Chairman's Report 2012

Highwood Parish Council

Chairman’s report for the Annual Parish meeting 2012

______________________________

 

I am pleased to present what is now my fifth annual report on the activities of Highwood Parish Council - during the year ending 31st March 2012

 

The parish council has continued in its present form since my last report in April 2011 - with no changes in councillors so, in alphabetical order, I should like to mention ….

 

  • Accounts

Up to date accounts were produced for 31st March 2012 showing that the parish council enjoyed a balance of £18,996 comprising general funds of £5,804; and earmarked reserves of £13,192.

 

  • Affordable Housing

Councillors from the Parish Council had a site meeting with various officers from Chelmsford Council to try and identify a location(s) which might be suitable for affordable housing. It seems the land (owned by Highwood PC) presently used as a children’s playground opposite the Green Man P.H. fulfils most criteria being in a 30mph speed limit, good visibility around a bend, having a footway bordering it etc

The outcome is still awaited.

 

  • Children’s Playground, Edney Common

The suitability of the site mentioned above for affordable housing notwithstanding, the PC has continued to ensure that routine maintenance guarantees that the play equipment is safe for children to use. The long term plan is either to relocate this playground to the land behind the village hall and, funds permitting, construct a brand-new playground at that location.

 

  • (Annual) Christmas Tree

We now have a parish Christmas tree; it is just outside the village hall and is of such a variety that it will not get much larger than it is presently. Power has been laid on and in 2011 we were able to enjoy it splendidly bedecked in Christmas lights.

 

  • Clerk

Louise Fuller has continued in her role as clerk, ably managing the affairs of the parish council - and to her I offer sincere thanks.

 

  • Councillors

As previously mentioned, there have been no changes to the parish council since my last report. Essex County Councillor John Aldridge and Chelmsford Borough Councillor Nicolette Chambers have continued to offer help and support to the parish council as well as attending our meetings; to them I offer our continued grateful thanks.

 

  • Essex Police

The PC continues to invite a representative from Essex Police to each of its meetings but sadly very rarely do they attend. When they have, requests have been made for input for our parish magazine as one way of getting in touch with the public …. but very little copy has been received. It appears that some residents are to be trained by a PCSO in the use of hand held speed measuring devices; we shall wait to see if ‘Speed Watch’ has a positive effect on the speeding issues in the villages.

 

  • Footpaths

Mr David Taylor has continued in his role as footpaths officer; thanks go to David for his work.

 

  • Litter Pick

Alyce Harvey, our former parish clerk organised a litter pick earlier this year. A small band of volunteers attacked the verges of the parish before the worst of the weed growth began.

  • The Nest

Nothing seems to happen quickly in the world of town planning …

The PC has made comments on various proposals for the site known as ‘The Nest’; there were objections to it being a ‘gated community’ as it was felt that this would isolate the new residents from the rest of us … and concern was expressed about the integrity of the woodland at the south of the site being protected … as well as the privacy of the residents of Nathans Lane.

Some affordable housing is contained within the Nest proposals and the PC awaits with interest the outcome of the planning application to Chelmsford BC.

 

  • Neighbourhood Watch

The Highwood Neighbourhood Watch scheme had become somewhat moribund of late and so I (the PC Chairman) was asked if I would volunteer to take over as co-ordinator. In due course I plan to write a piece for the parish magazine explaining what it is all about and how it can benefit Highwood residents.

 

  • Notice Boards

Now with one per hamlet, the five notice-boards continue to provide local information.

 

 

  • Olympics

Not exactly the Olympics, but inter-village games are to be held between Highwood and Roxwell, Willingale, the Easters, the Chignalls, and the Rodings … and possibly others. Janet Young is co-ordinating Highwood’s entry and the PC was pleased to make a grant of £160 to pay for entry to various disciplines.

 

  • Parish Magazine

The Parish Magazine has continued to thrive and a high quality magazine worthy of Highwood is produced twelve times a year. The Parish Council is very grateful to Anne Gooch for her editorship; as well as the small army of volunteer distributors.

 

  • Remembrance Day

As in previous years, the PC supplied a wreath which was laid at the Highwood war memorial. As has become the norm, a single wreath was laid in 2011 as it was felt that a separate wreath from the Village Hall is not required.

 

  • Queen’s Diamond Jubilee

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year has been marked by an oak tree which has been donated to the parish. It was a requirement that it be planted where it would be readily accessible to all and while the school has the space and was willing to host it, it would be unreasonable to expect them to leave their gates unlocked and so it has been planted (during its dormant period rather than waiting until June), at the rear of the village hall. It is protected with a tree guard (which was funded by the PC) to protect it from the attention of deer.

 

  • School (Highwood Primary)

* Bunnies Pre-School Group

Highwood PC no longer funds the insurance for the toddler group as the running of this group has been taken over by the school itself. The PC would like to record their thanks to Janet Young for her years of hard work in both founding the pre-school group and for running it over many years, helping the school to remain viable.

* School numbers

What is one of the school’s strengths is also proving to be its weakness … namely its very small class sizes. With fewer than 50 children on the role, the school is making strenuous efforts to increase its numbers, and to this end, a link to the school’s website has been placed on that of the PC.

 

  • Thank you

I would like to thank Charlotte Fellingham for coming to address the Parish Assembly this evening.

 

  • Village Agent

Brenda Smith has attended many PC meetings and has continued to help parishioners with a variety of concerns. The PC wishes to thank Brenda for her continued help.

 

  • Village Hall

Without any doubt, the highlight of Highwood’s 2011 calendar was the opening of our wonderful village hall. Performed in less than glorious weather by cricketing legend Graham Gooch OBE, the hall has exceeded all expectations.

We were absolutely delighted when it attracted many different groups and enterprises, all eager to use its facilities which greatly benefit Highwood residents.

Sue Mitchell had the brainchild of a monthly Catch-Up Café which has gone from strength to strength.

Highwood parents Jody Davis and Lisa Foreman have started a Youth Club which has been well attended. The PC was pleased to make a one-off grant of £600 to help with start-up costs.

We have enjoyed Quiz Evenings, Jazz concerts, Table Tennis, Indoor bowling, Ballroom dancing and much more.

Thanks must also go to Martin Goddard for his building of the superb storage shed.

 

In conclusion, I should like to thank my fellow councillors for their help throughout the past year. 2012 promises to be a year in which continued progress will be made in Highwood.

  

David Cameron

Chairman – Highwood PC