Chairman's Report 2007 - 2008

BROADWAY PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman's Report 2007-2008

A mixed year for the Parish. Sadly we will be saying Good-bye to our Clerk after more than 10 years of service, we wish her well in her retirement. We welcome Steve Aspinall, from neighbouring Ashill to the post.

It is with some regret that we have left our long standing meeting place at the Village Hall. We have met there since its opening, but a clash of recent bookings has forced us to seek an acceptable venue at The Bell.

We have met for 10 normal meetings plus 1 special meeting and some ad hoc meetings concerning Vardens Pond, Play-Area and Planning Issues as well as short-listing and interviewing of candidates for the Parish Clerks position. The pattern of alternate short meetings for urgent and sensitive matters, and long meetings with  fuller agendas has been maintained.

The local elections yielded only 5 candidates, elected unopposed. We welcomed Adam Kennedy as a new councillor and were fortunate in persuading Dr David Potter and Michael Thurgood back as co-opted members. It is hoped more local public spirited folk will come forward otherwise other agencies will take over Broadway matters by default. Your councillors seek no allowance for the position they hold.

We have been well served by our County Councillor, Derek Nelson, and our District councillor, Linda Vijeh. Linda convened a meeting for local Parish Councillors And Planning Officers to resolve our concerns over planning protocol and a meeting concerning issues arising from Standerwick House.

Whilst keen on having a Parish Plan and organising a Special Meeting it is disappointing to report that only 5 out of the 22 organisations attended, many failed to respond to the invitation.

The Speed Watch meeting, organised by Frank Willmouth, was well attended and a number of villagers received training. A number of sessions were held in Goose Lane and Broadway Road and one in Hare Lane. Some people have dropped out which means that Hare lane has difficulty in regular monitoring. The support equipment has not always been serviceable or its replacement speedy! Our local PCSO, John Martin, has been most supportive and has attended meetings and monitoring sessions. The major road of concern is Pound Road but unfortunately it is not deemed safe enough for Speed Watch activity. We await the results of a speed loop survey.

The transferring of ownership of Standerwick Orchard from Wimpey to Broadway is near completion. Its maintenance will be met from a special fund from Wimpey.

We were pleased to assist a local delegate to attend the World Scout Jamboree.

The loan for the revamping of the play area complete with rubber safety surface has now been repaid.

Vardens Pond has been opened up by removing the island. One visitor was so delighted he made a donation towards its upkeep. We anticipate further work of installing a sluice gate to purge silt and excessive duckweed.

We have made repeated requests to the Highways authority regarding the poor state of Broadway Road. One blocked culvert has been rectified and look forward to work being carried out on the pot holes and eroded edges.

Representation was made to Area West Planning to give permission to allow a farm shop at Yatford Farm. Their recommendation was overturned and permission granted.

Hedge-cutting or lack of it gives a continuos problem and it is hoped that all responsible owners will be mindful of all road users, pedestrians and rider as well as motorists in not only trimming but in the clearing of the road surface afterwards.

To enhance the entrances to the village we have put in bids for daffodil planting on grass verges this October and would welcome offers of help in planting them should we be successful.

Before too long we hope to see further gates for the disabled on our footpaths. Wet weather and Foot and Mouth Restriction Orders prevented the work last year.

Our web-site is operational, thelocalchannel/broadway, to have items entered contact Frank Willmouth

With careful budgeting and some voluntary work we have kept within our budget and not increased our share of the precept.

                                                                                          Sidney A.A. Painter (Chairman)