ParishCouncilReport

Parish Council Vacancies

The parish council should consist of 11 members. This is quite a lot for a small parish, but the high number is a consequence of the 2 parishes merging in 2008. Since then, we have made a request to have this number reduced but were unsuccessful. Currently we have 4 vacancies, and this can cause an issue, not just with the undertaking of tasks – such as the cleaning of the white bridge recently – but also making sure meetings are quorate with illness and holidays reducing numbers. The Council is non-political and works in the interests of the parish. There’s just one full council meeting every month on the first Thursday held at the Village Hall and 3 committees, Planning, Leisure & Amenities and Finance, Risk & General purposes which meet as and when required. Councillors can attend any or all committee meetings, as they wish. If you feel you might have something to offer the parish and would like to get involved, please contact me for further information.

A very big ‘Thank You’ …

… to all the volunteers who helped with the cleaning of the white bridge. The difference is amazing!

Annual Parish Meeting

Thanks to all who attended the Annual Parish Meeting on April 22nd. We hope that everyone enjoyed the afternoon and found it informative. Special thanks to Nicola Cooper from MAGPAS who provided an excellent demonstration on how to use the defibrillator and what to do in a medical emergency.

Interactive speed sign

Council has purchased one sign and had two locations approved for its display. These signs provide data for use in any future road safety funding applications as well as a timely reminder of the speed limit.

Flagpole

The flagpole was erected in time for the Coronation and a special Coronation flag proudly flew. The location, almost midway between the two villages was the best available.

Offord Darcy Village Sign

The village sign will soon be/has been removed for refurbishment.

Potholes etc

Councillors regularly walk around the parish noting issues and areas which require attention. These will be reported but residents can also report using the ‘report a fault’ tool on the Cambridgeshire County Council website –www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk Alternatively, if you come across anything let me know and I’ll report it for you. Anything considered dangerous is dealt with quickly but unfortunately the Highways department of Cambs County Council does not have an unlimited budget, so some things just join a ‘to do’ list.

Fly Tipping

Due to changes to what can and can’t be taken to the waste recycling units there has been an increase in fly tipping. Anyone can report fly tipping which will be dealt with by Huntingdonshire District Council provided it is not on private land. This can be done via the reporting tool on their website www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk or alternatively get in touch with me and I will do it.

Recreation Ground

The newly installed fitness equipment is already being well used. We have a problem with the surface of the MUGA and are looking at quotes for the repairs. Once these have been carried out the tennis nets will be located in the container (spiders permitting!) and erected ready for the summer. Council still hopes to have a pavilion on the ground at some point, but this is a very costly project and will be reliant on external funding. The summer sports will again take place this year, twice weekly during the school summer holidays.

Millennium Green

The upkeep of the green is a continual ‘work in progress’. Council has commissioned a safety audit of the pond before work commences on its refurbishment. Parts of the platform were recently replaced, and a second Deep Water sign ordered. Parents are reminded that the pond is very deep in places. The new equipment in the smaller children’s area is very well used but we are still experiencing problems with rabbits and as soon as we refill the holes they are dug again. We are now getting quotations for the replacement of all the grass within the fenced area with safety surfacing.

The trees ordered from the woodland trust have now arrived and will be planted and the silver birch trees which didn’t make it through last year’s very dry summer have been replaced. If anyone has any ingenious ideas of how we can water these areas during exceptional dry spell, please get in touch.

As always, if there’s anything I can help with please get in touch.

Jackie Stanbridge