Chilham Parish Council - serving Chilham, Old Wives Lees and Shottenden

Check out our whats on in the parish page to learn about events, run by village organisations and clubs in the next 90 days.


		Welcome to the Chilham Parish Council website. We hope you will learn something useful about what we are doing to improve the quality of life in our parish.

		We recognise that most people in the parish dont really understand what we do, so this website and the quarterly newsletters printed in the Parish News is our attempt to keep you better informed so that together we can make the parish of Chilham a better place to live in..

		We welcome feedback, good or bad, so please use the how are we doing page to let us have your views on the website or, for that matter, any issue that you think the parish council should be dealing with.

		If we dont know what is concerning you then we cant help to do anything about it.

		If you would like to receive emails keeping you in touch with updates to the information on this website then you can also use the feedback form on the how are we doing page to let us know your email address.

		LETS CELEBRATE THE QUEENS DIAMOND JUBILEE (2nd–4th June 2012)
		On Monday 4th June 2012, the aim is to light 2,012 beacons throughout the UK in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
		The Parish Council registered the beacon on the Mount at OWL to be one of the 2,012 and suggested villages organise their own events.
		As a result, community groups in Chilham and OWL have organised a number of events over the Jubilee weekend. Everyone in the parish is invited to join in the celebrations.

		TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIGH SPEED BROADBAND FROM VFAST MADE POSSIBLE BY THE KCC COMMUNITY BROADBAND GRANT
		With the aid of a KCC Grant of £47,400, the parish council have arranged for Vfast to provide the opportunity of high speed broadband to all properties within the parish.
		Vfast have already connected several properties in Shottenden to a better than 20Mb broadband service and have started work in other areas of the parish including Chilham.
		Parishioners wanting to take advantage of this service should apply via the Vfast website.
		The parish council made its decision based primarily on the following:- physical and structural impact on the parish; overall parish coverage; versatile financial packages; system speeds; implementation timescale; localised technical support; ability to accommodate local business.
		While high speed broadband from VFast is currently available to properties within direct sight of the Boughton mast, the KCC grant will enable VFast to put in extra infrastructure that will extend this service to the remaining properties in the parish that are not within direct sight.

		ROY LINCOLN CO-OPTED TO FILL VACANCY LEFT BY MIKE NORTONS RESIGNATION
		2 candidates applied to be co-opted to fill the vacancy and were interviewed by chair Alistair Ralph and vice-chair Derrick Kennett during April. The parish council decided to co-opt Roy Lincoln at its meeting on 3rd May.

		LITTER PICKER WANTED
		Help keep our parish clean and tidy.
		We require a reliable, community spirited individual to work 6 hours a week clearing litter from specific areas in our parish.
		This is a paid position with a formal contract describing the duties required.
		Occasional extra duties may be requested by mutual agreement.
		A high visibility jacket and litter picking equipment will be provided.
		If you are interested, please contact the clerk via the feedback form on the how are we doing page before 7th June.

		SAWMILL SITE PLANNING APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR 40 NEW HOMES - LET ABC HEAR YOUR VIEWS
		Ashford Borough Council (ABC) have received a planning application for the development of the old sawmills site involving 40 new residential units and a related development for Station Approach that includes provision for a station car park.
		This is an important planning issue for Chilham and members of the public are encouraged to attend to find out more about the plans and submit their comments and concerns to ABC.
		Planning application details can be viewed on the ABC website using the following links.
		Sawmills application
		Station Approach application
		Please use these links to submit your comments, just click on the MakeAComment tab.
		The proposed developments have generated widespread local concern regarding traffic volumes during peak hours in the roads around Bagham junction including the Branch Road and Bagham Lane rat runs.
		Latest news and the background to this issue can be found on the Sawmills Development page by clicking here.
		Anyone wanting to find out more or join a working group to formulate the response to the planning applications should contact the clerk via the feedback form on the how are we doing page.

		TAYLORS HILL TOILETS THREATENED WITH CLOSURE
		ABC has given notification of its plans to either transfer responsibility for the toilets to the parish council or close them.
		The parish council with support from Chilham Tourism and Retailers Group (CTRG) and Boro Cllr Doug Marriott have met with officers from ABC to raising objection to the closure and look for ways of keeping them open.
		Further meetings are planned to explore options for retaining the toilets as they are considered a vital community asset.

