Clerks Report Week Ending 11.10.2024

Introduction
If Councillors have any questions they need to contact me directly in order have them answered.
Committees
The Facilities and Services Committee met on Monday 7 October 2024, feedback was given to the Committee with reference to the proposed new playground equipment at Heartenoak Playground. Cllrs Harris and Ridley are preparing a proposal for Full Council which will be on the January agenda. The Committee are also investigating options for new locks for the Sports Pavilion, the item relating to a new bench being installed at Tesco was deferred.
The Events Committee met on Wednesday 9 October 2024, the Committee reviewed the paperwork relating to the Bonfire Night and Remembrance Sunday. The Committee were satisfied that all arrangements were taken care of correctly. Arrangements are in place for ‘Happy Christmas Hawkhurst’ which will take place on 29 November 2024, the Clerk checked and the event does not clash with the event in Cranbrook. The Committee have organised Christmas lights along with a large Christmas tree to be placed on the Moor. The Committee agreed to ask the company providing the lights if a nutcracker theme could be implemented. Shortly an advert will appear to advertise for stall holders. All help on the night will be gratefully received.
The Events Committee are open to ideas for a Parish Council stall, the Committee would like the money raised to be put into a reserve to assist with the renovation of Council facilities. This will also prove to any grant provider the Council are attempting to fund any projects through means other than precept which the Council will have to prove.
General Administration
The Officers have been preparing for the Planning Committee Meeting on Wednesday 16 October 2024 and Full Council Meeting on 21 October 2024. all requests for agenda items have been received. The agenda has been populated and papers will be circulated accordingly.
Last week the Clerk and Deputy Clerk attended a networking session with other Clerks in the area at Pembury Parish Council. The Clerk and Cllr Lloyd-Owen attended a course on the new Procurement Act 2023, the new regulations will have to be followed as of 25 February 2025. Since the training, the Clerk has been reading the regulations to ensure the right preparations and amendments to current policies are completed and brought to the Council before February.
The Clerk, Deputy Clerk and Cllr Lloyd-Owen attended the KALC Standards Conference, a separate report regarding the content will follow as there is too much to put into this report. The Monitoring Officer from Maidstone did a presentation where they stated a lot of the conflict in Parish Councils comes from a misunderstanding of roles within a Council. Clerks, Deputy Clerks and RFO’s have to undergo training, NALC are petitioning for mandatory training for Councillors however until then KALC have driven home the importance Councillors undergoing training.
The Clerk also attended a session to assist the NDP Steering Group in the organisation of their consultation event to be held on 12 November 2024. The Steering Group have asked for a presence from the Parish Council.
Training and Professional Development
The Clerk is continuing to work towards Community Governance Level 4 with the final assignments for the first year due in on 24 October 2024. The Law and Council Procedures Unit once passed qualifies the Clerk as a legal adviser. The other two due for submission are Managing People – covering up to date employment law and Building Community, which is all about the principals of Community Development.
The Clerk has four hours study time per week in order to prepare assignments for university, if you do not hear from the Clerk on a Friday it is due to this. The Personnel Committee agreed the study time at meeting held on 11.07.2024 minute reference 86/24.
The Deputy Clerk is working towards the ILCA qualification and has managed to achieve the first two modules and is halfway through the third one. The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the work of a local council, the clerk and its councillors. The Deputy Clerk has two hours per week built into her contracted hours to complete this course.
A full list of training provided by KALC is available at Training (new) | Kent Association of Local Councils (junari.com) if you see anything you wish to attend then please let me know.
I would encourage ALL Councillors to do the Nuts and Bolts of being a Parish Councillor.
Councillors attending training are as follows:
Cllr Myra Harris Councillor HR Training (30.10.2024)
Annual Leave
The Clerk is on leave from 15.10.2024 and will return to work on 28.10.2024, the Parish Support Officer will be on leave 29.10.2024.
Staff Contact Details

Lisa Rackett clerk@hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk
Clerk

Cheryl Metcalfe deputyclerk@hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk
Deputy Clerk

Sandra Rackett rfo@hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk
Locum Responsible Financial Officer

Bryony Dhillon office@hawkhurst-pc.gov.uk
Parish Support Officer

Please be mindful that each member of staff has different areas they manage, sometimes when you do not get an immediate reply it is because it needs to be given to the relevant officer. Please remember if we do not respond we are likely working on a solution.
Lisa Rackett
Clerk to Hawkhurst Parish Council