---

eastry parish council

Bridging the Gap

Part of the council's work that i keep interested in is the grants programme  which is funded by the coalfield Regeneration Trust. This funding stream known as briging the gap is concentrated on wards designated as coalfiled wards under the sheffield hallam formula.

The way ths funding is targeted is now available on the council's website.

Such transparency of this funding is now recogied natioanlly as being best practice and i hope that this funding continues to help the deprived communities an community work in these wards.

Current mood: Happy


Post Easter

Easter has come and gone yet again yet the churches are still drawing large gatherings. This week we had a united benefice communion service at St Richards in Mill Hill. There were members from all 4 of the benefice churches, St leonards of Upper Deal, St Nicholas at Sholden, St Martins of Great Mongeham and of course St Richards of Mill Hill. 

After the service we had a bring and share lunch to further strengethn our sense of community worship.

We may not be having the same space problems that are reported in London on the BBC  but we are still drawing a healthy number of worshippers.

Current mood: Happy


earth hour in kingsdown

cultureal sandwich

Earth Hour

Today marks the celebration of a global event to highlight the change in the environment due to our activities. Named earth hour it started in Sydney  and is now underway 8pm till 9pm in each time zone.

There is coverage on the sydney morning herald website

The coverage over here seems to be low low key although i did find a story about it on the BBC website

i was particularly amused by the response of Google althugh there is a more detailed story on the link

 

Current mood: Cool


Eastry Coffee break

This morning i went to the coffee break. I was chatting to residents about recycling and the consultation on the local development framework.

Also I was given a copy of the design for the Eastry parade which is redesign of this part of the high street. This is a project which the Parish council has been working on for a number of years so it is good to see progress on this now.

Current mood: Happy


Great Mongeham Drop In

This morning i went to the drop in.

there was discussion about falling standards in the NHS and the new local development framework consultation.

there was also discussion baout problems with electricity supply in one of the neighbouring villages.

Current mood: Sad


one of lifes unanswered questions

if you are working on a laptop on battery

and the battery runs low

you get a warning

please switch to mains power or change battery to avoid losing your work

but how can it keep the work if you change the battery?

would not changing the batery cause one to lose all the work?

your answers are appreciated.

Current mood: Sceptical


mixed messages from teachers. who is the real villain?

With the announcement today from the national teachers union attempting to villify recruitment in the armed services one wonders what their aim is?  yet a quick check on the teacher's union website reveals their adoration of the government "

"Gordon Brown's speech is a real step forward to securing a world class education service for our country."

given that the army is the instrument of this government what is the message that the NUT is trying to send to the youth of today?

The council's position was made clear at the meeting of 21st november 2007

"That this Council recognises and supports the valiant efforts of the men and women of Dover District who are currently serving, or who have served in, Iraq and Afghanistan, and that this Council will do its utmost to ensure that their efforts are acknowledged. Also that, where possible, we will provide

as much support as we can to returning service personnel and their families who live in our District."

"This Council requests the Leader, in consultation with officers to prepare a report to Cabinet to achieve the aims of this motion."

Current mood: Sceptical


which way for Dover District

After much work the Local development framework goes out for local consultation this week.

This is seen as a pivotal moment for the district as whether the council should embrace further regeneration or go back to the culture of decline that is proposed by some activists. The changes that are transforming our society seem to be disregarded by these activists such as smaller family units  as well as the way people want to stay in their houses for longer. To ignore these changing demographic trends would lead to a falling population in the district and further loss of services as evidenced by the loss of post offices. Perhaps these activists want this future for the district.

Anyway the residents have their chance to put their views and I hope many residents take advantage of this consultation to find out for themselves the issues and put their views to the council.

Current mood: Cool


a bit of history

i was delighted to hear of a new website which shows photographs of various sites around Dover both in the past and also in the present.

and for those of you interested in Great Mongeham there is also a website showing views around the village.

i will be adding this site to the village webpage

Current mood: Cool


annoying ring tones and the NHS

Well today I have been musing on the problem of annoying ring tones. They can be so intrusive particularly during a meeting  or  a talk. At least one has not gone off during one of my sermons.

I prefer to have my phone just set to vibrate as it still lets me know when a call or text comes in without disturbing everyone else or disrupting  a meeting.

The other issue i have today is the disgraceful treatment being given to a relative of resident in the district in one of the local NHS hospitals. The family concerned are both medically qualified so have an understanding of the appropriate treatment.

I hope a formal complaint is made to highlight the problems associated with the government's cost cutting targets. There has to be a better way of making the NHS work.

Current mood: Mad


Eastry Coffee Break

This morning i went to the coffee break with members of my family.

There was a lot of discussion about problems with the NHS.  Residents are being distressed by some recent NHS cost cutting which means that they are left worrying over the Easter break over whether they will be able to attend appointments next week without being able to confirm their appointment.

 

Current mood: Mad


great mongeham drop in

Current mood: Happy


East Kent partnerships

full council

licensing

this morning i attended a meeting of the licensing committee.

The agena is available on the council's website

due to there being no representations on the main agenda item we had no choice but to approve the application.

Current mood: Cool


the individual counts

Today i was contacted by a resident who was concerned over delays at DWP and how it might affect the council tax benefit and housing benefit. i was able to say that i felt the council officers would treat the family with the due compassion and that i would come with a family representative to ensure that this was indeed the case.

we went to the council offices and i was pleased that the council officer behaved in a courteous and professional manner and was able to allay the residents concerns.

