Welcome to the electronic version of the Parish Council Annual Report and newsletters. These are hand delivered to each house in the village at regular intervals throughout the year.
|
Welcome to the electronic version of the Parish Council Annual Report and newsletters. These are hand delivered to each house in the village at regular intervals throughout the year. |
ANNUAL REPORT 2007/8
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
This is the fourth edition of the Annual Report and I am pleased to give you a short overview of the activities of the Parish Council during the past year. Before I go through the list, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all Councillors for their commitment and time they give to the Community. Our Clerk, Kathryn Richmond, and her assistant, Karen Watson, also deserve praise and a ‘Thank You’ for their administrative efficiency. I also want to thank the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Ward Councillors for looking after our interests and giving advice and help.
I did briefly mention in the last edition that with a fully elected Parish Council we can proceed to become a Quality Status Council. Our clerk lost no time to set the process in motion and by August we learned that we were indeed successful. It took much longer to get the official certificate, but in March this year the document was presented to us at the Parish Council Meeting. This new status is important and it does indicate to you that your Council works in an efficient and effective manner.
Last year was quite unusual – snow at Easter, the floods in June, and then the earthquake. The floods caused a lot of hardship and I know that many people had to spend months in temporary accommodation. However, on the positive side, we had a lot of work done, paid for by grant funding, which, hopefully, should minimise the effects of flooding in the future. It was also our turn to have a visit from the ‘Street Scene’ and as they visited us after the floods, much of the damage could be cleared up relatively quickly. In Bacchus Lane we had a badly needed streetlight installed, close to the entrance to King George V Field. The footpaths are well maintained and we have also had a bus shelter erected at the Moorlands and some bus stops have been upgraded to enable easy wheelchair or buggy access to the buses.
The fence along the beck in Church Street has been replaced, matching the fencing round the school. It is a good example of partnership working, as the cost was split between the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Parish Council. In addition, the Preservation Society and the in Bloom Group contributed to the cost, too.
In July – it rained again – we were ready to celebrate the official opening of the play park. The Lord Lieutenant of the County, Mrs Cunliffe-Lister, came to cut the tape and despite the downpour, she ventured into the playground with the children. The new equipment is very popular and we have acquired an extra item since the opening.
Last year I mentioned that there is an initiative about Christmas lighting in the Town. This issue lay dormant, but has recently been brought back to life by the Council, who budgeted a small amount and information is now being gathered about cost and funding. We have again supported a variety of community groups this year – the British Legion Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Show, the South Cave in Bloom Association and the Pavilion Fund.
Last, but not least, the Clerk and many councillors have attended training courses and conferences throughout the year to keep abreast of new developments and to see how we compare with other Councils.
Cllr Trudl Manley
Chairman 2007/8
FARMERS MARKET COMMITTEE
The Farmers Market Committee has met eight times this year and has, again, had a very successful year. Cllr Mann chaired this Committee made up of Councillors (Mann, Scott and Mrs Manley) and stallholder representatives, and it achieved certification as a Farmers Market in early summer. 2007/8 also saw the hugely successful launch of the Farmers Market Hessian bag, and the presentation of the proceeds to the South Cave Nursing Aid Fund. There were several country craft demonstrations through the year including straw craft and wrought ironwork. The market remains popular with stallholders with a steady stream of new applicants for stalls.
FINANCE & GENERAL POLICY COMMITTEE
Although this committee (made up of all members of Council) only meets once a year it serves a very important function. After due discussion and consideration of draft proposals for the budget for 2008/9, this committee, that met in December 2007, made a recommendation to full council for the amount of precept required for the forthcoming year.
OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE
Under the chairmanship of Cllr Scott, the members of this committee, Cllrs Harrison, Mann, Turner, Mrs Turner, Mrs Barnett and Mrs Manley have had a busy year, meeting formally seven times. They have overseen the installation of the new playpark equipment and the formal opening by the Lord-Lieutenant. The picnic benches in the park have been renovated, but unfortunately an item of the newly installed equipment was fire damaged and has had to be replaced. They have also agreed to take on the transfer of a Country Stewardship Scheme (Defra) covering an area of water meadow and ancient grassland. Consideration was also given to the setting up of a community composting scheme, but as the unitary authority is rolling out a programme of brown bins, it was considered this was a duplication of effort. The cemetery has looked well all year, with the exception of the flood damage which was remedied as quickly as possible. A new boundary fence has also been installed, and one of the notice boards has been refurbished. Fees at the cemetery were not increased this year. The Committee has also been considering an extension to the cemetery and looking at procedures for further consecration. Usual maintenance has been carried out in King George V Field and support has been given to the South Cave In Bloom Association. A new seat was also installed at the junction of Little Wold Lane and Beverley Road which has been much appreciated.
