Beech Parish Council

Annual Report 2009/2010

 

Beech Parish Council was pleased to celebrate its 10th anniversary in May 2009 when many of its achievements were recalled.  During the last twelve months we have continued to act on your behalf addressing concerns raised by the villagers of Beech. In particular we have attended to the following:

 

Highways

The recent very cold and wet weather has caused a heavy toll on the state of the roads within Beech as well as the rest of the country.  We continue to badger HCC to carry out road maintenance including road repairs and drain/gully clearance and this has continued to be undertaken despite stringent budgetary constraints.

 

A further consequence of the recent harsh weather is an application to HCC for two additional grit bins for Beech anticipated to ease access to the more difficult areas of the village during periods of snow and ice.

 

Traffic Speed

We are pleased to report that the introduction of  ‘Village 30’ programme creating a uniform 30mph speed limit through out the village has been successful in reducing the overall average speed of traffic particularly along the areas where the speed limit has been reduced from 40mph.  However recently commissioned traffic surveys indicate that the majority of traffic is still exceeding the 30mph speed limit. The Parish Council clearly feel that this is unacceptable.    As a direct result of lobbying by parish councils including Beech we are pleased to report that the Highway Authority (HCC) are now prepared to sanction the use of electronic Speed Limit Reminders (SLRs) that automatically advise speeding drivers of the speed limit (as deployed on the A31 at Ropley).  Parish Councils will be required to purchase these types of device which are likely to cost in the region of £3000 however evidence has shown their effectiveness to be temporary in any one location (approx 2 weeks).  Accordingly  Beech Parish Council is currently teaming up with the neighbouring parishes of Medstead and Bentworth  to share the purchase of an initial Driver Feedback Sign with usage on a rotational basis.   

 

The parish council has identified approximately a dozen suitable sites along Medstead Road and Kings Hill fulfilling the visibility criteria of the highways authority where the temporary deployment SLRs are likely to be most effective.  Furthermore the Parish Council has consulted with each of the landowners adjacent to these proposed sites who have without exception expressed their support for this initiative.  A joint application in conjunction with Medstead and Bentworth is currently being prepared for submission to HCC who administer the management and use of the SLRs  purchased by parish councils and who will be required to approve each proposed site prior to their deployment.

 

In the meantime it is important that the residents of Beech set a good example by keeping to the 30mph speed limit that applies throughout the village.   Furthermore a request has been made to the Police to enforce the present limit.

 

Development

During the year we have considered 12 planning and tree preservation order applications.    Included are applications to:

·         Build new dwellings, replacement dwellings together with extensions and garages

·         Alter existing accesses

·         Refurbish and extension of existing commercial buildings

·         Change of the use of agricultural land and building of a field shelter and sun room

·         Undertake work to trees protected by TPO’s (Tree Preservation Orders) including felling & pruning

 

Each application is considered in detail and the merits or detriments of each development assessed.  This year the Parish Council has objected to and supported exactly half the applications received but in most cases we have made additional comments expressing the views/concerns of the community.  Subsequent decisions made the planning Authority (EHDC) have generally concurred with our recommendations with only one application going against.

 

 

Footpaths, Bridleways, Community and Environment

We continue to monitor, including meeting with the HCC rights of way officer, the state and accessibility of the footpaths and bridleways serving the village. Where necessary we encourage those responsible to undertake maintenance/clearance.

 

Also considered by the Parish Council but not generally perceived to be causing major issue at present within Beech are levels of litter & dog fouling, street lighting, public services & utilities together with crime and disorder.  This enviable situation being in no small part due to the diligent Beech Neighbourhood Watch team whose efforts are to be commended.

 

Proposed Beech Cemetery 

As reported this time last year the Parish Council were actively pursuing the opportunity of creating a village cemetery on a site adjacent to Alton Abbey and were pleased with initial approaches to the Trustees and a letter from Abbot Giles confirming the Abbey’s intention to make the land available.  The Abbey have passed the matter to the Charities Commission however their response is still awaited. 

