Views sought on accessibility in Tonbridge and Malling

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Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council want their council services to be accessible for everyone.  They are seeking the feedback of its residents to see if they are getting things right or if there are any barriers to accessibility in the Borough, especially for those with disabilities.  Examples may include when you want to get in touch with the Council, are making an application or using their website. Please complete their short survey to help identify any areas where improvements can be made, as TMBC are committed to supporting the needs of those with additional needs or access requirements.  The survey will be closing in mid-October.

New picnic table commemorates Cllr Mike Dobson

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Pat Dobson and family

Cllr Karen Dobson (far left) with her mum, Pat, (centre) and other family members at the new picnic table in West Wood.

A new seven-seat wheelchair-access picnic table was installed in West Wood in early August in memory of Cllr Mike Dobson, who served the community for over 40 years as both a Parish and Borough Councillor.  The table has been generously donated by his family, and his daughter Karen is the current Vice-Chair of Hildenborough Parish Council.

Karen said:  “I took Mum to visit the new table soon after it was installed and she is so pleased with it.  I’d like to thank my fellow Parish Councillors for arranging for its installation and hope many people get to enjoy a rest or picnic there.”

The new picnic area also features a large plant trough which will be filled with plants that are suitable for the location in due course.

Home Upgrade Grant

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Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council understands that many households in our area rely on oil, LPG, electricity, coal, or wood for heating, which can be expensive and inefficient. That’s why we’ve secured government funding from the Home Upgrade Grant scheme, specifically designed to improve the energy efficiency of homes without gas central heating. Details regarding the scheme including upgrades available, eligibility criteria and contact details for the scheme can be found in the poster.

The scheme finishes on 31 March 2025, with applications likely to close in October 2024.

Women and Girls Safety Workshops

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Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council will be running free five week Women and Girls Safety Workshops at Church Farm Hall in Larkfield from Thursday 19 September. The Girls’ workshops will be held first from 6.15pm until 7.15pm and then the Women’s Workshops will follow on at 7.30pm until 8.30pm.

These are free to attend but attendees need to pre-register by emailing

During the five weeks those attending will learn:

  • That you don’t need to be strong or use strength to overwhelm an aggressor,
  • That a handful of carefully crafted words can de-escalate most violent situations.
  • About situational awareness and how to avoid situations where violence is most common.
  • When de-escalation is not effective, you’ll be given tools to know how to act swiftly, effectively and without guilt.

Girls can attend the workshops on their own, or parents are very welcome to stay and observe if they wish.

Upon completion of the five weeks, attendees will receive an attendance certificate and a personal safety alarm.

Please see poster for more information.

The Leigh expansion and Hildenborough embankment scheme Spring/Summer newsletter

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The new Leigh expansion and Hildenborough embankment scheme newsletter has been published recently, slightly later than planned due to limitations on government communications being imposed in the run-up to the General Election.  Further updates will be posted as work progresses.

 

New speed warning for motorists

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The parish council has erected a banner on Foxbush to remind motorists of the speed limit while more long-term speed awareness solutions are being explored with Kent County Council.  The parish council also has a supply of wheelie bin stickers displaying the 30mph speed limit that are available on request – either call the clerk on 07818 329029 or e-mail .

24 Foxbush banner

Local Transport Plan Public Consultation

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Kent County Council has launched a county-wide consultation on its new draft Local Transport Plan. The Local Transport Plan is a statutory plan which is designed to set out the Council’s ambition and proposals for major changes to the transport networks and to help the Council make the case for future funding for delivering improvements.

If you would like to have your say regarding local transport in Kent, please take this opportunity to complete the Local Transport Plan Public Consultation.  Visit kent.gov.uk/ltp5. For queries or to request hard copies of the consultation material, please e-mail or phone 03000 416595/.  The consultation closes 8 October 2024.

Kent County Council are also hosting a number of drop-in events where they can take questions and help attendees with providing responses to the consultation. Visit https://letstalk.kent.gov.uk/ltp-drop-in-events for the list of dates and locations.

Tree Safety Survey

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A safety survey has been carried out recently on the trees in West Wood, the Village Green and the Recreation Ground.  We are looking forward to receiving the report and will then be able to arrange for any remedial work to be carried out to ensure the trees do not present a hazard to the public.  Sadly, we still receive reports of trees having Ash Dieback from time to time, and if they are badly affected the trees may have to be taken down.  Fortunately, we have not received any reports from the latest survey of any trees presenting a hazard that needs urgent attention.  Trees can of course become unstable at any time after they have been inspected. If you spot a dangerously loose branch or other issue with one of the trees in the Parish Council’s Open Spaces that you believe needs to be checked out by one of our contractors, it would be helpful if you could please contact the Parish Council by e-mailing , thank you

Trees by the playground

Some of the beautiful trees close to the playground in West Wood.

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Free 30mph bin stickers for local residents

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The Parish Council is currently investigating further traffic calming measures that may be introduced in certain “hot spots” in the village.  In the meantime, Kent County Council have provided the Parish Council with a “30mph Toolkit” consisting of bin stickers, posters and a PVC banner to raise awareness of the 30mph speed limit.  Once placed on a rubbish/recycling bin, the bin stickers are a simple but effective way to remind motorists of the speed limit if you live in a road affected by speeding motorists.

Please e-mail the Clerk at or call 07818 329029 to arrange for delivery of a bin sticker if you would like to display one at your address.

Annual Parish Meeting

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This year’s Annual Parish Meeting is taking place on Thursday 14th March in the Village Hall, Riding Lane.  Refreshments will be served by members of the Parish Council from 7pm and residents will have the opportunity to find out more about local organisations who will be manning stalls at the event.

The groups attending this year’s event will include:

  • Hildenborough Speedwatch
  • Hildenborough Conservation Group
  • Hildenborough Guides
  • St. John’s Church
  • Hildenborough Gardeners’ Society
  • Tonbridge U3A
  • Tonbridge Bridge Club

The keynote speaker this year will be Ian Nunn, Area Operations Manager at the Environment Agency who will be updating residents on the Leigh Embankment and Hildenborough Expansion Scheme to alleviate flooding in the area, and taking questions from the audience.  A “Drop-In” event will take place in the Village Hall on the same evening from 6.30pm to enable residents to speak to representatives of the Environment Agency before the commencement of Parish Council business at 7.30pm.