Parish Council Update – February
At the January meeting, the Parish Council set the annual precept – the portion of council tax that funds the work of the Parish Council over the coming year.
Setting the precept is not a rushed decision. It is the result of detailed and careful work carried out over many months. The Council maintains a comprehensive budget tracking current spending, contractual commitments and day-to-day running costs, alongside projected future expenditure based on planned projects and known maintenance requirements. In addition, the Council must ensure it holds appropriate financial reserves to deal with unexpected costs and emergencies.
The level of reserves and the way the Council budgets are guided by national best practice set out by the Smaller Authorities Proper Practices Panel. This guidance helps ensure the Council remains financially resilient while continuing to deliver services and meet its statutory responsibilities. The Council’s finances are also subject to an annual external audit, which provides independent assurance that the Council is budgeting responsibly, managing public funds properly and operating in a transparent manner.
The Parish Council manages and funds a wide range of activities that support village life, protect our environment and strengthen our community.
A significant part of the Council’s work involves land and property management. This includes grass cutting at the Madge Memorial, Alexander Field and village approaches; maintaining memorial benches, the Reach Road phone box, the playground and bus stops; and repairing and maintaining cattle grids. Regular playground safety inspections take place to ensure facilities remain safe for all users, including independent inspections.
The Parish Council owns Alexander Pavilion and Memorial Field, Kingsdown Road Pavilion / Bowls Club, the King George V Recreation Ground (including the playground, tennis courts and King George V Pavilion), the Madge Memorial Field, the Civic Cemetery, the village bus stops, and 23.5 hectares of the South Foreland Valley.
The Council insures these parish-owned land and buildings and pays for 20 hours a week of the Parish Clerk, who also doubles as the Responsible Financial Officer. In addition, the Council organises and supports community events, distributes community grants, funds security in the South Foreland Valley, maintains village defibrillators, and meets the costs of Christmas trees and lights and the village car park toilets.
The Council works in partnership with community volunteers and the White Cliffs Countryside Partnership to support parish-owned assets, the largest of which is the South Foreland Valley, recognising the specialist expertise required to manage chalk grassland and protect its SSSI status. The Council also pays for water supplies that serve cattle and wildlife troughs in the Valley, top up ponds for our wandering ducks, and supply facilities at the King George V Recreation Field, the Civic Cemetery and the Alexander Memorial Pavilion.
All of this work is supported by nine Parish Councillors, who give their time voluntarily. They bring a wide range of professional experience and expertise and use this to scrutinise decisions, respond to consultations and advocate on behalf of parishioners.
The precept enables the Parish Council to continue delivering these services, maintaining community assets and planning responsibly for the future, while ensuring transparency and accountability in how public money is used.
The Council is also unable to spend parish funds on items that are funded elsewhere. For example, potholes and highways are the responsibility of Kent County Council, which receives funding from central government to undertake these repairs.
The Council uses its website, Facebook page and physical noticeboards, in addition to this Parish News, to keep residents up to date with its activities. Parish Council meetings are open to the public, and councillors actively encourage engagement during the public session. Open communication is important so that everyone understands both the needs of the parish and the limitations of the environment in which the Council operates.
Following extensive discussion and careful consideration of current and future financial commitments, the Parish Council agreed not to increase the precept for 2026/27. The Council will therefore submit to DDC a “Precept Demand” of £147,000, which represents no increase on the previous year.
Facing into 2026
2026 will bring further challenges as the Parish Council works to understand and respond to the implications of Local Government Reorganisation. Public consultation is expected to begin shortly, with a final decision anticipated by April 2026. As soon as consultation details are available, the Council will share information through its usual communication channels.
While this significant reorganisation is underway, the Parish Council will continue to deliver the services residents expect. This includes maintaining parish assets for current and future generations, working closely
Parish Council Vacancy
The Parish Council 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.
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. February 9th, March 9th and April 13th 2026.
Community Engagement Events: Saturday February 14th and Saturday March 7th venues to be confirmed please look on Village Notice Boards, Facebook and Website nearer the time.
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