October Newsletter

Newsletters and Annual Reports Uploaded on October 17, 2024

RYARSH PARISH COUNCIL

Parish Council October Meeting

The police have reported there are no crime trends in Ryarsh recently which is good news. Last month there was only one call for Ryarsh, which related to a driving matter.

The new Notice Board has been installed on Birling Road outside the Village Hall.

Trinity have collected the picnic bench for Ryarsh Park which the Parish Council purchased, and we are waiting for an update on when that will be installed.

The Parish Council will lay a wreath at the Remembrance Service.

Councillors agreed to purchase a pair of Statues – Unknown Tommy and Women at War. Trinity have kindly given permission for these to be located in Ryarsh Park.

County Councillor Hohler

After the election, KCC are concerned that the new house building requirement will particularly hit 4-5 Kent Districts – Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling and Dover.
There are too many cars and other vehicles on road. We already have the Channel Tunnel so don’t need more cars and lorries. The infrastructure is not in place. The policy is not to accept housing applications without the infrastructure being in place
The impact of VAT on public schools is likely to be felt in Grammar Schools. There are 95 Independent Schools, and many are prep schools with under 200 pupils. It is estimated that as many as 50% of these could close, putting more pressure on primary schools in the state sector.
School transport costs are now on budget.
There is a consultation about community wardens – communitywardenreview@kent.gov.uk The Parish Council could apply for a warden if it was able to pay.
Up to 18 thousand eligible Kent households are still not claiming Pension Credit. KCC’s Leader is urging everyone who is entitled to claim Pension Credit to make sure they are signed up as soon as possible.
Pension credit is, on average, £186 a month and can also open the door to other benefits. It is for those who have reached state pension age and are on the lowest income. There are a number of eligibility requirements but, as a starting point, if you are retired and have income of less than £218 a week as an individual, or £332 as a couple, you could be eligible.
In recent years KCC have worked with our District, Borough and City Council partners to support them in adopting systems which enable them to identify people who may be eligible for Pension Credit but have not applied for it. In 2023 around 400 additional households were identified to complete an application, resulting in an average of £300 a month. In this County, Kent’s pensioners could be missing out on up to an unclaimed £68 million.
Kent’s Money Advice Hubs, located across the county, are on hand to support and advise on Pension Credit eligibility and applications. The service can be accessed Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
You can also find more information and a link to the application process on the KCC website by visiting: kent.gov.uk/pensioncredit
It is Green Libraries Week.
In August alone in Kent and Medway, there were 826,000 appointments offered. 34,000 of those people did not turn up to the appointment, which is really bad.

Borough Councillors Bill Banks and Paul Boxall

The Parish Partnership Panel met in September. Parish Councils brought up concerns about planning in general and the Local Plan. It seems as if the Local Plan has come to a complete stop. The new Government has announced a 29% increase in housing to be built. The original plan in the area was to share housing around the local towns and villages, but that will not work with a 29% increase. It sounds like it means going back to the drawing board with the Local Plan.
The draft NPPF is now out (National Planning Policy Framework). The framework to which the planning department works is changing, which causes disarray.
Kent County Councillor Harry Raynor provided a report, talking about utilities in general not being enough for the new houses being built in Kent. He mentioned GP’s, water, sewerage, and electricity being issues that are problematic for planning
Regarding Doctors Surgeries, the local West Malling Group Practice complained on Facebook that no one is listening to them about planning. They are attending the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss this. It really is a problem. There are several new surgeries but no doctors to run them, which is a Central Government matter. From this side, when discussing the Local Plan or developments we must discuss the fact that local doctors complain they need more funds to increase the size of surgeries. The PPG (Patient Participation Group) is the bottom layer, which lead into the PCN (Primary Care Network), which leads into the ICB (Integrated Care Board) – which is the start of the Commissioning Bodies. Our Planning Department has had conversations with the ICB who assure them there is no problem with GP coverage in the area. But at the bottom layers of the structure, they say there is a problem.
The petition about the West Malling Farmers Market has gone past 1,700 so there are enough signatures to take it back to TMBC and have it redebated. Residents are still encouraged to sign
At the last Area 2 Planning Committee an application for 52 houses between East Malling and Wateringbury was deferred. It is not on Green Belt and we need new homes, but it was deferred because of the train bridge and the road which are not suitable to take an increase in vehicles. There was a whole chamber was full of residents – a good show of support against the development.
The GP App is working better now

