LOCAL

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council magazine www.tunbridgewells.gov.uk Summer 2013 inside:

Priorities for 2013/14 Summer activities News, views and much more

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Welcome to Summer Local!

We produce Local to keep you up-to-date about council services and news. If you have any comments about the magazine, wed love to hear from you. Contact us by: Phone 01892 526121 E-mail Localemail@tunbridgewells.gov.uk Post Lizzie Goodwin, Communications and Engagement Team Leader, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RS To advertise, contact Space Marketing Ltd, 01892 677721 or e-mail antoinettem@spacemarketing.co.uk Advertising helps to keep our costs down. We do not endorse the external products and services advertised in Local.
The information in this publication was correct at the time of going to print. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council cannot accept responsibility for any errors, omissions or subsequent changes.

As ever, Local magazine is full of news, tips and information for our residents. There are plenty of activities to enjoy over the summer months have a look at some of the free ones for families to attend (p1213). Get a glimpse of your new bin calendar that will be landing on your doormat next week its bright green! (p9). As youll know from previous editions, weve been busy working on how to improve our services despite budgetary restraints and an increasing lack of resources. Find out more about our budget and priorities for the coming year (p45). Enjoy the magazine and have a great summer. Lizzie Goodwin Editor

This years budget

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If you require Local magazine in large print or audio CD please phone 01892 554273

Our budget
Our funding from the government has always been among the lowest in the country and this is set to continue. So far we have managed a 30 per cent reduction in funding and this looks likely to increase to 40 per cent or 2.4 million by 2014/15.
Most of us would struggle with a reduction in income of this size and we will face significant pressures and tough decisions ahead. Despite these tough times we have made some significant achievements when setting our budget for this year. These include: No reduction to any major services and we continue to provide a much wider range of services than many local councils A freeze on existing car parking charges and residents permits Not using any general reserves to balance the budget Continuing to have the 12th lowest Council Tax in the country which means you pay just 42p per day

D knowid you year that las cost we mad t r e and eduction savi efficienc s ngs y o 600 f over k?

We will continue to look at new ways to generate income and to deliver cost savings. This will help to protect the frontline services and ensure we use your money wisely. If you have any ideas how to do this, please contact us on accounts@tunbridgewells.gov.uk

What we can achieve

In this age of austerity sometimes we have to focus on what we can achieve rather than what we would like to achieve. With this in mind, we have selected 24 community projects which we feel confident that we can deliver in 2013/14. Two main priorities are to continue to deliver the scheme aimed at relieving congestion on the North Farm retail park and ensuring that the councils presentation to the A21 inquiry achieves the result that most of us would wish for.
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Matters outside our direct control include the cinema site and it is hoped that the developers are moving closer to producing a viable solution to the eyesore. We are already pushing forward with our Energy Deal scheme, Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom, and working more closely with the parishes and town councils so it looks like a busy year ahead. Cllr David Jukes Leader, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

A PROSPEROUS BOROUGH: promoting employment, improving internet connections, our roads and the vitality of the borough. 1. Provide space to encourage business start-ups 2. Work with local organisations to promote opportunities for apprenticeships, new graduates and the unemployed 3. Implement a town centre Wi-Fi network and encourage hi-tech businesses 4. Continue to campaign to improve rural broadband speeds 5. Encourage and support KCC and the Highways Authority to bring forward improvements to the A21 and congestion at North Farm 6. Consult on the future of Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre through the Local Plan 7. Work with the owners of the Cinema Site to ensure a suitable development scheme 8. Work with the owners to implement an approved scheme for the Kent & Sussex Hospital site 9. Develop a strategy for marketing Tunbridge Wells borough as a destination 10. Continue to make best use of land and property assets for the benefit of all residents

A GREEN BOROUGH: improving our environment, cutting waste levels and reducing energy consumption. 11. Run enforcement campaigns on dropping litter and dog fouling 12. Improve the appearance of Royal Tunbridge Wells by running a successful Royal Tunbridge Wells in Bloom and exploring

the enhancement of the Millennium Clock area 13. Develop the Stage 2 application for Heritage Lottery Fund support to enhance Grosvenor & Hilbert recreation ground 14. Explore the introduction of a kerbside glass recycling collection service 15. Implement the Green Deal Scheme and run a collective switching campaign

A CONFIDENT BOROUGH: supporting our communities, encouraging an active role in services; improving road safety and our cultural facilities 19. Work with KCC and our other partners locally to deliver the Kent Troubled Families programme 20. Develop a toolkit to assist community groups to deliver local events 21. Encourage all parts of the community to become more involved in service design by agreeing a framework for the community right to challenge, encouraging more community involvement in neighbourhood planning and the engagement of parish councils 22. Encourage parish and town councils to develop community facilities 23. Continue the TWITA campaign and work with the Community Safety Partnership to deliver a range of road safety campaigns in the borough 24. Develop the concept of a cultural and learning hub in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells
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Our priorities for 2013/14

A HEALTHY BOROUGH: encouraging residents to lead healthier lives and working with our partners on housing regeneration 16. Work with our partners (including GPs) to deliver a programme of public health promotion 17. Offer all residents access to a health assessment and assistance in reaching a healthy weight through general health assessments, advice, providing a weight loss programme and smoking cessation programme 18. Support the residential regeneration of Sherwood, Ramslye and Cranwell Road through the rehousing of all affected tenants

C Hele ontact on 0 n Tim 1 m hele 892 55 s tunb n.timm 4031 gov ridgew s@ .u e info k for m lls. rma ore to e tion or nter

Ready, steady, grow!

What a summer it is going to be for the town, representing our region in the Britain in Bloom Finals for the first time ever.
The campaign was launched on 19 and 20 April in Royal Tunbridge Wells, supported by the Mayor at the time, Cllr John Smith, local MP Greg Clark and our sponsors, Sodexo Land Technology, Cory Environmental and Coolings Nursery. Stalls were busy and the goody bags and vouchers from our key sponsor Coolings Nursery certainly proved popular.

