Quality Status Accreditation
In an earlier edition of Ditton Gazette, Ditton Parish Council set out the requirements for, and benefits of, becoming a Quality Council.
It is my privilege to announce that Ditton has successfully fulfilled the criteria of ‘The Quality Tests’ and has satisfied the accreditation panel that it is a Quality Council in that:
- It
is representative of the whole community, providing vision, identity
and a sense of belonging
- It
is effective, properly managed and responsible
- It
communicates with its residents
- It
has a well trained clerk, through the Certificate in Local Council
Administration
This is a very exciting time for the Parish. The accreditation will bring many benefits to the Community because it will open new doors and enable the Council to move forward to new challenges, give the Community a more prominent voice in decisions relating to Ditton and thereby secure a better future for the Parish and it’s Residents.
Ditton
Parish Council looks forward to the challenges ahead and is committed
to improving it’s services and the way they are delivered to it’s residents.
Sue Kavanagh,
Clerk to the Council.
Ditton Songs of Praise
St Peter’s Church, and Ditton Parish Council invite you to a special Songs of Praise service to take place on the green on the 25th June at 3:00pm.
We
invite you to submit your favourite Hymn and to say why it is important
to you. We will select the top six hymns and will sing or play those chosen
by you. Ditton Junior School choir will be taking part in the service.
We also invite you to the school grounds for a picnic tea straight after
the service where there will be lots going on for everyone; flower display
in the church, for the children a bouncy castle and face painting etc.
If you’re feeling energetic a grand cricket or rounders match to end the
day. Make a note of the date and come along and celebrate together.
Please vote for your favourite hymn...and if possible
give a reason for your choice.
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Please return to Parish Office or Church Office before the 31st May.
FORMER ALLOTMENT LAND AT BELL LANE
After
many years of trying, and disappointment after disappointment, the redundant
former allotment land has finally been sold for commercial development,
in conjunction with a parcel of land on the Aylesford Newsprint site.
The net proceeds of the sale for the parish is £783,274.00. This
sum will be invested, in accordance with legislation, to provide a regular
annual income for the parish for many years to come.
In accordance with Regulation 23 of the Capital Financing Regulations
the capital sum received can only be spent on financing capital expenditure,
repaying principal, repaying premia, repaying credit arrangements, meeting
the costs of disposal of housing land and making a payment to the Secretary
of State. The law is quite clear in that it cannot be used for revenue
(running) costs, however, the interest and growth from the investment
can be used for this purpose.
It was suggested by a resident that the land could have been utilised
for recreational purposes but, unfortunately, it could not be safely used
for this purpose because of the remoteness of the area which would put
unaccompanied children and others at great risk: A person could lie injured
unnoticed or a child abducted because the area is remote and not overlooked,
thus making it a real Health and Safety issue which could not be overcome.
KILNBARN RESIDENTS CLUB
As
a Ditton resident or a member of a bone-fide Ditton Club/organisation,
who is 18 or over, you are entitled to join the Kilnbarn Club which currently
enjoys free membership.
There are a number of special evenings with entertainment plus regular
weekday and weekend activities. There are often promotions on wines, spirits
and beers. Members have made Sunday evenings special with a Quiz Night.
The Club has a wide screen television with surround sound, together with
an additional television situated by the bar, so even when buying a drink
you can keep a watchful eye on the game! All Sky Sports and PREM Plus
games are available with opening hours at weekends 12 noon to 6pm to accommodate
this facility.
The Kilnbarn Club has two darts teams that play on Tuesdays and a newly
formed Crib Club on Monday nights. There is also a No Smoking evening
each Thursday.
Application forms for membership are available from the Parish Office
and the Club.
ROAD MARSHALS REQUIRED
How would you like to help save money and keep yourself fit???
Would you be able to assist Ditton Parish Council with the delivery of the Ditton Gazette which is printed 4 times each year?
We are looking for residents who can deliver just to their road, or part
of the those roads that are extra long.
You can? then just ring 01732 844749
Now see the other side of the coin...
Discovered on Thursday 23/2/06 yet more vandalism (broken windows and panes of glass) to the Community Centre by people from the opposite end of the intelligence scale of those shown on the rest of this page.
Whilst the Parish Councillors work hard to keep the council tax as low as possible, the culprits who keep causing this mindless damage ensure that yet more money is wasted putting the damage to rights.
As it is the parents of these vandals who ultimately pay for the damage, can’t they help to stop this waste?
If you are a resident of Ditton Parish and did not receive a copy of this Ditton Gazette, please contact Parish Council Office, Ditton Community Centre, Kilnbarn Road, Ditton, Aylesford, Kent ME20 6AHD, telephone 01732 844749 email clerk@dittonparishcouncil.gov.uk
