News

News that Partnership boss Deirdre Ferguson is quitting her top job has taken Hawkinge Parish Council Chairman David Callahan by surprise.

He told the Gazette: "This is a shock, she has built up a strong foundation for the Partnership and will be missed by me personally and the village. I will be sorry to see her go, I think she has done an excellent job.

Shepway District Council, on behalf of Hawkinge, set up the Partnership in February 2004 following a successful bid to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

It is funded to the tune of £2.25m over the 7 year period it is scheduled to run, through the Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder Programme.

Although a number of Pathfinder Programmes are successfully running throughout the country, Hawkinge is unique in Kent in being awarded this money.

Deirdre Ferguson handed in her resignation to Shepway District Council and the Hawkinge Partnership who are now considering future plans and support for the team.