Working hard behind the scenes all year, the Bloom Group are organising our best campaign yet and are delighted that three new local groups The Grove, Calverley Grounds and Dunorlan Park have joined the campaign. The local competition means that you dont have to be a gardening expert to enter; you will win something and get free tips. We have loads of opportunities to get involved, meet people, learn new skills and help organise community corporate volunteering too.

Pupil sees winning design on recycling vehicles

Well done to Aiden Thomas, a year five pupil at St Matthews School, High Brooms. Aiden produced the winning entry in a competition to design a poster to promote recycling across the borough, organised jointly by the council and Cory Environmental, the councils waste contractor.
The competition for primary schools was part of a campaign to raise awareness of recycling among young people. The campaign also saw council staff visiting schools to talk to young people about recycling and littering and how they can help the environment in their local area. Aiden won a prize for the school and his design has been used on Corys recycling vehicles.
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In March Councillor Paul Barrington-King, cabinet member and portfolio holder for Sustainability, and Richard Cooper, Cory Environmentals contract manager, visited St Matthews to present them with a cheque for 500 and to give Aiden a framed copy of his winning design. Cory Environmental staff also took along one of the trucks used to collect recycling so that Aiden and his classmates could see how his design looked on the vehicle. The school has used the prize money to create a willow structure on their playing field fitting in neatly with the environmental theme which will provide some welcome shelter and shade for pupils on hot, sunny days. Full information about recycling in the borough and the kerbside collection service can be found on the councils website tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

The safest borough in Kent and (third) best place to live in the country ...officially
Its always good to be the bearer of positive news, so the Tunbridge Wells Community Safety Unit (CSU) is very pleased to be able to tell you that our borough is officially the safest place to live in Kent.
The figures reveal that between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013, Tunbridge Wells recorded fewer crimes per 1,000 residents than any other borough in the county, and we were also lowest for offences such as vehicle crime, robbery and criminal damage. Overall we experienced a 3.8 per cent reduction in crime compared to last year. Our residents also come top in terms of feeling safe about where they live. In case youre unaware of the CSU, we are a partnership of local organisations including Kent Police, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent County Council and other agencies, dedicated to helping keep you and your property safe. We have a wealth of safety information and resources available and your local KCC Community Wardens, Police Community Safety Officers (PCSO) and Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators are on hand to offer you help and advice (see below for contact details). In light of the recent figures, Paul Barrington-King, Councillor for Pembury and portfolio holder for Sustainability, said: In the face of challenging economic times, this is an enormous achievement for Tunbridge Wells. I am extremely proud of the Community Safety Unit in helping to make our borough one of the best places to live in the country. Its also great to hear that, despite a slight increase nationally, the most recent local labour market statistics confirm another decrease in unemployment rates in our borough for the last quarter. Tunbridge Wells showed the biggest fall across the whole of London and the Home Counties. To top off all this excellent news, in December 2012 the Halifax announced the results of its seventh annual Quality of Life survey. Based on factors such as residents health, life expectancy, earnings, employment, crime rate, weather, traffic flow and even broadband internet access, Tunbridge Wells was rated the third best place to live in the UK. All the more reason to Love Where We Live.

Keep up to date about crime and safety and the CSU by subscribing to our newsletter at tunbridgewellscsu.org.uk/csunews, or follow @twbc_safe on Twitter. For information specific to your area, sign up to the Neighbourhood Watch newsletter, E-watch, at e-watch.co/register.php. To contact your local PCSO or your local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator, call 101. Get in touch with a Community Warden on 07696 584175 . If a crime is in progress call the police on 999, or 101 for non-urgent police matters.
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Best in Kent for dealing with fly-tipping

What is it?
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of rubbish or bulky items on land that is not licensed to receive it. It can be found anywhere, such as roadsides, in lay-bys or on private land, without the permission of the land owner.

syringes. Fly-tipping can also pollute surrounding land and waterways, damage wildlife and ecosystems and costs the tax payer significant amounts of money to clear away. In the UK, waste is disposed of under laws that impose a duty on producers and transporters of waste to ensure that it is disposed of properly. Only holders of a Waste Carriers Licence can recover, transport, deposit or dispose of waste. Waste can only be deposited at officially authorised sites. Anyone caught fly-tipping waste is committing a serious criminal offence.

tackle fly-tipping within our borough, and have been very successful in bringing offenders to justice. It is our policy to seek to prosecute for each offence of fly-tipping, where sufficient evidence is found, and it is in the public interest to do so. As well as reacting to fly-tipping that has already occurred, the Street Scene Enforcement Officers also carry out regular campaigns, with Kent Police such as Stop & Search initiatives where any vehicle suspected of carrying waste is stopped and searched for waste or stolen property. Officers also check that any person carrying waste has the correct documentation, and search loads are photographed along with the vehicle to identify any load being subsequently fly-tipped.

Why is it illegal?
Fly-tipping can be dangerous. Dumping waste can be hazardous to the public, especially when the waste consists of drums of toxic material, asbestos sheeting, clinical waste and

What we are doing?

Tunbridge Wells Borough Councils Street Scene Enforcement Officers are on the frontline in the fight to

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This image shows a very large fly-tip in the middle of a quiet rural lane, again an area of outstanding natural beauty. This fly-tip caused major disruption, blocking off the road to emergency vehicles and causing problems for other road users. A large quantity of evidence was found within this fly-tip, leading to a complex investigation, with Street Scene Enforcement Officers interviewing many suspects and witnesses under

caution, viewing CCTV and building a case for prosecution. The fly-tipper is soon to have his day in court. Street Scene Enforcement currently have a further five cases awaiting a court hearing. Every fly-tip that is reported is thoroughly investigated, with every lead, however small, being followed up, so please, if you see a fly-tip report it on 01892 526121 or e-mail info@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Householders
If you are disposing of waste that cannot be taken away using your domestic waste collection, or if you cannot take it to a controlled waste site such as the North Farm Household Waste Recycling Centre and you are thinking of paying someone to take it away, make sure that you see their Waste Carriers Licence. This must be an original and not a photocopy, and get a receipt for your waste, as you are responsible under law for checking that contractors are correctly licensed to dispose of waste correctly.

