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News from The Parish Council – May 2024

The Annual Parish Meeting was held on 18th April, when a summary of all work undertaken by the Parish Council in the past year was presented. Details are in the minutes, as is the annual report from the Acol Village Hall Management Committee. The annual accounts had not yet been audited, but would be reported, following the audit, at an Extraordinary Meeting to be held during May.

At the Annual Parish Council Meeting, which followed, Richard was unanimously re-elected as Chair for the next year.

An Honours Board to record the awards of Freedom of the Parish of Acol has now been delivered and is to be displayed in the Village Hall, as is a new portrait of the King that has been provided by the Government.

Sara had arranged the repair of the “finger post” sign adjacent to the former chapel at the start of Plumstone Road, which was broken in a collision that also damaged the brick wall. The aluminium sign will be rewelded by Derek Smith, from Monkton.

The new bench for the Recreation Ground has been delivered and will be assembled and anchored in place in the coming weeks. New flower planters have also been ordered and initial thoughts are that displays will be sited around the village sign on Nursery Fields (subject to approval by the Management Committee) and in front of the Village Hall.

Thanet DC are to provide a new Waste Bin, whose location will be decided at an onsite meeting to ensure it can be readily accessed and emptied by TDC operatives. At the same time, we will decide upon collection points for litter collected by our volunteers, including along Crispe Road. Councillor Abi Smith (from TDC) reported that the maximum fine for fly tipping had been increased to £1,000.

We undertook an annual review, with KCC’s Community Engagement Officer, of Acol’s Highways Improvement Plan (HIP) and agreed to include new goals targeting reduced speed limits of 20 mph along The Street and 50 mph on Acol Hill. At the Council meeting we learned that PC Andy Howe would support a reduction of the speed limit along Minster Road to 30 mph, so that is being added as a consideration. Other items include improvements to the chicane on Minster Road and relocation of the Acol Village sign on Margate Hill to make it clear that Ladds Cottages are in our village.

KCC Councillor Derek Crow-Brown reported that he had been involved in responding to the public's queries regarding the numerous road closures in the local area, including arranging for highways inspectors to visit areas with inappropriate diversion signage and ensuring utilities companies install better barriers to prevent drivers moving bollards.

PC Andrew Howe (Thanet Villages Beat Officer) reported that he was undertaking extra night security patrols as we have seen high levels of crime in the villages, including a increase in vehicle thefts that appears to be linked to organised crime - as well as opportunistic theft from vehicles. He urged that we all consider additional vehicle security such as steering wheel locks and Faraday Pouches for keyless entry fobs.

Sarah reported that a vulnerable Acol resident had been targeted by a cold caller, pressurising them to have unnecessary tree work done, which was suspicious, and advised caution. Andy said that in such circumstances residents should always dial 999 and that we should also report any suspicious activity at night, by dialling 999 to ensure that incidents are properly recorded and investigated where possible.

With the utmost regret, I have accepted Chenice’s resignation as an Acol Village Councillor…

“It is with sadness that I report that I have submitted my resignation from Acol Parish Council. This difficult decision was made to focus on the health of myself and extended family members, and while I may no longer serve our wonderful community in an official capacity I will continue to support and improve our fantastic hamlet as a villager.

“Since joining the Parish Council in 2023 I have been in awe of the hard work, dedication, and time that our previous and current Parish Councillors, Clerk and Chair dedicate to improving village life for all. I am confident they will continue the journey of achieving shared goals and would encourage anyone who is interested to join in their mission to elevate and enhance our local area.

“Thank you for all your support and I am sure I will see many of you at future community events.”

Thank you, Chenice, on behalf of our community and your fellow Councillors for all you’ve done for our village. As a young working mum, you’ve played a key role in helping to make our Council more representative of the community we serve but that clearly should not be at the expense of family or health. However, we know that you will continue to play an important part in village life.

Richard Steel (Chair)