DONHEAD ST MARY PARISH COUNCIL
Chairman's Annual Report - 12th May 2010
We once again have had a very busy year especially under the new Wiltshire Council Unitary Authority. With this new administration there have been many changes sometimes with staff changing responsibilities, sometimes changes to procedures and with some professional officers having moved to other authorities. With all these changes the Parish Council faced a steep learning curve and the problems of establishing rapport with the new regime.
We now have to deal primarily with the South West Wiltshire Area Board. Our first success was brought about by an attempted crime when a 999 call was botched and was routed across the border to Dorset. As a result the police attendance at the scene was more than somewhat delayed. Fortunately no one was badly hurt and some days later I was able to raise our concerns at an Area Board meeting. It was fortuitous that at this meeting there was a Member of the Police Authority who was appalled and advised that they would take up these concerns immediately. Also the Council raised these concerns in a letter to the Chief Constable. The Chief Constable immediately instigated an investigation from which a dedicated rural crime team has been established within the Force to ensure a more robust intelligence led response and to a greater cross border co-operation with Dorset regarding 999 calls, patrols and policing.
Now, if we have problems, we are advised to raise them as an 'Issue' with the Area Board. Currently we have three such 'Issues': Car Parking for the Coronation Drive Estate: Speed Indicator Devices (SIDS): and Pedestrian Crossing at Charlton Cross Roads. These have all been accepted by the Area Board and are now under discussion.
Speed Limit Review
Wiltshire Council has recently responded to a Department of Transport request to undertake a review of Speed Limits on A & B roads in their area. The Parish Council has seen the review and was appalled at the proposals for the A30 through Ludwell to the border with Dorset. We have sent a strong letter outlining our criticisms to Wiltshire Council and we await their response.
Development of 700 houses East of Shaftesbury
The Parish Council is still concerned with the potential flooding that may occur with this development. This matter was raised with Salisbury District Council Western Area Committee in November 2005, and again in January 2009, where our concerns were endorsed. At a meeting of North Dorset District Council in April 2010 there was no representative from Wiltshire Council to support our concerns. It would seem that Wiltshire Council has little or no knowledge or experience of the facility proposed to NDDC to prevent flooding and are quite happy to accept the assurances by NDDC. We have written to the Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council to express our disappointment with this approach.
Play Areas
During the year we have installed an outdoor Table Tennis Table and more recently an outdoor Football Table. A big thank you to all those involved with the unloading and setting up of this equipment. We are pleased to hear that already some youngsters are using these facilities.
We have been advised by the Sports Club that the Tennis Courts need refurbishing and are seeking our assistance. The Parish Council has taken this up with the Area Board and has been awarded a grant of £5,000 toward the cost. Application has been made to the Lottery Fund for the balance. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Roadways within the Parish
We are constantly in touch with Wiltshire Council Highways Department with regard to potholes and general maintenance and we maintain the pressure upon them to resolve our problems as soon as possible. During the extremely bad winter weather the Parish Steward was deployed in gritting during the night and his normal service to us was temporarily postponed. Now the better weather is here we hope to get back to the planned agenda for the Parish Steward.
Affordable Housing
This is still a frustrating project. We are now working with Hastoe Housing and we have looked at some possible sites. The Parish Council needs to identify the current owners of these sites and to advise Hastoe.
Ludwell Community Orchard
As the land most desired for this project belongs to Wiltshire Council I advised the Chairman of the Group to raise this as an 'Issue' with the South West Area Board. This they did and an on site meeting was arranged. The allocation of the land for the Orchard has been approved in principle.
Cemetery - Play Areas
During this year the Cemetery and Play Areas have once again been maintained to a very high standard. My thanks to all involved.
Planning Meetings
Thank you to all those Parish Councillors who have turned out for site visits.
Finally I would like to thank our Wiltshire Councillor Tony Deane for his valuable support and assistance, and last but not least my thanks to our Parish Clerk for his service to this Council and for the support he has given to me.
Jeane Barnes, Chairman Donhead St Mary Parish Council