Your Parish Council is the closest tier of local government to you.

This site enables you to catch up on how your Parish Council is serving you. These pages include all the minutes of Parish Council Meetings. If there is anything that you feel the Council should be aware of or where it can help or support you, then please contact the Parish Council.

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE  on MONDAY 7 April 2025

 at 7.15 pm IN THE MEREWORTH VILLAGE HALL 

     this will be the ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

All members of the public are entitled to attend the meeting and are cordially invited by the Council to do so.  Time will be set aside prior to the published agenda to enable informal discussion to take place.

Agendas will be posted on notice boards and this website

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A228/Kent Street works

The works  will start ON 31 MARCH UNTIL 22 JUNE 2025.

This area also includes the hedge into Kent Street, which will be where the compound will be situated.

A228 Malling Road will be reduced to 30mph from junction of Beech Road to property no 210.  To the extent indicated by signs and barriers on site.

Beech Road will be closed from the junction  of Beaufighter Road to the junction of Butchers Lane.

Kent Street will be closed between the junctions of B2016 Seven Mile Lane and A228 Malling Road.

The alternative route for any A228 Malling Road through traffic is via A228 Malling Road, A228 Ashton Way, a20 London Road, B2016 Seven Mile Lane, A26 Tonbridge Road, A228 Malling Road and vice versa.

The alternative route for any Beech Road through traffic is via Beech Road, New Pound Lane, Willow Wents, Butchers Lane, Beech Road and vice versa.

The alternative route for any Kent Street through traffic is via Kent Street, Butchers Lane, The Street, A228 Malling Road and vice versa

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

Information relating to this scheme is live on  :  Kent Street – Kent County Council .   This will show all information about this scheme and be updated regularly with any changes within the project.

You can also access information from: ActiveTravel@kent.gov.uk

Kent Street AT – SOWN accessible

F.A.Q’s

Question: How will local residents be informed of the road closures and the works?

Answer:   Letters will physically be delivered to residents in the immediate area and whom will be affected by the diversion route.

Question:  Why are traffic lights required whilst the hedgerow is removed?

Answer:  After checking on the field side of the hedge and looking at the extents of the works, KCC say they cannot carry this out safely without having the protection to road users of having a lane closed whilst working here.  They aim to get these works completed as quickly as possible.

Question:  Are  the whole works stated for 9.30-3.30 each day or only Phase 1 – enabling hedge works?

Answer:  Working hours of 9.30-3,30 each day apply only to Phase 1, which involves the enabling hedge works.  As for the subsequent phases, the schedule and specific hours for the workers will likely be between 8.00 and 5.00 but will be detailed on the website if differing.  There will be weekend working.

Question:  When is the Beech Road closure going to start?

Answer: The Beech Road closure is only in place for the main works as the hedge cutting is for reduced hours only.

Question: Where specifically will the Beech Road physical obstruction sit? This is for residents at the Moody Mare end of Beech Road.

Answer:  The physical obstructions on Beech Road will be shown on a Drawing that is being uploaded online and will be available in advance of the works.

Question: At 22 June are all the works removed including the physical barriers to Beech Road? Then all reinstated in the autumn?

Answer:  On 22 June the physical barriers on Beech Road, and Kent Street will be removed and will be reinstated in the autumn.

Please refer to the KCC website link shown above for more information.

This link will take you to the original response from Mereworth Parish Council to the consultation:

Mereworth Parish Council response to Kent Street consultation

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Mobile Phone signal problems 

Are you frustrated by poor mobile phone signal?  There is a survey launched by Tom Tugendhat MP to establish as much information as he can on the improvements needed in Mereworth.

Please complete the survey at:

www.tomtugendhat.org/mobile-phone-survey

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Kent Police

Do you have a security or doorbell camera?  Sign up to the CCTV Registry and help keep your community safe.

Its free and quick to register.  The Police do NOT have access to your cameras.  They can only view the location of registered cameras.

They always contact the camera owner to request footage.

To register or learn more, go to  – cctvregistrykentandessex.co.uk

CCTV Registry Kent Poster

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Kent Police Volunteering Discovery event

Come along to our Volunteering Discovery Event and learn how volunteers play a pivotal role in providing a first-class service to the communities in Kent, meet our community policing equine and canine volunteers, cadet leaders, police support volunteers and special constables. Discover what they do, why they do it, and how you can get involved.

Volunteering will give you an enhanced understanding of how policing operates in Kent, enable you to improve on or maintain your existing skills and above all, by helping to keep our county safe, it can give you a real sense of achievement.

