Parish Meetings – 2021
When the UK entered in to the first lockdown local councils were permitted to host it’s meetings virtually thanks to a temporary change in legislation. It has been announced that the Government will not allow for meetings to continue this way after the 6th May 2021 and so face-to face meeting will resume. However due to restrictions on community halls, where Parish meetings have historically been held, there may be the need to reduce the number of meetings due to the reduced availability of hall space.
Bearsted Parish Council have decided to enable our Annual Parish Meeting and our Annual Meeting of the Council, to go ahead we will for the first time hold these virtually. The Annual Parish Meeting has changed to the 4th May at 18.30 and we invite all residents to attend to hear what has been achieved over the past year and ask any questions you have to Parish Councillors. The Annual Meeting of the Council has been changed to the 5th May at 19.30.
To join the meeting on the 4th May 2021 please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85813996501?pwd=UitOemNPMXdkZTdJbzY5am8vTU0yQT09
Meeting ID: 858 1399 6501 Passcode: 883781
To join the meeting on the 5th May please use this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82156225837?pwd=bG0wSlRqMEducjNIazFkNU9xcldGUT09
Meeting ID: 821 5622 5837 Passcode: 696948
Please note that the Meeting of the Full Council scheduled for the 11th May has been changed to the 5th May 2021.
Lamp posts to be painted
Recently Kent County Council (KCC)have replaced a number of lamp posts within the Bearsted Conservation Area but have failed to paint them making them stand out from the others in the area.
KCC suggested it was for Bearsted Parish Council (BPC) to paint the posts. After pointing out to KCC it is their responsibility to adhere to Maidstone Borough Councils Street Furniture Guidelines, the county council have agreed to paint the new lamp posts to be sympathetic to the Conservation Area. BPC look forward to this improvement.
Pond vandalised
We are sorry to report that some vandalism has taken place at the pond which is most disappointing.
A stake was thrown in and pierced the new liner as well as side boulders being thrown in. We have also had reports that the access platform for the filtration system is being walked on and shingle being thrown in the water. We would ask that people do not stand on this area or throw stones in to the pond.
Repairs to the liner have been successful and the water will be put back to the correct level. Some additional hedges will be planted to prevent access to the filter system and a metal cover installed. We aim to also replenish the bank with some more top soil to grade it steeper which will include additional grass seed.
A permanent sign will be placed by the filter system stating it is forbidden to access this area. We aim to arrange periodic visits to check the pond for debris, filter maintenance and attend to the lilies and other plants.
We now look forward to the pond being allowed to re-establish itself during the spring and summer months for all our residents and visitors to enjoy.
Good to Chat
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”3″ display=”basic_slideshow”]This month we have introduced a dedicated ‘Good to Chat’ bench on The Green. For such a long time the nation has not been able to have face to face conversations and many feel isolated, alone and lonely.
The suggestion was made by a resident a long time ago but we had not been able to implement the idea due to all of the restrictions being in place. We feel now our residents need a place they know if they go and take a seat it is a place they can have a chat.
With mental health also being affected this past year we have engraved The Samaritans telephone number here to guide to a place where help is at the end of the phone.
The Samaritans
Tel: 116 123
Bearsted in Bloom 2021
If you are proud of your front garden join our event to celebrate Bearsted in Bloom.
Enter your front Garden for a chance to win up to £75 worth of Notcutts vouchers.
Deadline for entries Friday 14th May 21
For more information or to enter your garden email:
admin@bearstedparishcouncil.gov.uk
Kent Fire and Rescue call for new volunteers
Kent Fire and Rescue are looking to recruit new volunteers
Volunteers form an important part of Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), working alongside operational crews and office based teams to help keep communities across Kent and Medway safe.
We are fortunate to have 34 volunteers supporting a range of roles, and now the service is looking to welcome more people interested in voluntary opportunities, to join the team.
If this is something that interests you visit the website for more details: https://www.kent.fire-uk.org/our-volunteers
Market on the Green
The first lockdown saw the postponement of our much loved Market on the Green. It was very sad to know that after all the hard work so many people had put in to getting the market back to a vivid, varied and well supported monthly event it would have to stop for the foreseeable future.
Bearsted Parish Council considered on many occasions during the summer whether it was right to bring Market on the Green back but felt due to social distancing and the restrictions on people gathering it was not the right for the council to endorse.
It was put on the Communication Committee’s agenda to consider the return of the Market on the Green for March 2021, this was before the current lockdown began. The committee did invite the Market Manager to their meeting this week and she gave her view of how the market could be bought back safely at the right time.
The Market Manager reported that there are many restrictions in place at the current time; only stalls providing essential items can trade, no licenses are being given for the sale of alcoholic items, markets have to be fenced in with limitation on capacity on top of extensive hand washing and toilet facilities for both traders and visitors.
The committee therefore did not feel it would be right to bring back the Market on the Green until such time that there is no limitation on the types of business allowed to trade, there was less restrictions on capacity and the UK lockdown had fully lifted. When this will be, who knows but Market on the Green will return and Bearsted Parish Council stay committed to ‘working with you to protect & enhance our village environment & wellbeing’.