PARISH INFORMATION BOARD Parish Meeting Tue 12th Jan 7:00pm TBC-Zoom Parish Meeting Tue 2nd Mar 7:00pm TBC-Zoom http://www.boughtonmonchelseapc.org Parish Councillors NORTH WARD Cllr Leon Date 745501 Cllr Nolan Wilde 205016 Cllr David Redfearn 745339 Cllr Andy Humphryes 744083 SOUTH WARD Cllr Bill Brown 299760 Cllr Richard Martin 07780683801 Cllr Ian Ellis (Vice Chair) 741572 Cllr Johnathan Gershon 743072 Cllr Angela Wybrow 745339 Cllr Caroline Jessel 07979770134 Cllr Stephen Munford 741310 Cllr Doug Smith 749077 (Chair) (Planning Committee Chair) Cllr Jill Skinner 744096 Cllr Helen Stevens 07976057679 Cllr Rob Edmans 743210

Parish Clerk 744969 [email protected] Borough Councillors Cllr Stephen Munford 741310 (BM South & ) Cllr Matthew Burton (BM North Ward) 07793 243462 Cllr Daniel Rose (BM North Ward) 07706 608642 County Councillors Cllr Eric Hotson ( Rural South) 01580 892312 Cllr Gary Cooke (Maidstone South East) 01622 964480 Neighbourhood Police Unit and KCC Rural Warden Police (Non-urgent matters) please call 101 PCSO Peter Gardner [email protected] KCC Rural Warden: Liz Lovatt 07813 712107 Complied by Councillor Leon Date 20 Boughton Monchelsea Parish Council Chairman’s update - November 2020 Dear residents During these difficult and unprecedented times your Parish Council has been working hard on your behalf and I hope you enjoy reading about our efforts and successes since my last update in April.  Firstly I would like to say another huge thank you to ‘Boughton Volunteers’ for everything they have done throughout the COVID-19 crisis. We are lucky to live in such a supportive community where people are more than happy to help each other out. The volunteer network was set up by the Parish Council right at the start of the lockdown back in March and was resurrected for the November lockdown. If you need our help at any point, either now or in the future, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Details of the volunteer co-ordinators can be found on our website or by contacting the parish clerk.  The Boughton Monchelsea Neighbourhood Plan has now reached the stage of formal Examination. The recent consultation carried out by Maidstone Borough Council under national regulations closed at the end of September and all the representations received have been sent to the independent Examiner who will consider all the representations made, check that the plan complies with all legal requirements and then report to MBC. Any final changes to the plan will then be made and MBC will organise a local referendum in the parish. National regulations resulting from COVID-19 mean that this will not be before May 2021. A simple majority in favour would mean that the plan is adopted and becomes part of the development plan used by MBC to make planning decisions. We are working towards formal adoption of the plan in 2021 and will keep you updated. You can view the plan and associated documents on our website.  Since the serious accident at the zebra crossing in July 2018, we have successfully lobbied KCC to agree to a speed limit reduction Due to the current Lockdown, at the moment we are not open on Heath Road, from 40 to 30mph This will extend from just west to customers through the shop door. We are however, still of Loddington Lane to the village gateway to the east of Brishing Lane. Design work is now complete and KCC advise that the new delivering flowers, balloons and gifts along with Vegetable and speed limit will be in place by the end of March 2021. Design and bedding plants. Implementation has been funded by the Parish Council, in Emma Catt conjunction with grants from Kent County Councillor, Eric Hotson 2 19  Another highway success is the introduction of a 20mph zone for Boughton Monchelsea Playgroup Association the heart of the village and The Quarries. Again, design work for this is now complete and implementation will follow by the end of March 2021. This project has been funded wholly by the Parish Council.