		CHILHAM SQUARE PROJECT MOVES FORWARD WITH IMPROVED GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS
		In February 2012, parish councillors, Chilhams Future Delivery Board (CFDB) and ABC met to consider the way forward, funding opportunities and the future role of CFDB.
		The notes of the meeting were subsequently approved and in accordance with the resolutions agreed, the CFDB offer for future governance was formally accepted at the April parish council meeting. As a result, there are now 3 parish councillors who are directors of CFDB.
		CFDB were asked to continue their funding search and contact KCC regarding contractors to implement option2 - the scheme with most community support at the open meeting in November 2010.
		Earlier, in July 2011, cllrs had met with CFDB to cover the following items:
		1) what has been done since the open meeting in November 2010
		2) what are the proposed next steps
		3) what is the continued purpose of CFDB
		A further meeting with CFDB was held in November 2011 before the meeting with ABC was finally agreed.
		In January 2011, CFDB had produced the final deliverable from their community engagement exercise – a technical design brief based upon Option2 (the scheme that achieved most community support ) and since then have been looking into future funding and developing a plan for the remainder of the project.
		In a complementary initiative by the parish council to identify what could be funded by public money, work is underway on County Councillor Andrew Wickham’s Members Highway Fund proposals that include improved signage at both the main entrances to the Square (ie bottom of Taylors Hill and along the Avenue) and a change of priority to direct traffic into the car park rather than up Taylors Hill.

		COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLANNING
		Emergencies happen. The emergency services will always have to prioritise those in greatest need during an emergency, especially where life is in danger. There will be times when you may be affected by an emergency but your life is not in immediate danger. During this time you need to know how to help yourself and those around you. By becoming more resilient, our community can complement the work of local emergency responders (eg Kent Fire and Rescue Services (KFRS), Kent Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAMB) and reduce the impact of an emergency on our community.
		In getting started to plan effectively for our community, as many people as possible within our community should have an opportunity to get involved.
		The parish council is considering an open meeting where the community can discuss their priorities for the plan and identify who is interested in helping to create it.
		If you are interested in getting involved, contact the clerk via the feedback form on the how are we doing page.

		PRECEPT UNCHANGED FOR ANOTHER YEAR
		The precept for 2012/13 has been set at £16,996 - no increase since 2010/11. This was based on a budget including the following assumptions:
		1) Regular expense items remain unchanged
		2) Allow 1.5% for inflation
		3) Sufficient funds were held to meet the reserves recommended in our reserving policy.

		RECYCLING BIDS
		We have received 14 bids from village organisations for grants from the recycling fund which currently stands at over £6500 and these were considered at the October meeting.
		The following bids were accepted:-
		£88 from OCS Youth Club towards liability insurance
		£200 from Seniors Club for hall hire
		£630 from OWL village hall towards improvement projects
		£200 from Stour Valley Stour Arrangers towards their flower arrangers demonstration
		£350 from Michelle O’Shea towards the Shottenden firework display
		£200 from Ladies Group towards cost of speakers / annual trip
		£300 from Recreation Ground towards repairs to roof
		£350 from Tony Simms towards Xmas lights for the tree in the Square earmarked pending confirmation of final costs
		£500 from St Marys School for a Cycle Shed
		£250 from OCS Youth Club towards new equipment
		The following bids were accepted with reduced amounts:-
		£2000 from Chilham Village Hall towards car park maintenance reduced to £1000 and earmarked pending confirmation of final costs
		£200 from Sue Fowler for Halloween event reduced to £100 but increased to £193-40 at the February meeting
		£1000 from Chilham Tourism and Retailers Group towards the Tourist Information kiosk reduced to £690
		The following bids were rejected:-
		£108 from PACT for leaflets

		Please recycle your glass, bottles, jars (but not Pyrex), aluminium or steel cans (such as drinks and rinsed food tins) at the recycling centre in Taylors Hill car park and help increase the recycling credits we get each year from Ashford Borough Council so we can continue to support more parish organisations and projects in the future.

		RURAL OLDER PERSONS HOUSING PROJECT
		The parish council is participating in a project instigated by ABC to explore the need for older peoples accommodation in rural areas.
		Check out the planning committee section of the what we are doing page for more details of their plans.

did you know ...

