Regarding the changes to availability of the Herne Centre car park for school parents.
The Herne Centre is built on land that was originally an old hall and allotments – there was no parking here previously. When the centre was built the Parish Council created a walk through with a gate to enable children to walk from the school to the car park in safety. Since the Centre has been open, we have tried to offer parking for parents as we are fully aware of the issues – we all live in the Parish and have children who attend / have attended the schools and nurseries. The understanding is parents park, drop off their children and leave. They should not leave the cars here for long durations – but we are aware some have more than one drop off to do and accept a lot of parents have to go to work and appointments so there is a need to drive.
The Herne Centre is a Community Centre not a community car park, yes some funds come from your precept but this is a very small amount as the Centre has to also be able to fund itself, this it does through it being hired by people for training, wakes, weddings, community groups, the NHS for blood doners etc and is exceptionally busier now than it once was.
On the rare occasion an event or activity has coincided with school pick up we have asked parents not to park in the Centre, and this has been at times contentious with us being sworn at on more than one occasion and parents’ adamant they have a right to park. This is simply not the case – it is a private car park for users of the hall we have permitted parents to park this is not a right.
Sports Day a few weeks ago parents parked in the Centre well outside collection and drop off times. This was when we had community groups and a hirer here. They have paid to use the Centre and therefore they should be able to park, so we asked parents to move and was met with anger and frustration.
It all culminated on Thursday night when the year 6 performance was on in the evening, and again parents parked in the car park for the Herne Centre. This is well outside the normal drop off and collection times and coincided with a Council Meeting. Due to space Councillors double parked, and as parents arrived back, Councillors moved their cars to let them out – no one was prevented from leaving as incorrectly stated by others. One parent was verbally abusive and aggressive – the Councillors car was moved and he sped away.
We have a duty of care for staff that they should not have to suffer abuse when at work or be threatened in anyway. For now, it has been decided to close the car park, no one is more disheartened than us that we have had to do this.
As a Parish Council we are very active in the community and run free activities and events to support parents and families (often taking up our own time) so to read some of the comments made by residents is frankly upsetting. This year alone we have had 7 low costs lunch clubs, free community groups day, free 30-year celebration with free food, a free community picnic, free weekly football sessions, every year we hold a free children’s Christmas party and this year we are offering free childcare in the Summer holidays in the form of a Sports Club. Our Parish Councillors also give many hours a week for the benefit of the community. If you believe you could help we are always looking for extra volunteers for community events, in the café or delivering newsletters.