 As well as our 20mph zone, speed limit reductions from 40 to 30mph are also in progress for the lengths of Green Lane and Haste Hill Road. Once these are in place we aim to install moveable Speed Indicator Devices (SID’s) to show drivers how fast they are travelling, hopefully encouraging them to drive safely The staff and children of Boughton Monchelsea Playgroup and within the 30mph limit. We have also identified another would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas. potential site on Brishing Lane, close to the Joywood junction. Once the locations are approved by KCC, a SID can stay in place We currently accept children from the age of 22 months. If you for a maximum of 8 weeks beforemoving to another site within the would like to speak to someone about playgroup or you are parish. With the 3 pole locations detailed above we can move the interested in a place for your child/ren then please contact Jane SID around to suit Clarke, our administrator, on 01622 747431 or call Sara at the  Did you know that we have a volunteer Speedwatch group in the playgroup on 07999 824478. parish. Once COVID restrictions allow, we will be out monitoring SPACES AVAILABLE FOR JANUARY the speed of traffic again. We are increasingly concerned at the speed of traffic on Heath Road and once the new speed limit has For further information please take a look at our website: been in place for 6 months we will be able to resume our speed www.bmplaygroup.co.uk checks on this busy road. We are always short of help so if you feel able to volunteer for Speedwatch please contact the parish or you can visit out Facebook page clerk.  Following consultation between MBC and residents, extensions to ‘The Quarries’ and ‘The Green’ conservation areas are now in place. Further information and maps are available on the MBC website Dog Owners Polite Reminder  http://www.maidstone.gov.uk/home/primary-services/planning-and With the increase in dog walking at the moment can we remind -building/primary-areas/heritage-and-landscape/tier-3-primary- everyone to please pick up and dispose of dog waste appropriately. areas/conservation-areas  Boughton Monchelsea Neighbourhood Watch group is going from Please note that any public litter bin can be used for the disposal of strength to strength. If you would like to join please e-mail us at dog waste. If you don’t pass a bin on your walk please take the bag [email protected] or [email protected] home with you and dispose of in your black wheelie bin.  Boughton Monchelsea Amenity Trust own and manage a large Many thanks for your consideration. amount of land within the parish. The trust was set up in 1994 with the aim of preserving, protecting and improving the area for the Your Parish Council benefit of residents and surrounding communities. Some of this land is currently leased out to farmers but the rest is free for 18 3 members of the public to use and enjoy. Walk Meadow is a 13 Boughton Monchelsea Scout Group acre public open space located at the junction of Bottlescrew Hill and Cliff Hill. Furfield Park open space, off Brishing Lane, Unfortunately due to the pandemic we as a group have been provides 15 acres of land for use by the public. Find out more unable to meet up face to face since the middle of March. about the work of the trust and its aims for the future by reading the BMAT article later on in this newsletter Our scout troop have met as often as they can via Zoom, making cakes, fudge, doing treasure hunts and acting as  A huge thank you to the many volunteers who have worked so hard to plant and maintain the two BMAT tree areas at Walk detectives in a murder mystery. Meadow and Firmin Field, a total of more than 1500 saplings. The Cubs and Beavers are on hold until probably the spring We are especially grateful for all your help during this 2021 depending on what happens in the coming months with challenging year, with such a very long drought in the vital spring and summer growing months. Together we are acting Covid. locally to support what is a global challenge We as leaders have still been keeping our training up to date via  Following a successful application at the start of the year, BMAT zoom and e learning so that we will be ready to spring into was awarded an £1,800 ‘Go Green Go Wild’ grant from MBC for action again when the time is right. the creation of three wildflower meadows in the Furfield Park open space. Ground preparation and seed sowing was due to Vacancy: Group Chairperson ...... to support the GSL in the safe take place this year but has been put on hold until Spring 2021 and compliant running of the group and chairing the quarterly due to COVID-19. We look forward to seeing wildflowers executive meetings and the AGM. growing here next year! If you are interested in supporting our amazing group please  Progress on BMAT’s Salts Wood project continues. This 32 acre contact myself Karen Filmer to discuss site will be planted up as woodland and, once established, will be open for the public to enjoy. The grant process is currently Many thanks ongoing although this has been delayed due to COVID-19. Parish Councillors / BMAT trustees, Andy Humphryes and Rich- [email protected]. / 07702 727087 ard Martin have been working hard on this project from the outset and we will keep you informed as things develops.  Are you frustrated with the amount of litter in the parish? If so, please help out by joining ‘Boughton Monchelsea Litter Quitters’. The group is led by Cllr Caroline Jessel and consists of a growing number of volunteers who regularly pick up litter as they’re out and about in the parish. Every little helps and just a few minutes a week makes a difference. Please contact the parish clerk if you would like to join. We also hope to hold anoth- er of our parish wide litter picks in the Spring and will advertise the date nearer the time.  You may have noticed new litter signage dotted around the parish. These signs are a result of the hard work of Cllrs Caro- line Jessel and Jonathan Gershon in particular and were installed with the support of Maidstone Borough Council. Hopefully they will make people stop and think before 4 17 Theme Parks, Circuses, Fairgrounds, and Funfairs throwing litter out of their vehicles. Visitor Attractions at Film Studios, Heritage Sites such as  A few years ago the Parish Council restored the old timber Castles and Stately Homes finger post sign at the junction of Gandys Lane, Old Tree Lane landmarks including observation decks and viewing platforms and Green Lane. Earlier this year we uncovered another, very dilapidated finger post sign at the junction of The  Leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group Quarries and Bottlescrew Hill. The sign has been lovingly exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead. restored by Cllr Andy Humphryes and will soon be erected on Saunas and steam rooms should close the grass verge at the top of Atkins Hill, pointing the way to  There should be no public attendance at spectator sport or indoor the village centre. performances and large business events should not be taking Full Parish Council meetings are always open to the public. place. Elite sport events may continue to take place without spectators These take place once every two months and are usually held  Large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take in the village hall in Church Street, starting at 7pm. Most of our place, with the exception of drive-in events meetings in 2020 were held remotely but we hope to be back to face to face meetings in the Spring. Meeting dates for 2021  Places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble are 12th January, 2nd March, 4th May, 6th July, 7th while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies September and 2nd November. Our Parish Meeting will take place on 18th May. Agendas and minutes of all full Parish  Weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number Council meetings are available on our website. of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies,  The Parish Council’s planning committee is chaired by Cllr 15 people can attend linked commemorative events Doug Smith and meets regularly to discuss and agree responses to all planning applications that are received in the  Organised outdoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes can parish. These meetings are always open to the public and are continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place advertised in advance on the Church Street noticeboard and  Organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot on our website. It is important to note that the Parish Council take place indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, is a statutory consultee only in the planning process, we have sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical no decision making powers. activity for under-18s  If you have any queries regarding any of the above or any is-  You can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but sue that is concerning you and that the Parish Council may be should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible able to help with please do get in touch  Avoid travelling to other parts of the UK, including for overnight stays [email protected] or 01622 744969. other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring Finally, we are really disappointed we can’t hold our traditional responsibilities. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer Carols on the green this year but are hoping to hold a ‘zoom carols’ journey event instead. We will be in touch on social media with more Full details of the new tier restrictions are available on the government details but please save the date – website: Monday 14th December at 7pm. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know Wishing you all a merry Christmas and happy new year. Cllr Steve Munford Chairman, Boughton Monchelsea Parish Council

