Report on Annual Meeting of Ufford Parish held on May 10th
This was attended by 27 residents and PC Norm who spoke about his changing role and the encouraging crime levels in this area. Keith Lievesley was elected as Chairman of the meeting in the absence of Marian Brown, due to illness, and he read her Annual Report which highlighted the Parish Council’s achievements in the past year, notably the speed activated lights and the continuation of the hedge and tree planting projects. Its immediate aims include the replacement of the former, now obsolete, website with a new, informative one which will improve communication with residents. In collaboration with the Village Hall Committee, we plan to install broadband connection in the Village Hall and to buy a projector so that plans can be displayed on the wall. Keith reported that Ufford church has now closed and alternative uses are being sought.

In the Open Forum which followed, the following issues were discussed:
• The problem of dog fouling caused most concern. We know which owners are responsible and they will be receiving a warning letter, because the ignorance and selfishness of one or two dog owners cannot continue to blight our village.

• The welcome given to newcomers could be improved. The Parish Council distributes an informative booklet about the village, but we could perhaps do more. Hopefully the new website will allow local organisations to advertise their events.

• It was felt that it was too late to arrange a village fete this year but we shall plan early for an event in 2012, Jubilee Year. A village social evening, with a buffet, music and carols is planned for November 29th 2011 so make a note of this date.

Ufford Parish Council Meeting, May 10th
1. Election of Chairman. Marian Browne was elected. The Standing Orders have been changed making 4 years the maximum term of office so Marian will stand down in 2012.

2. Council Representatives were appointed as follows: Keith Lievesley - Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Association of Local Councils. Frieda Gosling – Planning and Barnack Ward. Ian Snaith - Police and Village Hall. Marian Browne – Neighbourhood Council

A full list of parish councillors and their contact telephone numbers is displayed on the council notice board.
3. Following research into the Barnack Rural District Council Minutes, we have confirmed that money was invested in 1931 by the Parish Meeting and the interest was used to offset part of the village rates until 1954. It was still being held until 1974 when Barnack Rural District ceased to exist and the investment appears to have been handed over to Peterborough City Council. We still do not know the source or the final destination of the money but we are working on this!

4. A planning application has been received from the White Hart about the conversion of the brewery buildings into single storey B and B accommodation. It was too late to include on Tuesday’s agenda so please ask Frieda for information if so desired.

5. The next meeting date has been changed due to holidays. It will be held on Wednesday, June 22nd at 7.30pm, venue to be confirmed.
Barnack Parish Council Meeting
Six Parish Councillors, the clerk, the City Councillor, PC McCallum and three members of the public attended the AGM and Barnack Parish Council meeting on Monday 9 May. Mr David Roxburgh had submitted his apologies. The monthly business was discussed following the election of officers and representatives and the review of financial regulations, standing orders and the risk policy.
The church path resurfacing should be finished during the current week. The verge officer has been contacted regarding the overhanging brambles on the Walcot Road. Loose kerbstones on Main Street have been re-fixed in Main Street.

The head of highways will be contacted regarding yellow warning strips at all entrances to the village and the unresolved realignment of the kerbs at the entrance and exit of the slip road behind the war memorial.
A request will be made for fly tipping in the village to be cleared and for the verges at the Bainton end of Station Road to be added to the mowing contract.

A request will be made to Crosskeys and to the Neighbourhood Council for gridding to be placed on the verge in Orchard Road to allow cars to be parked off the road to give more access.
Another request will be made for the tree planted in the wrong position in Orchard Road to be removed together with the dead tree on the same verge.

There were no objections to the three planning applications submitted for comment. Approval was proposed and unanimously accepted for the payment of invoices, the receipt on monies and the budget control and bank reconciliation reports.

A working group meeting was arranged for Tuesday 24 May to discuss village celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 1012 and the official opening of the Barnack Pavilion, which is now almost complete.
The outcomes of these matters will be taken to the June Parish Council meeting. Councillor Over urged residents to report all crimes to 0345 456 456 4 to try to ensure PC McCallum is kept as the Rural Police Officer. He is waiting for further information on priority being given to residents with village connections for the rentable houses on the new development in Uffington Road. PC McCallum stated that he will be spending some time in the rural areas together with the RCAT team.
Special Constables are being trained to be able to visit the villages and PCSO Michael Whittaker can be contacted for any community issues. Items reported for attention include seats that need repainting, the yucca plant near the church and the low branches from trees in the Rectory garden overhanging on to the pavement.

The ditch that has been filled in at the end of Orchard Road, the browning yew trees and the overgrown holly tree in the churchyard. From the open forum residents asked for the following items to be addressed: the verges being worn away due to the grass being cut too short, and safe walking for residents from Pilsgate to Burghley lodge gates.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 13 June at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. All residents are invited to attend.

Report on Annual Meeting & Annual Council Meeting from Bainton& Ashton Parish Council
10 members of the public and all councillors attended the meetings held on 3 May in the Reading Room. At the Annual meeting the Chairman Zena Coles gave her report on the many activities in the Parish supported by the Parish Council over the year. Members of the public were invited to join in an Open forum and we received reports from the local organisations.

This was followed by the Annual Parish meeting. Zena Coles was elected chairman and members of the Council agreed to be representatives for Highways, Police, Neighbourhood Watch, Street Lighting, Environment, Reading Room, Allotment Association, Churchyard Maintenance, Playground Maintenance, PC Area Committee, Barnack Ward, Speedwatch and Publicity.

It was agreed to pay our subscription to Cpalc and our subscriptions which we share with Ufford Parish Council. There was another VAT refund for the Allotment Association. Cllr Totten agreed to carry out a survey on facilities for children in the villages who are too old to use the playground. It was agreed to research the Councillors’ Training courses which can be obtained on line.

The next meeting will be held at the Reading Room on Tuesday 7 June at 7.30pm We will have two speakers from PCC on matters of particular relevance to Bainton& Ashton.

The minutes of the above meetings are on line at the Bainton& Ashton Reading Room website

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