The Royal British Legion Building – Urgent Notice
The sad demise of High Littleton’s Royal British Legion Club is greatly regretted. Our Village is not well blessed with Halls which can be hired by local clubs and associations. Now there remain only the two church halls.
Without unduly raising expectations, there might possibly be an opportunity for the Village as a whole to rent the RBL building. It could be shared between pre-schools, youth groups, keep fit and any other clubs. To explore this possibility the Parish Council urgently needs to know of all groups which might be interested and of any individuals willing to serve on the management committee. Please let our clerk know promptly (see the end of this Newsletter for email / phone).
This may well come to nothing but the Parish Council feels that the possibility must be fully explored. We don’t want another boarded-up eyesore in our Village.
Chairman’s Report for April 2010 to March 2011
Members of the High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council have remained unchanged for the entire year.
In the course of the year the Council dealt with 28 planning applications (including resubmissions). This is 9 more than last year.
The Council continue to address Traffic and Safety Issues with the B&NES Traffic Department. The “Safer Walking” Document has been revised and is renamed “Parish Plans for the Highways and Environment”. The installation of the Village Gateway at Hallatrow has been completed. The Batch has been remodelled with the inclusion of new railings, a new bench and a Holly tree that has enhanced the area. The replacement of the railings opposite the Batch is presently being considered.
The Parish Council helped in the replacement of the second school crossing operative.
At present the Council are in consultation with the B&NES Traffic Engineer with regards to the feasibility study of the proposed traffic implications of the Paulton (old Polestar site) redevelopment.
The Council continue to chase B&NES Parking to install waiting restrictions in the lay-by north of Eastwood Close, High Littleton. The Parish Council was informed that it would be in the 2009/2010 financial programme. We are waiting for the B&NES Head of Parking to attend a Parish Council meeting where a number of parking issues can be discussed; notably parking around the school. (This has since taken place and matters are now hopefully resolved - Ed)
Bus shelters and bus stops feature regularly on the agenda. The Council continue to monitor these matters. B&NES Public Transport have agreed to install a bus shelter at Rosewell Community Home. The Parish Council put out to tender for repairs to the White Cross bus shelter. B&NES have agreed to finance a proportion of the costs. Last year the Parish Council were greatly concerned and protested at the decision of First Bristol to withdraw the early morning and early evening 179 bus services from High Littleton to Bath. The service has since been resumed
The Councillors continue to monitor the conditions of footpaths. The footpath next to Aumery gardens was frequently flooded soon after the development of Aumery Gardens. The Parish Council frequently contacted the B&NES Officer to address the matter.
The Parish Council continue to support the Recreation Ground Committee financially as agreed and provide towards the grass cutting, maintenance and insurance. Grants were awarded to High Littleton Rainbows (£100), Midsomer Norton Ring and Ride a grant of £200. Bo-Peep Pre-School £250 and Mary Jones Charity £250. Also we gave financial help to the repositioning of the school clock.
The Parish Council put out to tender for a three year contract to cut the grass in the Cemetery and White Cross. They have instructed the contractor from last year to undertake the work.
The Parish Council remain part of the Parish Sweeping Agreement and still employ the same two sweepers who have been with the Council for 18 years.
The allotments at the end of Highbury Road in Hallatrow have been fully allocated for the last 36 months. We currently have a long waiting list and have been asked to source further land for allotmenteers.
The Newsletter continues to be published on approximately 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.
The Council have paid for a new website design. The more up to date design will hope to include more information for Parishioners.
A representative from Wayne McLennan architects and a representative of the Co-op attended another Parish Council meeting. The Council were not happy with the proposed plans for the site.
The Councils Accounts for 2009-2010 successfully withstood internal and external audit, with no material observation raised.
And finally I wish to give a special thank you to all the Councillors and the Clerk for their hard work and dedication
Paul Wyatt , Chairman of High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council
Land for Allotments
Parish Councils have many powers, but very few duties. One duty they do have is to consider providing allotment gardens if demand is unsatisfied. Demand is unsatisfied in this Parish. We have a considerable waiting list for our only group of allotments in Highbury Road. The state of the economy may be playing its part, as no doubt is the Green Movement.
The Council would welcome any proposals from local landowners which might help mitigate this need. Please contact our Chairman or the clerk
The Community Bus
The Community Bus, a blue double decker playbus visits High Littleton on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, at 1-3 pm with a session for preschool children and their carers. The bus is funded by Norton Radstock Children’s Centre Services to provide a mobile base for families to meet up and play and to find out about other services that Children’s Centres can offer. There’s all sorts of fun activities for children including messy play, songs and rhymes, creative play, dressing up and baby toys. Parents and carers are treated to a relaxing tea break while snack time goes on! And it’s free, although donations are gratefully accepted! These sessions will resume, all being well, in September.
A Message from the Rec. Trustees
A big THANK YOU goes to all responsible dog owners. Fouling is far less of a problem now.
However, we do have a problem with people breaking glass bottles in the car park; this is both dangerous and unnecessary as we have three rubbish bins on site, one in the car park itself. Please think of other people when using the Rec. Ground
The Council: Paul Wyatt (Chairman), 470743; Bob Hitchens (Vice Chairman, Newsletter Editor), 453496; Keith Marshall, 453526; Nicholas Pearson, 470481, Nicholas Pollett, 452833; John Shears, rosemaryshears@btinternet.com; Sean Skelhorn , 472108; Vicki Smith, 471306, Ken Staplin, 470966 Web site www.highlittleton.org.uk
Clerk: Pauline Young, PO Box 4230, Radstock. Tel: 07807 430001 email clerk@highlittleton.org.uk
B&NES Ward Councillor: Les Kew, 452649.
Short articles by local bodies may be submitted to the editor. The Council retains full discretion to decline publication or to edit.