16 5 Maidstone allocated Tier 3 in Covid Winter Plan KCC Community Wardens Maidstone borough is set to enter Tier 3 – Very High Alert, as part of the KCC’s community wardens are out between 7.30am and 10pm national Covid Winter Plan, Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), is asking every day in 128 Kent communities. everyone to keep pulling together and continue to protect each other. Tier 3 will be reviewed every 14 days as part of a regional approach, and this They: will last until March 2021. To protect lives and livelihoods while the borough is in Tier 3 restrictions  can address low-level crime and antisocial behaviour. This  you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with includes graffiti, littering, fly tipping and vandalism anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, this  can take names and addresses and control traffic includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues  are a reassuring uniformed presence  you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in some other outdoor  are fully trained to the Community Safety Accreditation public spaces, including parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the Scheme before starting their work public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility – this is called the ‘rule of 6’  encourage communities to work together and make things better for everyone  hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), , cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales  work closely with and other professional author- by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services. ities  accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses  talk with local people, offering information and advice must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use  take part in local community activities these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training You can contact our community warden,  indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. This includes:

indoor play centres & areas, including trampolining parks & soft play Liz Lovatt on 07813 712107 Casinos: Bingo halls: Bowling alleys: Skating rinks: Amusement Arcades :and adult gaming centres: Laser Quests: and escape rooms:

IMPORTANT NOTICE! Cinemas: Theatres & :Concert Halls: Snooker Halls It is an offence to allow a dog to worry a farms Livestock.  Indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions Worrying includes: Attacking or Chasing animals. can remain open). This includes indoor attractions within: Zoos, Safari parks, and Wildlife Reserves In some circumstances farmers are legally entitled to shoot Aquariums, Visitor Attractions at Farms, and other Animal a dog if they are endangering their stock Attractions Please be extra vigilant when walking you dog on Model Villages farmed land and look out for all livestock Museums, Galleries, and Sculpture Parks Botanical Gardens, Biomes, or Greenhouses

6 15 considering simplifying compulsory purchase powers and the Village Email Circle—Keep Up to Date! overall process in order to gain control over potential development sites. With this in mind, we are exploring ways in Keep abreast of news and events affecting the Parish from the which we may further protect BMAT’s land holdings to combat convenience of your armchair. Many people already are, so why not such action. join them?

