Chairman's Report
Annual Meeting of the Parish 17th May 2010 – Chairman’s Report for April 2009 to March 2010 The High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council began the year with 8 Councillors. Mrs Vicki Smith from Timsbury Road in High Littleton was co-opted onto the Parish Council in August 200Planning Applications and Developments
In the course of the year the Council dealt with 19 planning applications (including resubmissions). This is 1 less than last year. The last two years has seen a considerable drop possibly due to the recession.
Parish Plan for Highways and Environment
The Council continue to address Traffic and Safety Issues with the B&NES Traffic Department. The “Safer Walking” Document has been revised.
The instalment of a footway by Bloomfield Cottages on the Wells Road in Hallatrow has been completed.
The Parish of High Littleton and Hallatrow was allocated £18,000 for traffic improvements. The Council agreed to spend the monies on the installation of the, Village gate at the entrance to Hallatrow from the A37, two “Hallatrow” signs, footpath from the Old Station Inn to the Village Gateway new Flashing Speed Restriction signs by the school and the remainder on improvements to the Batch in High Littleton.
Parking
For nearly three years the Parish Council has been chasing B&NES Parking to have waiting restrictions in the lay-by north of Eastwood Close, High Littleton. The Parish Council were informed that it would be in the 2009/2010 financial programme. The Council are currently pressing B&NES for a date.
Public Transport
Bus shelters and bus stops feature regularly on the agenda. The Council continue to monitor these matters. The bus shelter by Highbury Road, Hallatrow has finally been installed. This has taken over six years to achieve by the perseverance and determination of the Council
The Council are presently questioning First Bristol for the reasoning behind the withdrawal of the early morning and early evening 179 bus services from High Littleton to Bath. The Council have been informed that First are not obliged to consult the Parish Council or the District Council when making changes to their service.
Recreation Ground Committee
The Parish Council and the Recreation Ground Committee have agreed on the ‘Terms and Conditions for the Financial Support to the Recreation Ground’. The Parish Council will provide donations to the grass cutting, maintenance and insurance.
Monies from Section 106 (Aumery Gardens development) have been passed to the Recreation Ground Committee for new Playing Equipment in the Children’s Play AreaCemetery & Grass Cutting
The Parish Council have instructed a new contractor to undertake the grass cutting in the Cemetery and White Cross for 2010.
Ken Biggs Contractors Ltd kindly donated a large sum of money adding to the Parish Council’s donation for the maintenance repairs to the path in the cemetery. The Parochial Church Council and the Parish Council are very pleased with the results.
Youth Issues
Representatives of B&NES Youth Service have attended a Council meeting and been in communication with the Parish Council regarding the Parish Council’s continuing request to have the Mobile Youth bus visiting the village again. The Youth Service have explained to the Council that the Youth Service has been reorganised recently and there has been a reduction in the budget. The Parish Council agreed to help with the advertising for a Youth Worker. The Youth Service said they would look into the possible programme that would involve the Youth Mobile Bus visiting the village for 24 weeks in the year. Recently Youth workers have been walking the village in an attempt to find young people to discuss what they would like from the Youth Service to no avail. The Parish Council keeps reiterating that they would like the return of the mobile bus. The Youth Service are presently saying that they can not foresee a time when the bus will be available for a sustained period to attend High Littleton.
Grants
The Parish Council awarded Midsomer Norton Ring and Ride a grant of £150. Bo-Peep Pre-School £400 and Mary Jones Charity £250.
Allotments
The allotments at the end of Highbury Road in Hallatrow have been fully allocated for the last 24 months. We currently have an increasing waiting list!
Police and Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
The Council has a representative who liaises with the Police and Neighbourhood Watch to keep abreast of the latest crime and figures. Recently PC Stuart Peard (Beat Manager for High Littleton and Hallatrow) attended a Parish Council meeting to discuss his role in the community and to discuss present crime issues.
Parish Sweeping
The Parish Council remain part of the Parish Sweeping Agreement and still employ the same two sweepers who continue to do an excellent job.
Newsletter
The Newsletter continues to be published on approximately on a quarterly basis providing the Parish with information of the Council’s activities and other organisations. Once again the Council wishes to thank all those who contributed, especially to our editor Bob Hitchens.
Footpaths
The Councillors continue to monitor the conditions of footpaths. The footpath next to Aumery gardens is frequently flooded. B&NES Public Footpath Officer is presently in the process of addressing the matter with the Redcliffe Homes Engineering manager to make good the path
Legal and Procedural Issues and Statutory Requirements
The Councils Accounts for the last year successfully withstood internal and external audit, with no material observation raised.
Mary Jones Charity
The Charity is run by a committee consisting of three trustees – one being a Parish Councillor. The trustees meet to discuss possible recipients for donations at Christmas and for school leavers from High Littleton School to senior school.
