Onlooker Report – Ash Parish Council – Summary of the 2 July 2026 Meeting

/in News/by Clerk

Parish Council Meeting – Key Points

📍 Parish Council Vacancies Ash Parish Council currently has three councillor vacancies. If you’d like to make a positive difference locally and help shape Ash for future generations, please email email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Councillors must commit to attend one meeting per month and support projects as they arise. You must be 18+, and the Council welcomes people from all backgrounds.

📍 Recreation Ground – Play Area 2 Officially Open Play Area 2 is now open for use, marking a major milestone after more than a year of planning. Designed for 8–14 year olds, the new space includes a wide range of physical and interactive play equipment, plus seating areas for relaxing and socialising. Inclusive features ensure children with reduced mobility can join in.

The Council extends sincere thanks to Jack Foat’s Trust, Frank Kingsland Trust, and the Cartwright Godfrey & Kelsey Charity, whose generous donations — alongside S106 developer contributions — made the project possible. A community opening event will take place on Saturday 18 July.  Details will be shared on our Facebook page

Annual inspections of the Recreation Ground and Allotments have been completed. Actions include refreshed safety signage and external repairs to the Pavilion.

📍 Ash Dieback – Tree Safety Works An Ash tree on the Recreation Ground is showing advanced Ash Dieback. Due to its condition and proximity to people, property, and allotments, it will be reduced to a standing monolith to prevent branch or stem failure.

Although losing trees is regrettable, monoliths provide valuable habitat for birds, bats, invertebrates, fungi and other species reliant on standing deadwood. There are already examples of monoliths on site, including the mature beech near the Pavilion.

📍 Dover District Council – Rural Parking Review DDC is reviewing funding for free car parks across the district, including Ash’s Queens Road (behind the Village Hall) and The Street (next to the public toilets). Both are currently free for up to 24 hours.

DDC have agreed to request the following changes for inclusion in DDC’s Traffic Regulation Orders:

  1. Single Yellow Lines (Mon–Sat, 8.30–17.30) with added blips on The Street to remove loading rights during these hours. Parking remains permitted outside these times.
  2. Double Yellow Lines on The Street and Chequers Inn with double blips, removing loading rights at all times and enabling immediate Penalty Charge Notice enforcement.
  3. A loading bay to support deliveries to local businesses.

The aim is to keep the Pound Corner junction clear, reduce bottlenecks, and improve safety

DDC also proposes a 4‑hour stay / no return within 2 hours restriction in both car parks (Mon–Sat, 8.30–17.30) to increase daytime turnover while still allowing overnight parking. DDC will make the final decision, and any proposals will go to public consultation.

Routine car park maintenance is expected to take place this month, with likely temporary closures which residents will be notified of.

📍 Public Rights of Way – Proposed Footpath Diversions KCC has received an application to divert Public Footpaths EE85A, EE90 and EE123. The landowner intends to grow crops to the south and undertake waste reclamation to the north, requiring realignment of EE90 and EE123 for equipment installation. EE85A would be diverted northwards to separate walkers from machinery and farm vehicle movements. This is an informal consultation to gauge public response before any legal process begins.

📍 Kent County Council Update Cllr Peter Evans provided updates on KCC’s economic and development strategy:

  • Economic strategy increased to £6m, with 200 companies involved.
  • More contracts now awarded to local firms, totalling £50m, keeping investment within Kent.
  • A business seminar at Leeds Castle with Visit Kent brought together 40 businesses promoting local attractions.
  • Growth Hub: 746 businesses registered for free support.
  • Project Gigabit: £112m Government grant to City Fibre to expand rural broadband.
  • Skills Bootcamps: 93% completion rate; 43% of participants gain employment.
  • Libraries: Following strong public support, KCC has invested in library upgrades — new Folkestone library opened, Dover Discovery Centre refurbished, Cliftonville overhauled, and 14 more libraries being improved.
  • Within Ash, KCC Highways consulted on installing a bus stop clearway on Sandwich Road. The Parish Council supports the proposal but has asked to be notified of future highway changes as a courtesy.

📍 Dover District Council Update

  • Small Grants (CPF Trust): £1,000–£3,000 available for UK charities supporting Arts, Education, Carers, Older People, Early Intervention, Animal Welfare, and Disability. Applications open 1 June–30 September.
  • Benchworks – Dover Beacon: A new flexible workspace for businesses and entrepreneurs will open later this year within the £21m Bench development, forming part of Dover’s regeneration.
  • Deal Leisure Centre: Construction is underway on the new multi‑million‑pound centre, expected to open Autumn 2027. Facilities include a 25m pool, gym, studios, splash pad, café, and Changing Places toilet.
  • Dover Dinosaur Day: Free family event on 5 August, Pencester Gardens, 10am–3pm — giant dinosaurs, dino‑facts, crafts and more.

📍 Next Meeting  – The Parish Council does not meet in August. Next Full Council: Thursday 3 September.

Wishing everyone a wonderful summer