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How to report fly-tipping

If you witness afly-tipping incident it is important to follow these guidelines: Do notapproach the personflytipping they are committing an offence and could become aggressive Do make notesof the date and time of the incident Do make notes of the descriptions of any personsand/or vehicles involved in the incident and in particular it is essential to obtain the correct Vehicle Registration Mark details, without which it may not be possible to correctly identify the potential offender Do not touch any of the waste dumped it may contain hazardous waste, such as syringes If you have evidence that may lead to the conviction of a fly-tipper and you are willing to assist the investigation of the offence by acting as a witness for the prosecution in any subsequent legal proceedings, you can report these details by calling us on 01892 526121 or e-mail info@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

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ebs we from lls.gov ite .uk Nov mid emb er

About your bins were improving how you receive your information
Look out for your new style calendar that will be arriving on your doormat from Monday 1 July. Weve changed the format so you have complete flexibility where you keep it; on a fridge door, the back of a cupboard door, or simply inside a kitchen drawer the film attaches to most surfaces and will be easy to peel off when it expires.
As with previous years, the information about your waste and recycling can also be found on our website or by contacting our Customer Service team. It seems like a long way off, but information about changes that may affect your collections during the Christmas period will be available on our website from mid-November. More information about Christmas recycling will available in the autumn and winter editions of Local magazine too.
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Dont put up with it report it!

Fitness in the great outdoors

Exercise for long-term healthy living is often about opportunity and consistency. Gyms and sports centres have excellent facilities and offer a great deal of variety.
For those who dont feel comfortable in the gym environment or arent using their membership to its full potential, there are many other opportunities available, which can have just as many benefits if done in the right way. Discovering new opportunities to exercise can be a lot of fun and can add variety to your week. Exercise equipment in our parks and green spaces is becoming more popular and is springing up around the borough, many of these areas are managed by your local parish council.

Facilities in the borough

Capel the large playing field behind the village hall has a leg press and strider machine. Paddock Wood St Andrews Field has a five piece gym which includes a leg press and space walker. Pembury the village playground has an impressive seven station gym including a horseback rider and a shoulder press machine.

Do you live in parking zone B in Royal Tunbridge Wells?

Following the recent changes that mean Sunday daytime parking is no longer allowed on single yellow lines on some of the main roads accessing the town centre, there is now a proposal to change the parking bay restrictions in zone B to also include Sunday.
The residents parking zone was introduced in 1999 and since then there has been a significant increase in on-street parking close to the town centre on Sundays. Residents are competing for spaces with visitors to the town and there have been requests that the residents priority bays should now include Sunday. The parking bays affected by this change are located in the following roads: Albert Street, Albion Road, Avon Street, Beech Street, Belgrave Road, Beulah Road, Chandos Road, Commercial Road, Dale Street, Dukes Road, Goods Station Road, Granville Road, Hill Street, Kirkdale Road, Mercer Street, Norman Road, Quarry Road, St James Road, Stanley Road, Stone Street, Stratford Street, Tunnel Road, Western Road and Wood Street. A Traffic Regulation Order is needed to make the changes to the parking bay restrictions in zone B and this will be advertised in the next few weeks. Public notices will be placed in each affected road and in the local press advertising the proposed changes. If you wish to support or object to the proposal, you should write to the parking manager in the three weeks following publication of the public notice. You can find full details about how to do this on our website tunbridgwells.gov.uk and on the public notices.

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Langton Green the recreation fields have a chin up and parallel bars for an intense body weight workout to rival Team GBs Louis Smith. Not for the faint hearted!

Conservation volunteering is a great idea for getting active in the outdoors. A volunteer session could involve walking, chopping, digging and planting. With activities for all abilities its a great way of reclaiming the countryside and your own fitness. The Kent High Weald Partnership (khwp.org.uk) operates locally as well as the Green Gyms scheme at Bedgebury Pinetum (tcv.org.uk). For anyone looking to achieve weight loss through a combination of exercise and long-term healthy eating, Weight for It! is our free 10 week weight loss programme. Its held at different venues around the borough every quarter. To register or to find out more information please contact the Health Team on 01892 554411 or e-mail: health@tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Pepenbury Cornford Lane has a fantastic nine station outdoor gym with stunning views to match, as well as a one and a half mile woodland walk. Pepenbury do not charge people to walk in the woods or use the equipment, however, as a charity they do rely on donations if you feel suitably inspired.

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Go Wild in the Weald

For over 20 years the Kent High Weald Partnership has been helping the Tunbridge Wells local community to discover wildlife on the doorstep. This summer will be no different with a staggering 30 free family events planned between now and September. Brilliant Bats
They will be running several bat walks at Dunorlan Park, Hilbert Woods and Barnetts Wood, all in Tunbridge Wells. Using specialist equipment you can track the bats as they go about their night-time feeding ritual.

Drop by and Dip in

Pond dipping will be at Barnetts Wood in High Brooms, and Cranbrook where you can dip into the deep and discover some watery minibeasts during their drop-in sessions. You can also make your very own creature to take home!

Wild Child
Learn how to survive in the wilds with shelter building, fire lighting and more! This session is suitable for ages seven and upwards.

Natures Own Playground

If you dont have the time to go to one of their fantastic events, there is still plenty to do in open spaces in and around Tunbridge Wells. For example, Cinderhill Woods in Matfield boast spectacular views of remnant heathland. For more inspiration and information go to khwp.org.uk or call 01580 212972. Dont forget to book activities!
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Free Family Fun Days Summer 2013!

