HUGE THANKS to Ash Advent and all the volunteers who worked so hard on the Christmas Tree lighting at Pound Corner and Ash’s very first Christmas Tractor Parade! A fantastic event bringing joy to our community!
The Parish Council were pleased to support Ash Advent in their request for £200 grant funding to help towards their public liability insurance and printing of the Advent Trail maps.
Thank you to all who have prepared Ash War Memorial for the Remembrance Service – it’s looking fantastic!
All welcome from 10.30am on Sunday 9 November 2025.
“In memory of the brave men and women who served and sacrificed.”
Ash Parish Council Highway Improvement Plan 2025-26
Thank you to everyone who took part in the recent 2025 Highways Improvement Plan public consultation. With over 100 residents responding, your feedback has played a key role in shaping the Parish Council’s Highway Improvement Plan priorities for 2025–26.
The consultation highlighted a wide range of concerns across the Parish. However, whilst all valid, under Kent County Council’s Highways framework, the Parish Council may only progress 2–3 priority initiatives each year.
Based on your feedback, the following priorities have been agreed by Parish Councillors:
Please note that Kent County Council – as the highways authority – will have the final say on whether any suggestions for highway improvements are acceptable.
Parking & Enforcement – What You Told Us
Residents also raised strong concerns about:
• Long-stay parking in the village car park (The Street)
• Illegal parking on double yellow lines and at junctions
• Lack of enforcement, leading to unsafe and frustrating conditions
Based on your feedback, we will continue to engage with Dover District Council who are responsible for parking enforcement and who own the village car parks to discuss suitable solutions.
In the meantime, we respectfully ask all road users to observe waiting restrictions and park considerately, keeping safety and access in mind for all.
Here’s your monthly round-up of updates from Ash Parish Council, including progress on highways, community safety, and local initiatives.
Highway Improvement Plan 2025–26
Thank you to everyone who responded to the consultation—8% of residents took part. Based on your feedback, the following priorities have been agreed (subject to feasibility and further consultation):
Parking & Enforcement – What You Told Us
Residents voiced strong concerns about:
* Long-stay parking in The Street car park
* Illegal parking on double yellow lines and junctions
* Lack of enforcement causing unsafe conditions
The Parish Council will continue to engage with DDC to explore solutions.
Recreation Ground Updates
Fencing Grant Application
A grant has been submitted to Dover District Council under the Rural Prosperity Fund to replace fencing at the Recreation Ground.
Toilet Vandalism
Sadly, the newly reopened toilets have been vandalised. Please report incidents to Kent Police. Toilets are now closed for winter and will reopen on 1 April.
Dog Owner Reminder
Ash welcomes responsible dog owners. Please ensure your dog is under control at all times.
A dog is considered dangerously out of control if:
* It injures a person
* It causes someone to fear injury
* If your dog injures another animal or causes fear during an incident, this may be an offence. Report concerns to Kent Police on 101.
Football
The Council has been approached by a local football team to use the dormant pitch at the Recreation Ground and has agreed to temporarily host them until the end of the 2025/26 season. More information to follow if this goes ahead.
Defibrillator Request
A resident proposed installing a fifth defibrillator near Pound Corner, supported by a British Heart Foundation grant. Ash currently has four defibrillators, but only two (Village Hall & Pavilion) are accessible 24/7. The Parish Council supports the proposal in principle, pending further details on installation and maintenance. This will be discussed further in December.
Date for your diary
All welcome to come and view our plans for the new play area at Ash Recreation Ground on Saturday 6 December at Ash Village Hall, 10am to 12pm.
If you’d like to raise an issue or get involved in local initiatives, please contact the Parish Council or attend a future meeting. Your voice matters.
Kent County Council (KCC) Updates from Cllr Peter Evans
Adult Education Cuts
Cllr Evans reported that central Government has reduced the Adult Education budget by £520,000, with North Kent expected to feel the greatest impact. The revised focus will be on equipping residents with skills to re-enter the workforce.
Eurostar Campaign Gains Momentum
Thanks to a public campaign with over 82,000 signatures, hopes are rising for Eurostar’s return to Kent. As of 30 October, new competition rules allow other operators—potentially Virgin Trains—to bid for access to the line, with Ashford among the proposed stops.
Workplace Placements Needed
East Kent College in Dover is struggling to secure local work experience placements for students. If you run a business and can help, please contact the college on 01304 244332. An Open Day is scheduled for 24 November.
A257 Bypass Safety
Cllr Evans has secured a meeting with the KCC Highways Portfolio Holder to discuss safety concerns on the A257 Ash Bypass and explore potential improvements.
Burford Alley Repairs
Following resurfacing earlier this year, the gravel section of Burford Alley was damaged in June’s heavy rain. This has been raised with KCC for repair.
Dover District Council (DDC) Updates from Cllr Trevor Bartlett and Cllr Martin Porter
Parking & Potholes
Cllr Bartlett met with DDC’s new Parking Services Manager to raise concerns about potholes in village car parks and general parking issues. A request for more frequent enforcement has been submitted.
Anti-Social Behaviour
Reports of drinking and disruptive behaviour at The Street bus stop were noted. Residents are reminded to report incidents—however minor—via Kent Police on 101 or online. Proper reporting ensures action.
Goshall Valley Solar Farm
The planning application is expected to go before DDC’s Planning Committee on 27 November (subject to agenda confirmation).
Streetlamp Repairs
Two faulty streetlamps on The Street have been reported and are scheduled for repair.
Staple Parking Concerns
Residents have raised concerns about inconsiderate parking at Guilton and Durlock Road. Please park responsibly to ensure safety and access for all.
Here is a summary from the Ash Parish Council meeting held on Monday 6 October:
Join the Parish Council!