Current mood: Happy


which party?

tonight i went to a social gathering. i met peope from around the country and they displayed a hunger for knowledge about the work of local authorities?. Some had grievances with their local authorities yet had not contacted their local members or even knew who their local members was.

i  hope i promoted the case of the hard working local authority and even suggested to some that perhaps they might consider getting more involved by standing for election.

Current mood: Happy


Eastry Coffee Break

This morning i went to the coffee break and met a number of residmets.

there was discussion about the new taxes from the budget and the state of the NHS

i was given a couple of local issues to follow up on including siting of bus stops and a wall which appears to be falling down

i will see what actions can be brought to bear

 

Current mood: Cool


Northbourne PC

This evening I attended the parish council meeting at Northbourne. i was substituting as clerk as the usual clerk was off sick. I am pleased to be able to help the parish council conduct its business.

Issues up for discussion tonight included highways, the Bettshanger colliery regeneration and climate change.

Current mood: Cool


Operation Stack - The pain continues

i received this update today about traffic arrangements at the Port of Dover

 

" A20  Re-route Notification

Date: TODAY - 12th March 2008
Time: Effective immediately

Owing to traffic congestion at the Eastern Docks roundabout, resulting from the A20 works,
ALL FREIGHT TRAFFIC leaving the Eastern  Docks will be directed to use the A2 Jubilee Way. 

Please note: at times all Port Users and Tourist will be directed via this route.

This agreed diversion will remain in place until further notice. 

The full road closure of the carriageway between the Eastern Docks and Woolcomber Street is expected to take place again this evening.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused "

The need to complete the dualling of the A2 remains as does the need for a solution to the freight disruptions caused by inclement weather and french industrial actions.

 

Current mood: Sad


Snowdown Regeneration Forum

This evening i attended a meeting of the Snowdown Regeneration Forum.

This is a group compriisng stakeholders in the surrounding community such as Aylesham Parish Council, Nonington Parish Council, and Womenswold Parish Council.

We were there to hear the latest from the SEEDA representative about the progress of this project.

i was there as the district Council's alliance representative and as an observer.

 

 

Current mood: Snowdown Colliery, Aylesham, Nonington, Womenswold


Operation Cubit

i received the following today

"Almost 150 vehicles have been removed from the streets of South Kent in the latest multi-agency operation to target untaxed and abandoned vehicles.

Operation Cubit is run by Kent Police in partnership with Kent County Council and the DVLA and is also funded by Kent Fire & Rescue Service, Ashford Borough Council and the District Councils in Dover and Shepway.

Operation Cubit is now in its seventh year in South Kent and in that time, has been responsible for ridding more than 3000 untaxed vehicles from the area's streets.

Any vehicles found, or reported to be untaxed or abandoned during the operation are checked with the DVLA, then clamped and removed to be stored in a local holding area.

Any vehicle that is not claimed within 14 days is destroyed in a crusher into the shape of a cube, hence the name of the operation "cube - it".

The results for the South Kent Area are as follows:

Ashford

TOTAL number of vehicles removed:  49

Reclaimed by owner: 30

Crushed/scrapped:  19


Dover district

TOTAL number of vehicles removed:  43

Reclaimed by owner: 23

Crushed/scrapped:  20


Shepway District

TOTAL number of vehicles removed:  53

Reclaimed by owner: 22

Crushed/scrapped:  31

The DVLA state that nationally, road tax evaders cost the Exchequer millions of pounds each year."

 

those who pay road tax are frequently concerned over the apparent ease with which some seem to evade road tax so it is good to see some action on this issue.

Current mood: Mad


split the lark

Current mood: Happy


rural pursuits

Current mood: Happy


Eastry Coffee Break

This morning i went to the coffee break. while there i was invited to address the local neighbourhood watch group in september on local government so i have plenty of time to prepare a presentation.

i also had discussions with both the local community warden and the local PCSO.

such gatherings are invaluable for linking in with the local community.

Current mood: Happy

Public health information

Today i received notification of a new kent based public health information website

i hope this new site provides the information which residents require

Current mood: Cool


parking charges

Current mood: Mad

Great Mongeham Parish council

This evening i attended the parish council. The meeting started with a presentation by an officer from Kent police about the lastest resourcing for PCSOs (police community support officers) and it is hoped that the local one will be able to attend parish council meetings.

there was also discussion abut the neighbourhood forums and i updated them on the latest that i knew about them.

Current mood: Cool

Great Mongeham Drop in

This morning i went to the drop in.people were asking about the consultation on the LDF so i gave the lastest that i knew about this.

i was also given another couple of issues to follow up on so i will see if i can answers next week.

Current mood: Happy


Life, Death(almost) and Taxes

This evening i am at the ouncil meeting with the main item on the agenda is the adoption of the corporate plan and the budget with the inevitable low on to council tax.

the agenda is available on the council's website.

the leader gave an account of his recent activities incuding reference to a motorway incident which almost cost the life of the leader, several cabinet members and leading officers in the council.

Current mood: Cool


sutton by dover parish council

Current mood: Happy


meetings

Current mood: Cool


Internet access

I notice from one of the australian media sources that the new governemnt is embarking on a campaign to speed broadband access to australian households. If only we could get the UK government to also realise the need to ensure all uk residents have access to faster broadband. This is neccessary for all residents not just the urban ones.

Current mood: Sceptical


The French disconnection

Thanks to our neighbours across the channel East Kent is again almost isolated by road as the M20 motorway is used as a carpark. Of course due to the lack of knowledge about the situation SEERA has decided that the M2 is not needed to be dualled down to Dover.

I know that locally there is cross party support for a better solution to this ongoing problem.

How long can this appalling situation continue?

 

Current mood: Mad