Teddington & Alstone Parish Council

Chairman's Report 27 04 09

 

 

Main Objectives Of The Parish Council During 2008/09

·                    Continue to increase involvement of residents with Parish Council

·                    Continue to develop communications and understanding with TBC, Glos CC and Glos Highways

·                    Increase visibility of Policing – involvement in Police Liaison Meetings and Bishops Cleeve Co-ordination Meetings

·                    Continue to improve awareness of issues when building development work is carried out

·                    Continue working towards improved drainage and general Parish maintenance

 

 

What Kind Of Village Are We, Do We Want To Be?

·                    Mature village

·                    Mixed population

·                    Although an aging population we are family friendly

·                    Community friendly

·                    Collaborative community – caring and sharing

·                    Working together to make the Parish a place of pride

 

 

Achievements

·                    Continued to encourage community spirit which appears to be growing

·                    The Parish BBQ was arranged, was well attended and enjoyed by many

·                    Parish Council Meetings continue to be well attended

·                    Volunteers for many projects has resulted in savings of Parish Council funds

·                    Landowners have cleared ditches and culverts, making a big difference to water on roads.

·                    We have continued to receive valuable support from our County Cllr, Ron Allen, who regularly attends our Parish Council Meetings.

·                    We have made an effort to reach out to new residents and we see them at PC meetings.  This included discussions with the new owners of Solva, who before purchasing the property, wanted to understand what kind of Parish we were.

·                    On a sad note, we lost our eldest Parishioner, but not before he reached the grand age of 100 years.

·                    There have also been some new additions, it always being a joy to hear of births in our Parish.

 

Voluntary Work Groups Have Included

·                    Littler picking

·                    General maintenance tasks carried out within the Parish villages

·                    Orchard Park Playing Field

·                    Neighbourhood Watch/ Parish Council News distribution – both villages

·                    Grass cutting at both Churches

·                    Christian Aid Collections

 

 

Drainage, Roads, Flooding & Sewage

Although an ongoing task, progress has been made:

 

·                    Ditches and culverts have been cleared

·                    Reflector posts installed at Chicken Shed bend

·                    TBC have now taken on ownership to manage the required work in four areas of Teddington alone

·                    Problems remain unresolved at Alstone Fields Farm although all local authorities are currently involved in this matter

·                    Culvert Head Wall at Chicken Shed Bend to be replaced by Glos Highways

·                    Drainage in Alstone remains unresolved although noted by Glos Highways

·                    The new owner of Vine Tree farm scheduling clearing of the ditch in lower Gander Lane

·                    Very importantly, TBC still have us listed on their ‘Flooding Response Action Plan’ for drainage improvements in the future.

 

 

Public Footpaths – PCllr Philip Caterer reported

 

·                    Bridge between Alstone and Bengrove installed by GCC

·                    Focus moving to footpath between Teddington and Teddington Hands, to include a new bridge and possibly style

·                    Maintenance of footpath to Church Lane to be undertaken

·                    Thanks to Mary King of GCC, who has been very supportive to our Parish.

 

 

Planning – PCllr Patrick Cullen reported

·                    As always planning has been a major part of the Parish Council’s efforts

·                    Planning application for the Paddock received and rejected.  Much work involved in providing a fair and balanced response

·                    Less reports of inconvenience and verge damage during building work

·                    New home building applications were turned down, although 2 Certificates of Lawfulness were granted.  These will probably result in new build applications.

·                    Best practice – PC encourage discussions with neighbours and PC before the ‘green notice’ goes up.

 

 

Playing Fields – Cllr Philip Caterer reported on Orchard Park and on Alstone Playing Field in the absence of representation – see separate reports.

Neighbourhood Watch

John Teare and Sue Carter confirmed that no major incidents had occurred and that residents are continually encouraged to be vigilant.  Drivers using mobile phones continues to be a problem in the villages, however the Parish Council continue to work with the Local Police on this.

 

General Village Maintenance Achievements

·                    Repair of historic Water Conduit wall in Teddington

·                    Grass being cut at both Churches, thanks to volunteers

·                    Litter picking team (12 volunteers on record)

·                    Notice Board repairs

·                    Refurbishment of wooden Finger Posts

·                    Refurbishment work on the Alstone Bus Shelter.

·                    Repairs to historic Water Pump in Alstone and site clearance

 

Goals For Coming Year – Still Much Work To Be Done

To continue to monitor progress on culvert and drainage issues

Encourage more involvement and attendance at PC meetings

Encourage more events involving the whole Parish

Continue work on road safety issues at A435/Teddington village entrance

Continue work on traffic speeding and motorist mobile phone use within the Parish

Encourage greater communication, understanding and interaction between the farming community and residents

Continued watch for fly tipping

Continue with the litter picking project and work on the Red Bull can epidemic!

Continue to apply pressure on Glos Highways for pot hole/highway fixes

 

 

Finally, a big thank you to all of those individuals who have provided voluntary help and assistance throughout the year, including all the donations and help received for the Parish BBQ.

 

Tim Carter

Chairman, Teddington & Alstone Parish Council