CHANGES FOR COUNCIL'S LEADING ROLE

Walmer Parish Council has a new chairman. He's Cllr James Murray who joined the council in 2015 and has served as its vice chairman and chairman of the planning committee for the past two years. He succeeds Cllr Mrs Sue Chevalier who completes her two-year term as the parish council's chairman.

In accepting his new role, Cllr Murray said: “It is a great privilege to be appointed chairman and I look forward to the opportunity of serving the people of Walmer and representing the parish council.”   (May 23, 2020)

COUNCIL CHIEFS' MESSAGE TO RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES

The Leader of Dover District Council Cllr Trevor Bartlett and its Chief Executive Nadeem Aziz have written an open letter to all residents and businesses in the area. In thanking everyone playing a part during the Covid-19 emergency, they outline the council's current activities and a start on preparations for the future and the recovery.

They say: "THANK YOU to everyone who is helping in this national emergency.

"We’re all doing our bit, on the frontline as keyworkers, volunteering in the community, working in local businesses to keep us all supplied, or staying home, protecting the NHS, and saving lives. We need to keep going. But we also know you have many questions about the future.

"Firstly, we want to reassure you that your Council is in a strong position to weather the storm. Thanks to prudent budgeting we have sound general fund reserves of over £2m. We’ve also had confirmation this week of a £1.2m contribution from central Government. We have the resources to see us all through the current national emergency, and to continue to deliver your key public services."

For the full text of the letter, see: https://www.dover.gov.uk/.../Open- Letter
-from-Cllr-Trevor-Bartlett-Leader-and-Nadeem-Aziz-Chief-Executive.aspx.
(May 1, 2020)

NEW LOOK FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY WEBSITES

Two local community websites - DealWeb and WalmerWeb - have a new look. Website operator Harold Wyld said the project to update the websites and make them more "user friendly" for mobile phone users had been "on the cards" for some time. The "stay home" lockdown had provided the time for the task.

Both sites feature a wide range of information and contact details for local services and amenities. Local history is well covered - with articles and vintage photographs. There's also one of the most comprehensive listings of local events but, as Harold says, it is looking very sad at the present time due to the cancellation of virtually all meetings and group activities.

To visit or bookmark the two websites, click on www.dealweb.org.uk and www.walmerweb.co.uk.     (April 28, 2020)

CASH SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY HELPERS

Five local voluntary projects supporting the most vulnerable residents during the Coronavirus emergency have received grants totalling £8,083. The cash comes from the Covid-19 Community Fund launched by Dover District Council to help sustain voluntary support work in the district.

The fund was kick-started with £50,000 from the council and has since been boosted with donations totalling £15,750 from local and national companies, including Barratt Homes, DDS Demolition, Effective Training, Megger, Pentland Homes, Persimmon Homes, and Quinn Estates. Members of the public can also make donations online - currently adding over £1,400.

Councillors approved a fresh group of projects on Thursday 23 April, the second since the scheme was launched on 7 April. The new recipients are:

• Age Concern Sandwich £2,075 for continuation of services, including 'meals-on-wheels';
• Aylesham4Aylesham £445 to cover fuel costs for deliveries of medicine and food;
• Aylesham Primary School/PTFA £1,500 for respite care and support for families during Covid-19;
• Deal Radio CIC £1,563 to expand service to keep people connected during the lockdown; and
• Together4Dover £2,500 for supporting the vulnerable with access to essential items.

(April 24, 2020)

GARDENING SUCCESS IN THEIR SIGHTS

Members of the 5th Deal Scout Group are lending a hand at a local sheltered housing centre keen to make a good showing in this year’s Britain in Bloom competition. On Sunday 1 March, the scouts joined residents and keen gardeners Steve Baker and Tony Hennebury in the Caesar Court scheme's gardens in Mongeham Road at Ripple. As well as providing some vital help, the gardening initiative will count towards the scouts’ community badges.

Group scout leader Mavis Marsh explained: “This is an exciting project that will also include members from the area’s beavers, cubs and explorer groups. We are learning about which flowers to plant and the young people will also be constructing bat and bird boxes to increase bio-diversity."    (March 10, 2020)

COUNCIL TAX FOR THE COMING YEAR

Dover District Council has agreed the local Council Tax charges for the next 12 months, starting in April. Although the district council sends out the bills and collects the total charge it includes sums for Kent County Council, Kent Police and the Kent Crime Commissioner, Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Services, and Parish and Town Councils as well as itself.
For more details, see: Dover DC website.    (March 2, 2020)