CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH 2009
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CHAIRMAN'S ANNUAL REPORT for 2008/2009 (Go to the 2007/2008 Annual Report) |
In this report I have tried to give you an insight into the work of the parish council over the past year and our aims for the future.
Grants
We have been very successful this year in obtaining grants to enable us to provide some new equipment at no cost to the parish.
- New play equipment
I am pleased to report that this Council’s application to the Tonbridge & Malling Play Partnership was successful in being included in an application for a grant from The Big Lottery Fund for play equipment. The new play equipment has been installed at Kilnbarn Recreation ground and comprises of a games wall, youth shelter, seat and an iPlay unit. The iPlay unit is the first in the County and is an interactive game suitable for all ages. A further grant towards leisure facilities was received from a Section 106 Agreement from the developers of the new housing development in New Road. This grant has provided an adventure trail, which has been sited adjacent to the petanque piste at Kilnbarn recreation ground. The choice of equipment provided by these grants was arrived at by meetings with local youths.
- Hearing Aid
The Parish Council was also successful in obtaining a KCC Members Grant to purchase a hearing loop for use at small meetings.
- Oaken Hall Kitchen
The Oaken Hall Kitchen, which was in great need of attention, was fully refurbished during 2008/2009. A new cooker, cooker hood, extraction system and units have been provided. This was part financed by a Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council Grant.
Donations made During 2008 and 2009 this Council made donations to the following charities and organisations:- Ditton Pop-In-Club; Age Concern; Malling Area Volunteer Bureau; Victim Support; Ditton Heritage Centre, Heart of Kent Hospice; Children with Leukaemia; Kent Air Ambulance; Ditton Scouts; Ditton Junior School; Ditton Infant School
Council Tax I am pleased to report that the parish council managed to keep the council tax for 2009/2010 at almost the same rate as last year (just a 1p increase on a Band ‘D’ property). Harsh decisions had to be made but we were all aware of the need to make savings wherever we could during the present economic climate. The amount a parish council needs to raise to run a parish is called the precept. To arrive at the amount of precept needed, this Council requires each of its committees to hold a budget meeting during November each year and present a draft expenditure plan to the Finance and Administration Committee. This Committee then scrutinises the draft plans to see if any further savings can be made. When this Committee is satisfied that no further reductions are possible, the estimates are then placed before the Full Council for approval. The precept required by each parish is shared between the council tax payers of that parish and the amount each person pays depends on their property banding. Parishes with large populations naturally have more people to share the costs. Ditton has a great deal of open space within its boundary resulting in far fewer properties and less dense housing than parishes such as East Malling and Larkfield, Snodland and Aylesford. However, this means Ditton has fewer council tax payers to share the costs, for example Larkfield and East Malling Parish Council has well over double the number of council tax payers than Ditton. Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council are currently undertaking a boundary review and it is looking probable that the housing on the old Frantschach site which is currently within the Ditton boundary, will be transferred to East Malling & Larkfield. This will mean not only a shrinking of Ditton’s historic boundary but also a considerable loss of council tax payers for Ditton. East Malling and Larkfield, who I understand are not opposing the boundary change, will of course benefit by an increase in their council tax payers.
Review As a result of rising costs, this Council is currently undertaking a complete review of its operation with the aim of better use of resources and, wherever possible, a reduction in operating costs. This is expected to be a lengthy and time consuming process but it is felt the end result will be worth the wait and the time expended on it. I thank those Councillors involved in the review for the time they will voluntarily be spending on this project.
Policing Our neighbourhood policing team of Police Officers, Matt Roddick and Andy Dalton, together with PCSO Robert Sayer and Community Warden Paul Crispe, have been very successful in maintaining a low crime level over the past year: Violent crime, vehicle crime, theft and handling of stolen goods in Ditton is down by 26% overall compared to last year. On behalf of the Council I thank our neighbourhood policing team most sincerely for their commitment and dedication.
Twinning Twinning events and exchange visits continue to prosper and you can always be assured of a warm welcome when you visit Rang-du-Fliers. Exchange visits during 2008/2009 have included a luncheon, tea dance, bowls matches, Bastille Day and petanque matches. If you would like to take part in exchange visits, please contact the Twinning Association or the parish office. All visits, whether at home or in France, have to be fully funded by the participants, however, a contribution towards providing refreshments for French visitors may be available from the Twinning Association.
Promotions Over the past 20 years the parish council staff have organised and run 5 dances each year. During this time they have raised a profit of £109,394.00 from ticket sales which has been used towards the Council’s running costs. At each dance they have also organised a raffle and the profit from raffles to date totals £26,828.00. This profit is placed in a charities account and used to fund donations to local worthy charities and organisations. This is a great achievement and we thank them for their hard work. Ditton Minors Football Club in partnership with this Council are organised a May Day Fete on Monday 4th May 2009. This followed their football tournament which was staged over the two preceding days. The Fete incorporated games, arena events, stalls, BBQ, and many more fun activities.
Ditton Quarry Nature Reserve After many years of hard work and with exceptional help and dedication from volunteers, the Council has now completed the process to have Ditton Quarry designated a Local Nature Reserve. The official opening ceremony took place on 31st May 2009. This means this open space is now secured for future generations to enjoy and I take this opportunity to sincerely thank the volunteers, councillors and staff who have been involved in this project over many years.
Projects for 2009/2010 The refurbishment of the surface of the multi-games area become urgent and had to be undertaken this year for health and safety reasons. It will also ensure it remains a very much used facility and a valuable source of income. It was financed from central funds, as no grant aid was available. With a curb on spending and the need to conserve financial resources, no other major projects are planned for 2009/2010. Finally I would like to thank my fellow councillors and the parish council staff for all their hard work and assistance over the past year.
Mike Porter
Chairman
Ditton Parish Council