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Shincliffe Parish Council |
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2007/2008
Council ChangeThis report covers the period April 2007 to March 2008. The Parish Council met monthly (except in August). There was one change in membership, Ms Nia Cook, succeeding Mrs P Guy who retired in April 2007 after 20 years service. FinanceFor the third year running the Parish Council decided not to increase the Parish precept. The balance brought forward at the start of 2007/08 was £15090.19, income for the year amounted to £12277.41 and expenditure was £11216.43. We have started 2008/09 with an opening balance of £16151.17. Community ActivitiesThese continued to flourish and were well supported by a variety of Parish organisations – Community Association, the Primary School, St. Mary’s Church, the Women’s Institute, the Parish Council – and by many individuals. The Youth Club has recently re-opened in March, guided by a new leader and aiming to encourage its members to quality for external – e.g. Duke of Edinburgh – awards. Sparks has now been replaced by a new joint group (Parks United) drawn from the Community Association and Parish Council, which is busy refurbishing existing equipment and installing additional benches and basketball posts on the two recreation grounds.
CrimePC Cockburn or a police representative attends Parish Council meetings regularly to report about crime in the Parish. This remained at a low level for most of the year, but it is important for residents to promptly report any concerns – whether it’s bogus callers or rubbish dumpers. EnvironmentThe colourful flowerbeds, pleasant grassed areas and well kept individual gardens helped the Parish to win several awards in the year – two Silver Awards in the Northumbria in Bloom competition, the Evening Chronicle Rosebowl for the Most Improved Village and Best Small Village Runner-up Award in the Durham in Bloom. To all who contributed – our thanks, keep up the good work! Towards the end of the year there was concern in the Village about the possible increased risk of local flooding due to the effect of the proposed Elvet Waterside development in Durham. The Parish Council now awaits a response from the City Planning Department about the flood risk assessment, and the proposed new defence works. Road SafetyThe new installed traffic lights on the A177, controlling the junction with the Hartlepool road, have proved a success for both traffic and pedestrians, but there is still concern about the speed of traffic on the A177 despite police monitoring. The condition of the side roads and some pavements in Shincliffe Village and High Shincliffe is also worrying (but the County states its road maintenance budget is sorely overstretched). The agreement on the Shincliffe Hall public footpath has not yet been signed but speed bumps have been installed on Hall Lane. The Parish Council has asked the County to make the path from the A177 to St. Mary’s Close a public footpath and we are optimistic that this request will be met. We continue to inspect and try to improve the countryside footpaths but it is not always easy to limit the damage caused by cyclists. The new Unitary AuthorityThe plans for a new Unitary Authority to replace the City of Durham Council and Durham County Council are going ahead. Elections for the new Unitary Authority will be held on 1st May 2008 and the new authority will come into being on 1st April 2009. We hope the change will lead to improved public services and clearer working relationships, but we must wait to see what is proposed. Our understanding is that the current Parish Councillors are expected to serve until 2013! In ConclusionThanks to the Clerk and Councillors for their hard work and support throughout the year, to our City and County Councillors and to PC Bruce Cockburn for their work on our behalf. John Hudson Past reports |
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Last updated:
July 13, 2008
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