Higham Parish Council - Kent

19/05/2026

Please get involved and give your feedback in order for the NHS to create their new Five Year Strategic Plan.

The link for submitting is here www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/5yearstrategy/

We want to hear from people and communities about what matters most to you about local NHS services. We’re developing a new Five Year Strategic Plan to create fairer, sustainable, future ready healthcare for residents – and your voice is essential📢

👉Get involved by completing our survey: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/5yearstrategy/

18/05/2026

18/05/2026

** Temporary Road Closures **

A289 HASTED ROAD (WAINSCOTT BYPASS)
07.07.2026 to 10.07.2026
Night works 2000hrs to 0600hrs
Road Closed from A226 Gravesend Road Interchange to M2 Junction 1 interchange (both directions)

Alternative route via
Medway-bound closure: Divert along the A2 onto Brewers Road over the A2 then back on A2 Eastbound, Watling Street, B2108 Rede Court Road, A226 back to A289.

London-bound closure: Divert onto A226 Gravesend Road, B2018 Rede Court Road, A2 Watling Street carry on for London bound, coastbound leave the A2 at Brewers Road over the bridge then re-join A2 Eastbound.

A289 HASTED ROAD (THREE CRUTCHES SLIPS EASTBOUND)
15.07.2026 to 16.07.2026
Night works 2000hrs to 0600hs
Road Closed Between Northbound slip road to Wainscott Bypass and A2 Watling Street mini Roundabout

Alternative route via
East-bound closure: Divert along the A289 Hasted Road (Wainscott Bypass), off on the slip road to the A226, turn right at the roundabout onto the A226 Gravesend Road, then right onto the B2018 Rede Court Road and onto the A2 Watling Street.

15/05/2026

** Events taking place in the Local Area **

Local history events for June 2026

Shorne Church – guided tour and cream tea

Guide: Christoph Bull

On: Friday 5th June 2026

Meet: 1.30pm at St Peter & St Paul’s church, Butchers Hill, Shorne

Cream Tea at No 3 Coffee Shop, The Street, Shorne DA12 3EA afterwards.

Cost: £15-including both tour and cream tea.

Booking essential: No 3 Coffee Shop 07732792290 – places limited

Celebrating 80 years of Shorne Local History Group 1946-2026.
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The Only One that Got Away: The unique World War One story to Gravesend (Illustrated talk & with roast dinner) – The Gunther Plὒschow Story

Speaker: Christoph Bull

On: Sunday 7th June 2026

Meet: 1pm at The Three Daws public house, Town Pier Square, Milton-next-Gravesend

Cost: £25 for both roast dinner and talk.

Booking essential: Three Daws 01474 566869

Hear the story that everyone in Gravesham, Tilbury and Germany should know about-a real rip-roaring tale of adventure.
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Northfleet’s secrets (Guided walk)

Guide: Christoph Bull

On: Thursday 18th June 2026

Meet: 11am on The Hill, Northfleet (by lych gate of St Botolph’s church)

Cost: £5 via visitgravesham.co.uk.

Gravesham Borough Council help residents and visitors alike discover our wonderful piece of Kent – and Northfleet’s astonishing history.

Some uneven surfaces and traffic hazards-not suitable for people with walking difficulties.
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Lord Darnley’s Gravesend (Guided walk)

Guide: Christoph Bull

On: Saturday 20th June 2026

Meet: 11am outside the Somerset Arms public house, Darnley Road, Gravesend

Cost: £5 via visitgravesham.co.uk

Find out some of the huge connections between Gravesend and the Earls of Darnley at Cobham Hall, told by Christoph Bull, one of the guides at Cobham Hall.

Some uneven surfaces and traffic hazards-not suitable for people with walking difficulties.
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From The Vale to The Grove-walk through Swanscombe’s history -visiting 7 locations in the town (Guided historical walk)

Guide: Christoph Bull

On: Thursday 25th June 2026

Meet: 10am outside Swanscombe & Greenhithe Town Council Offices, The Grove, Swanscombe DA10 0AD.

The largely hidden secrets of Swanscombe’s recent history will be revealed in this walk which includes street pavements footpaths and back alleys. Celebrating the centenary of Swanscombe Urban District Council – when Swanscombe and Greenhithe ran their own town.

