I am delighted to announce that West Hanningfield Parish Council has been awarded the NALC (National Association of Local Councils) Bronze Award as part of  the Local Council Award Scheme. This recognition reflects the Council’s commitment to operating legally, transparently, and with good governance, ensuring it provides the best possible service to our community.

What Does This Mean for Our Parish?

The Bronze Award confirms that West Hanningfield Parish Council:
✅ Operates Lawfully – The Council meets legal and procedural standards, ensuring accountability and transparency.
✅ Has Strong Governance – Council policies, procedures, and financial management meet national best practices.
✅ Engages with the Community – The Parish Council provides open communication channels, and accessible information, and encourages resident participation.
✅ Manages Finances Responsibly – Budgets and spending are handled with care to benefit the parish.

Why Is This Important for You?

This award demonstrates that your Parish Council is well-run, forward-thinking, and dedicated to serving the community. It reassures residents that it:
Makes informed and responsible decisions on behalf of the parish.
Maintains high levels of transparency and accountability in all its activities.
Welcomes community involvement and feedback to improve local services.

The Bronze Award is a stepping stone towards further excellence, and the council will continue working hard to achieve even higher standards.

We welcome your input! If you have any suggestions or would like to get involved in shaping the future of our parish, please reach out via:
Email:

Website: www.westhanningfield-pc.gov.uk

Thank you for your continued support!
Lucy White – Parish Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer

Click here to read the report following the meeting held on the 3rd February 2025

Whilst VE Day marked the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, many thousands of Armed Forces personnel were still involved in bitter fighting in the Far East. Victory over Japan would come at a heavy price, and Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) marks the day Japan surrendered on the 15^th August 1945, which in effect ended the Second World War.

For many British people, the first knowledge they had of the war ending, was from newspaper headlines, which read “Japan Surrenders!” There were scenes of celebration redolent of those which Britain had experienced on VE Day, on the 8th May 1945.
For many of the Allied prisoners of war held by the Japanese, the physical and emotional impact of a brutal captivity would continue for the remainder of their lives. Some in West HAnningfield have witnessed the toll the dreadful conditions and harsh treatment had on the Far East Prisoners of War (FEPOW).  Even so, some of those former captives considered themselves fortunate to have been alive as almost 30 per cent of the inmates of Japanese POW camps died and 11,000 were drowned when allied forces sunk Japanese ships transporting FEPOWS to Japan to work as forced labour in coal and copper mines.

The Kohima epitaph:

When you go home
Tell them of us and say
For your tomorrow
We gave our today

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
we will remember them.

The Parish Council announces the results of the Precept Increase Survey as follows:

Return Rate – 54%
Of the respondents:

Question One
Are you in FAVOUR of the West Hanningfield Village Hall Management Committee going ahead with the project to rebuild the Village Hall?
YES – 161  (55%)
NO – 132   (45%)

Question Two
Are you in FAVOUR of West Hanningfield Village Hall Management Committee going ahead with the project to rebuild the Village Hall if it includes a Council Tax Precept increase of 404% (equivalent to a rise of £171.79 a year for a band D property) for the purpose of loan repayments?
YES – 84  (29%)
NO – 209  (71%)

On the 9th October 2023, the Parish Council carefully considered these results and voted unanimously NOT to apply for a Public Works Loan to rebuild the Village Hall.