As mentioned above, ‘nobody likes change’ and indeed we, of The village email circle was reintroduced several years ago. course, recognise that you cannot please ‘all the people all of Messages are sent to everyone in the circle via myself and I ensure the time’. However, I would like to reassure you that the Parish that the only email address shown is yours and mine, you do not see Council devotes a large proportion of its time considering all any others. aspects of town planning related matters whilst always keeping the interests of the parish, its parishioners, and the strategic If you would like more details, please email the Parish Clerk aims and objectives of BMAT at the forefront of their minds to protect where it can the parish of Boughton Monchelsea, for its [email protected] Residents and future generations. Leon Date (Parish Councillor) Ian Ellis Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan review BMAT Chairman Due to changes in the Government requirement for local author- ities to provide more housing, Maidstone Borough Council, like Have You Heard of the many other authorities, are reviewing their local plan. Their preferred approach to accommodate the additional housing will RIFGINS TRUST? be open to public consultation from the start of December for a This Trust was set up many years ago to provide financial assistance 3 week period. Please take part so your views may be for the residents of Boughton Monchelsea in times of financial considered. hardship and includes expenses incurred through illness or disability. https://localplan.maidstone.gov.uk/home/local-plan-review it can help with home security – stair lifts, re-training grants, etc.

All applications will be treated in complete confidence and in Helen Whately MP for Faversham and Mid Kent accordance with the terms of the Trust and will be dependent on the applicant’s financial circumstances. I work for you. If you have a problem you think I can help you with, please contact me or book an appointment me at one of my For further details please contact the Trustees: surgeries

House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA Mrs Attwood745 919 Mr Boden 678 887 Mrs Clarke 745 182 Tel: 020 7219 6472

www.helenwhately.org.uk Mr Ian Ellis 741 572 Revd Yvonne Salmon 842 598 Email: [email protected]

14 7 During the last 26 years BMAT has acquired, and has control of over 300 acres of land in the parish, (principally in the belt of land arching across the north of the parish, as well as in and around the village itself), to prevent us being absorbed into south Maidstone and preserving our largely rural character and identity. We continue to investigate further land when opportunities arise. Environmental Commitment Like most other businesses, the Loddington Farm-based Musket Boughton Monchelsea parish has made a very clear commit- Brewery being a small family brewing concern, is experiencing great difficulties as the Covid 19 virus takes grip throughout the world, but ment to improving the environment and combating climate they are still able to supply great beer to friends and neighbours change. Through our ‘Friends of BMAT’ initiative we have throughout Boughton Monchelsea! Founder and Co-Owner, landscape projects coming forward which involve re-wilding significant areas of BMAT land including extensive tree planting Tony Williams, explains: to re-establish substantial areas of woodland creating semi “Pubs and Clubs have been ordered to close and that includes the natural public open spaces in the heart of the parish. Musket Brewery tap room, The Armoury. However, we are still allowed to provide a beer takeaway and delivery service, providing Our Parish Council Chairman, Borough Cllr Munford, co-heads that the government guidelines on social distancing are observed and MBC’s Climate Change & Biodiversity Emergency Committee as such, our 5 litre mini-kegs of great Musket Brewery real ale have so we are at the forefront of environmental matters in the proved tremendously popular. We have made many new friends from borough, indeed our re-wilding project is seen as an exemplar. Boughton Monchelsea and beyond as they have stopped off at the brewery to collect their beers. Trying to juggle family and business life Obviously, all projects require funding, and whilst grant aid is is always a struggle and the current situation is exceptionally available for some of our projects, with BMAT having no source challenging, but we are open for beer takeaway collections on of income we are constantly looking at ways in which other Monday - Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturdays 1pm – 4pm and important landscape improvement projects can be supported. Closed Sundays. So, if you are missing out on your real ale, you “MUSKET” along for a beer takeaway!” P.S We are also selling Cider Nationwide Housing Demand to takeaway! The pressure to identify residential development land continues Most Musket Mini-kegs are £20 each but a great deal can be had unabated in the government’s search for sites to meet the with three mini-kegs for only £50.00 (two brews are not in this enormous shortage of housing we have in the UK. You may be offer!). More information and the “order on line” service is available at aware that the government is intending to change and simplify www.musketbrewery.co.uk planning legislation still further so housing developments can come forward more easily and be built and delivered quicker to Cheers and best wishes. Tony“ meet the demand and help re-stimulate the economy as we emerge from the pandemic. A White Paper is going through Loddington Farm, Loddington Lane, Linton, Maidstone, Kent. ME17 4AG parliament at the moment.