Location – The Learmonth Suite, Kent Police College, Near Kent Police Headquarters, Maidstone, ME15 9DW. Enter via the main gate off Queen Elizabeth Square.

Date and time – Wednesday 23rd of April, 6pm to 9pm – Register here: Discovery Event – Citizens in Policing (CiP) – Register of Interest

Please note that only registered names will be allowed entry to the event.  If you plan to attend with family members or friends, each attendee must register separately.

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On Thursday 8th May 2025 the nation will come together to remember the millions that paid the ultimate sacrifice fighting and securing the freedom we all enjoy today.

 The official VE day flag will be raised at 9am at Mereworth Church. That evening at 8pm the church bells will ring to invite all residents to the Queen Elizabeth 2^nd Playing Fields. The Parish Council will pay for tea/coffee and cake provided by Jo Blake. We will be collecting voluntary donations for two charities: The Merchant Navy Association and the RAF benevolent fund.

 At 9.30pm a short tribute will be read out, followed by the lighting of the Beacon.  We will therefore be joining over one thousand Beacons, and several hundred Lamp Lights of Peace, being light simultaneously across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.

 Please email neil.hart@mereworthparishcouncil.gov.uk or call 07747781155 to let us know you are coming, so we can ensure we have sufficient refreshments.

Thank you.  Neil Hart

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Invasive Spruce Bark Beetle Awareness

The forestry Commission are  encouraging everyone in the Proactive Spruce Removal Area    (Kent is included in this area) to be vigilant for windblown, snapped, damaged and stressed spruce trees, and to submit a TreeAlert report for anything of concern or email ips.t@forestrycommission.gov.uk. This could be landowners, those directly involved with managing spruce (e.g. foresters, tree surgeons, Christmas tree growers), or members of the public who use spruce woodlands recreationally (e.g. dog walkers, ramblers).

Please see the flyer below for more information.

SPRUCE DIGITAL FLYER – ACCESSIBILE-compressed

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MEREWORTH SUMMER FETE – SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2025 – 11.30AM to 3.30PM

Mereworth Summer Fete 2025 poster 

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Volunteer for the Home Library Service

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Mereworth Sports Pavilion

The solar panels are now installed on the Sports Pavilion.  These were organised by Mereworth Parish Council thanks to a grant from the Community Development Fund Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

WIFi is now available in the pavilion.  It is already in use in Mereworth Village Hall.

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Mereworth Annual Village Fete 2024  –  this took place on 22 June .  The weather threatened to be against us but turned out lovely and sunny for most of the day.  Everyone enjoyed the stalls, teas, bar, cakes, bouncy castles, games and raffles.  Thank you to all who helped make this a success.

  

 

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D-Day 80 event

This took place on 6 June 2024 when residents saw the first lighting of the new Beacon, enjoyed fish & chips, listened to music, and had a wonderful evening.

The beacon will be lit again for the VE Day 80 commemoration in May 2025.

                          

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Meetings 1^st Monday in the month at 7.15pm    –    in Village Hall, Butchers Lane. 

MEREWORTH PARISH COUNCIL – MEETING DATES 2025 – Mereworth Village Hall 7.15pm

April 7, 2025                      –              Annual Parish Meeting and Planning (within the Easter school holidays)

May 12, 2025                    –              Annual General Meeting and Planning (first Monday is May bank holiday)

NO MEETING IN JUNE

July 7, 2025                       –              Parish Council and Planning

NO MEETING IN AUGUST

September 1, 2025          –              Parish Council and Planning

October 6, 2025                –              Parish Council and Planning

November 3, 2025           –              Parish Council and Planning

December 1, 2025           –              Parish Council and Planning

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PENSION CREDIT INFORMATION

PC – A5 Flyer Pension Credit

Pensioner Just missing out Scheme

Eligible households can apply for vouchers worth £200 which can be used to help pay for food, energy or both.

To apply,  visit www.kent.gov.uk/justmissingout If you’re not able to apply online, please contact your local Citizens Advice branch for support.

This scheme is funded by the UK Governments Household Support Fund and will close on 28 February 2025 or when all funds are spent.

Pensioner Just Missing Out Scheme You will be eligible for assistance if you: • or a partner living with you is aged 66 or over • are a Kent resident, permanently living within one of the 12 local authorities covered by Kent County Council (this excludes Medway, Bexley, or Bromley) • have an annual household income (before tax) between £11,343.80 (£17,313.40 for a joint household income) and £40,000 • do not have more than £1000 in savings • are not in receipt of Pension Credit

https://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure-and-community/cost-of-living-support/find-help-and-support-with-money-worries/pensioner-just-missing-out-scheme#tab-2,3

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Works completed at THE RECREATION GROUND (QUEEN ELIZABETH II FIELD) MEREWORTH 

The attached document and proposals were initially discussed by the Parish Council at the meeting on 26 September 2023 and the landscaping proposal was agreed at the Parish Council meeting on 28 November 2023 .  This was discussed again and revised at the meeting on 7 May 2024 following comments from residents and the grant panel.  The grant application was successful and 50% of the cost of the works, including a new notice board and gate signs, has been received from the West Kent Rural Grant Scheme.

