|
From the Parish Council - Dec 2007
Baldons Parish Council News
Parish Plan In the summer the Parish Council indicated we were considering encouraging the development of a Parish Plan, and now feels that the New Year is a time to make progress. What is a Parish Plan? The Parish Plan process is a means by which everyone in the community can voice opinions on what they consider to be the priorities, actions and improvements they wish to see in our villages, to improve village life and respond to the changes that are around us. The development of a Parish Plan is supported and encouraged by local district councils and has SODC support. The Oxfordshire Rural Community Council also has a development worker whose role is to help communities to undertake and produce a plan. Other villages have already produced or are producing a plan. E.g. Cuddesdon, Wheatley and Horspath What are the benefits? The outcome is a document of initiatives and priorities from the community, which should be adopted by the Parish Council. The Plan will enable the village voice to be heard in respect of the provision of local services and the Parish to be in a stronger position to benefit from grants and assistance from external organisations, when undertaking projects within our community e.g. housing, transport, recreational facilities, etc. What do we have to do.? Producing a plan involves everyone in the community whether as individuals or groups representing various interests. Various consultation events take place and questionnaires issued to find out more about what you would like to see changed, improved or developed in our community. Importantly the plan is not done for you by the Parish Council - it is important that it is developed by the community for the community.
The Parish Council hopes and believes that this important initiative will have the support of the whole community and that everyone will participate. First Steps The formation of a steering group. A small group of willing volunteers representing a good cross section of the village needs to be set up to plan and coordinate the activities and produce the plan for us. There is already a small group of interested villagers but anyone else interested should contact Elizabeth Gillespie tel 343116 or Dorothy Tonge. tel 343234 A Launch Event It is intended to introduce the proposals and start the process off, with your support, at a launch event on the afternoon of Saturday 2nd February. It will be an open event for everyone in the village to come and learn more and also determine the make up of the steering group and begin to set the agenda for action. Details to follow.
The Parish Council will be producing more publicity on all of this via leaflets and an open invitation to the launch event in January. In the meantime if you have questions you want to raise, or issues to comment on, please speak to Dorothy Tonge or Elizabeth Gillespie lead Parish Councillors.
Village Green Damage. An irresponsible joy rider has recently been driving on the green and there is tyre damage to the cricket field and outfield. If anyone observes this vandalism happening again please note the vehicle registration number and inform the police and Parish Council then action can be taken against the perpetrator.
Christmas/ New Year Refuse Collection Monday 24th December Monday 31st December.
Date of next Parish Council meeting 8th January 7.30 pm Village Hall
STOP PRESS******************************************
The Parish Council and School Governors were informed that construction of the School Hall will commence on 26th November. They were given late notice of this date and of a change in access arrangements. The intention is that the majority of construction traffic should be across the field at the rear of the school, rather than from the Green. A neighbours group to liaise on issues and arrangements with contactors is to be established . Building should be completed by August 2008.
|