Parish Report Winter 06

CHAIRMANS REVIEW

May 2006 - Nov 2006

Three and a half years of our four-year term are nearly over, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken, and some of the decisions have been extremely difficult ones to make. As Parish Councillors we are responsible for the precept, this is the money that you as parishioners pay. The decisions have not been taken lightly and we as a parish believe that best value has been achieved.

Yet another year has passed where we have had to spend a significant amount on repairs or renovations, an example of which was £4,000 to remove dangerous trees behind the Assembly Hall, some of you might have noticed the huge crane used to safely remove the trees, which could be seen over the roof line of neighbouring houses. The kitchens at both halls have been updated and refurbished and look fantastic. A fence has been erected around Coronation Gardens. This makes the area look nicer and a more peaceful place to sit for a few minutes to while away the time.

Most of you will have seen the cameras that have been erected at the shops on Brecks Lane; you also should have seen the reduction in anti-social activity around that area. This is part of a joint initiative between the Police and the Parish Council. Other initiatives in conjunction with the Police are to take place; this will include efforts to curb the speed of drivers around the villages.

Sutton Road Play Park unfortunately remains closed; the problem of drainage is still causing safety problems. The poor drainage causes algae to cover the safety matting making it very slippery around the equipment. During the short period it was re-opened there were a number of accidents where children slipped and fell, luckily no one was seriously hurt. As a health and safety issue we would have been extremely remiss in our duty to leave the park open. The park at the Parish Hall is still open and should remain open; we have conducted trials where the park has been left open overnight. Initially this caused some problems and local residents experienced some anti-social behaviour. We have along with reports from the Police been monitoring this area and have found that anti-social behaviour was neither better nor worse. A CCTV camera has been fitted to the rear of the Parish Hall enabling the identification of any perpetrators causing incidents.

The Sports Association

The Sports Association has been going very slowly for a number of years with or without the help of the Parish Council, but now at long last the sports teams are all playing the same tune & working together towards the same goal.

Fundraising is in full flow and ongoing with everyone doing their bit to raise money for the building of the Sports Pavilion. Planning permission has been granted so all the Association needs now is money. A number of local business people have pledged building equipment which is very kind of them. Bricks are also being sold at £1.00 each to raise money.

We have had a cricket team in Barnby Dun for 136 years and everybody wants to carry this on for the younger generation to enjoy. Football also plays a big part in sport, from the younger to the middle aged men wanting to relive their youth. Watching sport of any kind can also be an enjoyable family outing.

We are all trying to make the Sports Field a success, it may encourage children to take out all their excessive energy and aggression on a ball instead of people or property. You never know, you might enjoy the facilities once you have tried them out for yourselves.

Come along and enjoy the various sports activities that are provided, enjoy a cup of tea and a bun in the sunshine.

The grounds are looking great, and ready for some 1st class games, thanks to all the hard work done all year round.

Support your local Sports Association and together we can nurture the future sports activities and make them grow into a facility to be proud of.

Friends of Dentons Green Lane Park

The Friends Of Dentons Green Lane Park have now secured funding from WREN (£20,000) and YRCC (£4,895). The final Section 106 payment should have been authorised by the time you read this.

The design brief will be as follows, a 40/60% split on toddlers and juniors, respectively on play equipment. Two goal ends with basketball hoops, facing each other and, a youth shelter. Low intensity lighting will be provided and, it is hoped to liaise with the Youth Service to add a camera or two to the Youth Club CCTV to safeguard it all.

Planting of trees and shrubs and the provision of seats, litter and dog waste bins will complete the area.

The existing basketball hoop will be placed to the rear of the youth club after the fence has been erected around the Club.

A design plan will be available in the new year and will be shown to as many people as possible (details to follow).

It is hoped to start the work early in the New Year and, when finished this will be one of the best play areas in the Borough.

The Local Channel

One of the many interesting items to come from this years Yorkshire Rural Community Associations Conference was a website, "The Local Channel". All Parish Councils are given their own web space for free.

This offer has been taken up and many interesting items on Kirk Sandall and Barnby Dun have been uploaded. The Web Pages also incorporate Parish Council information and you will be able to find out who your local Parish Councilors are and, their contact information. You will also be able to read minutes of meetings and when and where meetings are held. Information on our halls, how you can hire them, costs, available, etc. will be available soon.

The web pages also allow local groups and businesses to publish information so, if you run a local community group, get in touch with me or "The Local Channel". There is a charge for local businesses.

Anyone wishing to view the web pages can do so at www.thelocalchannel.co.uk and put in your postcode.

Gala Report

The first Gala for Barnby Dun, Edenthorpe and Kirk Sandall finally happened in August 2006 and, the year of planning that went into its organisation was worth all the efforts by the Committee. Most importantly, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

The Gala Queen, Emily Harvey, did a splendid job over the two days attended by Holly Trepte and Romyna Moglia.

