Present:
Bill Jenkin, Lynne Jackson,
Di Brown, Harry Boyd, Bill Lanfear
and 5 parishioners
- The
minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2008 were read, approved
and signed as a true record of proceedings
- The
chairman then gave his annual report to those present:
- There had been two losses to village amenities during an otherwise
uneventful year – the Post Office and the Luncheon Club both
due in part to the move from the village of the Vanessa and Bob Holland.
- Major refurbishment of the Village Hall was expected during this
financial year for which the parish council had pledged financial
support.
- Several
small
projects had been completed during the year, the improvements to
Donnywell, a new noticeboard and new signposts. The purchase
of the telephone kiosk was still
outstanding. Gassons Lane had been
resurfaced and a high pressure gas pipeline was to cross Brockhampton
at the top of the Quarry in 2010.
- Any advance on energy conservation projects had not been forthcoming
due to lack of enthusiasm but thanks were given to Alison Giles for
trying to co-ordinate the project. She had now
resigned from the parish council and moved away.
- The Chairman reported that it was becoming difficult for small councils
to operate within increasing government-imposed bureaucracy, depleting
funds with pointless administration and creating disillusionment among
councillors.
- There was a
danger that this would create a dwindling number of people willing to
volunteer to serve on the council which would bring about its
disappearance into a larger conglomerate, losing its individual
character completely. Nevertheless the Chairman hoped that,
given enough support and interest from the local community, it was
still possible to continue to operate as an entity, undertaking
projects for this parish and at the centre of a sustainable and vibrant
community.
- Question time:
Roger Gibson asked about the possible replacement of the bridge in
Lower Sevenhampton – the clerk to investigate again for the
next parish council meeting.
- There being no further questions the chairman closed the meeting.
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