Police and Crime commissioner

Every year at this time of year, the Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott publishes a Policing Survey. It measures how safe people feel where they live, whether they trust the police and how seriously things like antisocial behaviour affects them.

If you would like to take part in this survey it is on the PCC website www.kent-pcc.gov.uk.

The quickest way for people to take the (anonymous) short survey is to go to this link:

https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/PoliceandCrimePlan2024/

The results feed into the new “priorities for Kent Police”, so it is important as many people as possible have their say.

Next Parish Council meeting

The date of the next meeting is Monday 11^th November 2024 at 7.30pm in Ryarsh Church Hall.

You can contact the Clerk by email at clerk@ryarsh-pc.gov.uk, by telephone on 07563 606572 or by writing to Box 503, West Malling, ME6 9NN. For more information, please go to our website www.ryarsh-pc.gov.uk.

The Parish Council Clerk works 12 hours a week, Monday to Thursday, and aims to respond to emails and phone calls within 5 working days

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is extra money to help with living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. If you claim it, you can get access to other benefits such as:

the Winter Fuel Payment
a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over
help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and hospital transport costs
other benefits depending on your circumstances.

In Kent, a third of the people who are eligible for Pension Credit are not claiming it, that’s around 17, 678 households who are missing out! The average household could get around £186 per month, which is a significant amount if you’re eligible and haven’t applied.

Who can get it

To get Pension Credit you need to:

live in the UK
be over State Pension age
have a weekly income below £218.15 if you’re single, or £332.95 if you’re part of a couple.

Check if you’re eligible and find out how much you might get on GOV.UK.

Get support

If you need a hand with the application or checking eligibility, the following people can help:

ReferKent – complete a short referral form and we’ll ask Citizens Advice or Age UK to get in touch https://kentcountycouncil.refernet.co.uk/self-referral/
Kent’s Money Advice Hubs – get support and advice, Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm https://www.kentmoneyadvicehub.com/

Digital Kent has also launched a new initiative to help people get online. It’s called Get Digital. There are free workshops and Digital Champions on hand to support. https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/get-online/get-digital-with-digital-kent

Save West Malling Farmers Market

Why this petition matters

Started by Trudy Dean, Michelle Tatton & Roger Roud

The recently introduced car parking restrictions in West Malling have caused the loss of a quarter of the Farmers’ Market traders. The four hour restriction in Ryarsh Lane car park opposite ‘The Bull’ is not long enough for traders who need to set up from 7am and pack up from 1.30pm.

We call on Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to lift the four hour parking restriction for traders, so that they can continue to provide a Farmers Market on the fourth Sunday of each month in West Malling.

Please share this with friends, family and neighbours.

***Please make sure your postcode is fully recorded and please ignore the invitations to contribute money. It has nothing to do with the petition.***

Bottom of Form

Petition is available at https://chng.it/2pTXyRyck2 through Change.Org

Message from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council

We want our council services to be accessible for everyone.

We would like your feedback, so we know if we are getting things right or if there are any barriers you have experienced, especially if you have or know someone with a disability. Examples may include when you want to get in touch with us, are making an application or using our website.

Complete our short survey (https://www.tmbc.gov.uk/website/accessibility-survey) and you will be helping us identify any areas where we can make improvements. We are committed to supporting the needs of those with additional needs or access requirements.

