Parish Council – Annual Report 2007
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It is just under 12 months since our last Whitmore Parish Assembly. Probably some of you will notice the changing faces of our Councillors. The first change in the year was obviously the Chairman. Peter Ford resigned late in 2006 due to short-term health problems. I was somewhat flattered that my fellow Councillors thought that I could fulfil the Chairman's role. I would like to thank them for the confidence and support they have shown.
January saw the sad departure of Dave Hampton. I enjoyed the banter that Dave offered during our meetings and I also appreciated the different perspective he gave. We may not have always agreed, but his different view was appreciated.
Unfortunately things needed to move on and with very little time before the May elections
Ian Webb was co-opted on to the Council. Ian, who is retired from the Michelin, has spent the past few years pursuing his leisure activities. However he now feels that he would like to be more involved in the community.
At the beginning of April nominations were required for the next four-year term of the Parish Council. Bert Butters after over a decade of valued service as a Parish Councillor decided to retire. Bert is obviously well known in the village and was able to provide valuable information during meetings both present and historical. I would like to thank Bert both from the Parish Council and also on behalf of the parishioners for the years of support that he has provided.
There were eight Council seats for election and as it happened there were eight nominees. Since there were eight nominees those eight were officially elected in an uncontested election. The eight Councillors for the next four years are:
- Ken Allman
- Peter Ford
- Nick Hopper
- Phil Maskery
- Bill Murray
- Audrey Pedley
- Ian Webb
- Alan Wilkinson
At the last Parish Assembly Peter Ford outlined the way forward for 2006/2007. Looking back the objectives set appear to have been adequately addressed.
Firstly we have progressed with the Parish Plan. Derek Pitt was appointed as the Village Agent in September to assist with its implementation. Since then the Parish Plan Steering Committee consisting of Bill Murray, Phil Maskery, Dave Jones, Norman Page, David Lovatt and Don Lawton has met three times to progress the implementation. Key agencies (Police, Fire, NHS etc) have been provided with the Parish Plan and have been asked to respond. In many of the instances the response has been positive as well as supportive.
The Parish Plan is clearly a document that is a powerful assessment of the hopes and desires of the citizens of the parishioners. As a Parish Council we must continue to ensure that it progresses and develops.
The Information Centre finally opened at the beginning of the year. It has taken two years or more to reach this point. I am grateful to Audrey and John Pedley who have taken the lead. They have undertaken to physically organise the room, which is situated at the entrance to the village hall. Furthermore they have also undertaken to man the Information Centre on a Thursday between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm, along with a number of other volunteers. I would also like to thank Councillor Bill Murray who organised the necessary changes to convert the old cloakroom into the facility that we have today.
The Information Centre is in its infancy. It is well equipped with Internet, fax and photocopying facilities. Its value to the community at this stage is unknown. If the facility replicates the One Stop Shop in Chesterton then it will be a resounding success. Over the next 12 months we are hoping to develop and broaden the range of information that we can provide. However, its success is very much dependent on the demands from the community.
During the early part of 2007 the website www.whitmore.village.uk.net was re-launched. This was following receipt of a grant from the Staffordshire Parish Council Association. The website is updated regularly with the Parish Council minutes and latest Newsletter. The Parish Plan is now on the website and the Village Design Statement used for planning purposes is in the process of being installed.
The website is seen as an important information source especially in today's world of electronic media. Over the next 12 months it is hoped that the website can be developed to include other community information such as contacts for leisure activities.
The year saw a total of 49 planning applications pass through the Parish Council. As a Parish Council we get frustrated at the lack of value that Newcastle Borough Council affords us. Alan Wilkinson and the Clerk Bob Haysom met with Guy Benson Head of Regeneration and Planning at the Borough and expressed the Parish Council's views. Surprisingly those views were not dismissed but listened to with intent. It is hoped therefore that with improved dialogue greater influence can be achieved. This remains to be seen.
From a planning perspective we have a big challenge ahead with the proposed development of Maer Hills. As a Parish Council we have offered our support to the Maer Hills Protection Group and will continue to do so as the planning applications are tabled.
We should not forget the routine maintenance activities that have taken place in the Parish over the past 12 months. The playground has been inspected and repaired; a renewed contract has just been agreed with MC Landscapes for cutting the verges, attending to Jubilee Gardens and upkeep of the planters; Nigel Aldrett the local handyman has provided support such as cleaning signs, cleaning out the grips at the side of the roads and maintaining the area around the playground. I would like to thank the contractors for their support in the past 12 months.
Over the period we have published three weighty Newsletters. Feedback has been positive and the community values the content. I would like to thank the contributors, and Angela Ireland for her efforts as Editor.
Bob Haysom has provided a financial summary. I am pleased to say that the financial position is good and that we will continue to seek grants in order for us to make further progress.
The projects and areas with which we would like to develop in the coming period are:
- Progression of the Parish Plan.
- Develop the Information Centre.
- Enhance the information on the website.
- Develop the concept of the community speed watch.
- Promote the appearance of the Parish.
- Improve the playing field facility.
- Improve the local footpaths.
Finally, it remains for me to thank the Councillors and also the Clerk Bob Haysom, for their efforts and time in the last 12 months. We all look forward to building on what we have achieved in the last 12 months.
Nick D K Hopper, Chairman
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