Would you be interested in a Community Transport Service for local villages that are without a bus service? District Councillor James Barnett is looking to start a community transport service and would love to hear from anyone who would like to get involved. Could you perhaps volunteer some time to drive a Transit sized vehicle, or volunteer some organisational skills to help run the service, or maybe you run a business who might like to sponsor the service?

In the first instance, please contact Councillor Barnett via email:  cllr.barnett@sevenoaks.gov.uk

Gatwick have proposed to replace the standby runway with a full second runway. If this happens capacity at Gatwick will be as busy as Heathrow.

As a Parish Council we are concerned the impact this will have on the area we live in and have objected to the application and the significant damage and impact it will have on the Parish and beyond. There are great concerns regarding noise and pollutants, on HPC residents and on the AONB environment around us, in addition to the potential impact on housing, employment and infrastructure as well as the wider environmental considerations.

We urge you to register and make comment. You can do this anytime from now up until 29^th October 2023. The link to the registration page is here

At the time of registering, you must include your initial comments on the proposal. These must be about what you consider to be the main issues and impacts and include anything that may affect your day-to-day life. Once registered you are then able to submit further comments.

GACC (Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign) will be also publishing a briefing sheet on how to respond by the end of this month including guidance on how best to register to take part in the consultation. Please do visit their website for more information:

https://www.gacc.org.uk/join-or-contact-us.php

There are several public consultations that are currently live and are open for comment. Please click the link to participate should you wish to:

• Community Resilience Survey. The consultation closes in September.
• Kent and Medway Integrated Care Strategy | Have Your Say In Kent and Medway. The deadline for responses is 31^st August.
• Budget Consultation 2024-25 | Let’s talk Kent. The deadline for responses is 6th September.
• Shaping the Family Hubs and Start for Life Offer | Let’s talk Kent The deadline for responses is 13th September.
• Emerging Local Transport Plan | Let’s talk Kent. The deadline for responses is 18^th September.
• Kent Community Warden Service Review | Let’s talk Kent. The deadline for responses is 3rd October 2023.
• Kent and Medway Partnership Domestic Abuse Strategy 2024-2029 | Let’s talk Kent. The deadline for responses is 9^th October.
• National Highways and Transport Survey 2023-24 | Let’s talk Kent. There are 6 surveys covering: accessibility, highways maintenance, public transport, road safety, tackling congestion and walking and cycling. The deadline for responses is 29^th February 2024.

Sevenoaks Free Family Fun Days include everything from crafts and games to sports and face painting in a friendly, safe environment.

There’s no need to book, simply turn up and have fun. Please visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/summerfun or  social media accounts before setting off as the programme may change at short notice, especially if there’s wet weather.

Enjoy the day together with your children – bring a picnic and stay for the whole day. Some locations will be providing refreshments. Remember, please bring suitable clothing for the activities and the weather, as well as sun cream and plenty of water. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Activities are aimed at children under the age of 12 and may not be suitable for very young children.

The days are funded by Sevenoaks District Council, run by Play Place and supported by town and parish councils who are providing the venues. See the attached for more information:
Summer Family Fun Day 2023 Leaflet