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Report of the Parish Council May 2019
Cllr Tyrone Ripley (Chairman), Cllr John Arnold (Vice Chairman), Cllr Pam Denny, Cllr Alan Horton, Cllr Gerry Lewin, Cllr Peter Masson, Cllr Janet Marshall, Cllr Gary Rosewell and Cllr Neil Sheppard. Clerk Mrs Wendy Licence.
Councillors
Cllr Tyrone Ripley was elected Chairman of the Parish Council for another year and Cllr John Arnold has been appointed Vice Chairman.
Neil Sheppard was co-opted onto the Parish Council.
Paddock and Recreation Ground
A new bin has been installed at the Recreation Ground.
The Parish Council has agreed that all dogs must be kept on short leads in the Paddock and only four dogs per dog walker. Owners must clean up after their dogs as dog fouling can lead to an increased risk in and toxocara canis can pass from dog poo to humans as Toxocariasis through contaminated sand or soil, and children are at particular risk.
Planning
i. Ref: 19/501302/FULL
Address: Antolin Interiors Sittingbourne Distribution Centre Spade Lane Upchurch ME9 7TT
Proposal: Upgrade of gatehouse, extension to existing hardstanding and addition of 3 no. disabled parking spaces, 4 no. electrical vehicles charging points and 1 no. substation.
Councillors considered the application and had no objections to the proposal.
ACTION: Clerk to inform Hartlip Parish Council of the application.
ii. Ref: Ref: 19/501773/OUT
Address: Land off Jubilee Fields Upchurch Kent ME9 7AQ
Proposal: Outline application for residential development of 41no. two, three and four bedroom houses. (All matters reserved except for access).
Councillors AGREED UNANIMOUSLY to object to the proposal.
ACTION: Cllr Rosewell to draft response.
iii. Ref: 19/501816/FULL
Address: Whitegate Stables Wallbridge Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME8 7XH
Proposal: Change of use of the land for the stationing of a mobile home for a temporary period (Retrospective).
Councillors considered the application. Concern was raised that people should put structures on land and then apply for retrospective planning permission.
Councillors AGREED UNANIMOUSLY to object to the proposal.
iv. Ref: 19/501819/FULL
Address: 16 Oak Lane Upchurch Sittingbourne Kent ME9 7AT
Proposal: Construction of front porch and rear/side first floor extension. Conversion of extended loft into habitable space to include the installation of a rear dormer window and 2no. roof lights to front elevation. Internal alterations and changes to fenestration (Resubmission to 18/505524/FULL).
Councillors considered the application and had no comment to make save that neighbours’ comments be taken into consideration.
Allotments
There are still a few plots available in Upchurch and anyone interested in having an allotment garden should contact the Clerk. There is a preferential rate for residents.
Parking issues at Holywell School
The Swale Parking Enforcement Team are continuing to monitor the area. Drivers are requested to park in a safe and considerate manner, failure to do so may result in a fine.
Date of next meetings:
Full Council - Thursday 6th June 2019 at 7:30pm in Upchurch Village Hall.
The Planning Committee and General Purposes Committee - Wednesday 19th June at 7:30pm in the Committee Room 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.
Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
Cllr Roger Truelove has been elected as leader of a new coalition administration at Swale Borough Council.
The leader was elected by fellow councillors at Annual Council last night following elections earlier this month.
The meeting also saw a new cabinet and deputies appointed to make decisions on resources and priorities to deliver and implement the budget and policies decided by the council.
The new cabinet is made up of:
• Cllr Roger Truelove - leader of the council and lead member for finance
• Cllr Mike Baldock - deputy leader and planning
• Cllr Richard Palmer - community
• Cllr Monique Bonney - economy and property
• Cllr Tim Valentine - environment
• Cllr Angela Harrison - health and wellbeing
• Cllr Ben J Martin – housing
The new deputy cabinet members are:
• Cllr Derek Carnell - finance
• Cllr Alastair Gould - planning
• Cllr Julian Saunders - community
• Cllr Sarah Stephen - economy and property
• Cllr Eddie Thomas - environment
• Cllr Hannah Perkin - health and wellbeing
• Cllr Ghlin Whelan - housing
The meeting also agreed new chairs for council committees and appointments to outside bodies.
