The Chairman attended the Stage 1 hearing into the Tunbridge Wells Local Plan on March 2nd. At the time of writing the Council is due to be represented by Paul Brown QC on March 31st and April 1st at the stage 2 hearings on Tudeley and East Capel.
At its meeting on 28th February the council agreed to help fund the improvements to the Community Orchard which will help fund signage, information boards and picnic benches. It also agreed to the cricket club’s request to lay an artificial pitch alongside the square.
The proposal to install a bus shelter by the Village Green is progressing. A design is being agreed and local residents are being consulted at the time of writing.
Plans for the Platinum Jubilee Celebration are proceeding. The Council plans to plant five oak trees between the Village Hall and the allotments with a barbecue, picnic and music on the recreation ground on Saturday June 4th. This should not interfere with, but complement any street parties planned for Sunday 5th.
There was a long discussion with the county councillor Sarah Hamilton about highways issues particularly the failure of Kent Highways to appreciate the problems in the parish particularly linked to speeding and a lack of a crossing. Cllr Hamilton promised to try to engage officers more proactively with this issue.
The Annual Parish Meeting is on Monday April 4th at 7:30 in the Village Hall. All are welcome – we intend to invite representatives of local organisations to give us an update on their work. The parish council will also be producing an Annual Report and accounts. This will be the first Annual Parish Meeting since 2019. Please come along to hear what is being done in and on behalf of the local community.
Hugh Patterson