Keep up to date on what's happening in the village with the new monthly news review from Hawkinge Parish Council

Hawkinge Parish Council Meetings begin at 7.30pm in Hawkinge Community Centre, on the second Wednesday of the month. The public and press are invited and there is an opportunity for member of the public to ask questions prior to the meeting commencing.

The Annual Parish Council Carol Concert is being planned for 2.00pm on Sunday 4th December 2011 at Hawkinge Community Centre. Programme details  are to be published shortly.

Many of you may know about the Boundary Commissions proposals to move North Downs East Ward to the Dover and Deal Parliamentary Constituency.

This has been opposed by the Parish Council but despite this it is very likely that Hawkinge as part of the North Downs East Ward will become part of the Dover and Deal Parliamentary Constituency as a result of the proposed changes.

Dover, Deal and Sandwich all have Town Status and if Hawkinge is to join them it would give greater weight to its voice as a Town in its dealings with Shepway and Dover District Councils.

This along with the request from Hawkinge Parish Council to Shepway District Council for a review of its internal electoral arrangements and number of Councillors serving to represent the local community has triggered a Community Governance Review.

The review will consider issues such as the renaming of the Council with something that accurately reflects Hawkinge; a large settlement with an increasing population in excess of 9000 and an electorate of 5381.

It has the facilities of a town with a busy main street, two supermarkets,  bank, health centre, doctor’s surgery, dentist, community centre, two primary schools, large nursing home, museum, council offices, sports pavilion, cricket pavilion and good public transport links with frequent buses.

In addition planning permission has been granted for mixed use development on land close to the Mayfly public House on which further retail development will take place.

The Parish Council will be working closely with the District Council on the Review and will keep villagers updated regularly throughout the process.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©