Parish Council Newsletter - February 2012

High Street Parking Congestion:  The Parish Council has been involved in successful discussions with the Police, Derbyshire County Council and local business owners regarding the reduction of congestion on the High Street. Should local residents be aware of any vehicle parked illegally, i.e. where there is insufficient space on the pavement for a wheelchair or pushchair to get by, then the Police should be notified as a ticket could be issued. The non-emergency contact telephone number for Derbyshire Police is: 101 or 0345 1233 333

Summer Holiday Activities:  Following on from the success of last year's events Repton Parish Council will again be offering a selection of activities for local young people during the summer break. The climbing wall and sports mobiles have been booked and dates and times will be published nearer to the time. We hope to see as many young people there as possible.

2012 / 2013 Parish Precept:  The Parish Council is pleased to advise local residents that we have been able to maintain the Precept at £14,400 for the third consecutive year. The parish precept is Repton Parish Council’s share of the council tax and currently amounts to £13.56 per annum for a band D home. Careful budget monitoring has been exercised, whilst maintaining current levels of provision, for example the summer holiday activities for local young people. However, due to increasing financial demands it is very unlikely that an increase can be avoided in future years.
 

REPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Annual Report and Accounts for 2010/2011

This Annual Report & Accounts is produced in accordance with the Quality Council Accreditation Scheme. It contains an overview by the Chairman, a report from the
 Clerk, and a summary Financial Statement for the year.

Chairman’s Overview

In my review last year I wrote about a worrying drop in investment income that had been suffered by the parish council. Interest rates remain at rock bottom and the situation continues to be a major concern for councillors. With family budgets severely stretched the option of increasing the parish precept is one that must be delayed for as long as possible. In consequence the parish council has had to learn how to deliver an acceptable standard of essential services more economically.

The Local Development Plan is another recurring topic. This is a strategic review of future housing and growth needs in South Derbyshire, which is being undertaken by the District Council. The subject was first addressed over two years ago at the behest of the previous government. From the outset strong objections were registered against the possibility that as many as 2000 new dwellings could be built on local farmland. The subject has again come to the fore, linked to proposed Localism legislation. When enacted the new legislation should give local communities a much greater say in what happens on their doorstep. Time will tell. It has been made very clear that most local people do not want their village to grow into a characterless dormitory for nearby towns.

I am pleased to report that the parish council was able to maintain its capital spending programme during the period under review. The major achievement of the year was an agreement to make a capital grant of £33,000 towards the planned rebuilding or major refurbishment of Repton Village Hall. This is a very worthwhile cause as the hall is the centre of so many social activities. To safeguard the future of the venue the parish council will continue to provide as much financial assistance as it can afford. Further planting of trees was also undertaken at various locations and some signage of footpaths and facilities was improved.

Turning now to domestic matters, in June last year Susan Reilly was appointed as our new Clerk and Financial Officer, succeeding Celia Bunston on her retirement after a decade in the post. Susan brings a wealth of professional administrative experience to the parish council and has settled in extremely well. As a result I am optimistic that the parish council can retain the Quality Council accreditation it was awarded four years ago. Being an accredited council imposes a valuable discipline on all management procedures and financial arrangements.

A new parish council, elected by local residents, will hold office for the next four years. I am confident that with their fresh enthusiasm all members of the council will work hard for the good of the community as a whole. You will undoubtedly join me in wishing them every success in their labours, and in acknowledging the past endeavours of those councillors who did not seek re-election.

John Shortt, Chairman  
 

Clerk’s Report

I have experienced a very varied and interesting first year in my new role. A changeover period, working alongside Celia Bunston, proved to be a valuable induction and I have enjoyed meeting the many local residents who have called into the office.

Successes for the Parish Council over the past year have included the Summer Play activities, which were attended by a record number of young people. These will take place again this year, on Mitre field, spread over the weeks of the school summer holidays and are free of charge to local young people.

The arboretum is now becoming established, with a second phase of planting taking place last autumn. Unfortunately a few trees did not survive and the Parish Council replaced these and also planted several new ones. A further planting will take place later this year with there being a continuing local demand to dedicate a tree to a loved one. There is also a strong demand for the Monsom Lane allotments. All are currently rented with a small waiting list for any becoming vacant. The Parish Council is happy to add the names of any local residents to this list.

Last year, backed by local residents, the Parish Council submitted an application for Well Lane footpath to be formally adopted by Derbyshire County Council as a right of way. This process will take several months but hopefully the outcome should be known later in 2011. The Parish Council is also undertaking negotiations with South Derbyshire District Council concerning the maintenance and ownership of the Iris Bentley Pavilion on Broomhills Playing Field. Emergency lighting has recently been installed by the Parish Council as part of our commitment to maintain and upgrade the building. The Parish Council has also nominated Broomhills Playing Field to be a protected outdoor recreational space under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge. This initiative has been launched as part of the celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

In previous years South Derbyshire District Council have forwarded paper copies of all local planning applications and decisions to the Parish Council office. However as we are now in the era of the paperless society this practice has ceased and the Parish Council has to view the applications on line. Should any local residents not have access to the internet and wish to access either an application or decision these can be viewed on the Parish Council computer during office hours. It is however advisable to contact me first to check availability.

The Parish Council has been involved in many diverse areas over the past year – footpaths, parking, planning applications, the preservation of Repton Cross, community speedwatch and street lighting to name but a few. The maintenance budget for Monsom Lane Burial Ground has been increased significantly this year and the Parish Council has pledged to continue to improve its appearance.

Please call into the Parish office, Mondays 1.00 – 4.00 pm or Wednesdays 2.00 – 6.00 pm, if you have any queries or wish for any further information concerning the Parish Council.

Susan Reilly, Clerk to the Council
    

Financial Statement
 

Home