Chilham Parish

Check out the self funding locally run Chilham Parish website to find out loads of useful and interesting information and anecdotes about the parish and its local history.

Enjoy Chilham

Check out the Enjoy Chilham website for more information on Chilham and its local businesses.

Chilham's Future

Check out the Chilham's Future Delivery Board website to find out what they are doing to revitalise Chilham Square.

Chilham Village Hall

Check out the Chilham Village Hall website to find out the facilities available and how to book.

Old Wives Lees Village Hall

Check out the Old Wives Lees Village Hall website to find out the facilities available following the recent refurbishment and how to book.

Chilham School

Check out the Chilham St Marys CofE Primary School website to find out their latest news and useful information for prospective parents.

Chilham Nursing Association

The object of this charity is to relieve in cases of need, persons resident in the parishes of Chilham, Godmersham, Challock and Molash who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped or infirm ... provided that neither the National Health Service nor the Social Services is not bound by statute to meet such assistance.

If you are aware of any person who could benefit from this charity, please contact Rev Chris Duncan on 01227 730235.

Chilham United Charities

These charities are for the benefit of any needy person in the parish of Chilham - including Old Wives Lees and Shottenden.

Anyone aware of a person living in the parish who could benefit should contact Rev Chris Duncan on 01227 730235.

Wealden Wheels

Following promising usage of this scheme in 2009 and 2010, the parish council decided to fund extending membership for another year – at the last count 22 groups and families have enrolled to use this service and average usage is 2 bookings per month.

They operate 3 vehicles:

1) a 15-seater custom-built Vauxhall Movano, with a tail lift for wheelchair access and removable seats that allows transport for up to 3 wheelchair-bound passengers or folded wheelchairs

2) a 9-seater Ford Tourneo, again with removable seats for additional space

3) a 7-seater Volkswagen Caddy, with disabled access via a rear ramp. This vehicle is owned by East Kent Strokes and is managed by Wealden Wheels on their behalf. It is available for hire to all members.

For more details contact Wealden Wheels on 01233 840000.

Free Information and Advice Service from Age UK

Age UK offer Information and Advice, predominately to those aged over 50 covering:

-Benefit Information, Advice & Form-Filling Service for Benefits such as Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, State Pension and many more
-Information & Help applying for Heating Grants
-Help finding Trusted Tradesmen or Free Handyman services in your area
-Carer Information
-Advice and referrals for Disability Aids
-Referrals to a range of services such as Health / Social Care Organisations for assistance

Home visits can be arranged or you can drop into any of their local offices.

For more details contact Lana Newman of Age UK on 01233 668765

Citizens Rights for Older People (CROP)

CROP is an independent advocacy service who will advocate for any older person. Do you need someone to speak on your behalf?

One of their trained volunteer advocates will visit you in your own home to help with most issues, for example:

-Negotiating Care Services
-Making a Complaint
-Putting finances in order
-Benefits/Council Tax/Pension Credits
-Family and Other Conflict
-Helping recently bereaved with paperwork
-Abusive Behaviour
-Consumer Disputes

The service is free and confidential.

Email the Ashford and Shepway team for more information.

Kent Probation - Community Payback

In any week the community payback scheme carries out nearly 6,000 hours of unpaid and supervised work for the community across Kent as offenders pay back for the crimes they have committed.

Community Payback projects range from litter removal to clearing dense under growth, and environmental projects through repairing and redecorating community centres or removing graffiti. Offenders usually work as part of a team, monitored by a supervisor, and will work all day with short breaks, although there are some opportunities for individual placements.

Local people and community groups are encouraged to help with the selection of projects that will help make their community a better place to live. The scheme looks for projects or jobs, not normally carried out by paid workers, which combine both hard work and learning skills.

To be considered your project must meet the following criteria:

a) It must benefit the local community

b) It must not take paid work away from others

c) No one must make a profit from the work

d) It must be challenging and demanding

e) It must be worthwhile and constructive

Offenders must be seen to be putting something back into the community.

Anyone can nominate a project, so, if you are an individual, member of a club, community group, faith group or voluntary organisation and have a project that fits the criteria above please call Kent's Community Payback Resource Hub on 03000 473100.

Public Transport Journey Planner

Travelling by public transport to our from London and the Southeast - then check out the Traveline website to plan your trip using buses coaches trains or undergound.