PLANNING & TECHNICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE
This Committee has met ten times this year, and has undertaken a considerable amount of work, with Cllr Harrison as Chairman, other members being Cllrs Scott, Turner, Harrison, Kelly, Lenton, Wright, Marsh, Mrs Barnett and Mrs Turner. The beginning of the year saw the installation of the speed monitors at three entrances to the village, and pedestrian warning signs on Water Lane. Parking has been on this Committee’s agenda for some time, but no realisable solutions have yet been found. This Committee also had to initiate work regarding flood remedial and prevention work, using grant funding, and has begun an Emergency Plan for the village. The zig-zag lines were extended at the pedestrian crossing in Market Place as a greater deterrent to those motorists parking on the double yellow lines, which seems to have had a beneficial effect. New “Quality” bus stops were also installed through the village, and further remedial work was undertaken through the “Street Scene” initiative. This also led to the installation of the new fencing on Church Street/Hill improving the visual aspect of this area.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Planning Committee, made up of all members of Council has had its usual busy year, meeting 13 times. There have been the usual applications for extensions and conservatories, but there has also been some larger planning applications for more than one dwelling on a site. We have also seen the introduction of the new standardised planning application forms. Although the Parish Council do not make the final decision, recommendations are forwarded to the Local Planning Department on all planning applications.
FINANCIAL REPORT
As can be seen from the above charts, the majority of the income came from the precept. However, other sources of income include rents from the allotments, the cemetery and the stall fees for the farmers market. This year, grants were also received for the Parish Paths, Flood reparation and prevention and also £30,000 from WREN for the new play park equipment. The total income was £146,077.
Expenditure this year totalled £147,973, with a large amount paying for the new playpark equipment (grant income). Other expenses include functions such as street lighting, the footway sweeper, public rights of way, and there was quite a bit of remedial work to be undertaken at the cemetery this year due to the flooding.
All payments are authorised by the Council and the accounts are both internally and externally audited.
K Richmond DipHE Principal ILCM
Clerk & Responsible Financial Officer
Contact details for the Parish Office and Councillors can be found of this website, just click on Councillors.
July 2008 Newsletter
From the Chairman
Were you aware that we currently have a vacancy for a Councillor on South Cave Parish Council? For personal reasons, Councillor Tony Mann has found it necessary to resign from the Council. Tony joined the Council in 2000 and has proved to be a dedicated and hard working member who held the post of Chairman in 2004 and again in 2005. I would like to take this opportunity to offer the whole Councils’ sincere thanks and best wishes to Tony. Among his many contributions, Tony was a major driving force behind the creation and management of the Farmers Market, which is one of the many functions of the Parish Council in South Cave and I thought this Newsletter was an ideal platform to present our full agenda for your information and consideration: -
COUNCIL MEETINGS are held on the 3rd Monday of each month and items discussed include such matters as: - Financial management of the Councils’ affairs and spending; consideration of minutes and proposals from the various committees; Police Matters; Ward Councillor Reports (with the Ward Councillors in attendance); Planning applications; Correspondence etc.
A fifteen minute Public Forum also provides the opportunity for members of the Public to address the Council on any matter that concerns them.
These meetings are then interspersed/ supplemented with meetings of: -
PLANNING COMMITTEE whose principal function is to consider and make recommendations on all planning applications submitted to East Riding Council in respect of properties within the Parish boundary.
PLANNING & TECHNICAL, which meets to consider matters affecting highways, street lighting, car parking and traffic and in recent months have been particularly active in reviewing matters concerning the flooding in the village.
OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE meets regularly to consider matters affecting the Cemetery, Play Park, Allotments and public footpaths within the village.
FARMERS MARKET COMMITTEE is dedicated to the smooth running of the monthly market including site management and setting up.
FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSE COMMITTEE meets less frequently to discuss and plan the Councils’ cash flow and budgetary requirements for the current and forthcoming Financial Year. As stated previously, the day-to-day management of expenditure is completed at Council Meetings and the various other committees as appropriate.
As you can see, the role of a Councillor within our Council is both varied and very busy. South Cave is a nice place to live and it is the clear objective of each and every one of us to ensure that this remains the case.
Can you help us achieve this by joining the Council? Would you be prepared to make a genuine contribution? If so we would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact either myself, (Tel. 421697) or our Clerk, Kathryn Richmond (421044). We look forward to hearing from you.
Frank Harrison, Chairman
Blooming News
It is a real pleasure to walk or cycle round the village – more and more baskets seem to appear in the Market Place, on Church Street and many other roads. The barrels in the Market Place are a joy and the new planters at the beck are so much easier to water than the old ones. The Lych Gate entrance to the cemetery is a delight and lovingly looked after by Janny. Then there is Castle Drive – flowers in abundance! Bacchus Lane has matured very well and complements the entry to Orchard Court. The Church Yard always gets a special mention by the judges! Pinfold looks well and the Library, too. Nunnery Walk was well tended by Wendy and Rawdale was good in Spring, it is even better now. We had the ‘Cutting of the Tape and Unveiling of the Plaque just before the Party in the Parish started – despite the drizzle of rain, we all enjoyed it.
