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Chairman's Report 2008 - 2009
BROADWAY PARISH COUNCIL Chairman's Report 2008-2009 Having moved a great way into the electronic mail age one has to say it has not always had the responses or actions as quick, and in some cases neither has happened!! We have had our 10 scheduled meetings plus an extra planning meeting in our new venue, The Bell. Our intentions of having alternate long and short meetings have been thwarted by agenda items with tight deadlines. We have represented the Parish at other meetings elsewhere on issues such as Highways, Flooding and Planning. During the year we have had feedback and support from our County Councillor Derek Nelson and our District Councillor Linda Vijeh. Road issues continue to be raised. Speeding in Pound Road and the junction of Hare Lane/Broadway Road resulted in a site meeting where it was agreed to improve road signs and lay road markings. As yet it is only partially completed. A speed loop was installed which confirmed our belief in the excessive speed on Pound Road. Furthermore due to lack of support for equipment maintenance it was decided, with regret, to discontinue our Speedwatch Scheme. However Alan Toms from the village, and, seemingly a new police structure have enabled us to have a fresh start. Much depends on the police sanctioning a suitable site in Pound Road. A number of villagers have been trained for the task. The declining state of Broadway Road, and increasingly Pound Road, has received little attention from Highways. A contributing factor being blocked drains, which will have to be cleared before surface work can be tackled! The recent "Cloudburst" which caused the Ding to flood resulting in foot-bridges at Lang Ford and on the footpath down stream to be swept away is still to be attended to. Planning issues which arouse strong feelings in the village continue to come before us for comment. A recent application at which a number attended resulted in a group taking the matter and making representation to the District Council. We are still awaiting installation of new user friendly gates on our footpaths. Foot and Mouth Disease Restrictions and poor weather conditions have delayed this work for some time. Our play area is in reasonable order, being well used. There have been a few acts of mindless vandalism. We have now acquired the "Green Spaces" in Standerwick Orchard, but not yet been granted the licence for "The Island". Both areas are now being kept in a much more pleasing state. The Island is being cared for by local residents. This year we had our first Christmas Tree, complete with Solar Powered Lighting. It was nice to have the school choir sing and switch on the lights on. Who knows the site could even support a May Pole.
To assist local groups we have some extra notice boards made, one to be placed at Hilltop Salon, one at Elm Close and the other for Standerwick Orchard. We wouldn't wish to see anyone risk being fined under the new legislation!! This year we were successful in our nomination of Miss Hilary Bolitho for the Chairman of Somerset County Council's Award. Unfortunately our nomination of PCSO John Martin for the Avon & Somerset Constabulary Award failed this year. By the time this report is presented it is hoped that we will see the efforts of a number of villagers, the scouts, pathfinders, Neroche School and SSDC, by seeing a host of daffodils along grass verges. We are grateful for the grant Linda Vijeh obtained for us. Let's hope it brightens our lives a little and encourage the odd litter lout to respect our village. Shortly we hope to see a water level control system at Vardens Pond, thanks to a grant from the County Council. We would like to express our thanks to Steve North for clearing off the snow from Broadway Road and Hare Lane recently. Again with careful budgeting and the use of grants and voluntary work we have not increased the parish share of the rate precept. Updates on our agendas and minutes can be found on our website, www.thelocalchannel/broadway. Our webmaster contact is Frank Willmouth.
Sidney A.A. Painter (Chairman)
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