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ECCLESHALL PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2008/2009
Chairman’s Report April 16th 2009.
Another busy and interesting year.
1. In February 2009 we achieved the Quality Status Certificate
of Reaccreditation one of the first councils to do so in Staffordshire.
Mr. Harry Brunt of The County Accreditation Panel congratulated the
council for presenting an excellent portfolio which could be used as a
benchmark for other councils seeking Quality Status.
2.New Councillors.
The vacancy in the Horsley Ward attracted 3 candidates Mr. B.Apps, Mr. A
Battle and Mr. E. Ranson. Following a presentation by the candidates a
ballot was held and Mr. Apps was duly co-opted.
Due to the resignation of Councillor Coral Lawrence an election was held
for the Town ward attracting 6 candidates Mr. Mike Starky was duly
elected.
3. Footpaths.
After a period of 16 years of petitioning the footpath the known locally
as The Dells will be officially opened on the 18th of April
2009.
The Parish Council backed the Wildlife Trust project to drain and clear
the weeds at Walk mill pool.
Also the construction of an eco-friendly recycled plastic boardwalk
through Jackson’s Marsh. The walkway was funded by a £50,000 grant from
The Heritage Lottery Fund and will enable visitors to get a closer look
at the marshland.
Both are now open and are very attractive assets to our Parish.
4. Planning
One of the more
interesting planning applications that we dealt with was an In Vessel
Composting Facility overlooking the Chebsey valley. This project was
enormous and attracted a considerable amount of local opposition.
The most important and controversial is the Borough Council’s Local
Development Plan where over a thousand houses could be built in
Eccleshall.
The Parish Council totally opposes such large scale development which
would destroy the character and identity of the town. Individuals and
groups have also voiced their concerns at the latest round of
consultations.
5. Traffic Management.
In conjunction with the County Council the Parish Council are currently
involved in a major traffic calming project on the A519 at the junction
of Green Lane and Newport Road.
A
30mph speed restriction limit will be implemented later in the year at
Walk Mill.
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6. Precept.
This year I am pleased to report that the precept for this year will
remain the same as last year that is £47,000.
7. Enhancements.
A
new bespoke seat has been installed at the cross-roads part funded by
Councillor Henry Butter and The Parish Council. A private sponsored seat
in memory of Mr.Jaques has also been installed at the Wash pits. Croxton
now has a new seat which was part funded by Eccleshall W.I, Councillor
Henry Butter and The Parish Council.
8. Allotments.
Eccleshall Allotments Association have a very new committee which had a
few hiccups which caused one of our councillors to comment that he had
lost the will to live at one of their meetings. All is not lost with the
help of experienced councillors on the committee the group are becoming
more professional to the extent that they now have a waiting list for
allotments.
9. Young People.
Mindful of the lack of play areas for youth and children the Parish
Council continues to negotiate with the County Council about the land
behind the Community Centre.
Meanwhile Councillor Andrew Holl continues with the idea of setting up a
youth café in the Parish room’s adjoining Holy Trinity Church. Two
meetings have taken place so far both with a disappointing attendance.
Negotiations continue with the Play builder Programme which supports a
more challenging play area for 8- 13year olds.
10. Police
The Parish Council continues to liaise with the police and P.C.S.Os. The
Clerk and the Chairman attended a seminar at police headquarters and
also had a meeting with the local police sergeant and his colleagues.
11. Parking.
The Parish Council has encouraged parking wardens to visit Eccleshall,
nobody likes receiving a ticket but the blatant ignoring of basic
parking rules with vehicles on double yellow lines and all day parking
in the High Street was getting out of hand.
Finally this report only gives a flavor of the commitment and hard work
that Parish Councillors do they are a credit o this Council.
Gordon T. Dale
Chairman Eccleshall Parish Council.
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