Boxley Parish Council Annual Report 2010/2011 Chairman's Statement continued
careful planning and take time. I would like to thank the office staff and councillors on the working groups for their stamina and purpose and for their time, effort and contributions they make representing the parish council and for their representation of their community who elected them to their role as parish councillors.
The council was disappointed in that a number of other projects did not come off. The linking of the footway in Impton Lane could not go ahead due to cost. The outdoor gym at Grove Green which was to be followed up by providing some sheltered seating was halted by the borough council due to local residents’ objections.
The council was very disappointed that Maidstone Borough Council proposed to drastically reduce and then cut altogether the concurrent functions
grant. The local group for Maidstone parishes successfully fought this although each parish had to take a 30% cut in the grant in 2011/2012. This council is trying to ensure that no further cuts are made and that local organisations supported by the council did not necessarily receive a 30% cut in their grants.
The council has included a small increase in its precept for next year but still remains the fourth lowest precept in Maidstone and most of the large scale projects will come from reserves and or grants.
Despite the current crisis our financial position is still strong and the parish council undertook regular reviews of its reserves in order to try to get anything but a dismal interest rate but also to ensure that the investments were safely invested in what has been a troubled
year. The council does maintain a large reserve as it wishes to obtain land and needs to have the finances in place in case any land become available. It also uses the interest from these reserves to keep its precept low.
I think everyone is aware that this council doesn’t sit on its laurels and it strives to improve its service and reach out and represent its community. Localism and Big Society is coming on line in the next year and the role that parish councils will play looks impressive. Elections are in 2012 and it is important that a council stays vibrant and fresh and, with a number of councillors indicating that they may not stand again, new members will be sought.
Martin Pepper, Chairman May 9th, 2011
Boxley Parish Mail CHAIRMAN: Martin Pepper CLERK: Pauline Bowdery ASST CLERK: Melanie Fooks
Parish Office, Beechen Hall, Wildfell Close, Walderslade, ME5 9RU Tel: 01634 861237 email:
bowdery@boxleyparishcouncil.co.uk Website:
www.boxleyparishcouncil.co.uk
Contact details for parish councillors can be obtained from the parish office, the Useful Contact Details leaflet or the website
Beechen Hall improvement programme The Council is considering tenders for the
replacement ceiling and lights at Beechen Hall. The Council is committed to keeping the hall in tip top condition to ensure hirers continue to be attracted to the venue. The replacement ceiling and lights will also reduce the energy usage at the hall with eco friendly lights and better insulation.
The Chairman of the Estates Committee Victor Davies said “the hall is kept in a beautiful condition by the staff and is well used. It is
Welcome to new residents
Residents new to the area are invited by the Parish Council to visit its website to see what the Parish Council gets up to. Numerous leaflets are also produced on the website to help residents understand how the Council operates. Residents not on line can contact the parish office for relevant information to be sent.
Martin Pepper, Chairman,
states “this Council exists to support and represent its residents and as a reaccredited Quality Parish Council we seem to be getting it roughly right but are always open for suggestions and improvements”.
See the Chairman’s annual report on the adjacent page.
30 East
anticipated that the replacements will add to the wow factor at the hall.”
THE FACILITIES at Beechen Hall and helpfulness of the staff have been praised by Medway Rotary Club.
Councillors noted the compliment which was received after the club hired the hall for a film night.
It was suggested that the committee may want to consider investing in a projector and screen to target organisers of events such as race nights.
Council chooses team for forthcoming year
Cllr Martin Pepper was re- elected chairman of Boxley Parish council at its annual meeting at Beechen Hall, Walderslade, with Cllr Pat Brooks re-elected as vice- chairman for the forthcoming year.
Membership of the council’s Environment, Estates and Finance committees will all remain the same. Cllr Wendy Hinder will continue as chairman of Environment with Cllr Ivor Davies continuing as vice-chairman.
Cllr Vic Davies was re- appointed chairman of Estates and Cllr I Davies was re-
appointed vice-chairman.
As chairman of the Parish council, Cllr Pepper will continue as chairman of the Finance committee with Cllr Vic Davies continuing as vice- chairman.
Cllr Ivor Davies stepped down from Finance Scrutiny after completing his term of office. Cllr Pepper joined the committee and the chairman will be elected at the next meeting.
Cllr Pepper thanked all the council members for their hard work, dedication and conscientiousness during the last year.
Plea for ‘bag and bin it at home’
campaign THE PARISH council has called for a fresh round of publicity to be provided to the community about the disposal of dog mess.
In reply to a question raised, Cllr Tony Harwood confirmed that from June 20, Maidstone Council would be scrapping its arrangement with a contractor to empty dog waste bins.
Currently, two to three tonnes of dog mess was collected each week in the borough council area.
MBC would be phasing out dog waste bins, starting by removing those close to general litter bins. Eventually all the canine mess bins would be replaced by litter bins as dog waste could be placed in these as long as it is in a bag.
It was felt that the borough needed to do more to make owners aware that dog waste could be bagged and taken home for disposal in their own bins.
Parish clerk Pauline Bowdery said: “Unless the word gets out to people, we are likely to have dog waste filled plastic bags strewn around the countryside.
You can e-mail the Downs Mail —
info@downsmail.co.uk
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