Our Family Fun Days are back for summer 2013, taking place at a venue near you during the school summer holidays in August!
If youre looking for things to do during the summer break, look no further than one of the Family Fun Days taking place across the borough come along and have fun together. Try out sports including kwik cricket, tag rugby, football and many more. And for the more adventurous, either a climbing wall or spider mountain will be available at each venue! If sports arent your thing, then how about creating something amazing in the arts and crafts area? There will be 20 Family Fun Days in all, starting on Monday 5 August at Calverley Grounds in Royal Tunbridge

Wells, and returning there for the final day on Friday 30 August. In between, events will be held all across the borough, so there is bound to be one near you. You do not need to book in advance just turn up on the day and register with the activity leaders. Please note that children will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times. Full details of dates and venues can be found on the our website or by contacting Nick Green, Sports, Grants & Communities Officer on 01892 554108, or e-mail: nick.green@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk There will also be local publicity via schools, libraries and town and parish councils.

The free yre ther and e nee s no d boo to k!

More summer activities weve been told about

Cranbrook Parade and Family Fun Day Sunday 30 June Capel Fete Saturday 6 July Langton Green Village Fete Saturday 6 July Rusthall Village Fete Saturday 13 July Paddock Wood Carnival Saturday 13 July Check locally for start and finish times

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Fraud doesnt pay!

The Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone shared service that deals with Housing and Council Tax Benefit Fraud delivered excellent results in safeguarding public money in 2012/13.
Across the partnership 634,461 was found in fraudulent overpayments, all of which has to be paid back to the councils. Of these cases, seven fraudsters were prosecuted, seven received
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official cautions and 14 received administrative penalties. 166,000 of the total was from an exercise run in the summer of 2012 on single person discount cases. This was repeated at the end of the year and results are looking equally good. We hope to publish them next time. The partnership is committed to safeguarding public money and will continue to be vigilant and proactive.

DO YOU IS COM THINK SOME FRAUD? MITTING BEN ONE EFIT If you inform have any to giv ation you w please e, in confid ish 554107 phone 0189 ence, 2 or vis it our websit tunbri e benefit dgewells.go fraud v.uk/

Mental Health Resource the Mayors charity for the coming year
One in four of us will be affected by a mental health problem in any given year. Some call it the silent illness as there is no bandage, you dont look ill yet statistics show that more and more people are seeking support for their mental ill health.
For those living with mental illness, the stigma imposed upon them by society can possibly lead to a lack of funding for services and difficulty in finding employment. Ultimately, the silence and lack of understanding about mental illness encourages feelings of shame, and discourages people from seeking treatment or even to admit that symptoms they may be experiencing may be related to a mental illness. home and family. MHR consists of three projects: The Hub, Reachout and Assert, providing services and support in West Kent for people aged 18 65 years. Wells, offering friendly, confidential self-help support in a caring and non-judgemental environment, where individuals can make friends, share personal experiences, and find they can understand one another. Individuals can express opinions about treatment and care and feed back anonymously to help improve services. They also have the opportunity to become more involved by attending consultation group meetings.

The Hub
The Hub centre is based in Grosvenor Road, creating opportunities for people with mental health issues to meet with a qualified team of staff who are there to help and identify individuals needs and support them to deal with their difficulties. People can choose from a range of activities suited to their needs ranging from Art and Pottery to computer studies and Yoga, helping to raise confidence and self-esteem thus encouraging positive emotional and physical well-being. MHR also run workshops in community-based settings with members of the public which can help to break down barriers by helping people gain a better understanding of problems associated with mental health.

Assert Advocacy
Assert Advocacy is independent of NHS and social services, and separate from other parts of the charity. Advocates help the clients to express their own views and needs to people who make decisions about their lives. Advocates aim to protect rights, provide information, and promote informed choice. They help to define individuals needs around housing, benefits, treatment and support.

About the charity

Tunbridge Wells Mental Health Resource Ltd (MHR) is an independent charity based in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, founded in 1993 to provide practical and emotional support for people suffering from mental ill health. Figures show that in the region of 160,000 people in Kent require support for their mental health illnesses. Despite living in what is popularly thought to be an affluent area, many find themselves in financial hardship and social isolation as a result of their illness, sometimes losing their job,

Reachout
Reachout provides friendly and confidential peer support groups based in the community for people with mental health difficulties, with an aim to reducing isolation and encouraging people to be proactive in managing their own recovery. Groups are held in Cranbrook, Edenbridge, Hawkhurst, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge

Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA)

IMHAs help explain how the law applies, and how to participate in, or appeal against, the plans made for care or treatment for people detained under sections of the Mental Health Act 1983. They are also able to act in the interests of someone who currently lacks capacity.

The Mayor, Dr Ronen Basu said:

I have chosen MHR as my charity for my Mayoral year because mental health is a major issue and yet still remains a taboo subject. People with mental health problems face prejudice every day, problems can happen to anyone at any age at any time, just like other illnesses. Organisations like MHR need to be recognised for the work that they do and the support that they offer to an increasing number of vulnerable people. Through my year as Mayor I hope to help the charity raise awareness of mental health issues, and work closely

with their Fundraiser Diane Bradley learning more about this debilitating illness that affects so many people. I am looking forward to supporting MHR raise their target of around 15,000 this year through the many events planned. Some of the events taking place start with Cricket Week at the end of May, a September Clay Pigeon Shooting day, MHRs annual 5k Fun Run on 6 October, a Wine Tasting evening in November and looking forward to next year we have a Quiz Night in January and a Golf Day planned for March, so plenty of fundraising opportunities already in the calendar.

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Thinking of extending your home?

Call in or phone the Gateway
Advice is available at the Gateway at 8 Grosvenor Road, or by phone 01892 526121. Opening hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, late opening until 6.30pm on Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9am to 1.30pm. In addition, a Duty Planning Officer is available between 10.30am and 2.30pm Mondays to Fridays. Duty Planning Officer: the main planning issues that are likely to be raised by your proposals planning policies the procedure and timescale involved in the processing of your planning application Please note: Neither Gateway staff nor the Duty Planning Officer will be able to confirm that your proposals do not require planning permission as this can only be done by making an application for a Certificate of Lawful Use. Nor can they advise whether your proposals are likely to receive planning permission, as we now have a pre-application advice service for this.