For more information, including more details about what the cabinet portfolios cover, you can read the reports on the meeting agenda page
Swale Borough Council
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See an excavated small Roman town …
One of the most significant sites in Kent
Newington’s Iron Age and Roman site open for public viewing for only one day at a free event on Thursday, May 23rd, 10:00am - 4:00pm, at Watling Place (Persimmon Homes site), 99 High Street, Newington ME9 7JJ.
The excavations can be made public now that all the artefacts have been removed and the site’s features recorded. This is your only opportunity to see what’s been revealed before a new housing estate covers the area.
You’ll be able to see a Romano-Celtic temple - such temples are so rare that they are considered to be of national importance. Also, rare Iron Age bloomer furnaces and Roman pottery kilns in situ, and a main Roman road.
There are three access points. Via the marketing suite for adults only, with entry every 30 minutes from 10:00am (last entry 3:00pm), or for adults and children from the public footpaths at Iwade Road (opp. the church) and A2 (opp. Eden Meadow) to a viewing terrace at any time during open hours. Only adults in hi-vis jackets can go from the terrace to the excavation area.
Newington History Group (NHG) is publicising the Open Day on behalf of SWAT Archaeology, who are responsible for co-ordinating the event and ensuring public safety on the construction site. Hi-vis jackets and hard hats are available from the marketing suite, but bringing your own would assist us.
Access to the site is entirely at the discretion of Persimmon Homes.
We regret there is no access for people with mobility issues or who are visually impaired.
An on-site cafe will be selling lunches and refreshments.
Richard Thompstone - Newington History Group
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Daytime closures of part of Callaways Lane, Newington are planned from Monday 10th June 2019 for an estimated period of up to 5 days, starting from 9:30am each day.
Callaways Lane will be closed in the general vicinity of ‘Cranbrook Farm’, with no through access.
The alternative route for traffic west of the closure is via A2 High Street, Bull Lane and Callaways Lane, and vice versa.
Traffic north and east of the closure can continue to access Callaways Lane from A2 High Street, but to exit will need to follow the above diversion, as there is No Entry from Callaways Lane into A2 High Street.
Closures have been timed to start from 9:30am onwards to allow most commuters to exit Callaways Lane via Bull Lane before works start each day.
After 09:30 hours traffic will be able to exit via Bull Lane, but subject to delays to allow temporary ramps to be placed to allow vehicles through.
The road will be re-opened each night after works have been completed.
The closures are to enable works to provide a new water connection to be carried out by Clancy Docwra, working with Southern Water.
This Notice applies when the relevant signs and barriers are on site and is valid for a period of no more than 21 days.
There is a slight chance that the works may over-run for such reasons as adverse weather conditions or unforeseen engineering difficulties.
The Southern Water Customer Services Team phone number is: 0845 278 0845
The Kent County Council Highways helpline is: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks, see: www.roadworks.org
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Do you know a young person who really does try to do their best?
If you do, perhaps their efforts should be rewarded by recognition at the annual Try Angle Awards organised by KCC.
The awards, which are in their 25th anniversary year, raise the profile of young people aged between 11-18 years (up to 25 years with additional needs) in their community who try really hard, often with little recognition.
All nominations receive a recognition certificate and are entered into district finals. Three nominees in each category and their guests are invited to the Spirit of Try Angle County Final where the overall winner is announced.
The efforts and achievements of young people are divided into these 8 categories:
Arts - for personal achievement in arts, in any form.
Music - for personal achievement in music, in any form.
Sport or outdoor activities - recognising achievement in any sport or outdoor activity, demonstrating fair play and commitment.
Community action - marking a contribution made to a community e.g. school councils, youth forums, charity work, environmental project and campaigns.
Good friends and young carers - recognising those who spend time being a good friend, mentor or carer to another in their family or community.
Personal development - for special achievement in education, training or other activities, making changes to improve.
Courage - recognising acts of courage displayed with coping bravely with illness or other adversity.
Positive intervention - where an individual or group has prevented harm, bullying, discrimination or damage.
Nominations for 2019 are now open until Sunday 30th June 2019. Anyone can nominate a young person for an award.
Kent County Council
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Co-op Membership - supporting local causes
Applications for the next round of funding beginning 27th October 2019 are now open. Local causes have until Sunday 16th June 2019 to complete their applications.
The Co-op Local Community Fund supports projects that make a difference to local communities close to their stores and funeral homes. Thanks to their members, together we've helped raise an amazing £19 million for local causes across the UK since November 2017. The Co-op website estimates there will be around £12,500.00 to share between the 3 causes chosen in our community.
