Temporary Road Closure - Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close part of Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch from Monday 12th June 2023, with estimated completion by 16th June 2023.

Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch will be closed in the vicinity of The Cottage, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Horsham Lane, Forge Lane, The Street, Sheerness Road, Raspberry Hill, Old Ferry Road, The Street, Ferry Road, Sheppey Way, A2 Key Street Roundabout, A2 Keycol Hill, Boyces Hill, High Street, London Road, Hartlip Hill, London Road, Moor Street, Otterham Quay Lane and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while mains fitting repair works are undertaken by Southern Water.

For information regarding this closure, please contact Southern Water on: 0333 000 0001, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste

Upchurch Parish Council Report - April 2023

Report of the Parish Council April 2023

Planning

I. 22/500103/REF | Outline application for up to 74no. dwellings with public open space.

Cllr Rosewell reported no further information other that appeal had been granted.

II. 23/501061/FULL Pear Tree farm House. Removal of existing single storey side extension. Erection of a pitched roof two storey side extension, erection of a flat roof single storey rear extension including rooflight and alterations to front porch and fenestration. Erection of a detached double garage including re-arrangement of access.

UPC has no objections.

III. 23/501174/FULL | Demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of new building for use as a flower school in association with the existing flower business, together with associated access, parking and landscaping (resubmission of 22/502282/FULL). | Land North of Horsham Lane Upchurch Kent ME9 7AP.

Deferred to GPC & Planning committee.

Cllr Rosewell reported he will attend planning meeting 13th April for 20/505846 High Hopes Poot Lane.

Noted.

3 more planning applications received - deferred to GPC & Planning committee.

Noted.

Upchurch Parish Council Reporting

I. General Purpose & Planning Committee

Next meeting confirmed 19th April 2023.

II. Paddock and recreation ground

(a) New Play Ground equipment - quotes received from contractors with guarantee certificates. Clerk has reported additional information required on grant application - deferred to next meeting.

(b) Woodland Trail - Bat Boxes Clerk to arrange fitting quote received for £50. Proposed by Cllr Horton Seconded by Cllr Denny. Unanimous. 

III. Burial Ground & Churchyard

Clerk reported that reply from Swale received regarding transfer of responsibility for the Churchyard maintenance to Swale saying no decisions will be made until after the election.

Noted.

New contract received for the landscape maintenance - it was resolved to sign and approve contract with Landscape Services. Proposed Cllr Ripley Seconded Cllr Denny. Unanimous.

Memorials approved.

Notice board has been installed at the Burial Ground. Clerk to arrange Rules & Regulation to be displayed.

Noted.

IV. Highways and street lighting

(a) EDF Clerk reported no updates reported from EDF.

Noted.

V. Footpaths

(a) Cllr Horton reported KCC has done some remedial work in Oak Lane.

(b) Street Farm path redirected. Clerk reported redirection is temporary.

Noted.

(c) UPC has noted concerns about hedgerow by Cricket Club. Clerk to contact them to ask if they have reported to KCC.

VI. Environment

(a) Village Clock reported working. Clerk to investigate with PCC regarding insurance and asset status of clock.

VII. Village Hall

(a) Village Hall committee AGM 13th April at 7:00pm.

VIII. KALC

(a) Reported that KALC representative from Swale to the Kings Garden Party was the Upchurch nominee.

Noted.

IX. Allotments

(a) Clerk reported that all allotment holders have been sent the new tenancy agreements and invoices.

(b) Water meter has been refitted.

Noted.

(c) Repairs to fence - Clerk reported still waiting for quotes to be received. Deferred to GPC & Planning committee.

X. Village Defibrillators

Cllr Palmer reported that the AED at Snaffles the hinges on the cover are damaged. Clerk to obtain quote for new cover.

Grant Application

Members resolved to approve the application from Holywell School for Coronation mugs. Proposed Cllr Lewin Seconded Cllr Rosewell.

Clerk Updates

I. Upchurch policies and documentation updates. Clerk reported all documents updated ready for adoption at the Annual Meeting in May.

II. End of financial year update, including internal audit on 3rd April 2023. Report from Internal Auditor.

Noted.

III. Society of Local Council Clerks - Clerk reported new legislation coming into effect in October 23. Report will be made at later meeting with details.

IV. Asset Register - UPC approved Asset Register.

Noted.

Nina Henley

Clerk and Proper Officer to Upchurch Parish Council
Tel: 07798 600696
Email: clerk@upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk
Website: www.upchurchparishcouncil.gov.uk

Upchurch’s Co-op is Going BIG for Barnardo's - Win a Picnic Hamper

Upchurch’s Co-op is fundraising for their chosen charity partner, Barnardo's.

