The major item of discussion at the July meeting was the progress of the re-development of the Play Area at Playfield Road. Since that meeting, there has been a lot of activity towards the installation start date set for September 2009. While this addition of the Chronicle is being delivered the old play equipment and fence should be being removed and the first phase of building the dry stone wall entrance feature will be starting. It is hoped to salvage some of the old play equipment for use elsewhere if possible. The final plans will be on show in the Village Hall on the Parish Council notice board. There will be a number of months when there will be contractors working on the field and the Parish Council asks that parents and others with the care of young children do not let them play near or on the site until it is complete.
The following highway problems were reported in July. The hedge along the slip road from 105 -153 The Avenue; Pothole outside 111 Poplar Grove; General poor condition of the footpaths outside Ross Court and in The Avenue from Cranbrook Drive to Simpsons Way; Bagley Close- poor state of the road at the southern exit which was the result of a burnt out car; Pothole in footway near the new houses at the southern end of Poplar Grove.
The Clerk had also requested that the Sustrans cycle path was strimmed which was done in early July.
The members of the Parish Council were delighted at the number of people, six in all, who had asked to be considered for co-option to the council. After a series of votes, Alan Cobb was elected by the members to join the council. Everyone is reminded that the next election for the full council will be in May 2011. If you want to know more about being a Parish Councillor please contact the Clerk.
A new litter bin was installed in Poplar Grove at the end of the alley to The Avenue. Also another dog waste bin was installed at the entrance to the Memorial Field in The Avenue. It is hoped that dog walkers will use it to reduce the amount of dog faeces in the field. There had been a plan to have an additional dog waste bin in Bagley Wood Road but finding a position for it is still under discussion.
It was agreed to prepare an Emergency Plan for the village. Three councillors would be looking at the template supplied by the County Council’s emergency planning department.
The members of the Parish Council agreed to support by £1,000 a project to purchase a replacement roller for the Kennington Cricket Club. They also gave grants of £400 to the 1st Kennington Guides, £300 to the Friends of Kennington Library and £75 to the charity, Root and Branch.
