Fordwich

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

None available yet

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 May 2022

Forwich Town News April 2022

Fordwich Town News March 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 July 2021

Fordwich Town News June 2021

Fordwich Town News May 2021

Fordwich Town News April 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;

2017. it was not in the Canterbury City Council Local Plan dated 2017.
2018. 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.
2019. the practical problems of developing the site – access, drainage etc. would make it unfeasible.
2020. 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.
2021. 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:

1. The Town Council wished to bring these challenges to the attention of the Town’s population. What do you think ?
2. The Town Council’s view is that we should be doing two things:

1. 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
2. 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 9^th 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

 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

Fordwich Town Council next meets at the Town Hall on the last Wednesday of each month at with the exception of August and December.

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.

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.

Fordwich Town Council members

• Adrian McCarthy (Chairman and Mayor)   01227 719756   adrian186@btinternet.com
• Philip Lewis 01227 719303   pandelewis@gmail.com
• Geoff Connolly   07738 218501  geoffconnolly@btinternet.com
• Roger Green   01227 713661   info@patientprotect.org
• Sue Thompson  07738934743  suet@mail.com

Clerk: Guy Foster   01227 860742   guyfoster@talk21.com

Your Canterbury City Councillors:

Lousie Harvey-Quirke            louise.harvey-quirke@councillor.canterbury.gov.uk             07704 948305

Georgina Glover                       georgina.glover@councillor.canterbury.gov.uk                    01227 711429

 Your Kent County Councillor:

Alan Marsh                    alan.marsh@kent.gov.uk                                                          01227 265112/262426

Georgina Glover                     Louise Harvey-Quirke             Alan Marsh

Fordwich exercise of public rights 2021-22 cert

Payments 21-22

Annual return 2021-22

Financial Information 2020/21

2022/23 Minutes and Agendas

Please note that the meeting scheduled for January 25th has been postponed until February 8th. In the town hall at 7.30 pm as usual.

FTC minutes Feb 22nd 2023

FTC minutes Feb 8th 2023

FTC Agenda 22 Feb 2023

FTC Agenda 8 Feb 2023

FTC minutes Jan 9th 2023

FTC minutes Dec 7th 2022

FTC Agenda 9 Jan 2022

FTC Agenda 7 Dec 2022

FTC minutes Nov 28th 2022

FTC minutes Oct 26th 2022

FTC minutes Sept 28th 2022

FTC Agenda 26 Oct 2022

FTC minutes July 27th 2022

FTC Agenda 28 Sept 2022

FTC minutes June 29th 2022

FTC Agenda 27 July 2022

FTC Agenda 29 June 2022

FTC minutes May 25th 2022

FTC Agenda 27 Apr 2022

FTC Agenda 25 May 2022

Fordwich annual meeting aqenda 2022

FTC minutes Apr 27th 2022

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.

Governance of the Town happens on the town, city and council levels. Each has their own set of responsibilities:

KCC – Kent County Council

• Roads and Highways
• Traffic Enforcement (moving traffic)

CCC – Canterbury City Council

• 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)

More information will follow

Assistant Harbour Master

Mr David Savage

Flood Warden

Mr Rob Green

Footpaths

Ms Susan Clayton

Walks

Mr David Reekie

Trees

Awaiting new appointment

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”.

1. 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 24^TH 2021 BY CANTERBURY CITY COUNCIL

2. 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
3. Grant funding/Consultant services
   Funding was granted to cover costs of engagement with the community , developing a dedicated website http://Fordwichnp.org
4. Building an evidence base
   Expect to see a brief for this project in due course.
5. 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