Chairman's Report

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT MAY 2025

We started the year still with a full complement for the Council. Each of the members have proven invaluable to the team bringing their own support in many ways.

Shane Back for his dedication to the flood and snow warden responsibilities. We now have flood signs dotted about advising people of the key areas of problems. He also has sited many grit bins and keeps them topped up for use in icy conditions. He is also a qualified First Aider and attends our local events in that supporting role.

Nigel Blown for his ability to always provide good input in all decision making.

Shaun and Tommy Hall for providing sound judgements on certain issues and there when physical help is needed.

Karen Mansell for her indigenous checking of minutes and figures and common sensical approach to items requiring decisions.

Paul Dumke for being vice chair and again for providing sound judgement.

With the increase in our precept last year we were able to afford the street cleaner - John – who can be seen around the villages Monday to Thursday litter picking to keep the areas neat and tidy. We are very grateful for his continued support.

We would also like to confirm that the Parish Council has installed several new grit/salt bins around the parish to help residents during periods of ice and snow.

We were also pleased to install a new solar‑ and wind‑powered defib cabinet in Middle Stoke, which will help ensure this vital piece of equipment remains available and operational for community use.

We were recently approached by the village Hall committee regarding the roof which is showing signs of deterioration. Unfortunately, they do not have the funds to replace this and asked for our help. We had a sum of money that we have been saving over the last couple of years for improvement to the play park in Heron Way but have agreed to cover initial costs on the roof which will be eventually shared with the Village Hall. We are in the final stages of agreeing a contractor to do this due to the varying quotes required and difficulties in obtaining them.

There has also been an issue with the fencing at Heron Way Recreation Ground, which the Parish Council is aware of and is working to resolve.

The Doctors Surgery at the Village Hall is now being vacated and we are awaiting confirmation of a date for all the items to be cleared. We will then be in a position to look at how this can now be utilised to provide income to the Village Hall. We also mark the retirement of the Postmaster at the end of March and would like to thank them for their many years of service to the village.

The Christmas Light Switch‑On event was bigger and better than last year and was very well supported by the community, with the addition of the tractors proving especially popular.

The latest issue we have encountered is the Village Car Park that has now been placed on a disposal register at Medway Council. We are running a petition to request that it is not sold for development but given to the Village who will take ownership and maintain it.

We understand that the school will re-open in September this year for the much-needed SEN facility by Rivermead Trust. Although we are still sad for our loss of a local Village school there are some in the community who could benefit from this as it enables the Trust to add to their capacity in years 7 & 8. We wish them every success in this next stage.

Finally, the Parish Council would like to pass on its sincere thanks to the Neighbourhood Plan Working Group, who have been busy working in the background on this important work.

Julie Wallace