Updated drawings were available to view at the Village Fete on 22 June 2024 and Final Consultations took place at the Parish Council meeting on 9 July 2024.

Recreation ground proposals   

REVISED MPC proposal landscaping 2

Recreation Ground: a new footpath to link Butchers Lane to The Street

Mereworth Parish Council has been working to enhance the Recreation Ground so that it can better serve as a community hub. We have already improved the children’s play area, installed an adult outdoor gym, opened the car park, improved security with CCTV and funded a magnificent D-Day Beacon. For some months we have been exploring opening up the boundary to the Recreation Ground and creating a pedestrian route to link Butchers Lane to The Street. We received much encouraging feedback and works to install a new footpath, but keep the hedgerow, have been completed.

The final proposal was to create two new pedestrian gates into the Recreation Ground – one at the corner of Butchers Lane and The Street, the other at the upper end of the Recreation Ground into Butchers Lane – and lay a path inside the Recreation Ground to link between them. This required cutting two small openings in the hedge, through sycamore at the corner with The Street and ivy at Butchers Lane. The path is made of compressed stone and slope to a wooden gate each end, set back from the highway. The existing opening halfway along Butchers Lane will be closed and replanted with native hedging (a temporary fence may be required until the hedging grows).

We believe this will open some views to the Recreation Ground, provide a safer route for pedestrians, create better access to the Rec for people with mobility issues or pushchairs, serve as a path for young children to learn to ride a bike, and make for a pleasant stroll enjoying views of our Grade I listed church (and at certain times of the year avoid getting muddy shoes). A new noticeboard has been installed near to the gate on the corner of The Street to communicate when fixtures and other community events are taking place at the Pavilion and Recreation Ground.

We hope that more people will enjoy using the Recreation Ground as a result and already children are using it to get to school and lots of residents have been seen walking along the path.

Illustrations below with thanks to Nancy Olden.

HOW IT LOOKS NOW

            

  

PATH, GATES, SIGNAGE AND NOTICEBOARD HAVE BEEN PART FUNDED BY UK GOVERNMENT and

PART FUNDED BY MEREWORTH PARISH COUNCIL

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Mereworth Views Survey Summary Report can be read using this link.

Mereworth Views Survey Summary Report

For clarification – as some comments seem to show confusion:

1.  There are FOUR noticeboards in the parish – the village hall, outside the Church, the Recreation Ground, and at the Airfield Estate.
2. Notices of forthcoming Parish Council meetings are posted on all of these boards.  The Parish Council currently meets on the first Monday of each month (no meeting in June or  August)  –  at 7.15 pm in the Village Hall.
3. Website is kept current as far as it is possible – agendas are posted well before the meetings so that topics for discussion are clear
4. Publication of the minutes  on the website takes place the day following their adoption at the  next Parish Council meetings.  They are not legal until adopted.  However draft minutes will be posted 5 days prior to the next meeting.
5. A report of meetings is sent to The Record two days following the meeting,
6. There is a great deal of  local information on this website should new residents need this.  Please let the Clerk know if you wish anything else to be added

Bullying and harassment statement

We treat everyone with courtesy and respect and ask for the same in return.  We ask that you treat your councillors and council staff courteously without violence, abuse or harassment.

Councillors and council staff have the right to carry out their civic duties and work without fear of being attacked or abused.  Any behaviour whether that be verbal, physical or in writing, which causes either councillors or council staff to feel uncomfortable, embarrassed or threatened is totally unacceptable.

The zero-tolerance policy includes abuse, aggression or threats made in person, over the telephone or in written communication, including on social media.  The council considers threatening behaviour to be:

Attempted or actual aggressive, or physical actions made towards any councillor or member of staff.

The use of aggressive, or abusive language, (including raising of the voice, swearing, shouting or in writing) which threatens or intimidates councillors or council staff.

The policy applies through all Council Meetings, but it also applies to any Councillor or Council Staff away from Council Meetings.

Mereworth_Parish_Council_Pledge_Certificate

Social Media Policy Supplement

Civility Respect_model councillor officer protocol _ final edit 24.10.22 (002)[91]

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