Chairman's ReportAnnual Meeting of the Parish 18th May 2009 – Chairman’s Report for April 2008 to March 2009 The High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council have enjoyed
a full quota of 9 Councillors from April 2008 to March 2009. Planning Applications
and Developments In the course of the year the Council dealt with 20 planning
applications (including resubmissions). This is 16 less than last year.
This is a considerable drop and maybe due to the present
recession. Safer Walking Document
and Traffic Issues Two years ago, the Parish Council in consultation with B&NES
Traffic and Safety Department, consulted and agreed on the repositioning
of most of the speed restriction signs in High Littleton and Hallatrow.
The work was delayed as consultations began between B&NES Traffic
Department and the At present speed restriction signs are being reviewed
nationally which has caused further delay. The Parish Council are
resolved that this project is completed at the earliest opportunity. The Council have been in the process of negotiating with
B&NES Traffic Department, a footway from Hallatrow to High
Littleton. A feasibility report has been undertaken. At present B&NES
are considering two options, the costs and the source of the funding. 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 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 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 ( 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 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 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. 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. 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
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