Onlooker Report – Ash Parish Council – Summary of the 7 May 2026 Meetings

/in News/by Clerk

Update from the May Ordinary Parish Council Meeting and the Annual Parish Council Meeting…

Annual Appointments

May marks the Parish Council’s annual meeting, where councillors are elected to key roles and appointed to committees and working groups.

  • Chair: Cllr J. Tanner
  • Deputy Chair: Cllr L. Venny

The Council also expressed thanks to Ian Ellery for his work and support as Chair over the past year.

Committee & Working Group Appointments 2026/27

  • Planning Committee – Cllrs Tanner (Chair), Davis, Gambrell, Venny, Porter
  • Beating the Bounds Working Group – Cllrs Tanner, Rose, Venny
  • Footpaths – Cllr Tanner
  • Kent Association of Local Councils (KALC) – Cllrs Tanner & Venny
  • Ash United Charities – Cllr Tanner
  • Ash Sports Pavilion Committee – Cllr Davis
  • A257 Working Group / Highway Improvement Plan  – Cllr Venny
  • Cartwright, Godfrey & Kelsey Foundation – Cllr Porter
  • Allotments – Cllr Tanner
  • Patient Participation Group (Ash Surgery) – Cllr Rose
  • Ash Village Hall Committee – Cllr Venny

Meeting dates for 2026/27 will be published shortly on the Parish website and noticeboards.

A reminder:

  • Parish Council meetings: 1st Thursday of the month, Village Hall 7.30PM with the exception of the June meeting which will be held on the 2nd Thursday in June (11th)
  • Planning Committee: 3rd Monday of the month, Ash Library 7.30PM

Public Contributions

Residents raised the following matters:

  • Continued antisocial behaviour at Pound Corner and The Street bus shelter
  • Plans for a possible Junior Sports Day in September
  • Concerns about inconsistent Royal Mail deliveries
  • An update on the Ash Carnival Association on plans for a Summer Fayre

Important:
If you experience antisocial behaviour of any kind, it must be reported to Kent Police via 101 or online. Without official reports, no action can be taken.  We cannot stress this enough.

The Clerk will add notices to village boards with contact details for KCC, DDC, Public Rights of Way and other services.

Recreation Ground

  • Play Area 2 works will begin around 25 May and last approximately 4 weeks.
    • Working hours: Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm.
    • Residents close to the site will be notified.
    • Updates will be posted regularly on our Facebook page.
  • The Council is pleased to support Eastry Ravens Football Club while their pitch undergoes repairs.
  • Recreation Ground interim inspection has been completed with a number of small improvements identified.  The full inspection will be held on 24 June.
  • Shrubs will be purchased for the central raised bed.

Parish Small Grants

Applications were reviewed and approved, totalling £2,493.80 from the annual £3,000 fund. Successful applicants will be notified directly.

Highways

20mph Scheme

KCC has reviewed consultation responses and will now progress the scheme to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) stage. Residents can sign up for alerts on the KCC Highways consultation page. https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/highways-consultations

Planning

Goss Hall Valley Solar Farm

The developer has appealed DDC’s refusal of the application and the The Parish Council have agreed a detailed objection.

Deadline for public comments: Monday 14 May  Submit comments via Comment on a planning appeal – GOV.UK.  Use Appeal Reference: 6006287

Reports from KCC & DDC

Kent County Council

No report received.

Dover District Council

Community Grants Scheme
Grants of £100–£2,500 are available for local groups.
Apply at: www.dover.gov.uk/communitygrants
Applications close 26 May.

The Dover Beacon – nearing completion
The Bench Street development will include:

  • Arts Education Hub (Dover College)
  • Screen South
  • Docker Bakery café and takeaway.
  • The project remains on time and on budget.

Free Live Music & Family Entertainment
Weekends in Dover Market Square until 25 July.

Draft Affordable Housing Planning Document
Consultation closes 14 May. Details available on the DDC website.

Age Concern Sandwich – Community Lunches
Mondays & Fridays – two‑course lunch for £4.50.

After School Sports Sessions
Free for ages 5–18, Pencester Gardens, Dover – 3.30–5.30pm.  Activities include football, badminton, swingball and more.