 

Beech Village Hall

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Village Hall committee for all their work in completing the redevelopment of the Beech Village Hall on time and on budget.  The magnificent architectural and functional result they have achieved is testimony to their efforts.     We are pleased to report that the Parish Council have provided the project with a second grant of £10,000 taking their total contribution to £20,000. Furthermore the Parish Council supported the Village Hall’s application for use of developers funds.

 

The Village Hall’s application to acquire from BT the red telephone box (excluding apparatus) at the bottom of Wellhouse Road was welcomed and supported by the Parish Council.

 

Parish Plan

It is now nearly 10 years since the first village appraisal was completed in 2001. Along with the subsequent Beech Village Design Statement this provided a representative view as to the residents preferred future appearance and development pattern of the Village and Parish of Beech. However we now need to ascertain how should Beech move forward not only as a place but also as a community.  Accordingly the Parish Council launched the process of creating a Parish Plan for Beech as a community driven means of ascertaining the objectives and desires of the village.  To this effect a Parish Plan steering committee is currently being formed to progress this undertaking.  Furthermore in order that the views of the Beech Parish Council/village shall continue to carry weight in determining matters such as planning applications and for to accessing future grants or support for projects, it is now a pre-requisite to show public consultation.  The production of a Parish Plan will provide this evidence.

 

Community correspondence and surveys

During the year we receive and consider a large volume of correspondence relating to community and other matters.  To ensure that the views of Beech are represented the council has responded to numerous surveys canvassing our opinions on matters affecting the local area on a wide variety of subjects ranging from “EHDC Strategic Housing Land Availability and Core Strategy (Preferred Policies)” to “HCC Pot Holes (Causes and way to report) ”.

 

Representations

Once again we thank Patrick Burridge (EHDC District Councillor) and Mark Kemp Gee (Hampshire County Councillor) who have kept us informed as to what is happening at District Council and County levels respectively and for all the lobbying they have done on the behalf of Beech. The welcome attendance of PC Nopps at Parish Council meetings provides as a useful insight into the Hampshire Police workings however we are pleased that law and order is not presently a major cause of concern in Beech. 

 

Finance

We are pleased to confirm that the Councils reserves remain safe and regular external and internal audit checks are undertaken to ensure correct financial procedures are carried out.

 

The precept, the Beech Parish element of your council tax is to be maintained at £12,000 for the year 2010/11.

 

 

Acknowledgements

Once again I would like to take this opportunity of thanking all the Parish Councillors Peter May (Vice Chairman), Anne Burridge, Ian Gibson, Norman Miles, David Woodroofe and Gillian Young who as volunteers have provided their unstinting assistance, experience and time throughout the year. Considerable man hours have been provided by the councillors attending monthly meetings, working groups/panels, training and following up contacts with other authorities as well as carrying out research and representing Beech on outside Committees.

 

I would also like to thank Sandie Fisher for auditing our accounts and a special thank you to Sheron Gillard our terrific clerk for all the work she puts in on behalf of the Beech Parish Council preparing agendas and minutes, administering our finances as well as liaising with various organisations and individuals on behalf of the Parish Council.

 

The Parish Council will continue to do their utmost in undertaking what they believe to be in the best interests of the village with regular reports of their activities being published in the wonderfully produced Beech Newsletter.  However to ensure we can be certain we are doing what you want us to do please provide us with your feedback together with letting us know your aspirations and concerns for our village of Beech as well as supporting the preparation of the Beech Parish Plan.  Furthermore, with local council elections due in just over a year, now is the time to think whether you would consider getting more involved in your community by joining Beech Parish Council.  Please let us know if you may be prepared to take on this rewarding role.

 

                                                                                                                        Edward Neish

Chairman, Beech Parish Council

                                                                                    March 2010