What Does the Parish Council Do?
The Duties and Responsibilities of Chilham Parish Council
The Parish Council carried out a full range of duties for the benefit of the residents and meets once a month to administer parish business. All parish councillors volunteer their time, the only paid employee is the Clerk who sets the agendas, minutes the meetings and implements the actions and decisions. The Clerk also ensures that we operate within the law. Members of the public are encouraged to attend our meetings and have an opportunity to speak to councillors during the Public Open Forum at the start of each meeting. The Parish Council is funded by a precept which is collected from residnets by Ashford Borough Council as part of the Council Tax. Most importantly, the parish council is eleted to meet the needs and represent the views of its parishoners.
Finance
The Parish Council manages the precept as referred to above. We produce a budget and report against it on a quarterly basis. There are rigourous rules governing the financial arrangments of Parish Councils which are overseen by the Responsible Financial Officer and the Independent Internal Auditor.
Planning
The Parish Council is included in the consultaiton process for planning applications.
Insurance
The Parish Council carries 3rd party liability insurance
We recognise that many people in the parish don’t understand what the parish council can and cannot do, so this website and regular newsletters keep you informed about what your parish council is doing on your behalf. We welcome feedback, good or bad, so please use the form on 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.
You can now also follow us on Twitter @ParishChilham
If you would like to receive emails that the parish council considers would be of interest with regard to life in the parish you can sign up for a newsletter!
Welcome to our Villages!
If you are new to the area feel free to download our welcome pack.
(Update planned for 2021)
KCC Bus Funding Reduction
Kent County Council (KCC) is currently consulting on proposals to make savings by reducing the money we spend on providing some bus services that private bus companies cannot afford to run, and which are no longer cost effective. We are carrying out this consultation to listen to your feedback.
This consultation closes at midnight on 20 April. Please visit www.kent.gov.uk/bussavings to find out more and participate in this consultation.
Kind regards,
KCC’s Engagement and Consultation Team
consultation@kent.gov.uk
CHILHAM SURGERY CLOSURE
PROPOSAL FOR VOLUNTEERS TO DELIVER MEDICATION
A meeting was held at Chilham Church on 10th March 2022 at 6pm between, Rev Cathy Gilchrist, Gill Schofield, Keith Uncle, Sarah Topley-Dixon, Katie Kinnersley and Angela Stafford.
The purpose of this meeting was to obtain more information about providing a volunteer prescription drop off/delivery service, to those in our parish who are vulnerable and unable to collect from Chartham surgery.
Sadly, it’s not that simple as there is a lot of red tape surrounding the distribution of prescription medicines, unless you are employed by Dr Kinnersley’s surgery. It was also discussed if one of the surgery staff could come along to help, as they would have clearance. Katie explained that the surgery staff are very overworked due to understaffing and she is in the process of recruiting more staff.
Katie advised that the actual volunteers could get a letter of authorisation from the patients needing help, and then we could collect for them and drop them off.
It was also discussed whether a local point of contact, such as Chilham church (thank you Cathy), or the OWLS village hall afternoon tea event (thank you Angela), could be used as a cup of tea, a smile, and a medication pick up point.
Yet again a lot of red tape seems to prevent this suggestion. However, all those present agreed that it’s a great idea for people’s mental well-being, for everyone to meet up in the community after being isolated during the last 2 years of Covid.
We have left this suggestion in the capable hands of Katie Kinnersley, to verify and perhaps find another solution to this.
Katie said the surgery has had many people offering their help, but rules and regulations are preventing her accepting outside help. She did ask us to say she was very grateful, and to pass on her thanks to everyone who offered help.
In the meantime, we can reach out to those that need us and obtain a consent letter and get some help to those that need us in our community.
Clerk's Update
21 March 2022
The Annual Parish Meeting will be on 07 April 2022 at 7.00 p.m. in Chilham Village Hall. This is your opportunity to meet your parish councillors and raise anything affecting you. Come and hear what the working groups have been working on, there will be updates on finance, communication, events, planning, youth, open spaces and the environment. The council will also be presenting its 2022 Annual Report.
Following the Annual Parish Meeting there will be an ordinary meeting of the parish council, the agenda will be posted shortly.
We look forward to meeting as many residents as possible at the April meetings.
We are all watching the situation in Ukraine and wondering how we can help, we have put together some information, click on the button above "Help for Ukraine" to find out more.
Please scroll below for important informaiton on KCC's proposed cuts to bus services . You will also find a message from Councillor Greg Taylor on the forthcoming Platinum Jubilee Celebrations and a message from the Councillor Gill Scholfield on the proposed prescription service following the closure of the surgery.
You can now follow us on Twitter @ParishChilham
Karen Bell
Clerk to Chilham Parish Council
Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
Hello Neighbours
Plans are afoot to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a street party in Chilham Square for residents of the parish on Thursday, June 2nd. Applications have been submitted to close the square and to receive grant funding for interactive theatre performances. The Events & Communications Working Group of the CPC is meeting again next Thursday, March 10th at 6pm in Chilham Village Hall and more volunteers are welcome. Our plans are ambitious, but we are aiming to offer an exciting programme of events on June 2nd. Please mark your calendars and plan on joining your neighbours for this community celebration of 70 years of the Queen’s reign.
We will keep you updated on our progress planning the event and your input and involvement are welcome. More volunteers are welcome and we have divided the project into nine workstreams, each with volunteer captains who could use your help.
Greg Taylor (on behalf of the CPC Events & Communications Working Group)
greg.taylor@chilhamparishcouncil.gov.uk
