This may be a completely innocent matter and the person involved may have legitimate motives, but there was an incident at the Multi Use Games Area (Basketball Court) last Thursday evening (2nd September) and we would like residents of Dunton Green to be aware.

We currently have three specific activities that the Parish Council either funds or actively supports and actively promotes. The courts (basketball or tennis) are reserved so that these community activities can take place and it is expected that anyone not participating properly in these activities leaves the courts. This information is displayed for clarity.

Last week saw the welcome return of Easy Netball after a short two-week break. The organiser was met with hostility by a male running a basketball session for young people (of very mixed ages – from around 5 up to early teens, possibly). He claimed to have permission from the Parish Council to run the activity and even indicated that he was sponsored by a third party to be there, pointing at a sign that had been put up on the fencing.

Having followed up on comments made by this person, it seems he was running some sort of basketball session over a period of a couple of weeks. Last week, he did eventually leave after a degree of protest but did not ensure that these young people were collected by parents or show any regard for their safety having dismissed them from the session. The sign that had been attached to the fence has been removed as it was put up without permission and, in fact, seems to relate to a company that is not in business at all.

The Parish Council wishes it to be known that this person did not make any contact and did not have the permission to run an alleged community session on the court. We have no idea who this person is or whether they are an appropriate adult.

All properly authorised activities that are approved by the Parish Council are run by people who have the proper experience, qualifications, risk assessments and safeguarding protocols in place.

Anyone wishing to run community sessions must, please, contact the Parish Council to check availability of the facilities and seek permission from the Parish Council. If anyone has any concerns about the sessions that took place could we ask you to contact Sevenoaks District Council on 01732 227000 or by email communities@sevenoaks.gov.uk / community.safety@sevenoaks.gov.uk to discuss the matter further.

For clarification, please see posters here of approved Dunton Green community activities.

Many thanks.