The members of the Parish Council approved the model Publication Scheme and the Guide to Information and Charging Policy as approved by the Information Commissioner’s Office. The Guide will be displayed on the Parish Council notice board inside the Village Hall from December. It will show the documents and information that are held by the Parish Council which are available to members of the public There will be some changes to the information available on the village web site kennington-pc.gov.uk The Clerk will be investigating the possibility of having a standalone web site for the Parish Council. She would be interested in hearing from anyone in the village who has an expertise in this field.
There was an interesting debate on the flying of the Union Flag. Traditionally the Union flag was only flown on certain days in the year called Flag Days. These days have been advertised in this monthly report for many years. Central Government is now encouraging local authorities to fly the flag all year round. Cllr. Patterson asked for the debate and after a lively exchange of views it was felt important to fly both the village flag and the Union flag. Therefore it was agreed that funding for a new flag pole at the War Memorial would be allocated in the next financial year so the Union Flag could be flown there every day.
Following a request to meet the owner of the freehold of the Sandford Lane Industrial Estate, there was a very positive meeting with the Chairman and Vice-chairman of the Parish Council. It was agreed that a letter would be sent to the tenants to remind them about the need to encourage careful driving in the Lane and that no deliveries should be made by over-size vehicles. The Parish Council would write to the County Council asking if there could be permission for a more informative sign to be placed at the junction of The Avenue and Sandford Lane. The Parish Council would organise a litter pick on the industrial site which would be sponsored by the owner.
The Clerk received a quotation from Berinsfield Community Business for preparing the surface and spreading the Cushionfall woodchip under the play equipment at Forest Side. It was agreed to get the work done as soon as possible.
Grants were made to the Kennington Festival Group which will receive £500, Abingdon and District Citizens’ Advice Bureau £400 and South and Vale Carers Centre £175.