Autumn 2023

Update
Councillor Surgeries:
“It’s good to talk”
By using the words of the late,
great Bob Hoskins – in the BT
advert – I’m conscious that I’m
showing my age. Nevertheless,
his message remains strong
and clear: we achieve so much more by
communicating directly with one another.
As members of the parish we have all been
faced with many surveys over the past couple
of months. While we hope it is not the case,
it is entirely possible that these have passed
you by. As a council we want and need to
speak with as many (all?) of you who live
in the parish to ensure we are representing
and acting upon your thoughts and views. Of
course, that is easier said than done.
THANK YOU TO BUSINESSES AND
COMMUNITY HUBS
In the case of the recent Community Assets
Survey, we have been delighted and very
grateful for the support of local businesses
and existing community hubs for displaying
posters and leaflets alerting you to the
survey. Added to this, our website has been
updated and we are now using Twitter and
Instagram more pro-actively.
These are all excellent routes to engage
with you. But face-to-face sessions, while
also giving us both the opportunities to
discuss things such as the reasoning behind
said surveys, allow you to talk to us about
anything which you feel is important.
Yes, there is still the opportunity to come
to the monthly council meetings (on the
Parish Council website under PC Diary,
Agenda and Minutes). But we recognise that
the timings may not be convenient and,
however open and welcoming we try to be,
a formal meeting is not everyone’s cup of
tea. Not everyone relishes speaking in front
of a group, preferring to talk through their
feelings with one or two people in a more
informal setting.
COUNCILLOR SURGERIES
This is where the Councillor Surgeries come
in. We have decided to run regular sessions
where you can drop in and talk about the
issues which are affecting you. We can’t
promise to solve everything; but we can
promise to listen, advise where we are able
and ensure that your voice is heard.
Details of the dates, times and venues
of the surgeries up until Christmas are as
follows:
• Tuesday 26 September – 9.15am: Addison
Room, Parish Council Office, Cranbrook
• Tuesday 31 October – 9.15am: Addison
Room, Parish Council Office, Cranbrook
• Tuesday 28 November – 9.15am: Parish
Rooms, Sissinghurst
• Tuesday 12 December –9.15am: Addison
Room, Parish Council Office, Cranbrook
Dates for 2024 will be published in the
December edition of The Cake, on the
website, on various noticeboards around the
parish, at the Parish Council Offices and,
unsurprisingly, at the Councillor Meetings
themselves. We look forward to meeting you.
Cllr David Selby
40 The Cake • Autumn 2023