Is planning permission needed?

As well as requiring Building Regulations approval you may also need planning permission, so it is worth finding out as soon as possible.

How we can help:

Gateway staff: how to apply for planning permission the planning history of a property (since 1974) planning constraints relating to a property, such as whether it is within a conservation area or an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or whether it is a listed building

Check online
Central governments Planning Portal website explains when planning permission is needed. This will be updated to include any changes to the rules that the government may make. The Planning Services pages of our website have lots of helpful information including how to check the planning history of a site or address; the planning constraints or policy designations that affect a site; whether your property is a listed building; how to make applications and the required fees for these.

What is a Lawful Development Certificate?

If you think your proposals do not require planning permission we would advise you to seek confirmation of this by submitting an application for a Certificate of Lawful Development. This will avoid any uncertainties if you wish to sell your property or if your neighbours raise any concerns over any building works you are doing. Information on how make this application is available on our website or at Gateway.

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Our Tourist Information Service has moved to a new home

You will now find the team in Unit 2 of The Corn Exchange, on the Lower Pantiles.
The opening hours are 10am-3pm, MondaySaturday throughout the summer season (AprilSeptember) and TuesdaySaturday throughout the winter (October-March). The Tourist Information Service can also be reached by telephone on 01892 515675 and by e-mail on tourism@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk during normal office hours. You can find information about accommodation, attractions and events in the borough by visiting our website visittunbridgewells.com or by downloading the free iPhone visitor app from the Apple Store.

Our pre-application service

When planning permission is required, Planning Services can serv This provide written pre-application a ice a othepplies lso advice on whether your proposals are likely to be dev r type to elop s of acceptable in planning terms, too ment although a small charge is made for this. By taking advantage of this service you may save money on professional fees in preparing a planning application as well as your planning application fees, if your proposals are unacceptable. Also, it is likely to speed up the time taken to get a get a decision. Information about this service is available on our website or you may e-mail planningcomments@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk for further guidance.

Why not go out and explore the borough this summer?

See our design guide

We have a useful design guide available on the website or at the Gateway on how to design your extension so that it fits in with your house and doesnt harm the surrounding area or spoil your neighbours amenities.
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Did you know Tunbridge Wells is a Fairtrade Town?

Fairtrade is a global campaign which ensures a fair price to farmers for their produce, plus an additional premium which is invested in community development.
The Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Campaign began in 2004 with prestigious Fairtrade Town status finally awarded in 2007. There are a number of goals which had to be achieved and maintained for this, including gaining support from the borough council, local faith and community groups, schools and local businesses. In addition, Fairtrade products have to be sold and served in a number of local shops and cafes. Fairtrade Town events have been hugely successful, increasing awareness and engagement in our town and the surrounding area. Initiatives have included a Fairtrade fashion show, a flash-dance in Calverley Precinct, and community art projects. This March, Malawian sugar producer Henry Matenda visited Tunbridge Wells to share his story about how Fairtrade has benefited his local community, through the provision of electricity and a well supplying clean drinking water. Why Fairtrade? Because we can use the money we spend on everyday goods to ensure fairer prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and just terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. Why a Fairtrade Town? Because it speaks volumes about local people and their commitment to the wider world.

870 million people still suffer daily hunger 500 million smallholder farmers supply 70% of our food but they also comprise half the worlds hungriest people Fairtrade helps farmers themselves to fight poverty, and brings justice to the market place For more information about the Tunbridge Wells Fairtrade Town Group, visit tunbridgewellsfairtradegroup. weebly.com

New grants programme 9,600 for local groups

From April 2013, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is reintroducing the Member Community Grants programme for small grants under 600.
This programme is intended to provide help for small community groups or organisations with projects or events in their local area or neighbourhood, and give council members an opportunity to support specific organisations or projects in their wards. Each borough council member will be allocated 200
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to support voluntary and community organisations with projects or events in their ward. Projects seeking support should be based in a specific ward of the borough and have support from at least one borough council member for that ward. Applicants may request support from more than one member in that ward if required. Full details can be found on the councils website or by contacting Nick Green, Sports, Grants & Communities Officer on 01892 554108, or e-mail nick.green@ tunbridgewells.gov.uk.

Tantalise your tastebuds

Now that we have said goodbye to our long winter you may think that pies are in the past, but what about picking up some local ingredients at your farmers market for a light fish pie, perfect for a summer evening of dining outside. A Light Fish Pie
Ingredients Butter just for brushing over the pastry and cooking the spinach. 300g spinach, chopped 250g skinless cod or Pollock fillet 250g skinless smoked haddock fillet 300g raw king prawns Small bunch parsley, chopped Now, these two ingredients you will have to pick up from a local shop. 3-4 large sheets filo pastry 200g crme frache or even try a half fat version. In a saucepan, wilt the spinach in butter. Squeeze out the excess water then put in the bottom of an ovenproof dish. The fish needs to be cut

into chunks then popped in a bowl, add the prawns, the crme frache with the parsley and season well. Mix together and spoon over the spinach.

Farmers Market every second and fourth Saturday outside the Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells, from 9am to 2pm

You might also like to try a wine from a local vineyard, an ideal accompaniment to seafood:

Brush filo sheets with melted butter then scrunch up and use to top the pie. Cook at 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 for 3040 minutes. It should look crisp and golden and fish cooked through. Serve with fresh salad leaves that you can pick up at your farmers market.

Sedlescombe Organic Vineyard 2011 First Release (Biodynamic): concentrated fresh aroma, with tropical, zesty flavours of gooseberries, grapefruit and lemongrass. If you cannot wait to get out into the sunshine then pop along to Tunbridge Wells farmers market and pick up some wonderful picnic treats such as pies, cupcakes, soft seasonal fruits and fresh apple juice.