The Co-op will let you know if you're successful by October 2019. If you are you’ll be part of the Local Community Fund for 12 months - from 27th October 2019 to 24th October 2020. You'll receive your share of the funding in 2 payments - one in April 2020 and one in November 2020. New causes are chosen every 12 months.
Apply to be a local cause now at: www.coop.co.uk/causes
Our current 3 local causes are:
Upchurch Scout Group
Demelza Hospice Care for Children
Upchurch Village Hall Management Committee
How the fund works
The Co-op gives 1% of what members spend on Co-op branded food products in their stores and selected services, as well as money raised from sales of carrier bags and Co-op scratch cards, to local projects - from improving community spaces or helping young people learn life skills, to simply connecting people.
You can choose which cause your own 1% goes to. Any money raised by members who don’t select a cause is shared equally between the causes in their local area. Members can sign in to see the causes their local Co-op is supporting and choose which one they want their own money to go to.
Member benefits - 5% for you
When you buy selected products and services from the Co-op, including their food stores, they will put 5% of what you spend into your Co-op Membership account. You can spend it on most things you buy from them - not just Co-op products. Spend the money you've earned in rewards by showing your card or giving your membership number when you pay.
Coastal Canines is an initiative of Bird Wise to encourage people to adopt responsible behaviours when visiting the coast, in an effort to reduce disturbance to the birds that depend on the coastal habitats throughout the year.
It is hoped that by promoting good behaviour and having ambassadors to champion responsible dog walking and ownership, the bad behaviours will reduce and bird populations will thrive. It will be FREE to join and members will sign up to a code of conduct when they register online.
We hope to get dog trainers and businesses on board to form a directory of those businesses that understand our ethos and agree to adhere to the codes of behaviour.
Follow us on social media for updates:
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Channel 4’s prime time property programme Location, Location, Location is back for its 23rd series and this time Kirstie & Phil are looking for property hunters from Upchurch, Rochester & Gillingham.
Yes, that’s right! Property experts Kirstie Allsopp & Phil Spencer will be helping chain free buyers find their dream home this June 2019 in Upchurch, Rochester & Gillingham!
Kirstie says, “We’re delighted to be back helping Britain’s house hunters for our 23rd series.”
Phil: “We’re always on the lookout for a wide range of budgets and we’re happy to advise on any spend. For us there’s as much satisfaction gained from helping people struggling to get their first foot on the ladder as there is for those looking for their forever home.”
In these uncertain times, this is a great opportunity to get some completely free expert advice to help navigate the market.
Perhaps you’re upsizing or downsizing, buying your first property or hoping to find your ideal forever home? Do you have to move or relocate for work? Does the property market make you nervous?
Whatever your property puzzle, Kirstie and Phil may be able to help.
Apply today and you could have a dedicated team and the two best known property experts in the country at your service.
Please fill out the online application form at the link here:
Please fill in the application form in as much detail as possible. We’d love to receive photos and a video telling us why you need Kirstie & Phil’s help. If you can’t attach a video or photos, don’t worry! You can apply without them.
Applications close on Thursday 23rd May 2019.
Thank you
Eleanor Plackett | Casting Producer (Location, Location, Location)
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Residents are invited to celebrate the history of The Strand Leisure Park in Gillingham with a day of traditional entertainment on Saturday, 25th May.
The Strand is at the heart of a community heritage project which has uncovered the interesting past of the much-loved leisure park. The Strand was originally developed as a riverside pleasure ground between 1921 and 1926, with additional facilities for ‘holidays at home’ during World War 2.
In 2017 Medway Council, in partnership with MidKent College, successfully secured a £49,500 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Talking Telescopes project.
The funding was used to launch the project, which is part of a Young Roots project, in partnership with MidKent College students which aims to preserve, interpret and enhance the heritage and look of The Strand using interpretation boards and three talking telescopes.
The telescopes ‘talk’ to visitors as they look through the lens, playing pre-recorded soundbites from people who experienced The Strand in its heyday. Listen to residents describe the ‘magical place’ they visited with their families.
One said: “The boating pool was absolutely fantastic, as we’d never been on a boat in lives before, so we’d just peddle away to our heart’s content. My fondest memory though was of the main pool, where I learnt to swim.”
The establishment of a Friends of the Strand group is also being supported as part of the project.
A family fun day will be held at The Strand on Saturday, 25th May, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, to celebrate the completion of the project. Visitors will be able to try out the talking telescopes and enjoy a day of traditional entertainment including hook-a-duck, a coconut shy and other old-fashioned stalls. Medway Plus is helping organise the event.
