May 2020 Chairman's Report

Chairman’s Annual Report for May 2020

In response to the Covid19 pandemic and impending possible lockdown, the Parish Council met on 21st March 2020 when it resolved that no business, meeting, service provision or service delivery of the Council was of any importance above that of public and personal safety. As such all scheduled public meetings were cancelled until further notice or as circumstances dictated. Therefore; neither the Annual Village meeting nor the Annual Parish meeting will take place. The Council also took measures to ensure its safe and continuous operation and resolved that the role of Chairperson and Councillors will remain the same until a suitable and safe public meeting could be held.

Over the last year the council has continued to work diligently on the village’s behalf, ensuring that the budget is used wisely and appropriately and doing its upmost to be responsive to and supportive of village issues, while encouraging public participation, comment, feedback and latterly tackling the logistic obstacles brought about the government restrictions to manage Covi19.    

With the threat of a lockdown looming, the Council initiated a volunteer recruitment campaign and met with Linkwell, the Co-op and members of the community on the 21st March to co-ordinate a strategy to ensure that our more vulnerable resident’s needs would be met should a lockdown occur, which it unfortunately did, just two days later. So thanks go to all those that have volunteered, I’m positive that their selflessness and generosity will be very much appreciated by all those that they help.           

We achieved a lot during the year prior to the Covid19 restrictions impacting on everyone’s lives. As usual we continued with our essential general maintenance alongside tackling areas that were long overdue for attention, purchased new items and initiated a new public awareness campaign to tackle dog fouling.           

As usual a major part of our expenditure was spent on the recreation ground where we installed new fencing, litterbins, paving in front of two benches, a new entrance barrier, planted holly bushes, painted the entrance gates, pavilion and shelter, installed new facia and guttering and repaired the roof on the pavilion, replaced the path across to the pavilion, replaced a cradle swing, added extra CCTV cameras, initiated regular weed treatment, had the tennis courts moss treated and cleaned and gave open access to them and in the coming year we intend to paint all the paly equipment.  Phew that seems such a lot when detailed like this.

We were successful in securing the continuation of our brown tourist sign for the Spring Wells, as wells as purchasing three flower planters for there and undertaking remedial tree work on the island. In the year ahead we intend to refurbish the island. 

We installed new fencing and had the gate repaired and painted at the cemetery and had the hedging cut in the adjoining field as well as some remedial tree work.   

In the village we began using roving anti dog fouling notices, ordered a solar panel for our speed awareness sign on Pointon Road and purchased litter picking equipment for any volunteers wishing to undertake some litter picking.         

We explored taking over the community police station, to be used as a Council base and community facility and have await public opinion on this idea. . We also investigated employing a community warden to monitor the recreation ground at weekends in an effort to address anti-social behaviour. Unfortunately Covid19 brought has brought this to a standstill, however; we intend to revisit this in the future. 

We approached our district councillor re the flooding issue in Birthorpe Road, the lack of white lines and cats eyes on the entrances to the village and the missing road signs on the A52. He assured us that all these issues would be addressed.   
We had hoped to install litterbins on Low St and Birthorpe Road near the allotment entrance, unfortunately; these plans were not approved by SKDC, however; we continue to endeavour to achieve this objective.     

 Unfortunately; the housing plans for the old Aveland School site have come to a standstill as has the transfer of the Aveland playing field to BPC. We will continue to monitor this and keep residents fully informed on any updates and consult with them as necessary.         

Unfortunately in September the Village Bowling Club which had been running for almost 100 years took the very sad decision to close. So many people will have very fond memories of the club and the good times they enjoyed there and will be so sad at its demise. It certainly was the end of an era. On a more positive note new plans are already afoot for the green, as the Cricket Club are taking it over and plan to use it for net practice and possibly for six a side cricket. Hopefully this additionally facility will encourage new players to the game of all ages and foster community spirit.         

We welcomed Hayley as our new clerk in July and Mr David Cope to the council in September and they are both still with us, so we can’t be too scary! 

We have quite a lot planned for the coming year, however; given the current situation we find ourselves in we’re not certain what we will be able to be achieve. Though; I assure you that we will do our utmost to keep the village running as smoothly as possible and achieve as much as we can!    

Before I close I’d like to thank all those that have helped or contributed to the upkeep and improvement of the village but especially to:- 

BAGS for managing the allotments on our behalf. 

To Kim our dedicated community village cleaner, Mark our recreation ground caretaker and David our cemetery caretaker, all of who do an amazing job!

To our volunteers who are the Youth Offending team, who regularly provide young people to undertake work within the village, which is very much appreciated and to all our councillors who give their time and expertise and work diligently for the betterment of the village!

To our ex clerk Michelle for all her support and help when we were without a clerk and for the guiding hand and support she gave to Hayley when she became our clerk – thank you so much Michelle!

To Pam and Ari who resigned from the council and whose input and support will be missed.

To our clerk Hayley, who is just amazing! Thank you so much Hayley for your help, tenacity, hard work, diligence, patience and dedication!! You are an absolute treasure!! THANK YOU!!    

Finally please remember this is your village so please let us know what you’d like to see being developed, initiated, what you’re not happy with, what we could do better or what we’ve done well.

Cllr Chris Woodhead