Parish Cake - Spring 2020

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update News and views from Cranbrook & Sissinghurst Parish Council Budget Precept I WAS appointed chairman to the Policy & Resources committee in April 2019 which is responsible for the financial aspect of the Parish Council. Every December budgets are set for each of the council’s committees. The actual sums we spend in each committee are below. These figures do not take into account the fees we charge, but show the responsibility we take as councillors. Policy and Resources £263k Environmental Management £70K Burials and Properties £11k Economic & Community £9k Contingency £3k With the able assistance from former Councillor Brian Swann, and his considerable experience in budget projections, the 2020-21 precept budget was presented and accepted at the full council meeting in January. The overall budget for 2020-21 is £356k, compared to last year of £336k, an increase of £20,000. Last year the precept did not change, and the previous year it went up 1.4%. There are two main changes that have resulted in increased costs. First, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council no longer provides services from the Weald Information Centre, so the parish now has to pick up all of the costs, about £8,000 per annum. Secondly, our clerks are dealing with more and more work so instead of hiring a temporary clerk, we are doing some succession planning and taking on a new staff member. Due to these increased costs, the parish council element of your council tax bill will increase by £6.19 this year (4.8%). The figures are based on Band D property categories and 2,784 houses in the parish. All of the detailed figures are available on the parish council website. A major change in the coming years will be the exciting launch of the Community Centre project. It goes without saying that there will be significant costs involved, but due to extremely prudent budgeting in recent years, some cash has already been earmarked but there will have to be fund raising schemes to assist the venture. I intend reporting in the Cake on a regular basis as to the costs associated with the Community Centre. Should you have any observations or issues regarding the parish council finances that you wish to discuss please let me know. Cllr. Robin Beck Is it Still Worth Doing a Neighbourhood Plan? THIS WAS the question that members of the Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) Steering Group were asking themselves at the end of 2019. Having spent years of time and effort writing a draft plan based on the evidence collected through a series of public engagement events, workshops and further research, the dream of being able to influence the spatial distribution and scale of development in the parish seemed dead. GOVERNMENT’S EARLY PROMISES The words of Greg Clark speaking in 2010 on his vision for local communities now appear vacuous: “When people know that they will get proper support to cope with the demands of new development; when they can have a proper say over what these homes will look like and when they can influence where those homes will go, they will have a reason to say “yes” to growth.” (Better Planning: From Principle to Practice speech given to Localis on 28.11.10). It is little wonder then, that ABOVE: Cllr. Nancy Warne the local backlash to the recent draft Local Plan has seen an increasingly organised and vocal number of protest groups who are objecting to both the scale and nature of proposed development in the parish. PLANNING UNDERMINED In the nine years since the Localism Act was passed, the government has introduced a number of subsequent measures which have actively undermined the planner’s ability to deliver on the vision of community-led development. These include permitted development rights, cuts to local authority budgets and planning departments, aligned with financial incentives for house building and community infrastructure provision, and of course the doubling of house building targets. MAKING PLACES FOR PEOPLE One of the areas that locallywritten policies are essential is in the aspiration for high quality design. Design is not just thinking about the look of an individual building or 48 Parish Cake • Spring 2020
development, but is much broader in its consideration of the many elements that create pleasant places for people to live in. It is vital to think about the layout of streets and public realm spaces, ensuring that new developments are wellconnected, inviting and safe for pedestrians and cyclists. By incorporating the excellent work of both the Cranbrook Conservation Area Committee and the High Weald AONB Unit, the neighbourhood plan can ensure that the historic character of the existing settlements and landscape is respected and enhanced. Creating new homes which respond to the climate emergency through policies which encourage energy efficiency and flood mitigation measures, as well as protecting green open spaces are also examples of how the local voice can be respected. ACTIVE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT The NDP research shows that the parish needs more smaller unit and affordable homes. These can be delivered through local policies on housing mix and a good integration of different housing types. Greater community input at an early stage in the planning application process through representation can establish clear local design aspirations in a manner that cannot be ignored by developers and planners. EDUCATION OF COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES The education of local councillors, at both parish and borough level, about the importance of good design is a key factor to strengthening the policies and ensuring that the leaders and decisionmakers can properly support community wishes. THE FUTURE OF THE NDP Following a rather depressing NDP Steering Group meeting in December I sought an urgent meeting with Stephen Baughen, head of planning at TWBC in January to discuss the future of the Cranbrook and Sissinghurst Neighbourhood Plan. He was encouraging and is keen for the NDP to progress as soon as possible, pledging extra support from his officers to get us to the next stage. The NDP group will move forward to deliver a draft plan for public consultation as soon as possible. Cllr. Nancy Warne Welcome to Cllr. Wendy Waters, co-opted onto the parish council in January 2020. Need a hand turning your ideas into something to be proud of? Re-vamp your marketing materials and improve your brand identity. stationery logo design newsletters event marketing materials You need great images to look your best on social media, on your website and in your advertising and brochures. headshots and staff portraits event photography brochure/marketing imagery product shots magazines & booklets websites get in touch contact@fraserallen.co.uk 07545 977431 fraserallen.co.uk
Page 1 and 2: IN ASSOCIATION WITH Parish SPRING 2
Page 3 and 4: Parish Cake YOUR SLICE OF CRANBROOK
Page 5 and 6: Need to see a GP fast before the ho
Page 7 and 8: comment CHAIRMAN’S VIEW A LETTER
Page 9 and 10: We have been providing expert and t
Page 11 and 12: news God Speed the Plough AN ANCIEN
Page 13 and 14: Premier Property Maintenance Painti
Page 15 and 16: Your Country Lifestyle Department S
Page 18 and 19: British-made gifts, art exhibitions
Page 20 and 21: We have over 25 years' experience d
Page 22 and 23: feature Cranbrook Centre: We Need t
Page 24 and 25: feature History Made as First Mayor
Page 26 and 27: The Beautiful Skin Clinic is an adv
Page 28 and 29: YEAR 7 ENTRY SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED E
Page 30 and 31: sponsored feature Qi - From Bush to
Page 32 and 33: sponsored feature The Kings Head St
Page 34 and 35: comment Affordable Housing - What d
Page 36 and 37: feature Absolutely LAMBTASTIC! A yo
Page 38 and 39: INTERESTED IN GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
Page 40 and 41: sponsored feature Phoenix Design an
Page 43 and 44: Let’s Cook! In the Garden CEPHALO
Page 45 and 46: sponsored feature NURTURE YOUR SOUL
Page 47: out & about legal From our Friendly
Page 51 and 52: out & about An extra pair of hands

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