CHAIRMANS REPORT 2007

First I would like to welcome our three new councillors to their first meeting and hope they soon find their feet and gradually understand procedures.  This year for the first time since 1984 we had an election, it was good to see more younger people take an interest as that is what the village needs as we go forward into more Government changes into our local councils.  I was sorry to loose Len as he has been a good council worker.

For the first time ever our precept passed to £100,000 mark but we had made some large transactions over the year.  I looked back at the last three years reports and saw what has or has not been done or what we were worried about as we reached a new council year and some of them have still not been dealt with.  As we have said for many, many years (actually 19 years) the Village Green transfer to Easington District Council still hasn't been finalised but we'll definitely have to make a big push we don't want Durham County Council taking over with the transfer unresolved.

Last September we had a talk on the Future Strategy for the County Structure but our option for more joint district council input was not in the Local Government Review and only one bid for Unitary Council for all of County Durham was suggested, a kick in the teeth for local democracy.  We welcomed police representatives to the meetings to discuss problems and they have started monthly forums shared between Easington Village & Colliery.  We have discussed the new Dog Orders, the state of the Form Seat (and a suggestion to pull it down) also queries on the play equipment that is awaiting modernisation, we are already setting money aside each year from balances and should also get funding from new housing.

Essyn House or Court is nearing completion but the King's Head is still very unsightly and a blot on the village green.  Apparently the plans were approved for the dentist in Southside, good to have a dentist but probably won't help our parking problems.  As we thought the gate at Easington Community School has caused difficulties for residents in the nearby streets and also motorists.  Craigellachie houses are ongoing and also new houses at Little Thorpe the residents seemed to accept these plans after earlier concerns.  We have welcomed the help of the police community support officers who kept a regular eye on the gate and are a familiar sight in other areas dealing with ongoing problems.  When will they listen to local voices that can foresee these problems?

Unfortunately Seaton Holme Discovery Centre, run by our tenants Groundwork East Durham, after many years of success has closed for exhibitions, events and craft sales a disappointment for the many that used it and the volunteers who worked so hard.  We still don't know what format Groundwork East Durham has planned but the old fitments have been emptied and the room closed up since the end of December.  We hope the plans for the repainting of the building with the new longer lasting paint have been passed as English Heritage visited this month and people are remarking on the shabby look of the building.  It makes one feel ashamed as we are the protectors of the building and remedial work must be done this year both to make it look better and keep the fabric in good order.

We are still on the World Wide Web and I keep updating events and news regularly and The Local Channel update and keep bringing in new ideas, I am only sorry none of our local groups have come onboard - its all free.  Someone must look at it as we have had orders for our Way we Were book.

Apart from council work St. Mary's Church has started restoration work and we will see changes to the grounds of Easington Village C of E Primary School when the shelters are removed.  Residents appealed to the parish council when Durham County Council mooted plans to curtail and move the library but I have been thanked by users for a satisfactory outcome when Durham took the suggestions on board and now stand outside Seaton Holme the same time as the Lunch Club.  The Lunch Club still is very popular but membership has dropped slightly with death and illness and is looking for more members who meet the criteria.  Health & Safety have drawn up more stringent rules and regulations for the kitchen and almost all have been dealt with.

We thank Billy, Peter and Ian for all their work and the excellent floral displays and trying to keep up with litter removal throughout our areas of the village.  Thanks to Plant'R'Ross who provided plants for the flower displays.  The garden competition he sponsored was stopped as there was not enough interest but the floral containers continue also sponsored by Ross.  We are luckier than most and live in an attractive village even though we have to deal with ongoing problems of anti-social behaviour but that seems to be the way of the world.

Eileen Hopper

Chairman - Easington Village Parish Council.