PARISH COUNCIL NEWS--November 2007

 Of great sadness to Parish Councillors was the news at the beginning of October that Yvonne, for family reasons, cannot continue as our Parish Clerk and Finance Officer. Yvonne has been an excellent organiser, helpful adviser to Ted and meticulous keeper of parish finances. She will be missed by us all.

 So while we interview to decide who will fill the gap to rebuild the Parish Council team, real rebuilding work is going on beside the Village Hall, where the boundary wall is being reconstructed. This work is being funded in part from an insurance claim, where the tree roots caused damage and jointly by the Parish with a contribution from the Village Hall Committee.

 Improvement to the boundary of the meadow is to take place at the point of entry and exit. Cambridgeshire County Council has provided, free of charge, two new kissing gates, each with RADAR access. This is a system that allows users of large mobility vehicles (as well as pushchairs and wheelchairs) through the gates to meet disability access needs. Those registered disabled can apply for the RADAR key, which will unlock one panel to gain easy entry. The Parish Council is grateful to the Coningsbys, who will erect the gates soon.

 Further smartening up of the village took place on 25 October when a litter pick by a team of Councillors and volunteers produced sacks and sacks of rubbish. South Cambs District Council removed these promptly, along with a fridge and some old tyres that had been dumped in the car park on the Whaddon Gap Road. Thanks to all who helped especially those who gave up a morning of their half-term holiday. Also removed from the lay-by on the same stretch of road were a large number of black rubbish sacks that had been fly-tipped there. Those of us co-ordinating the litter-pick hope that the environmental health department at SCDC may find written reference to the owner, within the refuse, in which case charges can be brought against this despicable action.

 The Parish Council’s two biggest projects are the building of the affordable homes and refurbishment of the village Hall. Each project is moving forward. Bedfordshire Pilgrim’s Housing Association for the affordable homes scheme has addressed amendments previously requested by the Parish Council and these have now been put to the Planners and the Highways Dept.  A formal planning application will follow.  The legal work regarding the purchase of the site will begin shortly and a bid for funding for building the houses should have been made by end of October.

 Nigel Strudwick, Councillor and Chairman of the Village Hall Committee, keeps the Parish Council up-to-date on Village Hall matters. This project now has the services of a Quantity Surveyor, Mr Laurie Parncutt, who is working with Clive Hough, the Architect. His financial advice is already assisting crucial decisions, as there is urgent need to replace the hall floor. There is a source of grant aid available for this, which we hope we can bid for successfully.

 All are welcome at the Parish Council meetings, held on the third Monday of each month. There is no meeting in December, so Happy New Year, next meeting Monday 21 January 2008, do come along.                                   

Clare Byatt

(Phil Neale is away)