New village welcoming gate in the High Street
Supporting the Association is a separate committee dedicated in getting the hall re-opened in the interest of the local community.
Members of the POSH committee have opened dialog with the parish council and now await their response.
The committee members:
Carol Allport – GRA Chair, Donna Delderfield – GRA committee member, David Greely – GRA member, Jonathan Curran & John Dennis -Garlinge Ward Councillors and GRA Committee members, Barbara Graham-Horne & Richard Horne -2nd Garlinge Scout Leaders.
Details of the actions GRA is instigating on behalf of Garlinge residents.
Speeding
The request for 20 mph signage has been rejected by KCC as this is only introduced where accidents have occurred.
However, KCC Councillor Emma Dawson is prompting changes to the Shottendane Road end of Garlinge High Street. We are to have White Village Gates either side of the road with ‘Welcome to Garlinge’ – ‘Please Drive Carefully’ and red stripes and slow signs on the road, which you may have seen in Nash Lane by the farm shop. Hopefully, this will discourage speeding into Garlinge from this end of the Village, where the cottage doors open directly onto the road. We have also made contact with the Speed Watch volunteers to arrange some speed checks around Garlinge in the future. Two of our members have agreed to join up as Speed Watch volunteers.
Village Pride
PLANTERS – KCC provided us with funding to set up planters around the High Street. GRA volunteers planted the flowers and will continue to be maintained. We are indebted to local traders who are caring for the planters outside their premises –monitoring and watering as needed.
LITTER – there is a lot of littering in Garlinge and we would ask everyone to think about using the bins or taking litter home. And if everyone takes responsibility for the area adjacent to their property, it would make a big difference. GRA volunteers are conducting litter picks once a month and TDC are helping with this problem, too.
ANTI-LITTER SIGNS -GRA has installed anti-litter signs funded by KCC around Garlinge to discourage this anti-social habit. Together we can crack this. Who wants to live in a tip?
DRAINS -The drains in the High Street have been cleared and there is no longer a flood to negotiate outside the Chip Shop whenever it rains. If anyone has a problem with drains please inform us.
ALLEYWAY -KCC and TDC have agreed to a problem alleyway being gated to prevent fly tipping, littering and other more unsociable usage. This has now been met.
Old School Hall – The Parish of St James’ Church took the decision to close the hall, stating that it needs too much maintenance, which the parish cannot afford. GRA expressed concern about this closure. The GRA, the Scouts, Women’s Institute, the Play Group and others were all given notice after many years usage.
GRA originally approached the Chair of the Parochial Council, to suggest a leasing arrangement for the village, with the opportunity to discuss the maintenance issues and how this aim could be achieved. GRA were told that the Parish would be looking into various options, with our suggestion fairly low on the list, but no further information was forthcoming and has since placed the hall up for sale.
Sir Roger Gale and our Councillors are also supporting our aims.
Skate Park -We continue to liaise with KCC and TDC about what is happening re the skate park, which has been on hold for almost 10 years. There may not be enough money ring-fenced to provide a suitable sized skate park at today’s prices. However, TDC is exploring all options and has promised us an answer by June this year at the latest. We are assured that this funding will remain available for Garlinge in some form or other if the skate park has to be rejected. We shall keep you posted.
Local Plan -The Manston development has been rejected by the local council, so Manston may still be viable as an airport. River Oak is still on the horizon.
Central Government may step in and make decisions regarding the Local Plan in the future unless TDC can agree meanwhile. This is still very much ‘up in the air.’
Local Councillors’ details for your information should you wish to contact them direct:
TDC Jonathan Curran Cllr-Jonathan.Curran@thanet.gov.uk
TDC John Dennis johndennis10@sky.com 07594457161
KCC Emma emma.dawson@kent.gov.uk
KCC Liz Hurst Liz.hurst@kent.gov.uk
PCSO and Community Warden details:
Abigail Burnett abigail.burnett@kent.pnn.police.uk
Com/Ward Laura Bungard www.kent.gov.uk/Community Wardens 07969583922