High Littleton Christmas Tree
The Council discussed ways the paved area by the Batch, High Littleton could become a focal point of the village. The Parish Council financed the installation of Christmas tree to the Batch. The present improving of the area has been financed by B&NES.
The Co-op site in High Littleton
The Parish Council have received numerous complaints regarding the unsightly appearance of the Co-op site. The Council have written to the Radstock Co-operative Society’s Chief Executive Officer expressing the Council’s and public’s concerns. A representative from Wayne McLennan architects and a representative of the Co-op attended a Parish Council meeting last year. The Council were not happy with the provided plans for the site and sent the architects a Village Design Statement. The Council requested that a shop for the site be considered. The Co-op Chief Executive and Secretary informed the Council that a report concludes there is no quantitive need for additional shopping provision in High Littleton. The Council has requested to meet again with representatives of the Co-operative Society.
Church Farm
Restoration is being carried out on Church Farm. This is being closely monitored by B&NES Planning Enforcement team.
And Finally……
Thanks to all the Councillors and the Clerk for their hard work
Chairman of High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council Paul Wyatt
A feasibility study is being undertaken for the extension of the Hallatrow footway from the Old Station Inn to White Cross on the A37. It is anticipated by B&NES that this could be constructed next year with the help of the ‘Polestar’ Section 106 contribution.
The Parish Council have also been in discussion with the Traffic Department regarding the instalment of a footway by Bloomfield Cottages on the Wells Road in Hallatrow. The Council has been informed money has been secured in the 2009/10 financial year.
Parking Matters
The Council are occasionally approached for further parking restrictions in the Parish. The Council in conjunction with B&NES Parking department give great consideration to the necessity of further lining in the villages.
Public Transport
Bus shelters and bus stops feature regularly on the agenda. The Council continue to monitor these matters and are still persevering in seeing the installation of a bus shelter by Highbury Road , Hallatrow.
Recreation Ground Committee
The Parish Council have been looking into providing financial support for the Recreation Ground Committee. The Council has recently drawn up ‘Terms and Conditions for the Financial Support to the Recreation Ground’ for the Recreation Ground Committee’s consideration.
Monies from Section 106 ( Aumery Gardens development) will be passed to the Recreation Ground Committee for new Playing Equipment in the Children’s Play Area
Grass Cutting
The Parish Council have instructed a new contractor to undertake the grass cutting in the Cemetery and White Cross for the next two years.
Youth Issues
Last year the B&NES Youth Communities Services underwent changes and cut backs. The Parish Council were alarmed to find that the Mobile Youth Bus had ceased to visit High Littleton on Wednesdays, and to find that the bus was visiting other areas in B&NES. The Council has been in communication with the District Councillor responsible for Youth Services and has invited the Youth Principal Worker to a Council meeting with a view to re-establish the visits of the Youth Bus to High Littleton.
The Council continue to award grants to other young people’s ventures, which include the Bo-Peep Pre-school Group, High Littleton Scout Group, the Rainbow Group and the High Littleton Primary School .
Allotments
The allotments at the end of Highbury Road in Hallatrow have been fully allocated for the last 12 months. We currently have an increasing waiting list!
Police and Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
The Council has a representative who liaises with the Police and Neighbourhood Watch to keep abreast of the latest crime and figures. Recently the local PCSO Kate Chamberlain attended a Parish Council meeting to discuss her role in the community and to discuss present crime issues.
Parish Sweeping
The Parish Council remain part of the Parish Sweeping Agreement & still employ the same two sweepers who continue to do an excellent job.
Newsletter
The Newsletter continues to be published on approximately on a quarterly basis providing the Parish with information of the Council’s activities and other organisations. Once again the Council wishes to thank all those who contributed, especially to our editor Bob Hitchens.
Footpaths
The Councillors continue to monitor the conditions of footpaths.
Legal and Procedural Issues and Statutory Requirements
The Councils Accounts for the last year successfully withstood internal and external audit, with no material observation raised.
Mary Jones Charity
The Charity is run by a committee consisting of three trustees
We received an anonymous donation and a donation from the Parish Council.
A voucher was granted to 2 recipients at Christmas.
The Co-op site in High Littleton
The Parish Council have received numerous complaints regarding the unsightly appearance of the Co-op site, and have pressed to know the future of the site. The Council in turn have written to the Radstock Co-operative Society’s Chief Executive Officer expressing the Council’s and public’s concerns. The Council have been informed that a representative from Wayne McLennan architects and a representative of the Co-op will attend the May 2009 Parish Council meeting to discuss the Co-op site.
Christmas Lights at Hallatrow
For the last two year the Parish Council have received positive feedback on the new lights and the Christmas tree at the Triangle in Hallatrow. The Council are considering the possibility of a Christmas tree in High Littleton
Thank you to all the Councillors and the Clerk for their hard work
Chairman of High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council Paul Wyatt