Fresher for Longer

Did you know that throwing away unused food costs consumers 6.7 billion a year and the majority of us mistakenly think that fruit and vegetables will go off quicker if theyre left in the pack?
Evidence shows that if we keep food in its packaging and store it according to the label we will have more time to eat it and reduce the 4.4 million tonnes of good food and drink wasted each year. Now theres a national campaign called Fresher for Longer that is encouraging us to cut food waste and save s. The campaign was launched at Marks & Spencer, Royal Tunbridge Wells by Councillor Paul Barrington-King, who is chair of the Kent Waste Partnership. By following on-pack instructions for storage, we can give ourselves more time to eat food and reduce waste. Fresher for Longer will help us waste less and save more. The best way to store bread is in its original packaging in a cool dark place not in the fridge. If you buy tomatoes from the shops it is likely they will have been kept in the fridge before getting to you. Therefore the best way to store them at home, to keep them at their best for longer, is to keep them in the fridge, in their original packaging. Keep fruit in its packaging in the fridge. There are a few exceptions, like bananas, which should be stored at room temperature, so check the label.
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An interview with Cllr McDermott

Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transportation
How long have you been Portfolio Holder? One year. I was appointed by David Jukes (Leader of the Council) in June 2012. Are you enjoying it so far? Its very challenging but rewarding. Im pleased with progress Ive made with David (Jukes) on North Farm traffic improvements. And the council recently agreed to move to one planning committee, which will be more efficient. What are your areas of responsibility? Basically, Im in charge of all planning issues, including trees, and many things to do with transport like our car parks, on-street parking permits and bays, and the safety car operation. The exception to this is general road maintenance which is carried out by Kent Highways.
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What have you achieved so far? Ive reviewed the planning department, which has improved enormously over the last year. Were receiving fewer complaints about the service and receiving praise from residents, which is great news. The planners have worked very hard to improve things. Ive also alleviated the problem with parking on yellow lines in the town, and launched consultations on planning proposals. What are the plans for the borough? We need to build 6,000 houses by 2026, and have only built around 2,600 so far. Site allocations for additional development are being considered now, and weve asked residents their views on where the remaining houses should go.

Were also looking to link the Pantiles more with the rest of the town. We have plans to alter the main road between Church Road and Fiveways, as a shared space area for buses and pedestrians. Transport improvements to North Farm and A21 dualling are set for 2015, although discussion on the A21 started in the 1930s, so were crossing our fingers on that! Finally, weve exchanged contracts with a developer for a site in Cranbrook which could provide Later Living apartments for private sale. This will be finalised as and when the developers achieve planning approval. Whats coming up that residents should know about? The introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is being

considered. The CIL would be a levy on new build development to secure money for infrastructure improvements. There will be consultation on this with developers and the public on how much can reasonably be raised, and how it should be spent, later in the year. In the autumn, well be launching a consultation on our Car Parking Strategy, which we need to refresh so that its in line with the Borough Transportation Strategy. And can you tell us your favourite building in the borough? I like the Decimus Burton designed crescent in town, and the Pantiles is lovely of course. But I live in Matfield and think the borough has so many beautiful villages that are full of character; I really couldnt choose just one as my favourite.

Ash dieback disease

Kent Trading Standards is aware that some rogue traders are incorrectly advising householders that because of the ash dieback disease, the ash tree on their property must be felled or pruned. Chalara dieback of ash, often referred to as ash dieback, is a disease of ash trees caused by a fungus. The disease causes leaf loss and dieback in affected trees and depending on the age of the tree can lead to tree death.
Once infected, trees cannot be cured, but not all trees die of the infection. Young ash plants can be killed within one growing season of symptoms becoming visible, whilst older trees can survive initial attacks, although they may die after several seasons of infection. Tree owners are not required to take any particular action such as felling the infected ash tree, unless a statutory Plant Health Notice has been served on the owner. A Plant Health Notice can be issued by the Forestry Commission or other plant health authority. Unless you have received such a notice, there is no requirement to fell the tree. The guidance at the moment is that infected mature trees should be retained so that it can be seen if they show any genetic resistance to the disease. Isolating resistant trees and examining their DNA may be important for the long term maintenance of a population of common ash in this country. Further details on the disease are available at the Forestry Commission website forestry.gov.uk/chalara

If you feel you have been targeted by a rogue trader, you can call Trading Standards via Citizen Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506. You can also visit buywithconfidence. gov.uk for a list of traders.

Transformed by you
Do you have an idea for how to improve your local area? Do you want to win the chance of getting people to turn your idea into reality?
There are many opportunities for how the use of technology could improve your community, whether its to stay connected with loved ones, share skills for a good cause, or even organise community clean-ups. Transformed by you is a competition supported by Kent Connects to stimulate collaboration between public services, entrepreneurs and communities to develop innovative ways of using technology to improve neighbourhoods. Were looking for your ideas on a range of different challenges, from: how to get people to keep fit and stay healthy how to get involved in arts and culture and how to make it easier for people to help each other

We are offering a prize fund of up to 9K as well as in-kind support to help take forward the best ideas and prototypes.

Whos eligible?
This competition is open to any UK resident. There is no age limit, but if you are under 16 please make sure you have the permission of a parent or guardian before getting involved. You may participate individually or team up with other people. You are also welcome to enter as many times as you like.

