Tonight we bid farewell to our Parish Clerk, Peter Setterfield.  Peter has worked for our Parish Council for over 12 years. We have been very fortunate to have had his consistent guidance for so long, as many parishes struggle to find competent parish clerks.  Not many people realise, but it is the clerk who is the ‘proper officer’ of a parish council not the councillors or even the Chair. ‘Proper officer’ is a title used in statute. It refers to the appropriate officer for the relevant function. In town and parish councils, the proper officer is normally the clerk. In financial matters, the proper officer is known as the Responsible Financial Officer. He/she is employed by the council, under section 112 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, to provide administrative support for the council’s activities. Their primary responsibility is to advise the council on whether its decisions are lawful and to recommend ways in which decisions can be implemented. To help with this, the Clerk can be asked to research topics of concern to the council and provide unbiased information to help the council to make appropriate choices.

A familiar face at meetings, events and around the parish, Peter will now retire to enjoy life with his wife Rosemary and family. We wish him a long and healthy retirement and welcome in his place Emily Arnold. Emily has, until recently lived in Lyminge where she has been a parish councillor herself for many years so is very familiar with the work of a parish council. She is looking forward to getting to know everyone. Like Peter, Emily is contactable via clerk@aldingtonandbonnington-pc.gov.uk.

Last week, Ashford Borough Council published all sites put forward for consideration for the next Ashford Local Plan 2041. Information about the process and the sites put forward from Aldington are now on our website.

 

Wishing you all a peaceful and prosperous 2024.  Like all before  it, there will no doubt be ups and downs and, as a parish, we will enjoy some moments and work through others. Now that the festivities are almost over, we will shortly publish a calendar of community events where we will be working closely with the Village Hall Committee.

The first Parish Council Meeting of 2024 is on Monday 8th January, starting at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.

 

 

Join us on Monday 22 May for the Annual Parish Meeting.  Your local representatives will be presenting summaries of their activities over the last year. With the Local Elections now over, this is your chance to meet your new parish councillors as well as hear from local organisations, Neighbourhood Watch and your Ashford Borough and Kent County Council representatives.

Our guest speaker will be Ali Body from Led by the Wild, whose education and conservation programmes are an inspiration.

We hope to see you there and are happy to take questions or suggestions. This Annual Parish Meeting marks the close of the last Electoral Period and the start of the new one, each Electoral Period covering four years.