Parish Meeting and AGM on 20th May, 2009
Chairman’s Annual Report
Bishopton Parish Council started the year with a full complement of Councillors and met on 11 occasions. At the end of the year it was with regret that we received the resignation of Francis Fabi a Councillor for a number of years and Sue Bell our Parish Clerk who has assisted and supported the Parish Council for the last five years. Our grateful thanks go to both of them for their individual contributions to the work of Bishopton Parish Council. We have appointed a new clerk Mr. Mike Smith and are in the process of filling the vacancy on the Council.
The Council has continued during 2008/2009 to make concerted efforts to be aware of residents concerns and needs and also to fulfil its’ duty to look after the Village Green and surrounding open spaces. A new web site for the village has been created by Daniel Wells whilst working for his Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and we are very grateful to him. He will continue to maintain the site. This will provide residents with up-to-date information and the ability to make contact more easily with other bodies. Regular information leaflets have also been delivered to every household in the Parish. The Council has continued to meet with Bishopton Community Group, attend Association of Parish Council and Six Parishes meetings, be represented on SPAG ( Wind Farm action group), on-site meetings with Streetscene, Highways Department DBC , Northumbrian Water and Phil Haynes the DBC tree expert. Regular contact is kept with Brian Jones our Darlington Borough Councillor who has always helped us when he could and the Community Police Department.
Village Green
The new stone edging around grass on The Green has been a great success. It has particularly prevented erosion caused by vehicles driving over the edges. Grass seeding during the year also improved the appearance but unfortunately we once again have had damage caused by salt this winter which will mean continual seeding to keep on top of the problem. Overzealous weed killing by Streetscene around obstacles also meant an excessive loss of grass and they have been asked to stop doing this in the future. The Parish Council will be responsible for areas that Streetscene are not able to get to with their equipment. Work parties have been arranged throughout the year to maintain the Village Green.
There are two areas of Village Green that we have not been able to attend to. One is due to scaffolding at Manor Farm where the development came to a halt (see planning) and the other is outside No 33 High Street where building works have been completed but the Green not re-instated as yet. We are hopeful that these two areas will be sorted in the very near future.
We once again had a successful litter pick this spring and are very grateful for the residents who turned out to help. We could not do this without them.
Overgrown hedgerows were a concern this spring as they were restricting drivers’ visibility in some areas. The Highways Department were very helpful in getting this resolved.
Work was done on some diseased trees on the Green and two tree stumps have been removed. Repairs were carried out to some steps and curbing.
The Parish Council have produced a written policy for any re-surfacing work that is necessary on the Village Green.
Playing Field
Unfortunately the village playing field was closed to the public for some time this year due to an outbreak of strangles.
Highways issues
A speed/classification survey was carried out at the Councils request between 3rd and 9th November 2008 by the Community Services Department – Traffic Management. This revealed as expected that a number of vehicles exceed the speed limit through the village but unfortunately not a great enough percentage for Durham Constabulary to take any enforcement action. The Traffic Management Officer from the Operational Support Department also noted that the survey indicated that the HGV volume does not appear to be unreasonable given the requirements of a rural community. Bishopton Parish Council will monitor the situation and take any further action that they feel is necessary. They are constantly looking at ways to improve parking within the village.
New bus routes have been started and we hope that villagers are not having too many difficulties with them.
New signs have also been erected at the Councils request on the Gt Stainton road warning of tractors.
Planning applications
The following applications were received from Darlington Borough Council and were considered:
Glebe Farm - extension
Karamea - extension
Wind Monitoring Masts – Barmpton Lane, Barmpton and Gilly Flatts Farm
23, The Green – extension
Manor Farm Development
Unfortunately the progress of this development was halted in July 2008 and the Council have endeavoured to express the concerns of residents to DBC and the Developer. We are very pleased to hear that legal matters have been resolved and that DBC is in contact with the Developer to progress the outstanding conditions. The Council will continue to keep in touch with all parties with a view to this development being finished as soon as possible.
Proposed Wind Farms
The group SPAG meets regularly to discuss the wind farm proposals in this area and has held open meetings to inform residents. They have been fund-raising to pay for professional help in fighting these proposals. All Bishopton residents have been kept up-to-date with any developments and Bishopton Parish Council fully support the efforts being made by SPAG.
Financial
A number of items of expenditure were authorised this year including a new flag for the church, repairs to church gate, Christmas tree and lights and skip hire.
The accounts of the Parish Council were audited this year by the District Auditor and were agreed. Copies of the audited accounts are placed in the notice board for all to see.
It was decided to reduce the precept for the year 09/10 by 10%.
Other activities
Our new residents welcome pack has been completely up-dated
The Parish Council arranged for the Salvation Army to join in the Carol singing around the tree at Christmas and is very grateful to The Talbot for once again providing refreshments.
Provision and erection of Christmas tree and lights in the village
Skip provided for garden rubbish outside the Village Hall.
Logs distributed to OAP’s
Finally, I would like to convey my personal thanks to all members of the Parish Council who have given up their valuable time and contributed in any way that they can over the past year to serve the interests of the Parish.
L.F. MacMahon
Chairman
