MILTON ERNEST PARISH COUNCIL

 

Chairman’s Report from Councillor Deborah Inskip Presented at the Annual Parish Assembly on 22nd April 2010

 

This is the end of my sixth year as Chairman and again it has flown by. I think, on the whole, it has been a good year.

 

Finance

The Precept for this year was set at £12,875 which, recognising the current financial issues, was not increased from the previous year.    

 

The Parish Council has made the following Section 137 donations during the year 2009 / 2010;

 

 Milton Ernest Lower School                                       £500.00

The Villager Magazine                                                 £234.00

The Villager Minibus                                                    £250.00

The Mother & Toddler Group (Activitots)                     £500.00

 Youth Club                                                                  £500.00

All Saints Church                                                         £900.00

 

Planning

There have been a large number of planning applications during the year, some contentious and others with which we have put forward no objections. Three, or so, applications stand out which, from the Parish Council’s perspective, would have a detrimental effect on the village. The Howard Foundation went to appeal with respect to their proposal to pull down The Maltings and develop 10 apartments. They did not win the appeal and subsequently submitted a further application.along the same lines. This more recent application did not receive approval either. We have been against some recent applications to extend two houses in Huntsman’s Way. In both cases the extension proposed was on the first floor and we felt that the character and appearance of the two houses would be changed significantly. The Borough approved both applications.  You may recall that this time last year, there had been an Appeal for a Traveller site in Bletsoe. The applicant won this Appeal and was granted a temporary license for three years. The Parish Councils of the surrounding villages will endeavour to have this license removed at the end of this time

 

I am delighted to say that the fourth speed table was finally installed on Thurleigh Road last year. The speed of most vehicles has been reduced significantly. Again, I would like to record my sincere thanks to Steve Freshwater for his time and diligence in keeping a very close eye on the progress of this final speed table.

 

General Village Welfare

The Parish Council is still working closely with the school to improve the traffic situation on   the A6. The school is developing a Travel Plan which should benefit all user of the roads and pavements around the heart of the village. The school has commented on the reduction in speed on Thurleigh Road allowing them to cross to the village hall in more safety. There are, of course, still some lunatics who choose to overtake on the speed table!

 

The Parish Council have installed a few more benches in the village during the last year and also bought three picnic tables for the Playing Field. 

 

The Parish Council planted a Christmas Tree last Spring. At the beginning of December we organised a successful and fun event to celebrate the turning-on of the Christmas Tree lights. It is hoped that this will become an annual event.

 

Report from Representatives

 

Village Hall

The village hall has had new window blinds installed during the year. It has also been re-deocorated and is looking in good condition. The committee has new Chairman who is Neil Roy. Our representative on the committee is Councillor Winter.

 

Playing Field

The Playing Field raised funds at the Fete. The annual safety check found no issues. There have been a number of grant applications made which we hope will bear fruit in 10/11.Our  representative is Councillor Newman.   

  

Village School

The school is working on developing a School Travel Plan which became a statutory requirement in March 2010. The Parish Council is working closely with the school particularly along the lines, as mentioned earlier, of reducing the speed of cars travelling in the vicinity of the school. The school is thriving with 61 pupils and we are very fortunate to have such dedicated staff in the school lead by Mrs Mary Harris who is an inspiration to staff and pupils. 

 

Parish Paths Partnership (P3)

The book authored by David Newman, ‘The Importance of Milton Ernest’ continues to sell well bringing revenues of £263 over the last year. The Heritage trail around the village has been enjoyed by many residents and visitors. 

 

Village Fete

The Committee organising the Fete, whilst essentially composed of Church members with the involvement of the Playing Field Committee is considered a sub committee of the Parish Council and hence its activities are, in the main, covered by the insurance policies held by the Council. The Parish Council has given a ‘Milton Ernest Parish Council’ cup which was awarded for the first time at the fete last year. The fete last summer raised over £4,000 for the church and village organisations.

 

Parish Plan

The Parish Plan will be formally presented to the Parish Council on Thursday 8th April. This is the culmination of much dedicated and hard work by key people in the village on the MEGA committee and, indeed, on the Parish Council. Many of the Action points in the Parish Plan are already underway and the Parish Council will continue to work towards completing the remaining actions.

 

In closing, I would like to thank my fellow councillors and Hester Kavanagh for all their hard work and support over this year.  Hester has now been with us nearly a year and has been a real support and benefit to the Parish Council. Thank you to all.

 

Deborah Inskip

Chairman

Milton Ernest Parish Council