Explanation of the Rise in the Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley Parish Council Precept for 2026–27

The 2026–27 Precept

This year’s precept has been set at £145,000, which equates to £98.59 for a band D property. This represents an annual increase of £20.79 – around 40 pence per week.

Although the percentage rise is higher than normal at 26.7% this is largely because the precept has been kept comparatively low for many years despite the wide range of responsibilities the Parish Council manages. The increase enables the parish council to continue maintaining and improving the village amenities that residents use every day.

What the Parish Council Is Responsible For

Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley Parish Council manages a wide range of community assets, services, and legal responsibilities. Many may be surprised by the scale of what a village parish council must fund and maintain, and each of these areas carries significant ongoing costs.

The Parish Council is responsible for:

• Three play areas: Parsonage, Hawley Pavilion, and Jubilee Field
• Grass cutting and grounds maintenance at Jubilee Field, Parsonage Pavilion, Hawley Pavilion (Sutton Dynamos fund the playing field cuts; the Parish Council maintains the wider areas), the Burial Ground, and Barfield Green
• Two allotment sites at Parsonage and Chapelfields
• Parsonage Pavilion
• Burials and the Burial Ground, including the administration and management of burials – not just grounds maintenance.
• The Orchard next to St John’s Jerusalem (leased from the National Trust)
• Trees on Parish Council-owned land
• The Village bus shelters
• 92 village streetlights, including all maintenance, repairs, and electricity costs
• Other community assets and open spaces that require regular inspection, insurance, and upkeep

Like all households and organisations, we are facing increased utility, materials, and contractor costs. In addition, the Parish Council must ensure full compliance with health and safety legislation, statutory inspection regimes, and the wider framework of good governance expected of a public authority. It is evident that several of these governance areas – including record‑keeping, risk management, asset oversight, and policy compliance – had not been maintained to the standard required for a number of years. As a result, important processes, checks, and documentation had fallen behind. These obligations are essential for community safety, legal compliance, and the continued use of our shared spaces – but they also represent a substantial financial commitment.

It is also important to recognise that Parish Councils are the tier of local government closest to residents. The work we do directly affects the amenities and services that people use every day, but our role extends far beyond maintaining facilities. We also represent the community on issues that matter most to residents – such as highways concerns, scrutinising planning applications, and making sure the voice of Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley is heard by the authorities who make key decisions.

Strengthening the Parish Council After a Challenging Few Years

As we worked through the legacy issues that the Parish Council had inherited, it became clear that the breadth and complexity of our statutory duties could no longer be managed effectively without dedicated, professional support.

We are now systematically addressing historic gaps in key areas, including:

• Health and safety compliance
• Asset inspections and risk management
• Statutory record‑keeping and burial administration
• Governance and financial procedures
• Maintenance planning and contractor oversight

Appointing a permanent, full‑time Clerk has already brought much‑needed stability and expertise. This role is central to ensuring that the Council meets all legal obligations, manages its assets responsibly, and operates to the standard residents rightly expect. It also enables us to strengthen transparency, improve communication, and modernise our internal processes.

While staffing forms part of this year’s increase, it is important to understand this context. The investment ensures that the Parish Council can operate efficiently, meet its statutory responsibilities, and safeguard the community assets that residents rely on every day.

Recent and Upcoming Improvements

Residents may have noticed the new fence installed at the front of the Orchard, next to St John’s Jerusalem, on land leased from the National Trust. Our Clerk recently met with a National Trust representative to discuss future plans for the Orchard, including planting new fruit trees and restoring the existing ones.

We are also planning to replace the older play equipment at Jubilee Field, behind the school. Shortlisted designs will be shared with pupils at Sutton-at-Hone Primary School so that local children can help shape the final choice. Grant funding will then be sought to support the project.

Funding has also been secured from our Kent County Councillor, Michael Brown, through his Members’ Grant, to provide new picnic benches near Parsonage River. We are currently reviewing the extent of works that can be undertaken in this area, as our land ownership extends up to the river boundary.

We have also begun a project with the Community Payback team, who are assisting with tidying and maintaining areas around the village.

In the coming months, we will be updating our website – another statutory requirement – to make information easier to access and to support more effective engagement with residents.

Opportunities to Get Involved

We warmly invite residents to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday 14th May at 7pm – venue to be confirmed. This is an opportunity to hear more about our plans, ask questions, and speak informally with Councillors.

We also hold a weekly drop-in session every Wednesday from 9.30–11.30am at the library – no appointment needed.

Our monthly Parish Council meetings take place at 7pm on the third Thursday of each month (excluding August), also in the library. These meetings are open to the public and include time for residents to speak. Agendas and minutes are published on our noticeboards and website.