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Latest News

Latest Information

Please note that ALL our latest news is posted on Crockenhill Parish Council's Facebook page. Please 'like' and 'follow' us to ensure that you are kept up-to-date with the latest news, as it happens.

Major news will also be added to the blog below. We publish at least two newsletters each year which are delivered to all houses in the village - a short Spring one and a much longer Autumn update. Click on the buttons below to access the newsletters. The Annual Parish Meeting minutes are also a good source of information to find out more about what all our local groups and organisations have been doing. 
Spring 2024 Newsletter Autumn 2023 Newsletter Autumn 2022 Newsletter Spring 2022 Newsletter

Budget


For the 2024-25 year ahead, the Parish Council has requested a precept figure of £83,275 from Sevenoaks District Council. This is a 0% increase on a band D property.


We have been able to do this for a number of reasons:


  • A few years ago we finished converting all our streetlights to LEDs which represented a significant cost saving.


  • We review contracts periodically to ensure we are getting the best value and a few years ago moved streetlighting contractors which was another significant saving.


  • We derive a small income from sponsorship to support projects such as the Crockenhill in Flower group.


  • We seek out funding opportunities, which has allowed us to upgrade the playgrounds, buy new picnic benches and make other improvements.


  • The community payback project has really helped us too. Whilst it does require a considerable amount of organisation, it allows us to complete maintenance work done which we may otherwise have struggled to afford. 

Grants and enhancements to community spaces


We really value our green spaces in Crockenhill and work hard to protect and enhance them. This includes ensuring that we make the most of funding opportunities which may arise. Last year we were awarded £10,500 towards the climbing frame on the Village Green (from the National Lottery and West Kent Housing).


The final new piece of equipment for the Village Green playground was installed earlier this year after the Parish Council received a grant from the UK shared prosperity fund via Sevenoaks District Council.


We are also pleased to report that the Parish Council was successful in its bid for extra CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) funding to carry out further playground works at Harvestfield. The new climbing web has been installed and work on the new multi-play space is due to be finished in June.


We have also recently been awarded £2500 from the West Kent Rural grant. This is for more benches and picnic tables at Harvestfield, as well as some interpretation boards to promote biodiversity and bird boxes.

by Kirsty Lane 21 November 2024
Since the announcement by the WASPs Rugby Club on 11th November regarding ‘securing’ land within the South East, many residents have contacted Crockenhill Parish Council with their various questions and concerns.

Unfortunately, we have been unable to answer many of these questions with any certainty. We can only assume the location of the land in question is within the Parish of Crockenhill as this was one of the two potential sites that was put forward by WASPS as part of Sevenoaks District Council’s new Local Plan consultation. We have spoken with several Crockenhill landowners north of the parish for clarification and have been assured that they have no plans to sell their Grade 2/3 agricultural land or smallholdings. However, we do know that Swanley Town Council own a section of land within the parish - an area around Petham Farm. We also know that they held an extraordinary meeting on 30th October in which the only item on the agenda for this meeting (which the public were excluded from) was ‘Petham Farm agreement’.
In terms of publicly available information, we can only find two documents on Swanley Town Council’s website relating to this potential development. One was their response to Sevenoaks District Council’s Local Plan consultation earlier this year in which they OBJECTED to the WASPS stadium, and the other was the agenda item on 30th October. It would appear that Swanley Town Council has, at some point during this year, privately changed its position - despite overwhelming public objection locally.

It is not surprising that residents expect Crockenhill Parish Council to have been consulted regarding a significant agreement on land within their parish. It came as a surprise to us when Crockenhill Parish land was originally earmarked as a potential site within the consultation. Crockenhill Parish Council feel that they, and the public, have been deliberately kept in the dark throughout the whole process. We can only assume that plans, meetings, and agreements have been conducted entirely behind closed doors, without transparency, and against our wishes. We are appalled that Swanley Town Council, a neighbouring council, believe it appropriate to conduct themselves in this way. We have requested information from Swanley Town Council regarding this and are awaiting their official response.

Speaking about the WASP’s announcement, Sevenoaks District Council Member and Chair of Crockenhill Parish Council, Cllr. Rachel Waterton said: “We have been blindsided. Whilst other local councils, groups, and residents are working together to protect the greenbelt from inappropriate development, we believe Swanley Town Council is working against us. With so many other large sporting facilities close by, a sports stadium on agricultural land within a rural location, near an already overstretched road network (often gridlocked) is not the development that the local area either wants or needs. This development is going to hinder considerably more residents north of the district than it will benefit.”

by Kirsty Lane 17 July 2024
Join us!
by Kirsty Lane 20 May 2024
Join us!
by Kirsty Lane 26 February 2024
The Parish Council has joined the Hedgeway Highway initiative. We have surrounds available for sale (£1.50 each) from the Parish Council office. 