079671 27 27 8 or 01622 - 749931 It has also been muted that the government is investigating and 8 13

Boughton Monchelsea Amenity Trust (BMAT) Boughton Monchelsea Women’s Institute Maidstone Borough Council’s recent release of their regulation In normal times we meet every second 18B consultation on preferred sites in its new emerging Local Tuesday of the month in Boughton Monchelsea Village Hall Plan has, again brought central government’s pursuit of residential sites into focus. We understand MBC intend to 7.30 to 9.30pm challenge the significantly increased housing number allocated to Maidstone and may be seeking to challenge the method of for fun and friendship. calculation, however, in the meantime it must progress matters We have many interesting speakers and demonstrations on and get its new Local Plan formulated and adopted as soon as various subjects at our meetings followed by tea/coffee and possible or it runs the risk of being exposed to aggressive biscuits and a chance to chat with friends. approaches from developers, and an ‘open season’ situation without policies in place to control and police such planning We also hold art and craft workshops and there are book, film applications. and luncheon clubs held during the month for you to enjoy. None of us like change, but with its proximity to Maidstone and Since March, however, we have been unable to meet due to its ‘larger village’ status it is inevitable that Boughton Covid so many of our ladies have been sewing masks, scrubs Monchelsea will be required to take some of the burden of and other items for the NHS as well as helping our neighbours providing some of the further allocated housing. in the village with shopping and other errands when required. Instead of meeting in the village hall many of our ladies were Your Parish Council is very conscious of this, and we continue able to meet in Committee members' gardens for a catch up to monitor the situation closely and to take a proactive view, over tea and cake during the summer rather than sit back and be dictated to regarding both housing numbers and, in particular, appropriate locations for such Visitors and new members are very welcome to our meetings developments. when we start again, do come and join us! As a parish we are the envy of not only every other parish in For further details please call Maidstone, but indeed parishes nationwide in that we are in a Anthea Springett 01622 741479 unique position due to the land BMAT holds, and we continuously review the situation regarding changes to the Fault reporting planning system.

You can report any highway and public right of way problems directly Recap of what BMAT is and does to KCC via their website using the following The members of the Parish Council had great vision when in links : www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-a-problem 1994 they formed BMAT with the primary objective being to www.kent.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/public-rights-of-way/ protect Boughton Monchelsea from the march of urban sprawl report-a-problem-on-a-right-of-way to the south east of Maidstone. It is worth noting that without the protection of any green belt designation, Maidstone, and its Issues such as fly tipping, potential planning breaches and various immediate hinterland, will always be vulnerable and a target for nuisance problems can be reported via the Maidstone Borough residential developers. Council website www.maidstone.gov.uk

12 9 National Census 2021 The Census will provide a snapshot of modern society. It is a once-in-a-decade survey that gives us the most accurate estimate of all the people and households in and Wales. It has been carried out every decade since 1801, with the exception of 1941. In 2021 The Census will be the first to run predominantly online, with households receiving a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets. “A successful census will ensure everyone from local government to charities can put services and funding in the places where they are most needed,” Iain Bell, deputy national statistician at the Office for National Statistics, said. “This could mean things like doctors’ surgeries, schools and new transport routes. That’s why it is so important everyone takes part and we have made it easier for people to do so online on any device, with help and paper questionnaires for those that need them.” Census day will be on March 21, but households across the country will receive letters with online codes allowing them to take part from early March. The census will include questions about your sex, age, work, health, education, household size and ethnicity. And, for the first time, there will be a question asking people whether they have served in the armed forces, as well as voluntary questions for those aged 16 and over on sexual orientation and gender identity. Results will be available within 12 months, although personal records will be locked away for 100 years, kept safe for future generations. For more information, visit census.gov.uk.

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