Legends Medieval Associates were very popular as were the games for the children which took place on the Sunday. Entertainment was provided by Dancers, Gymnasts, Line Dancers, Cheerleaders and, the Artis Pet Sanctuary, to name just a few. There were many stalls all selling different goods. We owe a special thanks to the Pentecostal Church who provided face painting and a puppet show.

Significant thanks and appreciation are due to Ann and Ian Fraser, to Jane and Jessica Thackery, the local TARA, Ian and Jackie Stables and family, local Councillors and our new secretary Paula Stewart.

A big thank you to Miss Stringfellow and the School Orchestra, also Barnby Dun School for the loan of the stage and, finally to you, all the people who made it possible.

A Monster Bash was held to boost funds for next years Gala over 120 people attended and we raised £248. A good time was had by all. Keep an eye out for other events coming soon.

The Gala next year will be held on the 4th and 5th of August 2007. Make sure its in your diary.

If you would like any information or would like to help please phone Ann on 885968

The Garden Villagers

What wonderful Summer weather we have experienced this year, ideal for plants to grow and bloom, providing they were watered regularly. We received a Highly Commended Certificate from the Yorkshire Rural Community Council (YRCC) in October 2006 for coming Third in Yorkshire in a competition to find the groups with the best use of their grants. The Parish Council donated £850 to our group. This will go towards the cost of compost and flowers for 2007 and is greatly appreciated. The three seats that we provided for both villages have been well received and, the Parish Council has ordered bins to accompany them. The seat in Coronation Gardens has been removed because of vandalising to the trees, which is a shame as many found it an ideal place to rest. We requested a further grant from YRCC for the rejuvenation of the Pinfold - Fingers crossed.

Concerns

The Parish Council is concerned about Crime, Hooliganism, Slow Police response and a lack of visible Wardens and Bobbies in Barnby Dun and Kirk Sandall.

Everyone, young and old should be able to feel safe in our own village and not suffer because of the budget decisions and strategies of the Police Authority and DMBC.

The Police Update

Over the last two years Members of the Parish Council have worked together with Edenthorpe Parish Council representatives and met each month with the Police. We thought that if we got our heads together on a regular basis we might come to a satisfactory conclusion over the hooliganism and underage drinking problem in this area. A leaflet was issued before the Summer holidays to raise parental awareness. "What is Your Child Doing this Holiday" which had an effect. In October 2006 cameras were installed outside the shops in Kirk Sandall and had an immediate impact. The Police have the trouble makers on record, increasing the ASBO's and, are taking harder lines on this kind of behaviour. A badge of honour is what the media call it, but breaking the ASBO order can result in a custodial sentence. Also, remains on a persons record for life no matter how "good" they become in later life, it will remain.

The latest crime figures are, for Kirk Sandall Assaults 2 Public Order 3 Burglary 1 Theft of motor vehicles 1 and, for . Barnby Dun, Assaults 1 Theft of motor vehicles 1. We are now trying to convince the authorities to bring the local village Bobbies back and let them become members of our community. which is where they belong.

Thorpe Marsh Landfill

You may remember that H J Banks submitted a planning application for Thorpe Marsh to become a landfill site. The Parish Council opposed the plan, which was subsequently rejected by DMBC Planning Committee a year ago. A new application has now been submitted, as the company believes that they have overcome the reasons for the original refusal. Your Parish Council does not agree. There are still concerns about things such as contamination of drinking water, property values, vermin, litter and other health risks etc. The proposal to import the waste by canal and rail is also a concern that has not been resolved. Where will the canal facilities be located and what detrimental effect will they have? What happens if the rail facilities where the waste originates are not built? The fact is that the only existing transport infrastructure, if this application is approved, is the roads. The Parish Council finds all these negative issues unacceptable. We know that something needs to be done at Thorpe Marsh, but this is not the solution and we will continue to object to any proposal for it to become a rubbish dump.

PUBLIC NOTICES

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Contact your Councillors

Kevin Abell 840491

John Berriman 884081

Paul Bissett 07801 070161

George Currigan 07836 578738

Pip Hammond 880559

Cliff Hampson 885656

Karen Hampson 885656

Liz Jeffress 882671

Mick Maye 888802

Kath Muschamp 883043

Philip Dennis (Clerk) 771233

Safer Neighbourhood 385466

Community First 736000

Emergency 999

PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS

3rd Wednesday of every month

All meetings start at 6.30 pm

Members of the public are invited to raise matters prior to Council Business.

FANCY AN ALLOTMENT

Available at Barnby Dun and Kirk Sandall

£10 per year for a half plot

Contact Philip Dennis on 771233

NEW GREEN WHEELED BINS

The following information has been received from DMBC

Explanatory Leaflet Delivered 11-01-07

Green Bins Distributed w/b 20-01-07

Information Packs Delivered w/b 20-01-07

First Green Bin Collection Friday 15-02-07