Severe weather train service updates

Dont freeze waiting for a train service that has been cancelled due to the bad weather - checkout the National Rail website to get live travel updates.

Kent Landscape Information System

Want to find out more about the countryside around us - then check out the Kent Landscape Information System website and get details of access to the local countryside, its landscape and its character. There a loads options you can select. It can even show you the parish boundary.

WhatsOn Listing

Want to find out more about village events and clubs, then check out our whats on in the parish page.

Our community events committee have put this together. The aim is to promote any event in the parish so if you want your event included please contact the clerk using the feedback form on our how are we doing page.

The Whats On listing will also be posted on village noticeboards at the start of each month.

Recycling

Do you realise that our Parish actually receive revenue from the bottle banks and recycled paper banks situated in the car park at Taylor’s Hill in Chilham?

You could make the journey to Taylor’s Hill car park to recycle glass, bottles, paper etc. so our Parish can benefit.

Items recyclable at this site are newspapers and magazines, glass, bottles, jars (but not Pyrex), aluminium or steel cans (such as drinks and rinsed food tins)

Since 2008, recycling grants of £19k from the parish council have enabled community projects costing over £80k to obtain match funding of over £41k from other sources so that they could be completed successfully.

Check out the finance committee section of our what we are doing page to find out how this money has been allocated to village organisations.

Recycle Low Energy Bulbs

The CoBRA scheme is a multi national award winning scheme allows community volunteers to become custodians of a small collection box for CFLs (Low Energy Light Bulbs), which, on a large scale, are very harmful to the environment if not recycled properly due to their mercury content.

After a short and simple sign-up process on our website the volunteer will be sent a collection box, free of charge, and given all the tools they’ll need to undertake their important work. All they need do then is to take the contents of the full box to one of our ‘bulking up’ centres. From there, they will be collected and responsibly recycled by Recolight – a not-for-profit industry compliant who are generous enough to be supporting this scheme throughout the UK.

CoBRA already has the interests of over 50 UK councils since its launch in September and the backing of environment minister, Lord Henley, and is fully approved by all the relevant agencies (E.A., defra and DfT).

Neighbourhood policing

You can also contact our Neighbourhood PC Lorayne Brown on 07800 675415, our PCSO Matt Link on 07972 004407 or our KCC Community Warden Karen Peck on 07813 695817.

Call 999 if a crime is happening now, people are injured, people are being threatened or are in danger, or someone suspected of committing a crime is nearby.

Call Kent Police on 101 to report minor crime.

More information on neighbourhood policing can be found on the Kent Police website or the new Neighbourhood Watch website.

Litter and Fly-tipping

Our litter picker patrols the centre of our villages once a week but if you see a build up of litter in your village contact the clerk to arrange for it to be cleared up. If you see litter outside the village you can also contact the clerk or contact ABC Street Cleansing on 01233 330535.

Useful information on keeping our parish clean and tidy can also be found on the Clean Kent website.

Potholes, Signs, Overgrown Verges

Kent Highways inspect our roads once a month but if you see a pothole, a damaged sign or overgrown verge, blocked drain or any other highway issue, contact them on 08458 247 800.

You can also log and track highway faults on the internet using the KHS Online Portal.

Fly Posters

Unofficial posters are becoming an increasing problem in the parish especially when they are positioned on dangerous junctions and could distract drivers and result in accidents.

The parish council supports local businesses and their use of appropriate advertising. Removing illegal signs is a matter for Kent Highways and the parish council has no powers to remove signs itself.

The role of the parish council is to encourage advertisers to understand and act within the law and also encourage the appropriate authority to act when necessary. The booklet Outdoor Advertisements And Signs - Guide For Advertisers is recommended reading.

If you see a badly positioned or unofficial poster please contact the clerk or better still contact the Ashford Borough Council Planning Enquiries team and they will be able to take the necessary action.

Roadworks

Delays due to roadworks dont have to take you by surprise and delay your journey...

Kent Highways have a regular piece in Kent On Sunday providing travel advice and details of planned roadworks and you can also find more information on their website.

You can also register with the Elgin system to receive email alerts of roadworks within a specified distance from your chosen post code.

Traffic News

You can get up to date traffic information on the BBC Kent traffic web page. Another way of preventing unforeseen delays to your journey ...