Chairman's Report
Annual Meeting of the Parish 14th May 2012 – Chairman’s Report for April 2011 to March 2012
In February 2012, Mr Ken Staplin resigned as Councillor for The High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council. Mr Stuart Brien from Hallatrow was co-opted on to the Council in March 2012. The Council welcome Stuart, and we thank you for joining us
Planning Applications and Developments
In the course of the year the Council dealt with 26 planning applications (including resubmissions). This is 2 less than last year. The Council closely monitor any infringements on planning agreements.
Parish Plan for Highways and Environment
The Council continue to address and consult with B&NES Traffic Department, traffic and safety issues within the Parish.
The Batch (A39 and Timsbury Road junction) has received new railings. The whole area of the Batch is a marked improvement and is now an attractive feature of the village
At present we are in consultation with the B&NES Traffic Engineer with regards to the feasibility study of the proposed roundabout at the Paulton Road and A39 junction. The Council have themselves designed drawings for the improvements to the Triangle. These are at present being reviewed by the B&NES Traffic and Safety Team. We have asked B&NES if a village gateway in Paulton Road could be considered.
We have had sight and commented on drawings produced B&NES Traffic Engineer, for the proposed footway from the Hallatrow gateway to the Bookbarn.
Also in progress is proposed works for a footpath from Hallatrow to High Littleton. Phase 1 of the Hallatrow Hill footway is programmed for 2012/2013 financial year. Money has been set aside for the following year for the phase 2 feasibility study.
Parking
For nearly five years the Parish Council has been chasing B&NES Parking to have installed waiting restrictions in the lay-by north of Eastwood Close, High Littleton. The Parish Council were informed that it would be in the 2009/2010 financial programme. The Council are still pressing B&NES for a date.
Public Transport
Bus shelters and bus stops feature regularly on the agenda. The Council continue to monitor these matters. B&NES Public Transport have installed a second hand bus shelter at Rosewell Community Home, they have installed a bus shelter at Paulton Road and also financially assisted the Parish Council in repairs to the White Cross bus shelter.
Footpaths
We continue to monitor the conditions of footpaths. There have been no major problems with the footpaths this year. However, a request was made to Somer Housing Trust for lighting on the footpath that connects Rotcombe Lane and Eastover Road. Somer Housing have agreed to put in solar bollards.
Parish Meetings venue
The Parish Council monthly meetings ceased to be held at the High Littleton Royal British Legion Club in April last year. The Head Office of the Royal British Legion decided to close the premises. We looked into possibilities that would ensure that the building would remain open and used by the community, as opposed to becoming another boarded up building. Despite the Council’s great efforts, there was not sufficient interest by the community to make use of the building.
The Council are grateful to have the use of a school room at the High Littleton Primary School; we thank Mr Griffiths and his staff for their help.
Recreation Ground Committee
We continue to support the Recreation Ground Committee financially under the agreed ‘Terms and Conditions for the Financial Support to the Recreation Ground’. The Parish Council provide donations to the grass cutting, maintenance and insurance.
Cemetery & Grass Cutting
The Parish Council continue to finance the grass cutting
Youth Issues
During the summer in 2011, B&NES Youth Service organised a programme for the Youth Mobile Bus to the village for 24 weeks. Unfortunately, it has been recently confirmed that there is no further funding available for the mobile bus to visit High Littleton. The Community Bus fortnightly visit will cease in July 2012. The Community Bus team are trying to source funding to enable the visits to carry on from September 2012.
Grants
The Parish Council awarded Midsomer Norton Ring and Ride a grant of £100 and Mary Jones Charity £200.
Allotments
The 5 allotments at the end of Highbury Road in Hallatrow are fully allocated. We currently have a long waiting list! The Council have made efforts to relieve this waiting list by looking for further sites but to date have been unsuccessful.
Parish Sweeping
September 2011 saw the retirement of both the Parish Council employed Road Sweepers. The Council therefore decided to leave the Parish Sweeping Scheme. It was noted by the public and Council that a deterioration in the cleanliness of the streets was noticeable. The Parish Council have been liaising with B&NES Environmental Manager to address the problem.
Newsletter
The Newsletter continues to be published on approximately on a quarterly basis providing the Parish with information of the Council’s activities and other organisations. Once again the Council wishes to thank all those who contributed, the distributers and especially to our editor Bob Hitchens.
B&NES Core Strategy – Policy C Village Capacity Work
The B&NES Core Strategy is the primary document in the Local Development Framework B&NES suite of planning documents. It will sets out the long term spatial vision for Bath & North East Somerset up to 2026 and the broad locations for new housing, jobs and other strategic developments. All Parish Council have been requested to make their representations. High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council have objected strongly to the possible inclusion of a housing development. Developments in the Core Strategy are being closely monitored by the Parish Council. Our thanks to Nicholas for all his work steering us through this process.
The Co-op site in High Littleton
The Council still receive complaints of the unkempt old Co-operative site in the High Street. We have enlightened Jacob – Rees-Mogg MP of this ongoing problem
Legal and Procedural Issues and Statutory Requirements
The Councils Accounts for 2010-2011 successfully withstood internal and external audit, with no material observation raised.
