Parish Assembly 10th May 2006
– Chairman’s Report for April 2005
to March 2006
So what have we been up to?
Planning Applications
One of the most important functions of a Parish Council is to
review planning applications. The Council provides a focal point for the views
of the local residents and has an opportunity to support or oppose each
application. The Council’s recommendations and observations are made to B&NES
District Council.
In the course of the year the Council dealt with 27
applications.The largest this year is still the ongoing planning application of
the 217 residential units on the land adjacent to Polestar in Paulton. Although
not in this parish, the High Littleton Parish Council has been consulted with
this application. The re-application for a garden centre in the
Safer Walking Document
The Council’s Safer Walking Document continues to be the
working plan used by the Traffic Engineer Department in B&NES and the Parish
Council. The document highlights areas which are vulnerable for walkers in the
Parish. It is a detailed piece of work that has enabled the Councillors to
provide and prioritise a clear picture of necessary road and traffic
improvements. This document can now be viewed on the Parish Council’s Website.
The Council are in consultation with the Traffic Engineer
Department is the repositioning of the 30mph speed limit signs further out of
the villages of High Littleton and Hallatrow and the introduction of flashing
speed warning signs. Parking restrictions in
The extended footway combined with the traffic calming single
flow in Hallatrow has been a success.
The Safer Routes to school project undertaken earlier in the
year is almost complete. This involved a widening of the footway on the south
bound side on Church Hill plus other road improvements by the Batch. The
intention is for the children to have a safer route to school, and that they
will be able to cross the A39 safely with the help of two ‘safety crossing
assistants’.
The wooden bollards in
White Cross Junction
After more than ten years of campaigning and consultations
between the Traffic Engineer Department, the Parish Council and local residents,
the traffic lights at the White Cross junction are now being installed.
Community Speedwatch
The Community Speedwatch Scheme is now up and running for
over a year. More volunteers will always be appreciated.
Recreation Ground
Committee
The Council provided the Recreation Ground with a grant two
have planted two small trees in the play area of the Recreation ground. The
Committee continue to look for volunteers to join the Recreation Ground
Committee.
Grass Cutting
The Parish Council continue to award the Recreation Ground
Committee a grant to finance the grass cutting.
The Council also finance the grass cutting in the Cemetery
and White Cross.
Youth Issues
In 2004 the Youth and Community Service, (B&NES) withdrew
their financial support for the Youth Mobile Scheme. Despite many difficulties
resulting in a delay in the Community Service providing a replacement, a Youth
Mobile Bus (a well equipped refurbished library bus) is now up and running.
Allotments
The allotments at the end of
Police and
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
The Council have representatives who liaise with the Police
and Neighbourhood Watch to keep abreast with the latest crime and figures.
Posters of reports of local crime in the area can now be found on the two Parish
notice boards.
Parish Sweeping
In 2004 B&NES presented to all Parish Councils in the
district, major changes to the scheme, notably the Parish Sweeping Agreement. These
changes continue to be a success. Our sweepers do a superb job which is
recognised by B&NES.
Newsletter
The Newsletter continues to be published 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
Parish History on the
Website
While the ‘Pictorial History of High Littleton’ book
continues to sell at a steady rate particularly from people living far a field
who are looking into ancestral records, a comprehensive and detailed history
site can be found on the Council’s Website. This has been possible due to the
intensive research and collection passed to the Council from Mr Michael Browning
of Hallatrow Co author of the ‘Pictorial History of High Littleton’
Footpaths
The Councillors continue to monitor the conditions of
footpaths and stiles working in conjunction with land owners in respect of
repairs or replacements. Many stiles have now been replaced with user friendly
‘kissing gates’
Streetlights
Two new streetlights have been added to the Council owned
streetlights. These are on the footpath from
Local Transport
The Community Action Rural Transport Advisory Team provided a
survey on Transport Needs Assessments for the Parish Council to distribute
throughout the Parish. The purpose of the survey is to look at developing
community transport for people who do not have access to private transport.
Greyfield Wood
Major clearance and felling in Greyfield Wood has now been
completed by the Woodland Trust with the assistance of the volunteers of the
Greyfield Wood Support Group. The aim has been to restore the wood to its
original native broadleaf forest state.
Grants
In addition to the grants previously mentioned, a grant was
made to the Mary Jones Charity for £200 and to High Littleton Thursday Group £200.
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.
Origin
Bequest
of £500 left in 1787 by Mary Jones to be invested and the dividends used for
distribution to the poor of the parish.
Transferred
from private trustees to the Charity Commissioners in 1891.
In
1987, on advice from the Charity Commissioners, the money was invested in
Charinco, a charity investment trust managed by Mercury Asset Management.
Recent developments
The
Charity is run by a committee consisting of three trustees (the Vicar has been
replaced by a member of the Parochial Church Council, the Chairman of the Parish
Council, and a Parish Councillor) with the Parish Clerk as secretary.
Donations
A
large donation was made anonymously with the purpose to assist some families
with the expenditure of buying school clothing and equipment for the new members
to senior school.
Distribution 2005
£675.06
in vouchers was granted to 4 recipients towards assistance in the purchase of
school equipment.
£245
in vouchers was granted to 7 recipients at
Christmas.
Investment
The Committee met again in December 2004 and decided to continue to invest with Charinco and Charishare.
The Committee also decided to continue placing funds with the Portman Building Society Charity Account.
At the end of the financial year 2005(05/04/05), the Charinco account depreciated in value by £1.65, but the Charishare Account appreciated in value by £158.84.
Accounts
from 5th April 05 to April 06 (for Parish Assembly meeting held on 8th
May 2006)
Opening Balance
Portman
1,536.47
(As at 31/03/05)
Charinco
385.77
Charishare
1,436.51
Total
3,358.75
Charinco and
Charishare
Investment
Fund Income
Charinco
(For
period 05/04/05 to 05/10/05)
10.32
Charishare
(For
period 05/04/05 to 05/10/05)
23.24
Capital
appreciation
Charinco 11.55
Charishare
134.43
Tax rebate 42.30
Dividends from Charishare and Charinco
23.76
Donations
by individuals
8,000.00
Grant from
Council May 2005
100.00
Grant from
Council March 2006
200.00
Distribution
(920.06)
Total
7,446.00
Closing Balance
Portman
9.054.60
(As at 31/03/05) Charinco 397.32
Charishare 1570.94
Total 3,358.75