We’re looking to co-opt one new Councillor. No experience needed — just a passion for shaping Ash’s future and a few hours each month to spare. Interested? Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required
Community Updates from Dover District Council (DDC)
No updates this month from Kent County Council or Kent Police.
Ash Carnival and Summer Fete — Could It Return?
Two residents shared early plans to revive the Ash Carnival and/or fete in 2026 on the recreation ground, along with plans to host fundraising events to support delivery of an event. The Parish Council supports the initiative in principle and looks forward to a detailed proposal.
Highway Improvements
One of the priorities on our 2024/25 Highway Improvement Plan was to improve pedestrian warning signage on the A257 Ash Bypass. We’re pleased to share that this has now been approved by Kent County Council. Signage will be installed at three key locations along the A257 — we’ll update residents once installation dates are confirmed.
Don’t forget to have your say on the 2026/27 Highway Improvement Plan!
Survey closes Sunday 12 October [CLICK HERE]
Recreation Ground & Allotments
Planning Enforcement & S106 Developer Contributions
S106 Funding
The Parish Council is aligning future S106 requests with Ash’s long-term vision. These will be submitted to DDC’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan and included in consultee comments on relevant planning applications.
What is S106?
S106 agreements are legal commitments from developers to support local infrastructure — either through funding or direct delivery. Funds can only be used for the specific purpose outlined in the agreement (e.g. education, recreation).
Ash Parish Council is consulting with residents for their views
Complete our survey – CLICK HERE – before midnight on Sunday 12 October 2025.
Alternatively, speak to Parish Councillors at the monthly coffee morning at Ash Village Hall on Saturday 4 October between 10am and noon.
What happens next?
Ash Parish Council are entitled to submit a Highway Improvement Plan to the highways authority – Kent County Council – once per year. Survey responses will be analysed and discussed by Councillors at the Parish Council meeting on Monday 3 November. A list will be created of a maximum of 3 potential highway improvements, in priority order. These priorities will then be discussed with Kent County Council who have the final say on whether any suggestions for highway improvements are acceptable.
The Parish Council reconvened on 1 September after the summer break, and there’s lots to share from our latest meeting.
Remembering Nina Vallack
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Nina Vallack, who served on the Parish Council for many years. Her dedication to Ash will be long remembered.
Welcome New Councillors
We’re thrilled to welcome Lynn Gambrel and Annette Rose to the Parish Council. Both bring great energy and a strong commitment to our community. Their co-option brings our numbers to 10 Councillors as we also say goodbye to Derek Richford, who has stepped down. With thanks to Derek for his contributions, particularly for his work on footpaths around the Parish.
Dover District Council Updates
Cllr Trevor Bartlett shared news of successful summer grant applications. Congratulations to Ash Rugby Club, Ash Wildlife Friendly Village, and 1st Ash Next Sandwich Rangers – all worthy recipients!
The next round of Community Grants, focused on Cost of Living support, opens on 17 September. We will share details in due course and would encourage all local groups to apply.
Looking for Work?
Free job support sessions are available across the district. No booking needed—just drop in for help with CVs, applications, and interview prep:
Dover Charlton Centre: 1st Monday monthly, starting 1 Sept, 10am–1pm
Deal Welfare Club: 4th Friday monthly, starting 26 Sept, 12pm–3pm
Sandwich Jubilee Centre: 3rd Friday monthly, starting 19 Sept, 12pm–3pm
Volunteer with Kearsney Parks
Interested in volunteering? Email email hidden; JavaScript is required to join their database and get involved.
Meet Cllr Peter Evans
We welcomed our new Kent County Councillor, Cllr Peter Evans, to his first Ash Parish Council meeting. He represents 11 parishes and is working hard to attend as many meetings as possible.
Devolution Update
Cllr Evans and Cllr Bartlett shared that more detailed updates on the proposed Government plans to devolve more powers to local authorities is expected in November.
Spring Bulb Planting
We’re proud to support Ash Wildlife Friendly Village’s upcoming bulb planting events in October and November. This initiative aligns with the Ash Neighbourhood Development Plan’s goals to protect and enhance our village’s character and biodiversity. Keep an eye out for ways to join in from Ash Wildlife Friendly Village.
Highway Improvement Plan – Have Your Say
We’ll be launching a resident consultation this month to help shape our Highway Improvement Plan for 2026–27.
There’ll be an online survey and a drop-in session at the Village Hall. Details coming soon. Whilst resident views and feedback are key in this process, the final decisions on any improvements will rest with Kent County Council.
Recreational Facilities Update
Our Community Caretaker, Duncan, has been busy with maintenance across village spaces.
A tree health survey will be carried out at the recreation ground and Pound Corner to ensure safety.
The hedge along Queens Road and around the tennis court will be trimmed in the coming weeks.
The Play Area 2 project is progressing. The Council has approved the tender specification, which will now be posted on the Government portal.
Planning Enforcement Feedback
We’ve submitted feedback to the Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) ahead of their meeting with Dover District Council. We highlighted concerns around under-resourcing, procedural complexity, and legal loopholes in the current planning enforcement system. These issues affect public trust and fairness. We await the outcome of the meeting.
Don’t miss your chance to obtain a copy of “Ash, an East Kent Village” by David Downes.
Ash is a big village with a long history. This well researched and entertaining account of the past in Ash adds significantly to the published history of Kent, with great appeal for residents and visitors alike.
Paperback. Published in 2002. 153 pages. RRP £12.99.
Copies available from Ash Parish Council at the reduced price of £10 per copy.
Free to collect or posted at £3.45 (Royal Mail Signed For 2nd Class).
To order please email email hidden; JavaScript is required
