Stage gets set for a Rusthall Parish Council

* Rusthall residents are likely to get a cheaper rate of council tax and more for their money if they decide to take on the responsibility of a parish council.

* This prospect was laid out by Sean Clarke, TWBC Head of Financial and Property Services at Committee meeting on 29 July, attended by your Chairwoman who requested more information on the subject at previous Tunbridge Wells Town Forums and supported by your local councillors.

* There may be further news on the process at the next Committee meeting at the Town Hall on 2 September at 6.30pm, but please telephone Jenny Blackburn or TWBC closer to the time to check that it might be the next time.

* More detail on parish council responsibilities, including parks and footpaths, along with very ballpark budgets will be outlined at the next RVA meeting on Thursday 25 September, details above. (We could have our public conveniences back as well!)

Toad Rock Concerns

Rusthall residents are being asked to get in touch with their local councillors at the Town Hall, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RS, Barry Edwards and Robert Altwood, about any personal experience or concerns around behaviour of young people around the Toad Rock and pub area.

There is evidence of under-age drinkers and bad behaviour being pushed from the No Drink Zone around Wellington Rocks to somewhere relatively unpatrolled. Authorities are more likely to act if they have more reports.

Grange Road Garden Project

Many residents around Denny Bottom have been given a questionnaire asking their views on the uses for the old allotments after initial rubbish clearance. Initial reactions have been favourable but show concern about making another area for underage drinkers to congregate so close to the Toad.

There is a working party on 11 August on site for which volunteers are sought – please contact Jenny Blackburn 520546.

Southwood Road Recreation Ground and Hedgework Restoration.

Ian Johnstone of the Kent High Weald Project gave an illustrated talk to a very interested audience of 40 at our last meeting, prompting debate about the merits of indigenous hedge plants and Leylandii. Ian emphasised the importance of restoring corridors through improved hedgework for wildlife under threat and issued a general invitation to watch out for volunteering opportunities at Southwood.

News about the Project’s work and activities are available in libraries.

Lock up your Sheds and Garden Gates

There have been a spate of thefts from sheds and gardens locally, so do the right thing. Please contact Carly Telford PCSO 07772 226054 or Arianna Sutton Kent Community Warden 07813 695872 for advice or to report any criminal activity

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

There was some discussion at the last meeting about actions a citizen neighbour should/might take when observing anti-social behaviour, particularly from young people and children without their parents. With an eye to personal safety, many members are still in agreement that guidance and support from adults, whether known to them or not, is still the right thing. For instance, challenging bullying behaviour amongst young children or asking that dropped litter is picked up is essential to educate our future generations.

This is a subject for more discussion and examples, especially about neighbours working together.

RVA MEETING DATES FOR 2008
at the United Reformed Church hall

Thurs 27 November

General Useful Numbers

Jenny Blackburn, Chair 01892 546520   Email jennyblackb@googlemail.com
Town Hall (switchboard) 01892 526121       Tunbridge Wells Police (non urgent) 01732 771055
Ariana Sutton, Community Warden 07813 695872       Carly Telford, PCSO 07772 226054
Fly tipping/abandoned vehicles 01892 548154