. Village News.: Is there anything you would like included in the next issue of Coxheath Village News? If so, please send it to coxheathvillagenews@outlook.com by Friday April 28 at the very latest. Correspondent: Jenny Cosgrove Tel: 01622 630462 St George’s Day: On Sunday, April 23, there will be some communion in Detling church at 10:30am. The annual meeting of the parochial church council follows at noon. All members of the church can attend and are entitled to vote. King Lear: The famous play by William Shakespeare is to be performed by the award-winning Detling players in Detling Village