The Clerk’s Report
There
was a good response to the play facilities that we
provided for young people during the school holidays
last summer, so it is planned to do the same in 2010.
Activities arranged by the district council for the
February half term holidays were poorly supported
however, and will not be repeated. All play activities
organised by the parish council are held on Mitre Field
and are free of charge to local young people.
A
selection of oaks, silver birches, beeches and other
native trees was planted at the new memorial arboretum
in Pinfold lane. The site had earlier been cleared and
landscaped, the hedge laid, and a new entrance gate
installed. All work was initiated by the parish council
and the cost reclaimed from an open space improvement
levy on the Askew Grove housing development. We had a
very good turn out of over 50 people of all ages on the
day of the first planting, and everybody appreciated the
Revd Peter Payne’s short prayer. It is a lovely site
and it was a privilege to be there as part of the
occasion. A second phase of planting planned for the
autumn and is already well subscribed, clearly
demonstrating the need for a local amenity of this type.
The
parish council has continued to press Derbyshire County
Council and the Environment Agency about de-silting
Repton Brook. Heavy
silting is a worry to many residents who fear that their
properties could be flooded, as they have been in the
past. Eventually
the Environment Agency accepted the need to carry out
dredging around Pinfold Lane and Brook End bridges. The
work will form part of their 2010 -11 maintenance
programme.
There
continues to be serious concern about the condition of
the apron surrounding the Cross.
Derbyshire County Council is responsible for
maintaining the area and repairs are constantly needed
due to damage by large vehicles.
The Village Improvement Group is being reformed
to evaluate possible improvements suggested by the
county council, which are intended to protect and
enhance the ancient monument. The Group comprises
representatives from the village society, the history
group and the parish council.
The
parish council has been commended for providing seats,
trees and the arboretum in Repton, and for publishing a
monthly resume of parish council affairs in the Parish
Magazine. We
are pleased the council Jottings are well received and
we welcome the opportunity to communicate in this way.
Requests for more seats are being met wherever possible.
Sledge
Wood lies at the southern edge of Repton and was
part-funded by the parish council and local residents.
It is now 10 years old, with many maturing trees, and is
well used and appreciated by walkers.
The
council’s investment portfolio was reviewed in the
light of much reduced rates of interest available. Most
of the reserves were reinvested in bonds and other
higher paying fixed interest accounts. Absolute security
is being maintained at all times.
Finally,
I am leaving the parish council this summer after 10
years as Clerk. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in
Repton, but now I want to move on and spend more time
with my family. I
thank all the parish, district and county councillors,
together with staff at the councils, for their help and
support during my term of office.
Celia
Bunston, Clerk to the Council
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