Onlooker Report – Ash Parish Council Ordinary Meeting – 13 April 2026

Update from the 13 April Meeting…

Council News
Ash Parish Council are co-opting new members. If you’re passionate about Ash and would like to help shape our community, please contact: email hidden; JavaScript is required or come along to a Parish Council Meeting to speak to us.

New Ordinary Meeting Dates
From May, Ordinary Parish Council meetings will move to the first Thursday of each month, at the later time of 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

Next meeting: Thursday 7 May which will also include the Annual Parish Council Meeting.

Public Contributions
Residents raised several important issues, including:
•Improving wildlife and ecology data, and reviewing the Neighbourhood Development Plan to better protect habitats
•Concerns about drug use, drinking, and parking issues around Pound Corner and The Street bus shelter
•Why Sandwich Road is not included in the proposed 20mph limit
•Questions about proposed spending on risk assessments
•Ongoing erosion and water run off affecting Burford Alley

Finance
•Parish councillors are entitled to a Basic Allowance, but the three elected members have chosen not to claim it.
•A review of energy suppliers for the Recreation Ground toilets has been completed. We will be switching to Scottish Power, securing a much lower rate.

Recreation Ground & Play Areas
•The Ash Carnival Association presented updated plans for the summer event. The Council remains supportive, pending further detailed event and risk planning.
•The public toilets have been redecorated and will remain open until winter.
•Play Area 2: A pre construction meeting took place in March. Work is expected to start mid May, with completion in June. Updates will be shared on our website, Facebook page, and at the Annual Parish Meeting on 29 April.

Roads & 20mph Consultation
Thank you to everyone who responded to the consultation, which closed on 31 March.
•71% of respondents supported / partly supported the introduction of a 20mph limit
•29% were against

The analysis has been submitted to Kent Highways, who will advise on next steps and final costs.

A reminder: Parish funds cannot be used for road repairs or potholes — highway maintenance is the responsibility of KCC Highways. Please report any issues direct to KCC at: https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-or-track-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement

The damaged safety bollards at the War Memorial have now been replaced.

Annual Parish Meeting – Wednesday 29 April at 7.30pm at St Faith’s School. Doors open at 7.00pm with complimentary refreshments available before the meeting starts.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Speakers include representatives from Kent County Council, Dover District Council, the Chair of the Parish Council, Parish charities and the GP Surgery.
Parking is available at St Faith’s.

Before and after the formal meeting residents will have time to speak to local charities, trusts, organisations and not-for-profit groups.

Local groups and organisations are encouraged to attend, showcase their successes, and raise awareness of the important work they do.

Organisations wishing to participate are invited to reserve a table to display information (subject to availability, first come first served) by contacting email hidden; JavaScript is required

Alternatively, please bring along leaflets to share with residents on the evening.

Kent County Council Updates
SEND budget – under review due to high agency fees; savings expected as alternatives are found.

Adult Social Care – significant savings achieved after identifying costs far higher than neighbouring counties.

Roads – From 1 May, Ringway will take over the highways contract. Expect a period of catch up due to winter damage.

The A299 Thanet Way will have several night closures for essential repairs.

Dover District Council Updates
Great British Spring Clean
Thank you to everyone who took part — a fantastic community effort. Ash collected 25 bags with the help of local volunteers.

Playing Pitch & Outdoor Sports Strategy
DDC is reviewing sports facilities and future needs.
If you run a sports club and haven’t yet been contacted, please get in touch with Cllr Martin Porter or Cllr Trevor Bartlett at DDC.

Deal Leisure Centre
Construction has officially begun on the new multi million pound centre.

Kearsney Abbey Play Area
A £155k renovation begins this spring, including new multi play equipment, slides, tunnels, climbing walls and more.

Kent Police
Residents are reminded to report all incidents directly and as soon as possible to Kent Police:
•999 – danger to life
•101 – non emergency
•Online – Kent Police website
•Live Chat – fastest route to the control room in Maidstone

Posting on social media does not count as reporting.

Additional updates:
•PC Bowler will hold a drop in at St Nicholas Church, Thursday 21 April, 11am
•Speed enforcement continues on the A257
•Criminal damage to a window in Ash: no further action
•Assault in Ash between known parties: no further action