Families will also have the chance to have their picture taken in a Volkswagen camper van photo booth.
Medway is steeped in history
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: “Medway is steeped in history and I’m pleased that local residents are now able to learn more about the heyday of the Strand in a fun and engaging way. I would encourage residents to go along and discover more about the history on their doorstep.”
Proud of Medway's rich heritage
Ross Buttery, Deputy Head of department for Media and IT at MidKent College, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Medway’s rich heritage, and delighted that our Media students can support this project to shine a light on The Strand’s importance as a community facility through the ages. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect people to Medway’s history.”
The Strand pool also opens on weekends from Saturday, 25th May, to Sunday, 21st July, and opens daily from 22nd July to 2nd September.
The Co-op is currently working on plans for their new Upchurch Store.
We would really appreciate it if customers could complete the short survey at >> www.yourstoreyoursay.com to let us know what they would like to see added into the Upchurch Store when it reopens, I.e. loose vegetables for sale etc etc.
The Upchurch store number you need for this is: 7889
Thank you
David Davies
Manager - Co-op, Upchurch
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Station Road, Rainham will be closed from a point outside 6 Angel Cottages to a point 35m north of Ellison Way for drainage and sewer connection works, installation of new gas main and LV cables and installation of drop kerb for new housing estate, starting on or after Friday 24th May 2019 until Sunday 2nd June.
Temporary traffic lights may be in place on Thursday 23rd May before the road is scheduled to close on Friday 24th May.
The diversion route for through traffic is via Lower Rainham Road, Otterham Quay Lane, A2 - High Street and Station Road.
Access to properties is to be maintained at all times.
The Medway Council phone number is: 01634 333333
For details of roadworks, see: www.roadworks.org
Upchurch Matters
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Sponsored by Upchurch River Valley Golf Course Ltd
Photographs from the Upchurch Horticultural Society Spring Plant Sale held on Saturday the 4th of May 2019 in the Paddock, Upchurch.
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
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Kent County Council gives notice that Basser Hill, Lower Halstow will be closed to through traffic, on or after Friday 17th May 2019 for up to 1 Day.
The road will be closed at the junction with Iwade Road and Raspberry Hill Lane.
The alternative route is via School Lane, Ferry Road, The Street, Old Ferry Road and Raspberry Hill Lane.
It is planned that the road will be closed between 07:30 and 17:00.
There will be a gate marshall present for residential access.
Businesses open as usual.
The closure is necessary to enable carriageway repairs to be carried out by KCC Highways.
This Notice applies when the relevant signs and barriers are on site and is valid for a period of no more than 21 days.
The Kent County Council Highways helpline is: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks, see: www.roadworks.org
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
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Kent County Council gives notice that Chaffes Lane, Upchurch will be closed to through traffic, on or after Thursday 16th May 2019 for up to 1 Day.
The road will be closed at the junction with Oak Lane and Oast Lane.
The alternative route is via Oak Lane, Bishop Lane and Chaffes Lane.
This is to enable carriageway repairs to be carried out by KCC Highways.
This Notice applies when the relevant signs and barriers are on site and is valid for a period of no more than 21 days.
The Kent County Council Highways helpline is: 03000 418181
For details of roadworks, see: www.roadworks.org
Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste
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Concrete posts with H carved on one side
and U on the other can still be seen in the area.
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Did you know that the area covering Ham Green, Bayford and the lower part of Poot Lane down towards the river was once part of the parish of Lower Halstow. How did this happen?
During the early eighteenth century the body of a drowned sailor was washed ashore at Bayford.
When approached the overseers of Upchurch refused to allow the body to be buried in the churchyard but Lower Halstow accepted. This led to the owner of the land at Ham Green and Bayford presenting the parish of Lower Halstow a gift of 150 acres of land in the area. It was returned to the parish of Upchurch in 1882 but residents living at Ham Green from the house known as Greylag across to the lower half of Poot Lane did not have ecclesiastical rights in the village until the early 1960s.
Concrete posts with H carved on one side and U on the other can still be seen in the area marking the boundary between Upchurch and Lower Halstow.
These days all of Ham Green, Bayford and the area in the lower half of Poot Lane belong to the parish of Upchurch.
It's amazing what happens during the course of history.
David Wood
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Wendy Licence - Clerk to the Parish Council