Open an account to pay bills, report an issue or make an application

Download the My TMBC app for updates on key services

If you regularly help or care for a friend or family member, you may be an unpaid carer – join one of our collaborative workshops to share your views and help us to design the service to support unpaid carers in Kent

Have you ever looked after an adult family member or friend to ensure they can live a good life? Are you interested in helping to shape local care and support for carers in Kent now and in the future? If so, we want to hear from you!

Why are we holding these workshops?

There are many different types of carer, from all walks of life, ages, ethnicities and backgrounds – anyone can find themselves in a caring role at some point in their lives.

Listening to people who have experience of being an unpaid carer in Kent is essential to understanding the quality of what we do and how we work with people across our county. We want to learn from good practice and areas where we can improve, focusing on what matter most to the people we support and carers.

We will be developing the service to provide support to unpaid carers, and we would like your help to design this.

How this links to the Kent Adult Carers’ Strategy 2022-2027

We want to build on what people have already told us was important when we developed the ‘Kent Adult Carers’ Strategy 2022 to 2027’.

The strategy was developed in partnership with carers, people that draw on support, carer organisations, staff, and county councillors. Carers highlighted what is important to them through three core principles: Supporting you to be you, Providing the best support possible and Positive outcomes. Carers also summarised the seven key moments when they are likely to need extra support.

Who is this for?

These workshops are for you if you regularly help or care for a friend or family member, so have experience of being an unpaid carer. You also need to live or be based in Kent. We want to hear about your experience and views so that we can shape the service for all carers across Kent.

How will my views be taken forward?

These are co-production workshops, and your views and ideas will contribute to the initial development of the service to provide support to unpaid carers across Kent.

Is this a public consultation?

No, not yet. We want to get people involved as early as possible. This work is at its development stage, so that unpaid carers have the opportunity to test and shape our thinking.

· Monday 4 November	5pm – 6.30pm	virtual workshop on Zoom
· Tuesday 5 November	2pm – 3.30pm	virtual workshop on Zoom
· Wednesday 6 November	9.30am – 11am	virtual workshop on Zoom
· Thursday 7 November	10am – 11.30am	Sessions House, Maidstone

*Please note that dates may be subject to change, depending on demand.

Continuing the conversation

We know that not everyone will be able to join us at one of the workshops. If you a member of a carers support group, or you run a local voluntary group or charity, please do let us know if you would like us to attend one of your own virtual or face-to-face meetings.

How to book your place?

Contact: makingadifference@kent.gov.uk by Friday 1 November 2024 to book your space.

Please do let us know if you have any requirements that we need to be aware of to enable you to take part in the workshop, or if you have any questions.

We are able to reimburse reasonable travel costs for the in-person workshop at Maidstone.

Please note that this is an ongoing engagement opportunity and is not part of a formal consultation.

We are currently running a recruitment drive for Volunteers to support of Patients

Vacancies – Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (mtwcareers.com)

https://www.mtwcareers.com/vacancies/#!/job/UK/Kent/Maidstone_Tunbridge_Wells/Maidstone_Tunbridge_Wells_NHS_Trust/Volunteer/Volunteer-v6560603?_ts=558

You can also find out more about volunteering in our digital magazine for patients, staff and visitors. (https://myebook.com/SmilePublications/tunbridgewells/5405/)

Kind Regards

Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie Stevens-Swain

Voluntary Services Manager

Monday – Thursday ( Cross Site Cover)

Please send postal items to Voluntary Services Maidstone

01622 224719

Mobile 07565 200563

Guided group walks – November 2024

Our friendly group is one of 13 Ramblers groups in Kent and part of the national Ramblers walking organisation. We explore the beautiful countryside of Tonbridge and Malling and surrounding areas.

You don’t have to be a Ramblers member to try up to three ‘taster’ walks with us. If you’re new to our walks, please contact the walk leader to check that their walk will suit you.

Kings Hill Sculpture Walk 14 November

For details of all upcoming walks and walk leaders, see Tonbridge and Malling Ramblers Facebook page or visit www.tonbridgeandmallingramblers.org.uk.