Win a Picnic Hamper 🧺 

Enter in-store for £1 per raffle strip - Please ask a staff member at the till.

The winner will be picked on Thursday the 1st of June.

To be collected upon winning.

Good luck 🤞🏼

Please help Upchurch’s Co-op go BIG for Barnardo’s this Mental Health Awareness Week.

Thank you

Read more at: www.coop.co.uk/blog/co-op-goes-big-for-barnardos-this-mental-health-awareness-week

Sally Butcher - Member Pioneer

Commemorative Coronation Mugs for Holywell School

Holywell Primary School held our Coronation Picnic on Friday the 12th of May, in both the School Hall and Upchurch Village Hall as the weather conspired against us.

The children took part in a design a crown competition, and there was one prize for each class.

Commemorative Coronation Mugs were presented to every pupil and member of staff, which were kindly paid for by a grant from Upchurch Parish Council.

Thank you

Tracey Snellings
School Business Manager
Holywell Primary School
Website: www.holywell.kent.sch.uk

Thank you to Upchurch Parish Council for Our Grand Day Out

Click the photo montage to enlarge.

Garden Parties 2023

To celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and The Queen, two Garden Parties took place in the Buckingham Palace Garden in 2023, as well as one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

The first of the annual Garden Parties took place on Wednesday the 3rd of May when The King and The Queen were accompanied by The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and The Duke of Kent.

On the day of the Garden Party, the Palace gates are open at 3:00pm, and the Party officially begins when members of the Royal Family enter the Garden at 4:00pm when the National Anthem is played by one of the two military bands present.

While the bands continue to play, members of the Royal Family circulate among the guests through 'lanes'. Each takes a different route, and random presentations are made so that everyone has an equal chance of speaking to a member of the Royal Family. Members of the Royal family then arrive at the Royal Tea Tent, where they meet further guests. Guests are free to eat, drink and stroll around the beautiful Palace Gardens.

Established during the reign of Queen Victoria, Garden Parties are an important way for members of the Royal Family to speak to a broad range of people from all walks of life, all of whom have made a positive impact in their community.

Throughout the country, an established network of sponsors is used to invite guests that include Lord-Lieutenants, societies and associations, government departments, local government, the services, the church and other faiths. They nominate guests for invitation as a way to achieve a representative cross section of the community.

A Grand Day Out

Upchurch Parish Council choose Sue Rossiter to attend and represent the parish as somebody who, over the years, has made an outstanding contribution to our village community. 

Sue was accompanied on her grand day out by her husband Keith and has kindly sent us this thank you and account of their lovely afternoon spent together at the Palace Garden Party:

My husband Keith and I were privileged to visit Buckingham Palace on Wednesday the 3rd of May, to attend the first of two Garden Parties hosted by Their Majesties The King and The Queen.

Upchurch Parish Council kindly put my name forward, and lo and behold, an impressive invitation from the Office of the Lord Chamberlain arrived a month beforehand. We were very excited and invested in a new outfit each, so we looked the part.

The day was sunny, and we drove up to London and found the disabled parking allocated to us at Wellington Barracks, across the road from the Palace. Everyone looked after us, whether they were soldiers, police, or Palace members of staff. The afternoon tea was delicious and very well organised. The Gardens were immaculate, and there were two brass bands! Eight Thousand guests were there, in all their finery and array of summer dresses, hats and fascinators, lounge suits, morning dress and uniforms.

King Charles, Queen Camilla and other members of the Royal Family duly appeared on the terrace and walked down to their tea tent, stopping at times to shake hands with the guests. As there were so many of us, we couldn’t really get close, although we did see them at that stage.

Later, as Keith was in a wheelchair, he joined a row of others, and we could see members of the Royal Family as they made their way out of the garden. We spoke to Queen Camilla and Prince Edward, now Duke of Edinburgh. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, also spoke to us, and Keith was pleased to shake their hands. They were all so nice and wanted us all to have a good experience.

We certainly had a wonderful time, and we are grateful to the Parish Council for thinking of me as someone worthy enough to be chosen. I know there are many people in Upchurch who do much more than me or Keith. I like to think we proudly represented our lovely village on that day.

Sue Rossiter

Upchurch Matters

Temporary Road Closure - Munns Lane, Hartlip

It will be necessary to close part of Munns Lane, Hartlip from Monday 19th June 2023, with estimated completion by 23rd June 2023.

Munns Lane, Hartlip will be closed from the junction with Lower Hartlip Road, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is Lower Hartlip Road, Hartlip Hill, Mill Lane, Munns Lane and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while tree surgery and cabling works are undertaken by Openreach.

For information regarding this closure, please contact Openreach on: 0800 023 2023, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

KCC 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste