UpARA Donates to the Bell Tower Restoration Fund

UpARA Chairman John Wishart presented fundraiser Elspeth Baecke with a cheque for £3,000 towards their chosen charity, St Mary's Church - Bell Tower Restoration Fund, at their monthly meeting on Friday the 19th of May 2023.

The association's fundraising events have raised £5,000 this year for worthy causes, including the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake and Ukraine Humanitarian Appeals, all thanks to its generous members.

Congratulations to UpARA members and the committee for another super year of fundraising!

Members had their Birthday Party in Upchurch Village Hall to look forward to after their guest speaker and AGM.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday, UpARA 🎉

Upchurch Matters

Commercial Property Damaged | Commercial Property Broken Into - Upchurch

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/87376/23

On Tuesday the 28th of March at around 22:30, somebody damaged a commercial property in Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch.

Crime Number: 46/87603/23

On Friday the 12th of May at around 16:02, somebody broke into a commercial property in Otterham Quay Lane, Upchurch.

If you have any information that could help investigators, please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

Temporary Road Closure - Breach Lane, Upchurch

It will be necessary to close part of Breach Lane, Upchurch from Monday 19th June 2023, with estimated completion by 23rd June 2023, between the hours of 22:00 and 05:00.

Breach Lane, Upchurch will be closed in the vicinity of the railway bridge, to the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route is via Breach Lane, Forge Lane, Holywell Lane, Otterham Quay Lane, A2 Moor Street, A2 Hartlip Hill and vice versa.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while bridge repair works are undertaken by Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd.

For information regarding this closure, please contact Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd on: 01268 711516, 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

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