Welcome to Fordwich
Fordwich
Britain's Smallest Town
Welcome to the page where Fordwich Town News is published. This is the same pamphlet that is delivered to you in your letter box if you live in Fordwich.
This news is published by Fordwich Town Council, usually once per month. If you would like to add anything to the pamphlet, please open the latest one to see who and how to contact.
2023
There is no January 2023 Issue
Fordwich Town News February and March 2023
2022
Fordwich Town News December 2022
Fordwich Town News November 2022
Fordwich Town News October 2022
There is no September News Letter
Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in Fordwich
Fordwich Town News August 2022
Fordwich Town News December 2021
Fordwich Town News November 2021
Fordwich Town News October 2021
No Fordwich Town News in September
Fordwich Town News August 2021
Fordwich Town News February March 2021
Fordwich Town News February 2021
Fordwich Town News January 2021
Fordwich Town News December 2020
Fordwich Town News November 2020
Fordwich Town News October 2020
December 2020 missed bin collection update
FORDWICH LOOKS FORWARD
Where we are today.
Fordwich is, as it has been almost since time immemorial, a small rural town, set on the river Stour just 2 miles down stream from Canterbury. The cluster of houses, church, Town Hall and two pubs represent a glimpse of the continuity and antiquity of English History. Woodland to the North, South and East and meadows and woodland to the West along with the River Stour itself give the setting.
It is not a place without problems. The road network which owes its origins to either the Romans or even the pre-Roman settlers, has become a rat run for people circumnavigating their way around Canterbury to the Isle of Thanet. Roads that have never had to deal with more than cart, horse or pedestrian are being lined with cars that far out number the space available.
Since Town Council meetings resumed by Zoom in May and society has begun to creep out of Lock-down four potential situations have risen; 1. The change of use of the Old Timberyard on Moat Lane from light industrial to residential – with permission to build up to six houses. 2. The Council has been approached by developers for their opinion of a development of up to 45 houses on a 3.6 hectare site out of the 21 hectare of the Old Nursery or Plantation – the entrance being off the bottom of Well Lane.. 3. The riverbank, the river itself and the area around the Bretts site has seen a great increase in use and abuse. 4. The Bretts estate, we have heard, is planning on closure and there is the possibility of more housing being planned in that area. 5. Slightly further afield in Sturry the A28 bypass as proposed will open the door to up to 1000 houses. 6. Westbere Council is seeking to have the Two Fields site- just across the railway line from Bretts designated as a ‘Village Green’.
The Fordwich Town Council considers that the time is now right to bring these matters to the attention of the population of Fordwich and to seek as wide a range of opinions as possible.
Having met with the developers of the of the Old Nursery site the Town Councillors discussed the matter and agreed to oppose any development on the site on the following grounds;
- it was not in the Canterbury City Council Local Plan dated 2017.
- When the site first came on to the market in 2019 the Council was told that any development on that site would not receive the Council’s backing because it is not in the Local plan and is in a Conservation area.
- the practical problems of developing the site – access, drainage etc. would make it unfeasible.
- A development of 45 houses so far off any connection to sustainable transport – bus services and trains – would bring up to 90 more cars onto the road and work contrary to Canterbury City Council’s Climate Change Emergency planning guidelines.
- The significant potential for negative ecological impact, given that for over 15 years, the site has become a natural wildlife haven for flora and fauna as well as insects, reptiles, animals and birds.
Fordwich Town’s next steps:
- The Town Council wished to bring these challenges to the attention of the Town’s population. What do you think ?
- The Town Council’s view is that we should be doing two things:
- Researching and preparing our arguments to oppose any planning application for housing on the Old Nursery site. The Town Council needs to provide some feedback to the developers by mid-September and so we wish to hear from residents
- Thinking about what the Town should be like in 10 or 20 years time, and particularly how to enhance the strengths and manage the current and growing challenges, particularly of land use, traffic flows, parking, litter and antisocial behaviour.
To these ends, we would welcome your thought and ideas, and particularly from any residents of the Town with some skills and/or experience in ecology, transport, development, fund raising, etc
Please respond via email to: PhilipLewis.councillor@gmail.com or letter to; Christmas House, High Street, Fordwich CT2 0DX
Date of the Town’s First Meeting to consider the potential development and the future of Fordwich. Wednesday Sept 9th 7.30pm in St Mary’s, following Social Distancing regulations.
Contacting the police
In an emergency phone 999
If it less immediately important phone 101
If it is a local matter contact: www.kent.police.uk/contactus
or
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Councillor Contacts:
Philip Lewis: pandelewis@gmail.com
Adrian McCarthy: Adrian.mccarthy@isgplc.com
Roger Green: hrmarmg@gmail.com
Geoff Connolly geoffconnolly@btinternet.com
Sue Thompson suet@gmail.com
KENT TOGETHER – HELPLINE LAUNCHED BY KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
A 24-hour helpline has been set up to support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication.
You can contact the Kent Together helpline at www.kent.gov.uk/KentTogether or by calling on 03000 41 92 92. It is a 24-hour service.
Kent County Council also has a page on its website answering frequently asked questions and the very latest Coronavirus information on its service updates page.
Visit www.kent.gov.uk
I hope just about everyone has received the note offering and requesting help during this peculiar time. It says if you want help, or can offer help please contact Chris on :07522 480284 Or email: chrisfris1@gmail.com.
Seniors Helping Seniors has been able to maintain services throughout this extraordinary period.
We have local experienced carers covering Fordwich to help with elderly care in peoples’ homes.