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012
Vicki and Keith have been very much involved in organising Jubilee Street Parties, one in High Littleton and Hallatrow. The Parish Council have purchased celebration mugs for the children of the parish
And Finally……
I wish to give a special thank you to all the Councillors and the Clerk for their increasing hard work and dedication
Chairman of High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council Paul Wyatt
Annual Meeting of the Parish 14th May 2012 – Chairman’s Report for April 2011 to March 2012
In February 2012, Mr Ken Staplin resigned as Councillor for The High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council. Mr Stuart Brien from Hallatrow was co-opted on to the Council in March 2012. The Council welcome Stuart, and we thank you for joining us
Planning Applications and Developments
In the course of the year the Council dealt with 26 planning applications (including resubmissions). This is 2 less than last year. The Council closely monitor any infringements on planning agreements.
Parish Plan for Highways and Environment
The Council continue to address and consult with B&NES Traffic Department, traffic and safety issues within the Parish.
The Batch (A39 and Timsbury Road junction) has received new railings. The whole area of the Batch is a marked improvement and is now an attractive feature of the village
At present we are in consultation with the B&NES Traffic Engineer with regards to the feasibility study of the proposed roundabout at the Paulton Road and A39 junction. The Council have themselves designed drawings for the improvements to the Triangle. These are at present being reviewed by the B&NES Traffic and Safety Team. We have asked B&NES if a village gateway in Paulton Road could be considered.
We have had sight and commented on drawings produced B&NES Traffic Engineer, for the proposed footway from the Hallatrow gateway to the Bookbarn.
Also in progress is proposed works for a footpath from Hallatrow to High Littleton. Phase 1 of the Hallatrow Hill footway is programmed for 2012/2013 financial year. Money has been set aside for the following year for the phase 2 feasibility study.
Parking
For nearly five years the Parish Council has been chasing B&NES Parking to have installed waiting restrictions in the lay-by north of Eastwood Close, High Littleton. The Parish Council were informed that it would be in the 2009/2010 financial programme. The Council are still pressing B&NES for a date.
Public Transport
Bus shelters and bus stops feature regularly on the agenda. The Council continue to monitor these matters. B&NES Public Transport have installed a second hand bus shelter at Rosewell Community Home, they have installed a bus shelter at Paulton Road and also financially assisted the Parish Council in repairs to the White Cross bus shelter.
Footpaths
We continue to monitor the conditions of footpaths. There have been no major problems with the footpaths this year. However, a request was made to Somer Housing Trust for lighting on the footpath that connects Rotcombe Lane and Eastover Road. Somer Housing have agreed to put in solar bollards.
Parish Meetings venue
The Parish Council monthly meetings ceased to be held at the High Littleton Royal British Legion Club in April last year. The Head Office of the Royal British Legion decided to close the premises. We looked into possibilities that would ensure that the building would remain open and used by the community, as opposed to becoming another boarded up building. Despite the Council’s great efforts, there was not sufficient interest by the community to make use of the building.
The Council are grateful to have the use of a school room at the High Littleton Primary School; we thank Mr Griffiths and his staff for their help.
Recreation Ground Committee
We continue to support the Recreation Ground Committee financially under the agreed ‘Terms and Conditions for the Financial Support to the Recreation Ground’. The Parish Council provide donations to the grass cutting, maintenance and insurance.
Cemetery & Grass Cutting
The Parish Council continue to finance the grass cutting
Youth Issues
During the summer in 2011, B&NES Youth Service organised a programme for the Youth Mobile Bus to the village for 24 weeks. Unfortunately, it has been recently confirmed that there is no further funding available for the mobile bus to visit High Littleton. The Community Bus fortnightly visit will cease in July 2012. The Community Bus team are trying to source funding to enable the visits to carry on from September 2012.
Grants
The Parish Council awarded Midsomer Norton Ring and Ride a grant of £100 and Mary Jones Charity £200.
Allotments
The 5 allotments at the end of Highbury Road in Hallatrow are fully allocated. We currently have a long waiting list! The Council have made efforts to relieve this waiting list by looking for further sites but to date have been unsuccessful.
Parish Sweeping
September 2011 saw the retirement of both the Parish Council employed Road Sweepers. The Council therefore decided to leave the Parish Sweeping Scheme. It was noted by the public and Council that a deterioration in the cleanliness of the streets was noticeable. The Parish Council have been liaising with B&NES Environmental Manager to address the problem.
Newsletter
The Newsletter continues to be published on approximately on a quarterly basis providing the Parish with information of the Council’s activities and other organisations. Once again the Council wishes to thank all those who contributed, the distributers and especially to our editor Bob Hitchens.
B&NES Core Strategy – Policy C Village Capacity Work
The B&NES Core Strategy is the primary document in the Local Development Framework B&NES suite of planning documents. It will sets out the long term spatial vision for Bath & North East Somerset up to 2026 and the broad locations for new housing, jobs and other strategic developments. All Parish Council have been requested to make their representations. High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council have objected strongly to the possible inclusion of a housing development. Developments in the Core Strategy are being closely monitored by the Parish Council. Our thanks to Nicholas for all his work steering us through this process.
The Co-op site in High Littleton
The Council still receive complaints of the unkempt old Co-operative site in the High Street. We have enlightened Jacob – Rees-Mogg MP of this ongoing problem
Legal and Procedural Issues and Statutory Requirements
The Councils Accounts for 2010-2011 successfully withstood internal and external audit, with no material observation raised.
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012
Vicki and Keith have been very much involved in organising Jubilee Street Parties, one in High Littleton and Hallatrow. The Parish Council have purchased celebration mugs for the children of the parish
And Finally……
I wish to give a special thank you to all the Councillors and the Clerk for their increasing hard work and dedication
Chairman of High Littleton and Hallatrow Parish Council Paul Wyatt