Parish Council News Update – December

All OfUsOther

As 2025 comes to a close, your Parish Council warmly invites you to join us at the Christmas Lights-On Event at the Village Hall on 6 December. Enjoy carols with the Village Choir over a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, and listen out for the jingle of reindeer bells as our special guest arrives to switch on the Christmas tree lights and meet the children.

Please remember to bring some loose change – and your phone or card – to support our raffle in aid of this year’s very worthy charities: St Margaret’s Nursery, The Memory Café, and our local Scouts.

Christmas Tree Recycling

The Parish Council will again be offering a Christmas tree recycling service. Please leave your tree by the toilet block in the Reach Road car park between 2 and 8 January 2026.
DDC will also collect real trees from garden waste subscribers on their usual collection day between 5 and 30 January 2026.

Streetlights

Following the November Parish Council meeting, where residents asked for an update on the broken streetlights across the village and whether temporary lighting might be considered in the most affected areas, particularly those involving the elderly or the vulnerable.

DDC has confirmed, due to the significant costs involved, temporary measures are not feasible. The only viable option is full replacement by their contractor under warranty. While DDC hopes to resolve the contractual steps by the end of the year, the new lights are unlikely to be installed before spring. They will continue to keep us updated.

Bus Services to the Village

The Parish Council will be meeting Stagecoach shortly after this newsletter goes to print to discuss trialling a potential additional service for the village, as well as safety concerns at The Swingate bus stop. Updates will be posted on the Parish Council Facebook and website. You are also very welcome to attend the next Community Engagement Event—details are on the village noticeboards—or simply speak to any Parish Councillor if you’d like to know more.

Community Engagement Events:

The Parish Council, together with Kent Police, DDC Environmental Protection and Dog Warden teams, and the KCC Community Warden, has begun hosting regular Community Engagement Events. Our aim, subject to work schedules is to hold these every 4–6 weeks in different venues and at varying times, including weekends, to give everyone the chance to drop in. Whether you simply want to meet your local representatives or have a specific question, no appointment is needed. Details of each event are shared on the Parish Council Facebook page, website and village noticeboards.

Parish Council Vacancy

Subject to confirmation from DDC Electoral Services, we will shortly be advertising a vacancy on the Parish Council and would love to hear from anyone who feels passionate about supporting our village and helping shape its future. If you’re interested in getting involved or would simply like to learn more about what the role involves, please get in touch with the Parish Clerk or any of the Parish Councillors or come along to one of our Parish Council meetings to see what we do.

South Foreland Valley

There is still evidence of green waste being dumped in the South Foreland Valley. Green waste may seem harmless, but in an SSSI it causes serious ecological damage.

The South Foreland Valley forms part of the Heritage Coast and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), protected for its rare chalk grassland, specialised wildflowers, and nationally important invertebrates. These habitats are fragile and depend on very low nutrient levels. When garden waste is dumped — even grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, or soil — it:

  • Introduces excess nutrients, which can smother and permanently alter chalk grassland, allowing coarse grasses and invasive species to take over.

  • Introduces non-native plants and diseases, which outcompete the rare species the SSSI protects.

  • Disrupts grazing management, which is essential to maintaining the valley’s delicate ecology.

  • Damages sensitive ground, especially when waste is dragged or tipped on slopes.

Dumping green waste in an SSSI is classed as damage or disturbance, which is an offence. Penalties include fines of up to £20,000 in the Magistrates’ Court or unlimited fines in the Crown Court.

If you witness green waste or other fly-tipping in the South Foreland Valley, please contact Dover Security Service on 07428 062 944.

For legitimate waste disposal, KCC Household Waste & Recycling Centres are available — the nearest is off Honeywood Parkway, Whitfield (near Tesco). There is no additional charge to use this service, but you must pre-book a slot online, often available the same day or even within the hour.

Dates for your Diary:

Parish Council Meetings, Channel Room, Village Hall – Public participation starts at 6:45 pm for 15 minutes, followed by the meeting proper at 7 pm. The public are welcome to stay and listen to the whole meeting. December 8th, 2025, and January 12th, 2026.

Christmas Lights On, December 6th, 2025, Village Hall, Reach Road.

Christmas Tree Shredding Please leave your tree by the toilet block in the Reach Road car park between 2 and 8 January 2026

Community Engagement Event: Saturday January 10th, venue to be confirmed please look on Village Notice Boards, Facebook and Website nearer the time.