Take a closer look at some of the news stories from the Parish Council this November
To contact the Parish Council please email clerk@headcornpc.org.uk
Parish Council News
Community Liaison Officer's Update
Many of you may recall that last year we supported a Christmas Giving Tree installed at Headcorn Post Office. This is a scheme to allow the community to buy small gifts for local children who might not otherwise expect much. We’re now full steam ahead to begin this year’s campaign, so please look out for the tree!
Please do continue to support our regular community safety surgeries. We now have 13 separate organisations taking part, so it really is an excellent opportunity to get the help you need.
Stuart asks all parishioners to report fly tipping to the respective Borough councils (Maidstone BC and Ashford BC). We have seen a huge spike in fly tipping both here in the Village and county-wide with huge impact on wildlife, road use, and residents’ financial and mental wellbeing.
Please follow the links below to report:
Need to reach Stuart? You can contact him by email: communityliaison@headcornpc.org.uk
Planning Matters
The Lenham Road fields planning application has been revised and our planing committee met to review the amended application. It should be noted that this amendment has only included part of the original site and has removed the original featured community recreational space. There was some discussion about the well-documented water supply/sewage issues - and the fact that Parliament has dictated that water and sewerage companies in England and Wales are not statutory consultees with the power to veto planning applications. There was also mention of the insufficient open space/recreational area and overall education provision, amongst other things. With the guidance of advisors we have submitted our response, which is to continue to object to the application. If you would like to read that (when it is submitted), or read the hundreds of comments and add your own then please do follow the link below. The planning reference number to search for is 25/505188/OUT
Access at Headcorn Station
We have met with South Eastern Rail to continue to pressure them to improve access for rail users, specifically with a lift. We are advised that the best way to maintain the pressure on this topic is for the community to notify South Eastern Rail every time they are confronted with an access problem. Contact the Clerk for the email address to use.
Getting Stuck In for Headcorn
We were recently quoted a rather eye-watering sum to have the play park professionally cleaned… so we thought, no thanks, we’ll do it ourselves! So, armed with cleaning equipment and a bit of determination, our Clerks and Community Liaison Officer got stuck in and gave the play equipment a good clean.
Subsequently Jo and Stuart also went to clear out the accumulated rubbish that was at Hoggs Bridge.
The results speak for themselves!
Make sure you Register
Please do ensure you and your neighbours are registered for help if you or they are vulnerable. Should power or water supplies fail those companies keep a register of people who may need particular help, so please make sure you’re on the list. Here are the links: South East Water and National Grid (Power)
Resilience Planning
Currently the clerk’s office and community liaison officer are working on Parish resilience to help the community deal with emergency situations. To this end we are producing a newsletter chock full of useful information you might need to know as well as alternative forms of communication such as MESH radio messaging.