Interested?
If this sounds like something youd like to be involved in go to tunbridgewells.gov.uk/transformed-by-you to register your idea and it could be chosen for the developers to look at during the competition day in the Town Hall, Royal Tunbridge Wells on Saturday 23 November. Put the date in your diary, youll be very welcome to come along. More details in the next issue. If you have any other queries, do get in touch with noel.hatch@kent.gov.uk
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Love Where We Live Awards 2013

Go on, put a smile on someones face theres still time to submit your nominations for this years awards.
We all know people or organisations that make a positive difference. Perhaps a young person who volunteers their time to help others, a group of people that can always be relied upon to support local events, someone who has helped improve safety in your neighbourhood, a sports team or individual who has made great progress, or a coach committed to helping young people find focus in their lives, a local company that is reducing its impact on the environment, a neighbour who helps others with their day to day needs, or a charity that is particularly meaningful to you. You can help ensure their work and extraordinary qualities are acknowledged and celebrated. Nominate online at LoveWhereWeLive.co.uk, or pick up a nomination form at the Gateway, Weald Information Centre, Town & Country Housing Group or at the Town Hall. Alternatively, call Hilary or Lizzie on 01892 554270.

Clearer, simpler, easier: try our new website Learn with University of the Third Age
With about 700 members and over 70 interest groups, Tunbridge Wells University of the Third Age is a self-help learning organisation for those no longer in full-time employment.
The groups cover a wide range of interests including Art, Computing, Discussion, History, Literature, Music, Photography, Languages
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Completely redesigned with our residents in mind, the website gives quicker access to your most popular topics planning, bins and recycling and car parking.
If you have an interest in how the council works, youll find access to meeting agendas, decisions and minutes easier than ever before. For a clean, modern design, that works better whether you have a smartphone, tablet or computer, try tunbridgewells.gov.uk to find out what you need to know before picking up the phone!

and Walking. Informal and friendly, their aim is learning for pleasure. Their membership fee is modest and, as well as providing access to groups, enables members to take advantage of regular talks on a variety of topics. Visits to places of interest are also arranged at extra cost. For more information, please visit their website at u3atunbridgewells. pbworks.com.

Health and Safety Advice and Training

44143 ECS Door Drop Flyer_Layout 1 07/05/2013 10:25 Page 2

EC Safety Solutions are running cost-effective training courses in Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Sussex. Also available on work premises.
First Aid Courses* Strategy Planning First Aid Courses for Mums Policies and Procedures and Dads Disability Awareness HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVICE AND TRAINING Fire Warden Training and Audits

Fire RiskSolutions Assessments COSHH Awareness EC Safety are running cost-effective training courses in Tunbridge Wells, Planning Kent and Sussex. Also available on yourTraining premises. Evacuation Manual Handling
Policies and Implementation First Aid Training* All Hazard Plans Noise Awareness Disability Awareness and Audits Fire Warden / Marshal Training H&S Compliance Checks CIEH/BSC/IOSH Training H&S Consultancy and Advice Fire Risk Assessments Courses COSHH Awareness Evacuation / Invacuation Risk Planning Office/Workplace and Testing Manual Training Assessments Safety andHandling Security Courses General Risk Assessments Noise Awareness Save All up to 25% on selected courses quote TW13 Hazard Planning CIEH / BSC / IOSH Training Courses H&S more Compliance Checks For information or to book a course contact: Social Care Courses Office / Workplace Risk Assessments Mailroom Duties t 08001 930246 m 07453 306699 Strategy Planning Dealing with Suspect Packages

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08001 930246 / 07453 306699 or email info@ecsafetysolutions.com 18 Church Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1JP www.ecsafetysolutions.com *All First Aid Courses are approved by the HSE and Ofqual

For more information or to book a course contact: www.ecsafetysolutions.com

*All First Aid Courses are approved by the HSE and Ofqual EC Safety Solutions Ltd is the South Easts newest dynamic Health and Safety Consultancy and Training company. We are dedicated to providing you with a cost effective and sensible approach to meeting your Health and Safety and Risk Management requirements; In doing this we will allow you to concentrate on critical business priorities and not preventing the job being done because of bureaucracy.

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Superfast broadband deal signed

One of the biggest infrastructure projects in Kents history will start this year as better broadband is delivered across the county by Kent County Council and BT.
The partnership is backed by 10m of council funding, 9.87m from central government and 19.6m from BT. The contract follows the enormously successful Make Kent Quicker campaign, which saw thousands of people sign up and say they wanted more from their broadband. So thank you to all our readers who took the time to take part in the campaign. The Make Kent Quicker project was set up to bring broadband to every property in the county and make sure that most will be able to access superfast broadband services. Without this project, many rural businesses and communities would continue to have either no or very slow broadband services as there are no market-led plans to upgrade infrastructure in many rural parts of the county. Now, the combination of public funding and private investment, alongside existing roll-out plans, will make sure that at least 95 per cent of properties in Kent will have access to higher-speed fibre broadband by the end of 2015 (with 91 per cent having access to superfast speeds of 24mbps and above) and every property in the project area able to access download speeds of at least 2mbps. Surveyors will be making their way across Kent during the rest of this year, with 2014 and 2015 expected to be particularly busy as hundreds of miles of fibre are installed, helping to keep the county connected and competitive. As a result, thousands of homes and businesses in Kent and Medway stand to benefit and the improvement could deliver 1.5bn to the countys economy each year.

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IBS Ad LOCAL:Layout 1 22/05/2013 18:37 Page 1

TONBRIDGE EVENTS 2013

Sun 9 June Sun 23 June Fri 5 July Sat 6 July Sun 4 August Tue 6 August Sun 11 August Sun 18 August Sun 25 August Tue 27 August

Summer Carnival, Carnival & Fete A Taste of Tonbridge Dragon Boat Racing, Market Stalls, Live Music *Killer Queen, Tonbridge Castle *Proms Concert, Tonbridge Castle Maidstone Winds, Concert Band, Tonbridge Castle *As You Like It, Open Air Theatre, Tonbridge Castle Bells Yew Green Big Band, Tonbridge Castle Strictly Sinatra Sinatra Tribute (Vocalist), Tonbridge Castle The Oxted Band, Brass Band, Tonbridge Castle *The Mikado, Open Air Theatre, Tonbridge Castle Tonbridge Castle Medieval Fair Combat Display, Jester, Have-a-go-Archery & Heritage Open Days

Please contact James Walker

to discuss your own building requirements

Sat 14 / Sun 15 September

Tel: 01732 835333 Mob: 07970 258091

Email: ibsltd@kent2.co.uk

*These events are ticketed. Check website for prices.

