Take a closer look at some of the news stories from the Parish Council this January
To contact the Parish Council please email clerk@headcornpc.org.uk
Parish Council News
Community Liaison Officer's Update
Stuart would all like to thank you all for giving so generously to help every child in the community through the Christmas Giving Tree scene we launched last year. He is delighted to report that a total of 32 individuals in our community received a sack of gifts from our generous donors. Thank you.
Meantime the year has started busy with the usual rounds of visits and meetings with community partners. The new Dementia Cafe is running well although it could benefit from wider participation. If you know of any dementia suffers and their carers who would benefit from a break with good company then do get in touch.
Our CCTV system has continued to prove valuable in many ways. Not only has it already given important evidence to support potential crimes but also it has helped individuals seeking help investigating burglaries and vehicle crime. The Parish Council itself has been able to identify a flytipper in the High Street who has since been served with a penalty notice.
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Need to reach Stuart? You can contact him by email: communityliaison@headcornpc.org.uk
Community Orchard
The new community orchard at the very back of Higgs Bridge Green is finally ready for planting! We have purchased some bare root fruit trees that need to be planted soon. Therefore we do need volunteers to help with the planting. Although Hoggs Bridge Green is very wet and muddy at the moment (wellies will be needed) when you reach the orchard area it isn’t too bad. Please email clerk@headcornpc.org.uk if you can help us with this. Fruit should be available to pick in a season or two.
Natural Burial Ground
As previously reported, our ambition of providing the community with a natural burial ground is being realised on a small parcel of land - formerly Redhill Stables - on Lenham Road which is in the planning process. A date for the MBC Planning Committee to examined has now been set as 23rd April.
Once approved HPC will take ownership of the land with an holistic, eco-friendly funeral director ready to take on the running of the site and all that this entails. Once the burial portion of the land is full and decommissioned then the site will be turned over to HPC as a natural wildlife park with any business infrastructure removed leaving just the parking and a shelter for people to come and reflect and be a part of nature with their lost loved ones. This will be financed by a fund set up to provide ongoing maintenance of the site.
Highways Improvement Plan
With eager anticipation towards the end of last year we presented our Highways Improvement Plan to the new team at KCC in the hope that they would take a fresh - and positive - look at the many issues we have with traffic management and highways. This includes speeding, pedestrian crossings and parking matters. Unfortunately we have not received the positive response we hoped for. So far none of the issues have been agreed to be resolved. The only matter with any potential to be pursued so far is the parking in Gibbs Hill/Sharps Field. They have asked for a repeated consultation on that.
The Clerk's Office and KCC councillor Sarah Emberson will be hoping for a meeting with KCC Highways Officers soon, to include a visit to Headcorn for a look at all the problem areas and try to agree what works can be done to decrease speed and increase traffic and pedestrian safety in Headcorn.
War Memorial
Our war memorial has had a much-needed clean recently! Whilst this had to be undertaken by contractors, other maintenance matters are routinely taken care of by our lengthsmen team.
Councillor Vacancy
We currently have a vacancy for a new Parish Councillor and would invite anyone in the community who might be interested to get in touch. It requires someone with the time and enthusiasm to get involved in any aspect of Parish life. Applicants need to be over 18 and have lived or worked in the parish for more than 12 months. If you would like to learn more about what is involved and how to apply then please email the Parish Clerk.
Planning Matters
As some of you might be aware there is a planning application from Gladmans with regard to the fields on the Lenham road, Application number 25/505188.
HPC discussed this application at their latest Planning Committee meeting on 20th January and unanimously voted to object to the application.
If you have an opinion on this application which you would like to add then please do so ASAP on the MBC application portal which you can find on this link below:
Events Planned
We are busy organising some exciting events for 2026 which we really hope you will enjoy. The first will be a live music event on 13th June so please put that in your diaries now!
The second will be a walking rugby exhibition match at Parsonage Meadow which will be on 20th June. We will let everyone know more details as we have them.
