The March meeting was held as normal on Monday 2nd in the Baptist Chapel Schoolroom.
Like all Council meetings it was open to the public.
Reports from the District and County Councillors: Cllr Harries reported that SNC has passed its final budget, with an approximately 2% increase which will equate to around £5 p/a per band D house. The grants process is being changed, and information will be coming through shortly.
Cllr Brown reported that NCC had also passed its final budget with an increase of 1.9%. The structural Changes allowing the formation of the Unitaries have now been passed by parliament and progress towards the Unitaries is now ongoing, with the new system to be in place for April 2021. A reform of children’s services is taking place, and some other services will be split into two. The final make up is not yet clear as the shadow authority that will run up until the inception of the unitaries may choose to make changes.
PCSO: The PCSO had sent in his regular report, which shows that he is active and working with young people. Councillors felt that some comments made on social media were unfair and had little relevance, and that they were happy with the situation.
Lights: There was some concern that those lights deemed irreparable would be off for some time while the situation regarding the installation of new LEDs was clarified.
Roads and pavements were felt to be deteriorating again, and that repairs in Furnace Lane and Hillside Road were poor.
The Green and Play Area: Resolved. Fete to take place on the green on June 20th. (Update 3/4/2020 Fete is now postponed until 2021)
Playing Fields: A hedge intended to screen the container had been planted. There had been many positive comments about the new basketball/Netball court.
Footpaths: Very wet and muddy. The path from Church lane to the river is collapsing and is felt to be dangerous. To be reported.
Churchyard: Repairs on church roof are taking place.
Canal: The tow paths are so wet as to be barely passable. Clerk to ask that they be upgraded.
Joint Burial Board: Tree damage has occurred during recent storms and one tree has split. STS have been asked to assess the situation.
Youth Club: It was reported that all was well, but concern that the trees between the back fence and the Luddle were in need of assessment.
Defibrillators: reported to be in working order and ready for use.
Neighbourhood Plan: SC reported that the consultant had been visited, and final work to pull the plan together was progressing. The Neighbourhood Plan group were looking to apply for Lottery and other grant funding.
Election: The elections have been postponed until next year, which means that Parish and District Councillors will serve for another year.
Grants Policy: A Grants policy was adopted, stipulating that grants of £250 could be given during the year – but that anything beyond that figure would have to be considered when the annual precept was being prepared.
Play Area: to consider replacement/additional equipment. A further presentation would take place on March 6th after which the various quotes would be compared and brought to Council.
Reporting Highway and Footpath Issues. The Clerk will report issues that Council is made aware of, but Council would encourage residents to use the FixMyStreet service to report issues themselves as there will then be no time lag and first-hand reports are almost always better than 2nd or 3rd hand reports. The service can be found here: www.fixmystreet.com It is easy to use; you can have your own account and can check up on any issues you have reported.
Parish Council meetings in 2020 will continue to be at the same venue, on the first Monday of each month, (unless a Bank Holiday) and would start at 19.30. The next one is on April 6th and will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting. (Update 3/4/2020 Annual Parish Meeting has now been postponed and all meetings are now virtual online meetings)
Clerk to the Parish Council: Guy Ravine, c/o Old Dairy Farm, Upper Stowe, Weedon, Northamptonshire, NN7 4SH
Telephone: 07935 931787
Email: netherheyfordparishcouncil@gmail.com
For further useful information about Nether Heyford Parish Council and full contact details for the clerk and the Councillors please visit:
The Nether Heyford Prattler 