From our Reporter at the Parish Council Meeting
TIGERS IN LEGAL LIMBO HORROR! BIG CATS BLAME LAWYERS FOR PUSSY FOOTING AROUND FOOTBALL GROUND
(Parish Council meeting held on 09 March 2006.)
The Tigers legal limbo continues - now for the rest of the news.
Our elected councillors submit fairly comprehensive reports to the Crier so
this reporter will avoid repeating subjects undeserving of particular comment.
Hazel Williams was resting, so she submitted a written report you can read
elsewhere.
Alan Alderson reported that Reach Fair is exploring alternative car parking venues now that Dencora Field is not available. (Can we now change the name,please? Would "Fairview Field" or "Rogers Field" sound better?) Fair parking on 1st May is now likely to be offered in a field between our two villages. Apparently, the mayoral procession will be reduced this year from about 113 cars to 4, with a horseless coach conveying the excess number of visitors and guests to an event which grows in popularity every year. It was immediately clear that there will be far fewer copper coins flung at us from the speeding vehicles this time, meaning a considerable loss of income for villagers.
There was concern that the entrance to the playing field was not really in a condition to deter determined attempts to breach the barricades; further attention was required. However, happily, now the ground is no longer a public responsibility, legal action to evict any squatters should be a short and sharp affair.
We heard pondering whether, if some housing development were ever to takeplace at the water tower, where men with measuring devices have recently beenseen, a roundabout at the access point off Mill Hill might be funded by thedevelopers. In mitigation for an unwanted development, we would at least then gain a traffic-slowing measure, it being generally accepted that nothing else here has worked. Comparisons were inevitably then made between the speedy erection of reflective bollards at the rogue pylon and other necessary public works for which CCC is responsible. Lorries have also made a right mess of the footpath edge along the northern part of Lower End. There is no kerb here and, if not attended to, it will soon be unsafe for pedestrians. The Pound roof repairs were proceeding very satisfactorily and should be complete before the next snows of the winter. The expected offer of garden accessories from the Pound failed to appear in the Crier last month. Good! There was the usual talk about finances. That's not my forte, but I was pleased to learn that the Clerk's remuneration will soon be properly sorted, at last. (Talk about exploitation!)
Our chairman was good enough to invite additional comments about a planning application from those of us not privileged to sit at the big table. Planning applications are serious matters, of great importance both to those likely to be affected, and to the applicant whose hopes and aspirations they represent. Your PC gives them their full attention in a mature atmosphere, though some misunderstandings about this proposal tended to undermine the cause of those opposing it. Personally, I hope it gets built, but this was a minority view. (See separate article - hence this brief account of a relatively short meeting).
Please come to the Village Assembly on 17thMay, when issues such as the speed limit, lamp posts, dog dirt and disposal of the family silver should all be on the agenda. It's your annual chance to grumble in public.
The future PC meeting dates were also published but, for those with diaries, you need only to remember that meetings are normally held on the second Thursday every month, except in August, and you are always welcome to come and see democracy in action.