BISHAMPTON AND THROCKMORTON PARISH COUNCIL
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS: JANUARY 2008
Happy
New Year from all at Bishampton & Throckmorton Parish Council—but
unfortunately it’s a new year which has brought more uncertainty
for the future of our villages. |
Click on the map for a larger image |
The Parish Council believes this is
a totally inappropriate plan for this area, which would result in not only
the swallowing of our villages into an urban development but would alter,
for the worse, the whole of the Vale of Evesham area forever.
Bids
have been submitted to the Government from all over the country and the plan
is that the Minister will be choosing one to develop within each region. As far
as anyone knows, as the bids have not been made public, three have been submitted
for this region. One here, one at Long Marston, near Stratford (which also partly
falls within the Wychavon district) and one in Staffordshire.
These
plans bypass the local planning process (both Wychavon District and Worcestershire
County Councils are objecting to this) and are in addition to the parallel demands
to build 20,000 new homes in the Wychavon district over the next 15 years.
Some
kind of announcement on the suitability of the bids is expected in February from
the Government.
The Parish Council has written
to local MP Peter Luff, and to the Minister Yvette Cooper to make them aware
of local feeling. If you have an opinion, members urge you to do the same. So
far, very few opinions have reached Mr Luff and the PC has only received two
people’s
views. Write/email your letter to:-
Peter Luff MP,
House
of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
LUFFPJ@parliament.uk
Minister for Housing
Yvette Cooper MP
Department
for Communities and Local Govt
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
coopery@parliament.uk
If you would like to be kept informed of latest developments, please copy your email or send your email address to the Parish Clerk Carolyn Morris fimor@aol.com
Emergency First Aiders
The
parish now has ‘Community First Responders’ trained in the
use of the parish defibrillator—the portable equipment which can restart
the heart, saving vital moments before the emergency services arrive.
A
team of volunteers has taken on some gruelling training, the equipment has
been purchased by the parish council and there have already been three call-outs.
The
volunteers work as part of the ambulance service and will be sent out by ambulance
HQ once an emergency call has been made. They are not to be contacted directly
as the scheme is still part of the ambulance service. It is only used as a
first response measure and it is vital that paramedics are also on their way
to the scene. So, call 999 as usual in any case of emergency and if a local
responder is available, they will be contacted by the operator while the ambulance
also dashes to your aid.
Many thanks must
go to all those who are giving their time for this important service.
Dog Fouling
Dog fouling has been on the increase
in Bishampton again, causing a misery for people walking on the pavements,
and being trailed around on the shoes of those unfortunate enough to encounter
it. Parish councillors and the police are on the look-out for the culprit/s
and any owner found neglecting their duty to other parishioners will be reported
to the dog warden—and
they could face a hefty fine. The same rules apply to the footpaths. There
is also a risk to livestock when there is fouling in open fields. Thanks go
to all those responsible owners who make good use of the dog bins provided.
Highways
We have a parish lengthsman on patrol
around the roads who can unblock drains and clear some ditches etc or pass
on details of jobs to be done. If you see a blocked drain or ditch, a pothole,
damaged pavements or any other highways issues, please contact the clerk
so it can be reported as quickly as possible. If you notify Worcestershire
County Council too, then it could be given even greater priority.
Throckmorton Parish Room
Congratulations go to
all those who were involved with the Throckmorton Parish Room scheme. Wychavon
District Council in December awarded the hall a Distinction in Building Award
and Cllr Charles Tucker received a certificate and plaque on behalf of the
management committee. Call 01386 462747 if you are interested in hiring the
hall for an event.
Speeding
This issue is one which causes most concern
to people living in villages all over the area. The police will be carrying
out speed checks in Bishampton regularly, following a spate of complaints,
and following concern in Throckmorton, there will be checks and surveys to
measure the extent of the problem.
Council Tax
The council has agreed a 4% rise in
its council tax precept this year. It is lucky enough to hold a large reserve
at present, although some of it has already been promised to schemes, like
the play area and the drainage scheme for Broad Lane, but councillors considered
that it was wise to keep it in the pot at present with further major issues
looming on the horizon this year.
Play Area
The
junior play area scheme was awarded a £9,000 grant from
the Severn Waste Welcome to Our Future fund. Details are now being worked out
with a view to having new equipment installed in spring. The parish council
has increased its donation by another £5,000 in the coming budget to
ensure there are funds to complete the scheme.
Pub
The future of the Dolphin has been a cause
for concern, as it is recognised as an important centre of the community.
The parish council has been doing all it can to try to encourage its reopening.
Planning
See the Wychavon District Council website
for details of any plans upcoming in the parish. See www.wychavon.whub.org.uk and follow the links.
Litter Pick
The parish earns £500 for its
coffers when its stages its annual litter pick—plus the parish verges
get a really good clean out. This year, it is taking place on the weekend
of February 16th and 17th. Meet at the shop at 10am if you can help us.
Footpaths
Do
you regularly walk one of the parish paths? Could you keep an eye on it
for us? Please contact the clerk if you feel you could be a footpath volunteer.
Vacancy
There is still a vacancy on the Parish Council. Please contact the clerk if
you are interested.
PARISH COUNCIL CLERK
Mrs C Morris
9 Tilesford Park
Throckmorton
WR10 2LA
Tel: 01386 554058
Email: fimor@aol.comCHAIRMAN
Mr Don Cheetham. 01386 462310VICE CHAIRMAN
Mr Malcolm Argyle 01386 462523PARISH COUNCILLORS
Bishampton
Mr David Baldwin (01386 462210)
Mr Duncan Burtoft (01386 462018)
Mr John Mills (01386 462626)
Mr Jon Morrison (0785 4578946)
Throckmorton
Mr Ed Beever (01386 555286)
Mr Charles Tucker (01386 462441).COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
Mrs Liz Tucker
Home: 01386 462441
Office: 01905 766660
Email:ltucker@worcestershire.gov.ukWYCHAVON DISTRICT COUNCIL
wychavon.whub.org.ukWORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
worcestershire.whub.org.uk
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the council
is scheduled for ???. All Parish
Council meetings begin with an open forum session for people to raise issues/ideas
for consideration by the council. Or contact parish clerk Carolyn Morris on 01386
554058 - email fimor@aol.com