Sunday 3 November	Markbeech meander – an undulating circular walk in the Weald. Moderate difficulty.	4.5 miles
Thursday 7 November	North Pole circular: from Teston Lane through Oaken Wood and past Kiln Barn Farm towards East Malling. Then returning towards East Malling Heath and the playing fields near Kings Hill. A mix of country paths and some road walking. Moderate difficulty; no stiles.	5.3 miles
Thursday 14 November	Kings Hill Sculpture Walk: leisurely pavement walk pause at each of 10 sculptures for a brief description of the artwork. The walk finishes near the Control Tower with time to read the RAF roundels and find the 12 brass reliefs set in the pavement.	5.5 miles
Sunday 17 November	Circular walk from Otford around the solar system and back! Moderate difficulty.	5 miles
Thursday 21 November	Mereworth circular walk with a long gentle climb through the woods and back to St Leonards Church. Moderate difficulty; one stile and some road walking on quiet country lanes.	5.5 miles
Sunday 24 November	A Weald and Woodland Walk from Cranbrook along tracks and paths, with shelter from wind in the woodland. Short stretch of busy road, and some quiet lane walking, but few stiles. We return along the High Weald Landscape Trail. Moderate difficulty.	5 miles
Thursday 28 November	Circular walk from Ide Hill through Goathurst Common and Dibden Woods, returning with views of Bough Beech Reservoir. Moderate difficulty; no stiles; one long upward path.	5.5 miles
Walks usually start mid-morning. There’s a short half-way break (bring refreshments) and we usually finish near a pub. Most walks are dog-friendly (see website).

SGN – Temporary Road Closure – Woodgate Road, Addington – 4th November 2024 (Tonbridge and Malling District)

Due to works planned to be undertaken by SGN, it will be necessary to close part of Woodgate Road, Addington, from 4th November 2024 with estimated completion by 23rd November 2024.

Woodgate Road, Addington, will be closed between the junctions of Trottiscliffe Road and Roughetts Road. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Roughetts Road, A20 London Road, Trottiscliffe Road and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce to allow gas main replacement works to be carried out, works are undertaken by SGN.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=140201287

For information regarding this closure please contact SGN on 0800 111 999, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

This bulletin contains public information and can be forwarded to any other road users who may be affected. Every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, but no liability can be accepted for any changes or errors.
Road names are taken from the National Street Gazetteer, which can be viewed on one.network, with alternative names given where known.

For details of roadworks, please see One.Network

Openreach – Temporary Road Closure – Birling Road, West Malling – 6th December 2024 (Tonbridge and Malling District)

Due to works planned to be undertaken by Openreach, it will be necessary to close part of Birling Road, West Malling, from 6th December 2024 with estimated completion by 6th December 2024.

Birling Road, West Malling, will be closed outside 71, between the hours of 08:30 and 15:30 only. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Birling Road, A20 London Road, Roughetts Road, The Street, Birling Road, Ryarsh Road, Bull Road, Birling Road, A228 Leybourne By Pass, Birling Road and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce to allow pole replacement works to be carried out, works are undertaken by Openreach.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=140349552

For information regarding this closure please contact Openreach on 08000 282 229, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, please see One.Network

UK Power Networks – Temporary Road Closure – Roughetts Road, Ryarsh – 16th December 2024 (Tonbridge and Malling District)

Due to works planned to be undertaken by UK Power Networks, it will be necessary to close part of Roughetts Road, Ryarsh, from 16th December 2024 with estimated completion by 16th December 2024.

Roughetts Road, Ryarsh, will be closed outside The Old Vicarage. To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

The alternative route for any through traffic is via Roughetts Road, A20 London Road, Trottiscliffe Road, Mill House Lane, Woodgate Road and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce to allow overhead cabling works to be carried out, works are undertaken by UK Power Networks.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=140376743

For information regarding this closure please contact UK Power Networks on 08000 294 285, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

The Kent County Council Highways Helpline phone number is: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks, please see One.Network

Parish Council October 2024 Newsletter