Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr John Bodycomb, Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.
Vacancy
Would you like to make a difference to your local community?
Would you like to assist in decisions that affect your community?
If so why not apply to become a Parish Councillor.
Upchurch Parish Council currently has a vacancy for a Parish Councillor and is looking to fill this position by co-option. We invite anyone who is interested in being considered to notify the Chairman Cllr Tyrone Ripley for an informal discussion.
To be eligible for the role, you must be a British citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth or the European Union, and 18 years or older on the day they apply. Also, for the whole of the 12 months prior to nomination he/she must have been an elector of the parish and either occupied or owned/rented premises in the parish, or resided within 3 miles of the boundary of the parish, or had his/her principal or only place of work in that area.
Expressions of interest must be received in writing by the Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence, 14 Trapfield Close, Bearsted, Maidstone, Kent ME14 4HT or Email: clerkupc@outlook.com
Planning
Ref: MC/21/2225
Address: Land To The East Of Seymour Road And North Of London Road Rainham Gillingham ME8 6YX
Proposal: Outline Application with all matters reserved (except access) for a residential development of up to 48 dwellings, including associated access, parking, landscaping and open space.
Councillors considered the application and how the development affects Upchurch. An access on the A2 built directly opposite South Bush Lane does not seem sensible especially when there is a very good junction with the A2 at Seymour Road which has excellent sight lines. The development further erodes the Important Local Countryside Gap between Medway and Swale, as does the housing and Academy in Otterham Quay Lane. The site has poor access to services requiring new residents to be dependent on private transport which will use local roads, including rural lanes which are already congested. It was noted that the layout plan contains two references to “Proposed Swale”, the site is entirely within Medway and the references refer to when the word swale means “a marshy area between two ridges” designed to help with rainwater runoff/or act as a wildlife habitat.
It was agreed unanimously to object to the proposal.
Environment
The detritus in the area between the bus stop and hedge has been cleaned after being reported to Swale Borough Council.
There has been a request for a litter bin at Four Gun Field, Swale Borough Council says this is the responsibility of the developer/management company as it is a private estate, Gem Management Company has been contacted.
Highways and Street Lighting
The Council is progressing its Parish Highways Improvement Plan and is waiting to hear when work on the safety scheme at Church Farm Road will commence. A speed survey will be conducted in Spring 2022 to give the best comparison to ensure the Parish Council’s measures have mitigated some of the issues within the village. The issue of vehicles cutting the corner when turning right into Horsham Lane from The Street still needs to be addressed.
The upgrade of the streetlights in the village is near completion, there is one more light at the bottom of Windmill Hill to be connected. This has not been possible because there is a fault on the overhead line.
The Queen's Platinum Jubliee Beacons 2nd June 2022
Plans continue to progress for the celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The beacon will be lit as part of the national celebration at 9:30pm, the Council has secured the services of a piper for the event. The Council has submitted its plans to the Swale Safety Advisory Group.
The Council has agreed to purchase an Oak tree to commemorate the Jubilee.
This is a precis of Council business; full minutes of all meetings can be found on the website when ratified.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 7th October at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 20th October at 7:30pm in the Small Hall of the Village Hall.
All residents are welcome to attend the meetings and there is a time for members of the public to comment, raise concerns or ask questions.
To help keep loved ones safe, please DO NOT attend the meeting if you have had any known contact with COVID-19 in the previous 14 days or have experienced symptoms. Questions and comments can be sent to the Clerk to be raised at the meeting.
It would be helpful if residents could inform the Clerk if they wish to attend to allow the appropriate measures to be taken to comply with social distancing guidelines.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
