Chairman's Report 2015
Highwood Parish Council
Once again, I am pleased to present what is now my eighth annual report on the activities of Highwood Parish Council - for the year ending 31st March 2015. Without wishing to be seen to be dishonestly appropriating Green Party policies, I am in fact effectively recycling the report I presented last year.
The PC has continued to meet every other month to conduct council business and, purely in alphabetical order, I should like to mention ….
Accounts
Up-to-date accounts have been produced for 31st March 2015 showing that the PC enjoys a bank balance of £35,991 comprising general funds of £20,511 and earmarked reserves of £15,480
Affordable Housing
Construction continues apace of the four affordable homes which form part of The Nest development.
Allotment site, Radley Green
There has still not been any request from any Highwood resident to take up any of the allotments in Radley Green, so these continue to generate an income for the parish council from the local farmer who leases them.
Children’s Playground, Edney Common
The playground has seen better days and is in need of time and money being spent on it. While not actually dangerous, given the minimal use it ever sees, it was decided to secure the gate closed with a notice stating that it was now out of use while a decision is made about its future.
Churchyard
The PC has continued to fund grass cutting of the churchyard to ensure it remains in a tidy and presentable state.
Councillors
All councillors stood down for the election in May. In the event, no election was required as fewer than seven people put themselves forward to form the next council. Two councillors Dot Merriday and Anthony Pipkin decided not to stand again - but Julia Griffiths, Trevor Horsnell, Peter Latham, Carl Sargent and I did,so … at the time of writing, the parish council finds itself short of two councillors and volunteers are being sought. I should like to thank both Cllr Merriday and Cllr Pipkin for their time spent on the council.
Essex Police
While we continue to extend an invitation to the constabulary to attend parish council meetings, their pressure of work dictates that rarely can they attend. So, a new idea was tried where the police convened a meeting - and councillors from all over Chelmsford attended. Councillor Peter Latham and I went to this inaugural meeting which was held at the offices of Writtle Parish Council.
Footpaths
Mr David Taylor has continued in his role as an excellent parish footpaths’ officer; thanks go to David for his sterling work. It involves not only walking them regularly, but David also attends to basic maintenance whenever he is able.
Litter Pick
The council would like to extend its thanks to Lyn Horsnell, for organising the first litter pick of 2015 which attracted over twenty volunteers.
The Nest
Building work continues with minimal disruption to village life, and with the first of the new Highwood residents settled into their new homes.
Notice Boards
The PC would like to express its thanks to our parish clerk for keeping our five notice-boards up-to-date and clutter free.
Parish Magazine
The PC continues to fund the production of the monthly parish magazine - a high quality publication worthy of Highwood, issued twelve times a year. We are most grateful to Emily Young for her role as editor; as well as to the small unsung army of volunteer distributors.
Remembrance Day
As in previous years, the PC supplied a wreath for the war memorial.
As has become the norm, the chairman laid the wreath during last year’s Highwood Church Remembrance Service.
Speeding vehicles
Cllr Peter Latham continues to run ‘Speedwatch’ sessions.
Thanks, over the past year, go to ….
- Village Agent
Brenda Smith attended most PC meetings during the year. She advised that the post title has been changed to Community Agent thought the role remains essentially the same. Brenda announced her well earned retirement in November.
- Parish Clerk
Louise Fuller has continued in her role as clerk, ably managing the affairs of the parish council - and to Louise I offer my continued thanks.
- Councillors
I should like to extend a warm thank you to both of our local councillors, John Aldridge (Essex CC) and, Nicolette Chambers, (Chelmsford City Council) who continue to offer help and support to the PC, as well as attending our meetings whenever they are able.
I should also like to offer congratulations to Nicolette on her recent electoral success.
Village Hall Land
After years of apparently sitting in the ‘too difficult’ tray, the purchase of the land to the north of the village hall by the parish council (from Chelmsford City Council) has at last been concluded; it would appear that it was the question of access to the pumping station which caused the anguish and lack of movement.
However, the purchase also means that the parish council now finds itself landlord of some rented garages, of which it will look to dispose in the coming year. With a view to relocating the playground from Edney Common to behind the village hall, children at the primary school are being consulted as to what sort of play equipment they would like to see installed.
In conclusion, I should like to thank all my fellow councillors for their help and encouragement throughout the past year.
This concludes my 2015 report …
David Cameron
Chairman – Highwood PC