A hedgehog Highway is a 5 inch gap in a fence or wall allowing access for Hedgehogs. These gaps are essential in the battle to prevent the extinction of our endangered spiky friends.

The Hedgehog Highway allows hedgehogs to:
*Forage for food
*Meet mates to breed
*Access nesting sites

For more information, please visit www.hedgehogsrus..co.uk
by Kirsty Lane 29 January 2024

Dear Residents,

  Emergency Planning Contact List

 Crockenhill Parish Council is in the process of updating its Emergency Plan. The Plan provides a framework for us, in the event of an emergency, to help those who may be vulnerable. Emergencies include power cuts, heavy snow and flooding.

We are updating our lists and would like to know of anyone who may rely on services such as electrical equipment or delivery of medication; are on their own and have no family living nearby; or are elderly and more vulnerable. You do not have to be a certain age to qualify. In most cases this will likely be just a quick call in an emergency to make sure all is well. In other situations, it may be that more help is needed, so Councillors will work with other agencies to ensure that support/assistance is directed where needed most.

We are also looking for more volunteers who may be able to help during an emergency. Obviously, Emergency Services are always the first port of call but there may be times when we need additional support for residents. For example, those with 4x4 vehicles may be able to assist getting people to hospital and getting shopping; those with a generator may be able to help people who rely on electrical equipment; those with Nursing experience may be able to help some of our most vulnerable. This is not intended to be a regular commitment, just help in an emergency situation.

If you would like to be added to our Emergency contact list or register as a volunteer, please contact clerk@crockenhillpc.org.uk to request a short form which can be completed in a few minutes and returned to the Clerk by 28th Feb 2024.

Thank you

 

by Kirsty Lane 10 January 2024
Crockenhill Parish Council has published its response to Sevenoaks District Council's Local Plan consultation:

  https://www.crockenhillpc.org.uk/planning
by Kirsty Lane 13 December 2023
Please come along to the public meeting on Thursday 21st December at 7.30pm, Crockenhill Village Hall, read the guidance being sent to all homes and importantly, TAKE PART in the consultation!
by Kirsty Lane 21 November 2023

Local people can soon comment on the Council’s draft Local Plan, which includes proposals to meet the District’s future housing and development needs.

Sevenoaks District Council is working on ‘Plan 2040’, a new Local Plan, which sets out what can be built and where over the next 15 years.


Read more on the Planning page

by Kirsty Lane 18 July 2023
We are a very friendly, active, highly diverse and long established Women’s Institute group
based in the Crockenhill Village Hall, Stones Cross Road Crockenhill BR8 8LT. We usually
meet on the first Wednesday of the month (see the attached programme of events and
activities). Doors opening at 7:30 pm for an 8:00 start.

All visitors are welcome, so if interested or want more information, please come along to
meet our WI group.

Crockenhill Women’s Institute Event Programme 2023/2024

Date Presentation Speaker

7 Jun 20‘23 Hampton Court, Sex and Gossip Sarah Slater
5 Jul 2023 5 years Nursing & living in India Dee Larcombe
*13th July, 7.30pm ‘Petanque Taster’ (The Chequers, Crockenhill)
2 Aug 2023 Living in the Trenches (Open evening, guests welcome) Nick Gibson
6 Sep 2023 Reaching for the Stars  *Competition: ‘Late summer Corsage’ Paul Read
4 Oct 2023 Members Evening
1 Nov 2023 Look good Feel Good Margaret Clarkson-Bennett
6 Dec 2023  Christmas Party (Singer)
* Gifts for Bexley Women’s Aid
* Competition ‘Christmas Decoration’
Eliza Mc Lleland
Jan 2024 No Meeting
7 Feb 2024 The Love of Wine: Portugal, Port & Madeira
* Hyacinth Competition
Chris Newlands
6 Mar 2024  Social Evening
* Easter gifts for Bexley Women’s Aid
* Beetle drive (Date to be announced)
3 Apr 2024 Magician Bob Pound
1 May 2024 Annual General Meeting & Resolutions
by Kirsty Lane 5 April 2023
Statement of Persons Nominated
Show More

What's Coming Up...?

Re-vamped Play Areas

In recent years the railings have been replaced around the playground on the Village Green and a new entrance surface installed. We have also replaced the climbing frame with a new climbing frame and some other new pieces of equipment. Some new equipment and play space has also been installed at Harvestfield so be sure to visit this summer!

Parish Council Surgeries

The Parish Council holds surgery sessions periodically. Please contact the Clerk to find out the next date and venue.

We are keen to hear from residents at any time so please do not hesitate to get in touch with your comments and suggestions.

Autumn Newsletter

Our annual Autumn Newsletter is published in November. Our newsletters are delivered to all houses in the village and provide an update on what we have been working on, and our plans for the next year, as well as updates from village groups.

We also deliver a Spring newsletter which is less comprehensive but advertises key events. 
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