Free car parking up to 4 hours opposite the Council Offices – ticket still needed from the machine however.

Walk finishes at the Old Fire Station, Church Road, Swanscombe.

No need to book-just turn up. The walk is free – but donations will be welcomed.

14/05/2026

** Temporary Road Closure **

PEAR TREE LANE, SHORNE 27 May 2026 between 0800 and 1800hrs

Tanyard Hill to A226 Gravesend Road

Alternative route via A226 Gravesend Road, Thong Lane, Darnley Lodge Road, Brewers Road, The Ridgeway and vice versa.

07/05/2026

HAVE YOUR SAY "Developing a five-year strategy for the NHS in Kent and Medway" (NHS Kent and Medway)

We are now entering a crucial phase in the development of our Five‑Year Strategy for all NHS organisations in Kent and Medway (2026–2031).

As valued partners, your support and insight are essential in helping us generate strong engagement across your networks.

Your trusted relationships with local communities are vital to making sure this work reflects the real experiences and priorities of the people of Kent and Medway.

The strategy is fully aligned to the 10-year health plan for England. We are engaging on what it should contain now and would value your input and your help in engaging with the public.

Our five-year strategy will:

Rebalance investment towards prevention/community and non-hospital services
Manage complex needs closer to home through the neighbourhood health model
Ensure quality, safety and workforce sustainability
Ensure financial recovery and productivity.
Underpinning all we do in Kent and Medway will be our four layers of care:

Primary care – foundation of the system, strengthened through collaboration to provide a clear and consistent offer of care focussed on, prevention and continuity.

Neighbourhood care – focus on highest need/target interventions, bringing together primary care, community services, mental health, social care and the VCSE to manage population need and reduce inequalities.

Intermediate care – services best delivered at greater scale in the community; focused on flow, recovery and independence, supporting admission avoidance and timely discharge.

Acute care – operating as a coordinated system, with shared accountability for quality, safety, access, flow and productivity.

Why this strategy matters

Health and care in Kent and Medway are at a critical turning point. People are living longer, but many are spending more years in poor health.

Inequalities remain significant, with life expectancy varying dependent on where you live. Demand for services continues to rise, mental health needs are increasing, and hospitals are under sustained pressure. At the same time, the NHS faces serious financial challenges.

Please take a few minutes to take our survey.

05/05/2026

https://localplan.gravesham.gov.uk/Reg19/consultationHome

You only have until 29th May 2026 to make comments on the Gravesham Local Plan 2042.

Unfortunately whilst the consultation is open to make comments, some integral reports are still not available.

Copies of the proposed Local Plan should be in Gravesham Libraries.

27/04/2026

National Highways - Temporary Road Closure - Thong Lane, Shorne - 31 March 2026 for 11 days, Monday to Friday only between 9.30hrs and 15.30hrs.

Contingency dates due a hold up with archaeology digs are 8 to 19 June 2026.

There are contingency dates from 28 April 2026 to 8 May 2026 between 9.30hrs and 15.30hrs (no works to take place on Bank Holidays).

The road will be closed between Vigilant Way and Shorne Ifield Road.

The alternative route is via Darnley Lodge Lane, Halfpence Lane, Brewers Road, The Ridgeway, Pear Tree Lane, A226 Gravesend Road, A226 Rochester Road, Thong Lane and vice versa.

Pedestrian access will be maintained during the works.

The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while plant crossing bell mouths are constructed by National Highways.

For the most up to date information on these works please visit: https://one.network/?tm=GB145763382

For information regarding this closure please contact National Highways, who will be able to assist with the scope of these works.

20/04/2026

EXTRA ORDINARY FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Monday 27th April 2026 7:30pm at Higham Memorial Hall (Small Hall)

You are warmly invited to Higham Parish Council's Extraordinary meeting.

https://www.higham-kent-pc.gov.uk/the-council/meeting-calendar/

https://www.higham-kent-pc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2026/04/AGENDA27042026Extra.pdf

Information https://www.gravesham.gov.uk/local-plan-2042

11/04/2026

Invitation to Attend Higham Parish Council's Parish Assembly on Thursday 16th April 2026 at 7pm in the Higham Memorial Hall

https://www.higham-kent-pc.gov.uk/the-council/minutes-agendas/

Please check out our new website with the agenda of the Assembly.

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