News
December update (2011)
Parish Council Notes
I am 6 months into the role of being a Parish Councillor and so far I am enjoying the challenge and involvement. I have been made very welcome by all my new colleagues and can say Wollaston is very well served with a group of dedicated people giving their time to village affairs.
One of my main objectives to join the Parish Council was to add my effort towards getting our village roads and streets into better repair, and therefore I was pleased to be elected and then appointed to the Environmental and highways working party.
This year we have seen serious funding cut backs at County Council level and the highways budget was not spared which has presented many challenges. However, within this environment Wollaston has had a reasonable share of available funding and improvements have been made, but our “wish list” for further street and pathway repairs for the 2012 budget is still extensive.
Whilst we keep our eyes open throughout the village, all Parishioners are encouraged to use
Street Doctor to report any serious pot holes or damage to the carriageway or footways. NCC will respond by email to all reports but regretfully unless any pot hole is 50mm deep it will now no longer meet the “intervention level for repair” !!
On environmental matters, the Parish Council arranged for work to be carried out around the village in August killing off weeds and growth by the kerb sides. We need to encourage community spirit within our village and ask everyone that can, to help towards keeping our village tidy. If we all spent a few minutes here and there clearing weeds or removing litter from just around the area we live or work it would make a noticeable difference.
Leaves will be a big problem this Autumn. A sweeper was organised just a few weeks ago to clean up leaves in certain areas of the village , but this service is not regularly available to us and leaves will build up again throughout the next couple of months. To avoid drains being blocked and wet leaves becoming a hazard all local help in this regard would be appreciated
Responsibilities for all Parish Councils seems about to increase as and when the Governments proposed Localism Bill and new planning regulations take effect. “Neighbourhood Planning” is the key phrase and the full impact of this at Parish Council level is still under review. What is clear is the Parish Council will need to be proactive and not reactive and already a steering group has been formed.
It will be close to Christmas by the time this edition of WASNAV is circulated so on behalf of all Councillors we wish everyone a happy and enjoyable Christmas and above all stay safe and warm throughout the winter.
John Mitchell
Wollaston Parish Council (December 2011)