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Food Bank: The Town Council is delighted to be able to support the Edenbridge Food Bank with providing use of Rickards Hall as a collection point on Tuesday mornings. The Food Bank has recently joined the Trussell Trust, a UK-wide network of food banks providing emergency food parcels and practical support to help people in crisis. Photographed is a team of volunteers outside Rickards Hall today for its first session.

For more details on the Edenbridge Food Bank, please visit its website here: https://edenbridge.foodbank.org.uk/

New planning policy for Edenbridge 

Sevenoaks District Council has agreed a new planning policy for Edenbridge to ensure future developments conserve and enhance the town’s character. 

The Edenbridge Character Area Assessment (ECAA) identifies the distinct features of the town that contribute to its uniqueness.

It will now be used as a tool when considering planning applications so that future development reflects local character. 

The document was drawn up in partnership with Edenbridge Town Council and consulted on widely amongst residents and businesses last year. Sevenoaks District Council’s Cabinet approved the final ECAA on Thursday 18 March 2021.

Sevenoaks District Council Portfolio Holder for Development & Conservation, Cllr Julia Thornton, says: “We are really proud of this document. It’s thorough and informative and the interactive tool that accompanies it online is really efficient and easily accessible. A huge thank you should go to both Edenbridge Town Council and the officers at Sevenoaks District Council for delivering a safe public consultation during the pandemic, giving residents and businesses a voice in this process.”

Cllr Thornton adds: “The ECAA will, without a doubt, be a useful tool going forward to help ensure that new development in Edenbridge adds rather than detracts from the town’s distinctive character.”

To find out more about the Edenbridge Character Area Assessment and to use the interactive map visit www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/edenbridgecaa

Easter refuse collections 

Following the Easter bank holidays, there will be changes to rubbish, recycling and garden waste collection days across the District.

Revised collection days are:

Good Friday, 2 April – this collection will take place the next day, Saturday 3 April

Easter Monday, 5 April – all collections this week will be one day later than usual until Saturday 10 April.

Residents are asked to put their sacks out by 7am on their collection day to help prevent attracting animals and the build-up of litter.

Garden waste customers will need to put their bin or sacks out by 6.30am on their collection day.

http://cleanupsevenoaks.co.uk/events/sevenoaks-spring-clean

This year’s Annual Town meeting on 1 March was held using Teams Live. Guest speakers included Tom Tugendhat MP, County Councillor Peter Lake, Cllr Peter Fleming Leader of Sevenoaks District Council, and Cllr Margot McArthur speaking Environmental policies. Presentations were also received from West Kent HOUSE youth services, Eden Valley Museum, and Edenbridge Cricket Club. A copy of the slides is available here.

Questions were received either with registration or via the online chat facility. Click here for a summary of the questions and answers.

Feedback received after the event included:

Thank you to everyone who made the Annual Town Meeting happen. I think it worked brilliantly so well done to you all.

Well done to you all. Got to say I found it so much easier listening whilst keeping little one entertained. Certainly, a better way for some to listen to what’s been going on and what is happening.

This meeting was a great way to hear about our town.

Lovely to hear some friendly voices. What a very informative meeting. I hope it can always be held like this in future. Well done ETC.

Well done for Annual Town Meeting last night.  From the “watcher” point of view it worked just fine – lots of information from all the speakers. It was interesting as catch-up on the past year.

Really informative meeting – great to hear the finances so well explained. Glad you and volunteers all got a mention – the council have been outstanding this year.

The census is coming on Sunday 21 March.

By filling in your census, you will help shape your community for the next 10 years.

The census is for everyone.

It’s a unique survey that happens every 10 years and gives us a snapshot of all the people in England and Wales.

It tells us what our needs are – helping inform decisions about services, like healthcare.

Your census information is protected by law.

In fact, it’s a crime for anyone to share your personal information.

Nearer the time, you will receive a letter with an access code to take part online.

There’s plenty of help available for those who need it.

Find out more at www.census.gov.uk

Garden and Waste Bags: From Monday 8 March, the Town Council Offices will be selling the black, clear and garden waste bags. The correct money will need to be put in an envelope and posted through the letter box next to the office door. Residents are reminded to wear a face mask and wait outside the office. Ring the door bell or knock on the office door and a member of staff will attend to you. Roll of black bags £1.50. Roll of Clear recycling bags £0.50; Garden bags are £0.62 each or £15 for 25 bags.

Contactless card payments are available form 11 March.