News from Kington Town Council

Elections

As we mentioned in the previous edition of MidBorder News, Kington is part of the national set of elections for local, town and parish councils. These will take place on 4th May. Our current Mayor and all councillors will formally step down. A new set of candidates will be put forward to the electors (that’s you). Some of the existing councillors may choose to stand again, some will not.

We need you, the concerned people of Kington to put your names forward to join the council. If you have something you think is wrong in the town – then this is your opportunity to stop complaining and start making a difference. And we do make a difference (see below for just some of the things your Town Council has achieved in the last three years. We have a very busy set of projects coming up and we need views and opinions and commitment from all parts of our community – it doesn’t matter who you are, what you know, or how long you have lived in Kington – we each contribute uniquely, and we can assure you that you will be welcomed.

We’re having an open day on 18th February but, if you’ve missed that then full details on how to apply to be a councillor are on the noticeboard, on our website or available from our clerk via email.

What have we worked on in the past four years?

Much of the first two years of this council were taken up by Covid. Like all of us we tried our best to manage during the many months when physical meetings were not possible. We worked with national and local health authorities to ensure that our community was safe, and that information and assistance flowed to those who needed it most. We lost residents to the pandemic and many others suffered both from the disease and the isolating effects of lockdown. We remember them and those who selflessly put themselves at risk and to great trouble to help others through our two memorial benches. One is in situ in St Mary’s Churchyard and the other on the Recreation Ground.

We’ve worked closely with Balfour Beatty to plan and implement a major programme of renovation of the town centre surfaces and pavements. And that programme has only just begun – much more is planned for 2023 and 2024.

We’ve supplied and maintained planters and shrubs around the town through the summer and we’ve supported charities and community groups working within the town to offer activities, facilities and equipment for the benefit of local people.

We have installed a new outdoor gym in the Recreation Ground which we know people use and like – we’ve had to replace some of the parts already!

We worked with other community groups to lead a fight against Herefordshire Council’s desire to impose car parking charges in Kington. We won that battle and they have agreed to conduct a comprehensive Transport Review which is underway. We fear, however, that we may not have won the war.

This is all in addition to the hundreds of hours our clerk, assistant clerk and councillors have spent helping community members with specific problems, with advice on accessing services and on making sure that Kington’s voice is heard in Hereford and beyond.

But there’s much more to do.

Big issues coming up in 2023 and beyond include:

• Bringing Crooked Well Meadow into community ownership

As our community began to emerge from the shock of the pandemic, we were able to turn to happier and more positive things. We applied for and administered a grant to repaint and repair the shop fronts in the centre of town. More than 41 businesses applied to us to received cash towards making their properties and our town a brighter and better place.

We also found some sources of funding to dispense with our tired and expensive Christmas Lights and replace them with a brand new, low-energy set which we have been using for the past two Christmases. Our annual Christmas switch-on has joined regular favourite events in Kington like the Fireworks Display and the Festivals.

• Revitalising the Recreation Ground

• Keeping Kington car parking free for residents and shoppers

• Building the Kington brand for tourists and shoppers

• Working with Herefordshire BID to improve the business and tourism environment in the town

• Helping vulnerable members of our community manage the cost of living, social care, and NHS crises

And much more.