Onlooker Report – Ash Parish Council Ordinary Meeting 7 April 2025
The Parish Council meeting for April saw another new councillor applying and co-opted to the council. Councillor Andy Perriss makes 10 councillors, so we have just one vacancy. The Council is eager to hear from anyone interested in joining, especially those voices that are currently underrepresented, including women and younger individuals. If you’re passionate about your community and want to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.
For your interest, the current list of Councillors are:
John Tanner – Chair
Louise Venny – Deputy Chair
Martin Porter
Ashley Stevenson
Ian Ellery
Derek Richford
Milli Stenning
Barry Ricks
Arnold Davis
Andy Perriss
The meeting was also attended by Cllr Sue Chandler from Kent County Council and Cllr Trevor Bartlett from Dover District Council.
Sue informed the group that KCC had made representations at a Government Transport Select Committee regarding maintenance funding. Currently councils are funded based on miles of road, not on traffic that uses the roads. As a consequence, our county is at a distinct disadvantage compared to say, Cumbria who would get the same funding per mile of road,
Sue recently visited Richborough Roman Fort along with representatives from Visit Kent. Since the recent refurbishments around 15,000 visitors have been to the site and this is expected to rise to 20,000 this year which is very good for the local economy. Whilst on site, she was briefed on the very real concerns English Heritage have regarding the proposed solar array application on their doorstep.
Trevor advised that Dover had put through the lowest increase in council tax of any council in East Kent at 2.98% and with no major reduction of services.
He thanked everyone who participated in the Great British Spring Clean Litter Pick in Ash; it was lovely to see so many people doing such a valuable job in the community.
You may have seen stickers on your wheelie bins in recent months asking you to use your food bins for waste food. Following this initiative there has been an 11% increase in usage. Please do use your food bin for all food waste.
In leisure news, Tides Leisure Centre has now closed their swimming pool for a £20 million redevelopment, however the gym, classes and tennis centre remain open. The Grade I Listed Maison Dieu (Dover Town Hall) has undergone a huge restoration thanks to a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and is soon to be open to the public once again.
Members of the public raised concerns about plans for the solar array at Goss Hall/Ash Levels and understood this was due before DDC Planning committee soon.
After holding an open grant application process, Ash Parish Council approved modest grants to Ash Parochial Church, Ash Heritage Centre, Westmarsh Village Hall, Ash Wildlife Friendly Village and Ash Advent Christmas events
It was noted the A257 Working Group are continuing to press Highways at Kent County Council for safety improvements on the A257 and have now written to Sir Roger Gale MP for support.
The Parish Council are awaiting quotes to improve and expand the blockwork of the Recreation Ground car park. Additionally, quotes are being sought to replace the previously vandalised doors at the toilets in the Recreation Ground with steel or wood with steel grids. Once actioned they will be able to open once more.
The Play and Gym Equipment at the Recreation Ground have passed their annual safety inspection and are ready to take advantage of the lovely weather.
The Parish Council is also progressing work on ‘Play Area 2’ which will provide exciting play equipment for slightly older children. Councillors want to ensure that the plans meet the needs of this age group and will be consulting with children at the primary schools and in an open session at the Village Hall, More information and dates to follow soon!
Details of an allotment holder survey were shared and details discussed. Key improvements were agreed for timely action.
VE Day 80th anniversary is on May 8th and the same applies to VJ day later in the year on August 15th. To commemorate this anniversary, the Parish Council will be dedicating two of the newly installed public benches with plaques to honour those that served.
Our Footpath working group continue to receive valuable feedback from residents regarding blocked or unclear public rights of way in our Parish. Please do continue to advise us of any issues you encounter so that we can continue our work with KCC, as well as local farmers, growers and landowners. Email email hidden; JavaScript is required
