This seat following requests from residents was donated by E.ON uk, Community Investment Fund - for which the Parish Council are grateful to them.
Stoke Parish Council and Stoke Community School's joint Newsletter
Welcome to Stoke Parish Council and Stoke Community School 's joint Newsletter
ITEMS RAISED AT THE LAST PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 2 nd JUNE 2010 .
CHAIRMANS ANNUAL REPORT
I am very pleased that I only have to write this report once a year, unlike our politicians who must have almost exhausted their speech writers by now. We will have to wait a few weeks or even months to see if the election result will have any major impact on our area.
Once again I would like to thank my fellow councillors and the parish clerk for all their hard work and support during the past year. I would also like to thank all the members of the public, who have attended meetings and look forward to seeing more of you in the coming year.
The roundabout at Fenn Corner is a welcome improvement to the A228 and it is hoped that the proposed bridge over Stoke Crossing will go ahead. However this will not reduce the volume of traffic using the road or improve access to it by villagers at certain times of the day. It can be a nightmare getting on to the Grain road.
Part of the sea-wall from Middle Stoke towards Grain is being repaired. This is vital if the area is to be protected from the sea.
The local allotment society is going from strength to strength and extra ground has been given over to them to accommodate more members.
It is reassuring to see the mobile police station in the village on a regular basis and also an increased police presence in and around the village.
It was sad to see the centre of Lower Stoke changed for ever with the demolition of The Ship public house earlier this year. However it was a necessity given the dangerous state it had been allowed to fall into.
The play parks continue to be well used and in recent months there has been very little vandalism, which is very pleasing as any repairs have to be paid for from Parish Council funds.
Fly tipping continues to be a major problem in the area, especially on the back roads. This can prove dangerous for road users and also cause drainage problems especially after heavy rain. General litter is also a problem in certain parts of the village and I would ask everyone to be considerate to others and take their rubbish home, don't be a litterbug.
Finally I would like to thank the volunteers who work so hard to keep the churchyards in such good order.
GENERAL ITEMS.
Present were Lisa Maryott and Jenny Nichols from Medway Council. They informed the Parish Council about ways in which planning applications can be viewed via a projector. After a discussion it was agreed that hard copies of planning applications would still be sent without additional papers relating to environmental studies etc. If any applications that appear on the weekly list are not received Lisa agreed to send them if requested by the clerk.
PLAY PARKS.
The clerk reported that he had been round with a contractor to price up works in the 3 Parks. This follows on from a Health and Safety inspection which had been recently carried out. In addition to the works, separate quotes for some new equipment in Button Drive/Allhallows Road Park were also requested including one new safety surface if additional funds can be obtained from Medway Councils Rural Liaison funds. As this area is extensively used members were pleased to see this.
HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION.
It was reported that 2 road/ditch drains are still to be cleaned out; this follows 4 that had been cleaned out last month after repeated requests.
Road side hedge trimming has not taken place since March. As visibility is now very poor on some of the bends around the village and there had been a recent accident involving the Royal Mail van it was agreed that the clerk write to Medway Council requesting that the hedge rows/verges are cut as a matter of urgency.
Following a discussion regarding the road closure at Fenn street, and the subsequent diversion of the Allhallows traffic, and the fact that a lorry container park is at St Mary's which if a bus and or two container lorries try to pass on the Allhallows/Stoke road the road will soon become blocked, it was felt that the Parish Council should have been informed weeks ago allowing them to make constructive comments regarding the closures and its impact on Stoke village
WEB SITE/I.T. (www.stokeparishcouncil.org)
The Parish web site still remains well used with nearly 400 hits last month.
REPRESENTATIVES REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES
Cllr G Blackman gave a report on the last Police Liaison meeting. It was reported that Sergeant Duffy the new Grain area police officer was not able to attend. The new police inspector for the area will be attending the next meeting which will be on the 13 th July. The new P C for the Wainscot/Cliffe area was present. He is P.C. J Fallon. Our PCSO Tabs McGowan has requested a key to the Parish Council office to store her police bicycle. This was agreed.
Stoke Pre School
At Stoke Pre-school we believe that fun is the foundation of children's learning.
We provide a caring and stimulating environment where children aged 2 to 5 can learn through play.
Children are welcomed into a caring and friendly environment by dedicated and professional staff.
We are Ofsted registered and offer first class facilities and excellent equipment.
We work closely with Stoke Community School helping ensure our children have a smooth transition into school.
Funded places available for children aged over 3
For further information or if you would like to come and see us please contact Emma Banks on 01634 272357
Quick information:
Your Parish Councillors are: Cllr BStone - Chairman, Cllr Mrs M Elmes - Vice-Chairman, Cllr G Barron, Cllr G Blackman, Cllr J Luck, Cllr Mrs P Wade.
Police Contacts: Peninsula fulltime officer is PC Mick Omeara 01634 792346 or Police HQ 01634 827055. Police Community Support Officer is PCSO McGowan. Messages can be left on 01634 792346. Crimestoppers calls are with the promise of anonymity on 0800 555111.