Event followed event – we served refreshments at the Farmers Market and on the Sunday Mr and Mrs Duncan not only opened their lovely garden to the public, they had organised their friends to bake and serve cream teas. There was a raffle, too, but above all, the weather was at last summery! No wonder we raised almost £300 in just 2 hours!
There was just a day left to do the final weeding and edging and sweeping before the judges came . They were very complimentary about our work and now we have to wait until September to find out how the marks add up!We are having the best front garden competition again and will be going round in early August to see who comes up to our expectations! It is a VERY difficult task!
Let me finish thanking you all for entering into the blooming spirit, be it by supporting us at the Farmers’ Market, hosting an event, putting up baskets, offering refreshments, plants and lots of encouragement.
Trudl Manley Chairman
New Years Honours List Achievement
One of our residents was recently honoured at Buckingham Palace recently. Paul Hendry of Church Street received his MBE from Prince Charles in the New Years Honours list. Paul says “This has been a really great year for me; firstly winning the Valuation Office Agency's Chief Executive's 'Employee of the Year' award and then being awarded the MBE in the New Years Honours List for services to HM Revenues and
Customs, in recognition of my work in the Customer Services field. We had a fantastic day out at Buckingham
Palace, receiving the award from Prince Charles and meeting Kylie Minogue. I was accompanied to the Palace
by my wife, Sally and my parents, Roy and Muriel and we all really enjoyed the occasion and the beautiful
setting.” Congratulations, Paul, Well Done!
Academic Success
Mrs Kathryn Richmond, Clerk to the Council, was delighted to be able to advise the Council that she had completed the distance learning course in Local Policy with the University of Gloucestershire, and had achieved a first class honours degree. In addition to this Mrs Richmond has also been awarded the AON Prize for achieving the best module results at the degree level. The Graduation Ceremony will be held in December at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Electricity Supply
CE Electric UK, who distributes electricity in Yorkshire through its subsidiaries, YEDL and NEDL, has informed the Parish Council regarding their “Priority Customers” service. These are customers who may be medically dependent on electricity, for example, those that have oxygen concentrators or home dialysis, or those that are elderly or infirm. Should a priority customer report a loss of power CE Electric UK will endeavour to go that “extra mile” to assist them. If you would appreciate being on CE Electric UK’s Register, or if you know of someone who would fall into the above category, please advise the Parish Office. All information will only be shared with CE Electric UK.
Play Park
Have you noticed the new path in the Play Park that has just been laid? The path is made of bonded gravel on a concrete base, and hopefully will make walking round the equipment a little less muddy. The funding came from the commuted sums from the development at Trinity Fold. Suggestions for future improvements to the Park would be welcome.
King George V Field
The Parish Council are considering building and planting a sensory garden at the Bacchus Lane end of King George V Field. This will entail some raised planting beds, paths and seating. The plants will be of special varieties that can be touched, smelled, and even heard, as well as being visually attractive. This enables all members of our village to enjoy and appreciate the natural world. This project would be funded by grants rather than by precept. If you have any views, suggestions or good ideas, please contact the Parish Office on 01430 421044 or e-mail clerk@southcavepc.gov.uk
Sunflowers & Pumpkins
If you entered the “Grow the Tallest Sunflower Competition, could you please write your name, address, phone number and height of your sunflower, and place in the box on Mrs Binns’ stall at the September market. The top five will be verified before the winner announced at the October market. If you have grown a pumpkin, could you please bring it to the October market for weighing. The heaviest pumpkin will be judged the winner. We look forward to seeing you there!
South Cave Social & Recreation Committee
As you no doubt will be aware, South Cave Social & Recreation Committee are putting funding bids together for the improvement of the football and cricket facilities on Bull Field, but they do need other support. The Parish Council has given grants to the fund, but if you would like to make a contribution to their fundraising efforts, then please contact the Secretary, Mr Matt Simpson on 01430 421705
South Cave Flower and Vegetable Show
2008 could be the last year that the show will be staged. During the past few years the organising committee have appealed for help with the funning of the show but sadly to no avail. The show needs members who live in or near the village and to be in contact with local groups. The present committee are resigning (en bloc), so if no help is offered the 64th Annual Show will be the last. The committee would gladly advise and assist any group willing to take over the running of the show. For further details please call Chairman – Dave Young 01430 472066 or Secretary -Steve Johnson 01482 861393
Congratulations!
No, not to Cliff Richard, but to the South Cave In Bloom Association on the splendid work these enthusiastic volunteers have carried out within the village for the past few years, enhancing several different areas of the village. This spring’s flower displays around the village looked stunning.
A suggestion for improvement made by this year’s panel of judges commented that “ownership” of all the verges by local residents could improve the look of the grass verges in certain places. Ownership in this sense does not mean turning the verges into car parks. Some verges are being spoiled by cars turning the grassed areas into muddy patches, some even damaging the bulbs planted by these volunteers. We would ask that all householders contribute to the In Bloom effort by looking after their grass verges to enhance our beautiful village.
Cllr M Turner