Hadlow
Parish Council Newsletter
Issue
No. 3 Spring 2005
 |
Last
autumn the Council promoted a ‘Community
Safety & Well Being Day’ at Hadlow Village Hall. The Day was supported
by over 20 statutory and voluntary agencies which can provide a wide variety
of help on all sorts of safety matters and guidance on other issues such as
finance, pensions etc.
It was agreed following the Day that it would be useful to provide a Directory
for every household in the parish and this task is now underway. More details
on the progress of the Directory will be made available later in the year.
Community Speed Watch: this scheme was promoted in the last parish newsletter and is concerned with the monitoring of traffic speed through the village. Several people volunteered their services for this scheme and the Council is grateful for such offers. Unfortunately before the scheme could be introduced the Council received notice that certain technical problems had arisen with the equipment. This is being resolved and as soon as the Council receives details volunteers will be contacted again and the scheme will be re-advertised.
Litter
and dog fouling are a constant concern and has increased in
recent months particularly at Williams Field, in School Lane and on the Hadlow
Access Trail.
In the near future the Council will be issuing information cards on this matter
and introducing warning cards that these anti social activities are not acceptable.
The Parish Clerk and Village Warden will be given delegated powers from Tonbridge
and Malling to issue fixed penalty fines for persistent offenders.
CCTV:- the Council’s CCTV has recently been upgraded and additional sites for further CCTV cameras are currently under consideration.
Adaptations to Community Facilities:- the Council is currently investigating where improvements can be made to enable better access to community facilities and general access throughout the village. For example if you consider that additional ‘dropped kerbs’ could be installed, please discuss the matter with the parish clerk. The Council would also be pleased to hear from community groups who might be considering alterations to or improved access to their premises.
Hadlow Parking Action Plan:- the Council will soon be undertaking a preliminary survey of parking in the village centre. Later in the year there will be an opportunity for public consultation on the matter and details will be made available through the Hadlow Newsletter and via the parish notice boards.
Hadlow Business Directory: In the Hadlow Parish Plan the need for a Hadlow Business Directory was identified. Work on the Directory will start later in the year but if you own a local business please let the Council know if you would like to be included. Local Business can also include individuals working from home etc. offering professional services, craft and other trade skills.
Village
Facilities:
If you need a venue for your meetings or for a party, hall bookings can be
made by contacting the following the numbers.
Old School
Hall – 851878.
Hadlow
Village Hall – 851878.
Golden
Green – 850768.
St. Mary’s
Upper Room – 850238
The
Council’s Special Project for 2005 – 2006 is ‘Community
Safety & Well Being’.
The Project was chosen because of the responses made in the Hadlow Parish
Plan community survey which indicated that one of the highest priorities
for local people was dealing with low level crime, particularly vandalism,
anti-social behaviour and the general nuisance caused to householders.
The Parish Council has been lobbying for the past two years for the allocation of a Police Community Support Officer and a Community Warden for Hadlow, in addition to more local police presence.
Unfortunately, our recent
application for a PCSO was unsuccessful but we have indicated our wish to
be included in the next round of applications and our case has the support
of Mr. David Hughes, Chief Executive of Tonbridge & Malling Borough
Council and Supt. Price, West Kent Area Commander of Kent Police.
We were more successful with our application for a Community Warden and
many of you will already have met Paul Crispe who was appointed to the post
at the beginning of the year.
The allocation
of resources for community safety is largely dependent upon the recorded
crime for an area and unfortunately Hadlow is perceived to have very little.
While this is undoubtedly so in some respects the Council is aware that
low level crime is far more than that officially recorded.
The Council is aware of the problems encountered in trying to report such
activities but it is vital that this information is recorded and collated.
The Council needs your help with this matter and you are requested to report
‘all matters or incidents’ preferably direct to Kent Police
and request a crime reference number.
The Council recognises that in some cases reporting of incidents might be difficult or people may not wish to be identified.
There are alternative
ways to report incidents and you are reminded that you can:-
a) use a blue Community Watch card, which are available in local shops or
from the parish office.
b) report the matter direct to the parish office or a Member of the Parish
Council
c) report the matter to Paul Crispe, Community Warden, either at the Hadlow
Library or on 07969 584177
d) report the matter to your Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator
e) report the matter to Police Community Officer PC Peter Vaughan via e-mail:
pwpo@ kent.pnn.police.uk or
f) use the community watch card facility on the Parish Council’s web
site www.hadlowpc-kent.org.uk
The Parish Council will continue to work to improve community safety and secure increased resources; however, it needs your help to achieve these aims. If you are concerned then please make the time to help the Council in this matter.
Contacting Your Council:
Hadlow
Parish Office
Telephone: 01732 – 851878 ..........Fax:
01732 – 851878
PLEASE
NOTE NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS
E-mail: bobhodgson@hadlowpc.co.uk
Web site:
www.hadlowpc-kent.org.uk
