Chairman's ReportAnnual Meeting of the Parish 21st May 2008 – Chairman’s Report for April 2007 to March 2008 The High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council began the
year after the May 2007 local elections with 8 Councillors. Mr Nicholas
Pollett from Hallatrow joined the Council in September as a co-opted
Parish Councillor. Now the Council enjoy a full quota of 9 Councillors. Planning Applications
and Developments In the course of the year the Council dealt with 36 planning
applications (including resubmissions). This is only 2 less than last
year. The sixteen
residential units at Safer Walking Document
and Traffic Issues The Council in consultation with the Traffic Engineer
Department have agreed last year on the repositioning of the 30mph speed
limit signs further out of the villages of High Littleton and Hallatrow
– these have yet to be done as consultation between B&NES Traffic
Department and the Police is still ongoing. The introduction of flashing
speed warning signs has been completed. The Council still receive
positive feedback with the The Council are in the process of negotiating with B&NES
traffic department for an extension of the Hallatrow footway from the
Old Station Inn to White Cross on the A37. The Council believe that a
footway is imperative with the pending development on the old Polestar
site. There is expected to be an increase of volume of traffic passing
through Hallatrow. The Council and the B&NES Traffic Engineer are
looking at other safety measures. 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. Recreation Ground
Committee The Council continue to provide the Recreation Ground
Committee with an annual grant for grass cutting on the Recreation
ground. The Council also awarded a grant of £800 for financial
assistance to replace the roundabout in the play area.
Grass Cutting We finance the grass cutting in the Cemetery and White Cross. Youth Issues The B&NES Youth Communities Services are under going
changes. The Parish Councils in B&NES were informed at a Liaison
meeting last year that there a possible cut in finance is to be
expected. The Council are in the process in establishing the status of
the Youth Community Service and the future of the Youth Bus visits. The
Council continue to award grants to other young people’s ventures,
which include the Bo-Peep pre-school group and the High Littleton Scout
Group. Allotments The allotments at the end of Police and
Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. The Council has a representative who liaises with the Police
and Neighbourhood Watch to keep abreast with the latest crime and
figures. The Council have been keeping the local police station informed
of the recent influx of young people from other villages who descend on
the village on Friday and Saturday nights. Vandalism has been reported. 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 and stiles working in conjunction with land owners in respect
of repairs or replacements 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 CharityThe
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. And Finally…… Thanks to all the Councillors and the Clerk for their hard
work
Chairman of High
|