Home
NOTICE OF VACANCY
IN OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR
PARISH OF HIGH HALDEN
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
that due to the resignation of Elizabeth Wheeler, a vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.
If by 20 November, 2025 (14 days* after the date of this notice) a request for an election to fill the said vacancy is made in writing to the Returning Officer at [email protected] or International House, Dover Place, Ashford, Kent TN23 1HU, by TEN electors for the said Parish, an election will be held to fill the said vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.
Please note when making an election request you must provide your full name and address as we are required to check that you are on the electoral register for the required area.
If an election is called, it will take place not later than 28 January, 2026.
Dated 31 October, 2025
Clerk to the Parish Council
Ms Louise Goldsmith
5 Artisan Road
Headcorn
TN27 9AZ
* In computing any period of time for this purpose, a Saturday, Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday, a bank holiday or day appointed for public thanksgiving or mourning must be disregarded.
The Ashford Community Awards 2025 have been launched to celebrate local champions and inspiring individuals who make a significant contribution to their communities. The Community Champion Award is given to an individual or group of people who have voluntarily helped to change the lives of others within their community. The Parish Counncil nomimated local resident David Ball for everything he has done for the parish over many years. We were delighted that ABC agreed with us and David received the award at ceremony held last week at The Ashford Cinema at Elwick Place. Well done David, so deserved.
The KALC Community Awards Scheme is designed to provide recognition and acknowledgement to an individual or group who have made a significant contribution to their local community. A significant contribution to the local community may include: Long and sustained service to the community; Inspiring achievements or actions benefitting the local community; Activities that have brought benefit, recognition, or credit to the area and its people. The winner will be presented with a Certificate at the Annual Parish Meeting of the Parish Council which will be signed by the Kent County Chairman/Mayor of Medway, the High Sheriff of Kent and the KALC Chairman. The High Sheriff of Kent has also agreed to host an evening of celebration on Wednesday 8 April 2026. This will be held at the Shepherd Neame Brewery, in Faversham. Your Parish Council is seeking nominations for this award for an individual or group in High Halden. If you would like to put someone or a group forward please complete this survey.
Wayne Chapman County Councillor Report October 2025
KCC COUNCILLOR WAYNE CHAPMAN
Town / Parish Council Report – October 2025
Highways Update
- Appledore Road, Tenterden – We are still waiting for UK Power Networks to connect the new streetlights. Once this is complete, KCC’s Streetworks Coordination Team will agree a programme with Vistry (the site developer) to resurface from the bottom of Beacon Oak Hill, past the Vistry development, and most of the stretch through to William Judge Close. These works must be completed before any homes are occupied.
- Cranbrook Road, Tenterden – We are still awaiting confirmed dates for the works.
- High Street, Tenterden – Overnight resurfacing (8pm–5am, excluding weekends) is taking place between 24 September and 3 October, from West Cross to Station Road.
Westminster, London
I was invited to a meeting at the Houses of Commons with my Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage MP, Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP, Sarah Pochin MP, and Chairman Dr David Bull, alongside the Association of Reform Councillors. It was a pleasure to meet councillors from across the country, hear speeches, and discuss both local and national issues.
Mayor’s Sunday, Tenterden
I was honoured to attend the Mayor’s Sunday Service at St Mildred’s Church, invited by the Mayor of Tenterden, Cllr Holcombe. The service was attended by councillors, mayors from other areas, local organisations, and members of the public. The Mayor’s chosen charity, Rockits Sensory & Soft Play Centre, gave a presentation and a collection was held in support of their work. After the uplifting service and hymns, a splendid afternoon tea was served in the Church Hall. My thanks to everyone involved for a wonderful community occasion.
Rolvenden & Tenterden West By-Election
The Ashford Borough Council by-election was held on Thursday 25 September. Congratulations to Guy Pullen on being elected — I wish him well in his new role and look forward to working with him.
Grow in Kent / Eurostar to Kent
I was pleased to take part in the “Grow in Kent” event at Ashford and Ebbsfleet International Stations. The event underlined the importance of reconnecting Kent to international rail travel to boost our economy, support local businesses, and strengthen Kent’s role as a gateway to Europe.
It was excellent to see two of our own local producers represented — Gusbourne Wines of Appledore and Biddenden Vineyards — alongside other employers and attractions. The event was strongly supported by Kent County Council, Dartford Borough Council, and Ashford Borough Council, as well as Lord Peter Hendy (Rail Minister), Vincent Caure (French National Assembly), and KCC Leader Linden Kemkaran.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at Ebbsfleet, calling for the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to end Eurostar’s monopoly and allow competing operators to run through the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar has committed to review the position in 2026. The councils’ agreement shows a united commitment to putting Kent back on the international rail map.
If you also support the return of international services to Kent, please sign the petition: https://loom.ly/sxkpeDc
Local Government Reorganisation & Devolution (LGR&D)
The LGR&D process has been initiated by central government, not by KCC. It requires all councils in Kent to review their structures — without any funding from government to support the transition. This will inevitably bring additional costs that are likely to be reflected in future council tax bills.
As a member of the KCC LGR&D Committee, I have been part of discussions on the options being put forward. Some councils are exploring their own ideas, while KCC has developed a “Hybrid 1A Model”: a single unitary authority with three local assemblies beneath it. This option maintains the resilience and efficiency of KCC while devolving greater powers to local assemblies.
You can read the full KCC report pack here:
https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=979&MId=9845&Ver=4
Parish / Town Council Meetings – October 2025
I intend to attend the following meetings this month (apologies if prior commitments prevent me being there):
- 7th October – Biddenden Parish Council
- 13th October – Tenterden Town Council
- 14th October – Wittersham Parish Council
- 16th October – Rolvenden Parish Council
Contact Details
You can always reach me at: [email protected]
For highways, street lighting, or footpath issues, please report online first via:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/report-or-track-a-problem-on-the-road-or-pavement
Many thanks,
Wayne Chapman
Kent County Councillor – Tenterden Division
We have launched a Community Governance Review (CGR) to explore whether a new town council should be created for Ashford – the only area in the district currently without a town or parish council. This is your chance to help decide how Ashford is represented in the future!
We encourage you to read the information on our webpage before you complete the survey. We welcome views from residents, businesses, community organisations and local groups. You can have your say by completing a short survey which is open until 5pm on the 5th of December.
Please complete the survey here: Community Governance Review - Ashford | Have Your Say Ashford
Kind regards,
Corporate Policy Team
Ashford Borough Council of Europe
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/community-governance-review