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From the Parish Council - April 2007
BALDONS PARISH COUNCIL NEWS Parish Council Election. The Parish Council election will be held on May 3rd alongside SODC District Council elections The formal announcement of the election will be made by SODC on 27th March. Nominations for standing for the election will have to be made to SODC Returning Officer no later than mid day on 4th April. The count will be held at SODC offices on May 4th. This is different from previous years when it has been held on the Election Day after the close of polling stations. All information and notices for the Baldons election will be displayed on village notice boards. SODC will also have all information on its website including after the 4th April the list of candidates standing for election.
Village Green All of us value the opportunities and lifestyle and environment in which we choose to live in such delightful villages. The village green has always been the pride of our community and it is important we take care of it. It is worth reminding everyone in the village, newcomers and old hands alike, that the rules covering activities which are permitted, or not, on the green are displayed on the large notice board on the west side of the green near the cricket pavilion.
Last month mention was made of the problems of damage to the green outside the school and the efforts being made by the Parish Council and school to find practical and affordable solutions. Other areas of the green and the grass verges in our lanes are also being damaged or eroded by driving and parking indiscriminately. (Not always the fault of villagers.) We have to be pragmatic and recognise that in a multi car owning family without adequate garage or drive space some cars do need to park on the green; all the Parish Council would ask is that care is taken and that wherever possible we as villagers drive and park in ways that minimise damage to our green and roadside verges. Please help and be considerate. And if you have contractors in, ask them to help too.
The Parish Council also values all the work householders do around the green to keep the grass cut outside their property. As always in the spring we issue the reminder that grass cuttings should not be dumped in bulk on the green as it damages the underlying grass which the farmers cut. Instead dispose of it in your garden waste bin, compost it, or if you must, spread the cuttings very thinly over the green; that way will do least damage.
Village Clean Up As always at this time of the year the Parish Council want to improve the appearance of our villages for the summer by having a clear up day to remove rubbish from our hedgerows and roadside verges, footpaths and green. We need you and your family's help. On Sunday April 22nd we hope parents and children will join in for an hour or so from 10.30 or 11 am followed by meeting for a pre lunch drink in the Seven Stars. If you or your children are willing to help please let Barbara Wright or Dorothy Tonge know which bits of the villages you are happy to walk round, then we won't duplicate. The more who are involved the less time it will take, say a half to one hour. Please wear gloves and bring a black plastic bag. The Parish Council will arrange disposal of collected rubbish. More information will be available on notice boards.
SODC Garden Waste Service The district council have announced some improvement to the garden waste service which will apply from 1st April. Smaller 140 litre wheeled bins will be available for those who don't create much garden waste. The cost is £29 p.a.or £27.50 p.a. if paid by direct debit. Biodegradable 110 litre sacks may also be made available for those households who can genuinely not accommodate a wheeled bin. £29 pa of £27 50 if paid by direct debit, for an annual supply of 52 sacks.
Millennium Fund. In 2005 the Parish Council and Millennium Committee recommended, following consultation on a number of alternatives on which there was no consensus, that the millennium fund should be used to support a project at the school, following its rebuilding, which was for children and that should be lasting and tangible. The Parish Council have now received and supported a proposal from the school for the use of the Millennium Fund. It is proposed that a commemorative Mosaic Panel be created which can be mounted on an outside wall of the school. The school children working with a mosaic artist will be involved in the design of the mosaic and its creation. More details of the scheme and its design will be worked out in the coming months, and the school will make these known in due course, but could involve themes relating to the children, the school and the church. The school are enthusiastic and excited about the proposal and the Parish Council feel that this will be an innovative project that will meet the criteria, and will enhance the new buildings and be available not just for the school but for villagers to see and enjoy.
Annual Parish Meeting The Annual meeting of the Parishes of Marsh Baldon and Toot Baldon will be held on Tuesday 10th April at 7.30 pm in the village hall. This is your public meeting to hear of the activities of the Parish Council in the past year and to raise issues with us. If there are particular items you want to raise in advance and put on the agenda please let Ralph Slaney, Parish Clerk, have them no later than 1st April.
Easter Refuse Collection Tuesday 10th April
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