Publication of 2015-16 Annual Return

Sandgate Parish Council is required under the current accounting regulations to publish our 2015-16 Annual Return, the declaration that the Accounting Statements are unaudited and the Notice for the Commencement of the Period for the Exercise of Public Rights (including paras 26 and 27 from the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014) on our website.

Any person has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounting records of the financial year to which the audit relates and all book, deeds, contacts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested.

Further to the accounts are the Internal Audit report, 2015-16 bank reconcilation and receipts and payment 2015-16 account report (appendices 1-3) as presented to and agreed at the Full Council meeting of 14 June.

For the year ending 31 March 2016, these documents will be available from 17th June to 28th July 2016.

What to Do In an Emergency – Free Household Booklet

To find out how you can prepare for an emergency situation, read the 'What should I do in an emergency?' Kent Resilience Forum advice booklet available for download here.

Sandgate Parish Council is delighted to announce that it is now the leaseholder for the Granville Parade toilets in Sandgate. As a matter of urgency, the first thing we did was to remove the locks so that the toilets are now free!

Should you find any problems with the facilities, please inform us at the parish council office / Sandgate Library: in person, by phone or by email.

In addition to the toilets, the building has an area that has planning permission to turn it into a commercial kiosk. We are inviting expressions of interest from anyone who may like to take this on and we are open to suggestions as to what facilities and services could be provided from the kiosk. For further information, please contact the parish clerk, Amanda Oates. 

Dear Resident

Every year throughout the spring and summer KCC Highways & Transportation receive numerous complaints regarding trees, hedges and other vegetation, which overhang the highway from private property. This matter can pose a number of problems for people trying to use the footways, especially if they are trying to pass with buggies, wheel chairs and scooters.  It would be greatly appreciated if you could ensure that any trees and hedges that are bordering the Highway are maintained and cut back to your boundary which would greatly benefit all Highway users. This will help us all keep the highway safe and prevent the need for KCC Highways & Transportation writing to you requesting that you cut back your vegetation.

So that you are aware of our requirements, please refer to the text below.

If the boundary of your property borders the footway, then please be aware that:

• The full width of the footway/pavement must be available for use by pedestrians.
• As well, there must be a minimum height clearance over the footway/pavement of 2.1 metres / 7 feet for any vegetation.

If the boundary of your property borders the carriageway, then please be aware that:

• If you have vegetation that overhangs into the road, there must be a minimum height clearance of 5 metres / 16 feet, to accommodate buses and HGV’s that may use the road.
•  If your property is rural, then vegetation should be 0.45 metres / 1’6” feet behind the edge of the road and all signs need to be kept clear of foliage for at least 20 metres.

Also, I would ask that you pay special attention to your trees, hedges and vegetation if your property is on or near a junction, and/or inside bend of the road, to maintain maximum visibility for road users.

Finally, I would like to thank you for the time taken to read this article and wish you a pleasant summer. I am looking forward to working with yourselves and your parish to keep the roads as safe and clear as possible.

Highway Steward

Kent County Council Highways & Transportation

Proposed creation of a small Car Park at Sandgate Recreation Ground and Re-shaping of the Dog Run

Sandgate Parish Council wishes to create a car park for up to 10 / 12 cars so as to create a safer environment for users of the Military Road Recreation Ground.

Whilst it is hoped that the majority of users of the park will walk to it, there are occasions when people will drive there and, by creating a car park, it is hoped to lessen the cars being parked on Military Road.

The car park proposals include the re-shaping of the dog run but there will be no significant reduction in its overall size. The dog run will also be fully re-fenced.

A planning application will shortly be submitted to Shepway District Council and Sandgate Parish Council would like to hear what local people think of the plans.

The drawings are available to view at Sandgate Library and any views can be given to Sandgate Parish Clerk by email or in person at Sandgate Library.

Kiosk to Rent

Andrew Beggs & Associates: Commercial Estate Agents

BEACH SIDE KIOSK

SANDGATE KENT

OFFERS INVITED

INITIAL 1 YEAR LEASE

Contact Agents for further details.

Gresham House, Quarry Road, Hythe, Kent CT21 5HA

01303 266984 enquiries@andrewbeggs.com www.andrewbeggs.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS –  DOG RUN / CAR PARK

Sandgate Parish Council is seeking planning permission to create a small car park at the Recreation Ground and to re-size the dog run. Residents are invited to enquire and comment on the proposals.

To assist with queries, here are some FAQs:

Q Could the car park be increased in size from what is proposed?
A Any further increases would have a negative effect on the rest of the recreation ground. The present plan was proposed to make the most effective use of the available area without reducing the existing public recreation area.

Q What parking enforcement measures would be put in place?
A Parking Enforcement Wardens will be regularly patrolling the site.

Q Who would be able to park in the car park?  
A There will be notices stating that the car park is for the sole use of the recreation park users and the use of the car park will be time limited to two hours.

Q What would be the cost of using the car park?
A The car park will be free.

Q How will the dog run change?
A It will be slightly larger in total area with new fencing around it. There will still be two gated entrances.

Q How will grounds maintenance staff gain access to the dog run, to maintain it and to cut the grass?
A There will be a wide gate into the dog run through which the staff can gain access.

Q What surface materials will be used to cover the car park?  
A The surface will be crushed hard core topped with crushed stone and concrete

Q There is a steep bank down into the park, how will cars be prevented from slipping?
A A retaining wall will be formed from railway sleepers and buffers.

Q Would a cycle rack be installed?
A Yes, this is already underway. There will be several cycle racks installed.

Q Will there be dedicated disabled parking bays?
A Due to the limited number of parking spaces it will not be possible to have spaces dedicated to disabled drivers.

Fun Day on Sandgate Rec

The Sandgate Community Fun Day on Military Road Rec will be held this Sunday 2nd August from 11am-5pm.

Mums and dads bring a picnic and relax to the fabulous Electric Tortoise 60’s R&R band and DJ music throughout the day whilst the kids enjoy the Bouncy Castles, Folkestone Owls, Circus Skills Demo & free Circus Skills sessions, Party Mascots, Bouncy Assault Courses, Pillow Bash, Fun Dog Competition, Ice Creams and Refreshments, Candy Floss, Tug O War for mums and dads, Street Dancer Demos, Boules Competition, Bungy Run, Clown Slide…

EVENT RUNNING ORDER – 2015

• 11am – Open
• 12pm – Official opening – short speech
• 12.15pm – Dog Competition – 45 mins
• 1pm – Street Dancing – 30 mins
• 1.45 – Band – set 1  – 45 mins
• 2.35pm – Circus Skills Demo – 30 mins
• 3.15 – Band – set 2 – 45 mins
• 4.10pm – Tug o War
• 5pm – The end

The Returning Officer at Shepway District Council has announced that Sandgate Valley Parish Ward and Sandgate Village Parish Ward are uncontested elections for the election due on 7th May 2015.

Notice of Uncontested Election.