Onlooker Report – Ash Parish Council Ordinary Meeting – 5 January 2026
Happy New Year to everyone in Ash!
The Parish Council met on Monday 5 January with a full agenda and a busy programme of work planned for 2026.
Resident Contributions
Disabled toilet emergency cords
Concerns were raised about the lack of live monitoring in Dover District Council–owned disabled toilet facilities. Research by the Dover District Disability Group and Deal Speaking Up Group found that only two facilities across the district responded correctly when the emergency cord was tested.
Cllr Bartlett will raise this urgently with DDC and seek clarity on minimum service and response standards.
Burford Alley resurfacing
The issue of gravel being washed away from the newly resurfaced Burford Alley was raised again. This has been reported to several times. Residents are reminded that all Footpath and Public Rights of Way issues must be reported via the KCC Portal so they can be logged and actioned
https://www.kent.gov.uk/environment-waste-and-planning/public-rights-of-way/report-a-problem-on-a-right-of-way
Village sports day proposal
A resident is exploring the idea of a community ‘sports day’ to showcase local clubs and encourage younger residents to get involved in tennis, bowls, cricket, pickleball, rugby and more. The Parish Council supports this in principle and awaits further details.
Recreation Ground
Thank you to everyone who attended December’s coffee morning to view the final play area design. Following a formal tender process, HAGS has been chosen as preferred supplier and expect to be formally appointed at the February meeting.
All grant applications have now been approved, supplementing the S106 developer contributions. Both the Charity Commission and DDC have confirmed their consent to proceed.
A pre-site meeting with the contractor is next, with installation and opening expected May/June 2026.
Ash War Memorial bollards
One of the historic bollards has been badly damaged by a vehicle. Both bollards will be replaced with heritage-appropriate alternatives to maintain the character of the Conservation Area.
Highways & Traffic
We continue to work with Kent County Council Highways on options to improve traffic flow along The Street, including ongoing issues with vehicles parking on double yellow lines.
The A257 Traffic Group, chaired by Wingham Parish Council, is preparing a public petition calling for safety improvements along the A257. Although the petition is not yet published, Ash Parish Council supports the initiative and the Group’s mission to make the road safer for all users.
Community Updates
Tree donation
1st Ash Brownies & Guides will donate a commemorative tree for their 100th anniversary in 2025, to be planted in the Recreation Ground in Autumn 2026.
Library addition
A new projector screen has been approved for the Ash Village Hall library and will be installed soon.
Guilton Airfield plaque
The Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust confirmed that a plaque commemorating Guilton Airfield (WW1) was supplied to the Parish Council in 2018 but never installed. We are pleased to confirm it will be installed at the War Memorial in due course
Planning
Three planning applications from December were reviewed.
The next full Planning Committee meeting will be held on Monday 19 January.
District & County Reports
From Dover District Council
Cllr Bartlett continues to follow up on outstanding issues relating to district-owned assets, including:
• the village car park
• litter and fly-tipping at Molland car park
• the deteriorating garages near James Close
He also highlighted the poor road conditions through Guilton, which have been repeatedly reported to Kent County Council.
Residents are reminded to report potholes and road defects directly to KCC online
https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/what-we-look-after/roads/potholes
Apprenticeships
DDC is promoting funding opportunities for local businesses to support apprenticeships as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
More information is available on the GOV.UK website and the DDC apprenticeships page.
New Year, New Hobby
A free event will take place at Dover Maison Dieu on Saturday 17 January, featuring over 30 local groups, clubs and organisations.
Activities include percussion ‘jam’ sessions with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and performances from local groups.
From Kent County Council
Cllr Evans was unable to attend but confirmed he is liaising with KCC regarding A257 safety concerns, particularly following another serious incident in December.
KCC budget has been delayed and will be announced later in the month.
Community Policing Update
We are pleased to share that PC Jon Bowler is expected to return to operational duties at the end of January, and we look forward to welcoming him back to Ash.
