Report of a meeting held in Village Hall 4^th July, 2007

Extended Parish magazine. This should have been in the last months Parish Magazine but unfortunately this was not possible. It is hoped that it will be delivered to all homes in the village by the end of the month.

Rural Housing Trust. Mr J Plumptre has been approached regarding land between the Royal Oak Public House and Rose Cottage for possible development but has declined. The only remaining possibilities are the land to the left of Prima Windows owned by Mr Solley and the end of Church Street, owned by Mr A Ovenden. These two sites will be returned to D.D.C. Planning department but if they refuse then there will be no affordable housing in Nonington.

A welcome was given to our new District Councillor, Linda Keen, she is interested in running a surgery in Nonington in the half hour before each Parish Council Meeting although she does have one at Aylesham House every Friday morning between 10 a.m. and midday should anyone from Nonington wish to consult her with any problems. Her telephone number is 01227 830790

Village Hall Committee. A grant has been requested from Awards for All in the sum of £10,000 for refurbishment of the hall, inside and out, including disabled toilets. The result of this application should be known in the next 4 or 5 weeks. If it is turned down they are going to apply to Bridging the Gap for a similar grant. The Jubilee Committee has now been wound up and a cheque for just over £1,000, being the balance in their account, was forwarded to the Village Hall for help with the work needed. The Kaleidascope playgroup is leaving the Village Hall premises at the end of July and will be based at St Joseph’s in Aylesham, although close links will be retained with Nonington School.

Snowdown Regeneration forum. Two places still remain outstanding on the forum for Nonington. If anyone would like further information on what is entailed please ring the Clerk, the Parish Council have been informed by the Forum that they can appoint two people if they come forward.

Snowdown & Kent Coalfield Heritage Group (SKaCH). This group have applied for charitable status and are now seeking funds to commission a Feasibility Study to investigate further the possibilities for the buildings on site. Two of the buildings and been listed and SEEDA have identified potential uses for several more. A Scoping Study to prepare for the Feasibility Study is underway thanks to Aylesham Parish council and a few private donations, the estimate for the cost of a full study is in the region of £15,000 - £20,000 to which SEEDA have also promised a contribution (in the region of £5,000)

Request for grant from a Community Responder re Ambulance Service. This volunteer group are responsible for giving immediate life support within an 8 minute area around Aylesham, which includes Nonington. They have had three calls to the village in the last 10 days and have requested a donation from the PC for another response bag, these cost £2,500 and they have already raised £1,000. This will be discussed further at the meeting on the 25^th July.

Mr Hobbs, the owner of Beauchamps Wood is in the process of having another path cleared alongside the boundary of Red Tiles, the bluebells are being moved so that they will not be destroyed, a ‘Kissing Gate’ will be installed at either end for ease of entry and exit.

It has been reported that the footpath, EE317 running from Butchers Lane to Share Ways Gate has not been sprayed off and is difficult to walk. Cllr Rye to speak to Mr Groombridge.

It was further reported that the footpath which starts opposite the entrance to Beechgrove has had a new stile put up but the sign is missing. Cllr Rye will contact the footpath officer.

The proposed footpath from the end of the pavement at Snowdown to the cross roads at Butter Street. Since the public meeting Deacon Landscapes have worked to produce a viable proposal for this footpath and this was presented and will now be available for parishioners to view and add comments. In the plan it has been decided not to cut into the bank as this would destroy an entire hedgerow, the alternative is to move the path to the top of the bank and just take out everything but more mature trees, this way the light from the streetlights will fall onto the path giving adequate lighting. A further hedge will be planted on the other side of the path to replace the shrubs destroyed. At the Butter Street end a ramp will be put in place for use by the disabled and prams, also steps may well be provided. The estimate for this work is £30,000 to £40,000. An architects drawing will be placed on the notice board as soon as it is received from Mr. Deacon.

The rest of the problems associated with the roads and the new developments at Snowdown and Aylesham will be discussed on site (opposite the Royal Oak) with Ray Ball (KCC Highways) at 3 p.m. on the 17^th July. If you would like to be involved contact Cllr Barnett on 842430.

The Parish Council and Nonington Village Entertainments are pressing ahead to finalise everything for the 8^th September. The fireworks have been ordered and paid for, the same team as last year will be in charge of setting them off. There will be a beer tent as well as a bar in the pavilion, there will also be extra toilet facilities. It is hoped this year will be bigger and better than last year, which itself was very successful.

A parishioner has asked that the Parish Council send a letter to Mr D Halfpenny of Prima Windows asking his drivers to slow down through the village.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on the 5^th September 2007 at 7.30 p.m

Mrs Linda Player, Clerk to Nonington Parish Council 01304 840410

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