For more details about the events listed above, visit: www.tmbc.gov.uk or call Tonbridge Gateway: 01732 770929

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Aliens in Pants and Dinosaurs

Its all go at the Assembly Hall Theatre
A season of rib-tickling comedy and heart-stopping drama is lined up for children and young people at Kents leading local theatre. The Assembly Hall Theatre, Royal Tunbridge Wells is staging two top shows for youngsters this autumn to bring hours of family fun entertainment, and Local magazine thought wed tell you a bit more about them Brian McAteer, Theatre Director for the Assembly Hall Theatre says: Childrens theatre is at the heart of the Assembly Hall Theatre programme. Often children are described as tomorrows audience, but for me they are the audience of today.
The theatres programme has continued to develop in recent years securing top West End musicals, quality drama and building a strong family programme.

A -eyed l g bog e n o handsYouve seen WALKING WITH al i r t thea c DINOSAURS, now experience nce experie them as youve NEVER experienced them before.
All the way from Australia, Erths Dinosaur Zoo brings these awesome pre-historic creatures to the stage up close and personal! From cute baby dinos to teethgnashing giants, meet the most recent addition to the Dinosaur Zoo, a carnivorous theropod known as the Australovenator, the most complete meat-eating dinosaur skeleton yet found in Australia. This experiential theatre performance features a cast of large-scale Australian dinosaur puppets brought to life by sophisticated design, electronics and theatrical presentation. These amazingly life-like dinosaur recreations were developed in consultation with palaeontologists, based on current science and specialist interpretations of dinosaur fossil evidence. Young tyrannosaurus lovers can observe and interact with these extraordinary life-like dinosaurs in this entertaining and highly imaginative live show. But watch out not all of these Jurassic giants are as tame as they seem! Children can watch wide-eyed from a safe distance or dare to get right up close to the creatures. Its a rare and pleasurable work that manages technical brilliance, cultural insight and enchantment all in one go Sydney Morning Herald Tue 15 Wed 16 Oct Children 3 years + Tue 12pm Wed 10.30am & 1.30pm First three rows 15, other rows 12.50, Schools 10

Aliens Love Underpants in every shape and size, but there are no underpants in space, so heres a big surprise!
Freshly arrived from outer space, the aliens are charmed, enthralled, surprised and delighted by ... underpants. Their comedy value is captured in simple rhyming text and wonderful illustrations of underpants in unusual places. Based on the best-selling childrens book by Claire Freedman and illustrated by Ben Cort, this show is delightfully engaging for all children 38 years. Youll laugh your PANTS off! This fantastic rhyming story is simply pantastic! British Book Awards Fri 20 Sun 22 September Children 3 years + Fri 1.30pm Sat Sun 10.30am & 1.30pm 12 All, Schools 8.50

Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2LU Box office 01892 530613/ 532072 www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 26

Whats On at the Assembly Hall Theatre

June
Wed 26 Jun Fri 28 Jun Sat 29 Jun Wed 17 Thu 18 Jul Sat 31 Aug Sun 8 Sep Fri 13 Sep Thu 19 Sep Fri 20 Sun 22 Sep Sat 28 Sep Sun 29 Sep Well Meet Again Buddy and the Killer Upbeat Beatles Jason Manford Michael Jackson Tribute Johnny Cash Roadshow Think Floyd Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Aliens Love Underpants Thank You for the Music Fusion

July August September

What a difference!
A length of the Spa Valley Railway embankment which borders the Showfields estate is looking brighter thanks to the efforts of a group of young people.
The teenagers, from youth groups and churches around Tunbridge Wells, volunteered their services for a clear-up of the land adjacent to the rail track, as part of a project organised by The Hub, a network of local Christian youth workers. The clear-up happened after local councillor Chris Woodward noticed how unsightly the area was during a walkabout of his ward soon after he was elected. Chriss wish to do something about it became a reality when he made contact with Rosie Jones, youth worker with the Christian charity, Tunbridge Wells Youth For Christ (TWYFC). Rosie organised the project as part of a week of volunteering activity that the young people were doing in the wider Broadwater area. Work took place over two days of the Easter holidays and around 15 young people cleared a huge amount of debris from the site. Talking about what the group achieved Rosie said: I am incredibly impressed, and proud, of all the hard work that this group of young people put into the week. It was horrific weather yet every morning they were there, ready to go, whatever group they were put in, whatever the project they did it with a smile on their faces. The council lent the group some clothing and arranged for the waste to be removed. Spa Valley Railway helped by providing access to the site and some extra hands to help with the work and rewarded everyone involved with a trip on one of their steam trains at the end of the project a great finish!

October
Tue 1 Oct Essence of Ireland Thu 3 Oct Sixties Gold Fri 4 Oct Bon Jovi Experience Sun 6 Oct RTWSO Thu 10 Oct Ed Byrne Fri 11 Oct Sandi Toksvig Tue 15 Oct Fascinating Aida Tue 15 Thu 17 Oct Dinosaur Zoo Fri 18 Oct Kate Rusby Sat 19 Oct An Evening of Burlesque Sat 26 Oct Fusion Final Sun 27 Oct Royal Marines Band Mon 28 Oct Wrestling

November
Fri 1 Nov Rat Pack Live Sun 3 Nov RTWSO Sun 3 Nov Reginald D Hunter Tue 5 Nov Ha Ha Holmes Wed 6 Thu 7 Nov Three Phantoms Sun 10 Nov RTW Choral Society Sun 10 Nov Paul Mertons Impro Chums Sun 17 Nov The Nutcracker Wed 20 Nov Show of Hands Tue 26 Sat 30 Nov TWODS Oklahoma!

Save the date

More details will appear on our website soon.

Honorary Freedom of the Borough March The Princess of Waless Royal Regiment 15 July Royal Tunbridge Wells
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