The hourly fee £24.60 includes VAT and paying above the Living Wage to our amazing carers.
· This information may also be useful for people seeking work/to use their care experience to help others during the crisis.
More info here https://canterbury.seniorshelpingseniors.co.uk or call me on my mobile 07802 229050 with any questions
Welcome to Fordwich
Fordwich Town Council next meets at the Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month at with the exception of August and December.
Please note change of date :
Monday 2nd October 7:30pm
All are welcome and there is an opportunity for members of the public to speak when invited.
There may be moments when the public is asked to respectfully leave for certain voting procedures.
Would you like to become a Councillor? Click on becomingloccllr to learn more.
Welcome to Fordwich
Town and parish councils are the first level of local government. They provide communities with a democratic voice and a structure for taking community action.
Welcome to Fordwich
Notice of vacancy Fordwich Town 210923
Fordwich Town Council members
- Barnaby Riggs (Deputy chair) 07443 051907 barnabyriggs@gmail.com
- Rosali Pretorius 07880 544630 pretoriusrosali@gmail.com
- Richard Miller 07786 734939 richardmiller901@gmail.com
- Roger Green 01227 713661 info@patientprotect.org
Clerk: Guy Foster 01227 860742 guyfoster@talk21.com
Your Canterbury City Councillors:
Harry McKenzie harry.mckenzie@councillor.canterbury.gov.uk
Keji Moses keji.moses@councillor.canterbury.gov.uk
Your Kent County Councillor:
Alan Marsh alan.marsh@kent.gov.uk 01227 265112/262426
Alan Marsh
Welcome to Fordwich
Financial information 2022/23
Fordwich exercise of public rights 2022-23 cert
FTC internal audit report 22-23
Financial Information 2021/22
Fordwich exercise of public rights 2021-22 cert
Financial Information 2020/21
2023/24 Minutes and Agendas
Fordwich annual meeting aqenda 2023
2022/23 Minutes and Agendas
Fordwich annual meeting aqenda 2022
Welcome to Fordwich
Fordwich Town Council meetings take place in the Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month (with the exceptions of August and December) at 7.30pm.
Meetings are currently being held remotely. If you wish to take part, please contact the town clerk.
Guy Foster 01227 860742 guyfoster@talk21.com
Council meetings are important; this is where decision are made for the Town. The chairman is in charge of the meeting, and the clerk supports the council as it discusses business. The meeting is the council team in action. Council meetings and committee meetings are formal events, not social occasions. They have a clear purpose – to make decisions – and are not just talking shops. Furthermore, they are public events; the meetings must be advertised and the press and public have a right to observe how the council operates. The same approach should be adopted for sub-committees. Exceptions are when sensitive issues are discussed (such as legal, contractual or staffing matters) and then the council can agree to exclude the press and public for just that item of business.
It may seem strange, but local electors/residents do not have the right to speak at any parish council meeting, including the annual council meeting, but many councils set aside a period, often before the meeting starts, to allow for public comments and questions.
Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Town Council are controlled by law, namely the Local Government Act 1972.
Welcome to Fordwich
Governance of the Town happens on the town, city and council levels. Each has their own set of responsibilities:
- Roads and Highways
- Traffic Enforcement (moving traffic)
- Bin Collections
- Council Tax
- Environmental issues
- Licences and permissions
- Traffic enforcement (stationary, e.g. parking)
- Car parking
- Enforcement of public spaces; footpaths, green spaces, recreation ground
- Housing
- Planning applications
FTC – Fordwich Town Council
Management of public spaces; footpaths, green spaces, recreation ground
Planning applications (statutory consultee)
Welcome to Fordwich
More information will follow
Welcome to Fordwich
Assistant Harbour Master
Mr David Savage
Flood Warden
Mr Rob Green
Footpaths
Ms Susan Clayton
Walks
Mr David Reekie
Trees
Awaiting new appointment
Welcome to Fordwich
WHAT IS A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvAHhrKNVt0
A Neighbourhood Plan gives a community a much stronger role in shaping the development of the area where they live and work.
When adopted Neighbourhood Plans sit alongside the Canterbury District Local Plan when it comes to deciding planning applications.
Without a Neighbourhood Plan, decisions determining future development in our Town will sit solely with Canterbury City and the Local Plan.
The most powerful legal instrument for a community to decide for itself what it wants for its Designated Area, provided it meets “Basic Conditions”.
- DESIGNATION OF AREA
The first step in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan is to request Canterbury City Council to designate the area within the Town Boundary as the Neighbourhood Area.
Here is the application letter.
Fordwich Town Neighbourhood Plan Designation of Area
THE AREA WITHIN FORDWICH TOWN BOUNDARY WAS DESIGNATED A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN AREA ON FEBRUARY 24TH 2021 BY CANTERBURY CITY COUNCIL
- Designation of the Neighbourhood Plan committee & Terms of Reference.
The Terms of Reference was agreed by the Fordwich Town Council at their meeting on 31-03-21 - Grant funding/Consultant services
Funding was granted to cover costs of engagement with the community , developing a dedicated website http://Fordwichnp.org - Building an evidence base
Expect to see a brief for this project in due course. - Publicity and engagement with:
residents
people who work, or study in Fordwich Town
stakeholders, such as, landowners, charities & government agencies
Expect to see a brief for this project in due course.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS!
Thank you very much for your responses to the recent Neighbourhood Planning Questionnaire and for sharing your thoughts and comments with us which will form the basis of the Fordwich Neighbourhood Plan.
See full results http://www.fordwichnp.org
For more information please email Info@fordwichnp.org
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