Parish Newsletters
The Parish Council publishes newsletters from time to time which are distributed to every household with Whitchurch News. Below are past copies.
Parish Council Newsletter No 15 Issued May 2005
In this issue of the Newsletter we repeat the information that will allow you to contact a Councillor or attend a Parish Council Meeting. If you have any concerns that you would like to air, please call a Councillor or, better still, attend a meeting. On the second page you will find a report concerning the forthcoming Annual parish meeting and the village play area
Clerk to the Whitchurch Parish Council (to whom all correspondence is to be sent)
Glyn Thomas, 1 Newville, Weedon, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP22 4NP
Telephone: 01296 641435; Fax 01296 640604; E-mail glynthomas@ukonline.co.uk
Councillors and their telephone numbers (all prefixed by 01296)
Brian Foulger (Chairman) 641275 David Ryder Richardson (Deputy Chairman) 641330 Ashley Bond 641552 Harold Newman 641328 Andrew Pain 640949 Richard Shuffill 641642
Aylesbury Vale District Councillor (Weedon Ward)
Mr Ashley Bond, 1 Mount Pleasant, Whitchurch, Aylesbury, HP22 4JE 01296 641552
Buckinghamshire County Councillor (Until 5th May 2005)
Mr John Cartwright, Highfield, High Street, Ludgershall, Aylesbury 01844 238374
Dates of Parish Council Meetings for 2005 - 7.30 pm in the Church Hall
Mondays: 9 May, 13 June, 11 July, 12 September, 10 October, 14 November.
Agenda of each meeting contains some, or all, of the following items
Parish Forum - opportunity for parishioners to ask questions or make comments
Matters arising from previous minutes
Correspondence - letters received and sent by the council
Planning - review of any current applications
Financial - review of expenditure
Other business
Minutes
Minutes of each meeting are issued by the Clerk to the Council and are presented for approval or amendment at the next Council meeting. They are then posted on the village notice boards sited at the junction of Keinches Lane and the High Street and in Ashgrove Gardens. They also appear on the village website – www.whitchurch.org. This allows every elector to learn of the matters discussed and actions agreed by their Councillors.
Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 9th May in the Church Hall, White Horse Lane. It will start at 7.30 pm and everyone is invited to attend. This formal meeting is a requirement of local government at which the Chairman of the Parish Council, Mr Brian Foulger, will present his annual report. The evening will also include a Parish Forum which allows attendees to speak on any matter pertaining to the village and Council matters.
Village Play Area
Since the announcement in the Parish Newsletter No 13, published in April last year, when it was reported that the Parish Council had set aside £10,000 for this project, and the report in Newsletter No 14 that an additional £5,000 had been added to this sum, the Working Group is pleased to report the progress it has made.
Having looked at many catalogues and visited play areas in surrounding villages to see what others had chosen, the Group invited representatives from two equipment manufacturers to meet with them to explain more about the benefits and advantages of their specific equipment and to give guidance and advice on current safety requirements. From these meetings two proposals and quotations have been received.
These proposals will be on view at the May Feast, on Monday 2nd May, where the Group would welcome your comments.
From these it was very clear that, to provide the equipment for all age groups, it will be necessary to seek additional funding. This is now the priority of the Group.
Of significant importance is that the Recreation Field off The Meadows was transferred on 15th March 2005 from Banner Homes to the custody of AVDC. This now allows the Parish Council to apply for a licence to position the Play Area in the space identified by the Working Group.
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Parish Council Newsletter No 14 Issued February 2005
Actions following The Village Meeting
The Village Meeting was held in November 2003 and was attended by more than 50 villagers. Among the many topics raised at the meeting was the need for a children’s play area and for better and more environmentally friendly street lighting. The Parish Council is pleased to report that action on both topics is progressing well.
Village Play Area - The Parish Council set aside £10,000 in the 2004/5 budget as a commitment to this project and has added a further £5000 in the budget 2005/6. It is hoped that, with further funding from various sources, the total sum available can be considerably increased. A working group of three councillors, representatives from local youth groups and parents has met regularly since September 2004 to consider what is required. It has sought advice from AVDC as well as looking at the facilities in nearby villages and towns. The group has discussed the village requirements with equipment suppliers and has agreed a suitable position for the play area in the recreation field off Ashgrove Gardens. It is their intention that, when the project is completed it, will cater for children of pre-school age up to teenagers. Over the next few months plans will be finalised and efforts will be made to raise more funds.
Street Lighting - There are more than 60 street lamps in Whitchurch for which the village is responsible. They are of various ages and designs and many of them, particularly those attached to telegraph poles, have seen better days. The Council has agreed on a single style which will be in keeping with the look and atmosphere of the village and which will cause least light pollution but, due to the cost, it will take several years to complete the renewal of all lamps. Funds have been set aside in the current budget and work will begin this year with the replacement of five nominated lamps. The street lighting in recent developments such as Rickyard Close and The Meadows will, of course, remain.
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In Memoriam
It is with deepest regret that we record the recent deaths of two local parishioners both of whom gave time for the benefit of Whitchurch.
Graham Parrott (d. 4/1/05) was a Parish Councillor for 12 years and, in the 1980s, was Chairman for four of those years.
Vincent Alderman (d. 10/1/05) was a member of the Parish Council for more than twenty years.
The Parish Council extend their sincere condolences to both families
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Parish Council Newsletter No 13 Issued April 2004
Playtime in Whitchurch
At the Village Meeting in November 2003, a report of which appeared in the last Parish Newsletter, the Parish Council stressed that all thoughts and ideas raised at the meeting would be considered in the preparation of a Parish Plan. Since then the Council has met twice to review all topics raised.
One proposal that has been accepted as being both very necessary and achievable in a relative short time is a children’s playground. So much so that in the budget for 2004/2005 a sum of £10,000 is set aside for this project.
The Council has already approached a contractor to provide suggested layouts and associated costs. Before proceeding however the Council need to ascertain exactly what the children of the village really want, and of course how many children will use the playground.
Details from the 2001 Census have yet to be published but referring to the Buckinghamshire Population Survey completed in 1996 it shows Whitchurch then to have a population of 827.
Of these 150 were 17 years old and younger. The actual split was:
Age Range No %age of total
0 - 4 years 49 5.9
5 - 9 years 35 4.2
10 - 14 years 35 4.2
15 years 8 1.0
16 - 17 years 23 2.8
Total 150 18.1
The village has grown since then, but not by a large amount, so we could expect to have a similar number of children who would benefit from the recreation area and playground. The Council will continue to validate these figures. We should also expect children from outside the Parish to make use of these facilities.
The Parish Council wish to hear from parents and children what facilities are required. We are sure it ranges from skateboard parks to slides; swings and roundabouts; climbing frames and play walls. With a limited budget not everything will be possible but we can make a start and increase the facilities in future years. It is the view of the Council that we should provide equipment for the younger age group in the initial phase of this project.
The Parish Council will consult throughout the process and in the first instance will be writing to all households with a questionnaire seeking your views on preferred equipment and the ages of children at your home. We look forward to your responses. In the meantime if you have comments or suggestions please speak to any Councillor, write to the Parish Clerk or send a message to editor@whitchurch.org
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Parish Council Newsletter No 12 Issued January 2004
The Way Forward for Whitchurch
All villagers and local organisations had a personal invitation to attend the Village Meeting held on Saturday 29th November. Thirty-seven villagers, two Police Officers and six Councillors attended. The meeting was an opportunity for villagers to advise the Council of their wishes on how Whitchurch could be developed from a social, amenity, planning, safety and communication perspective with considerations for children, elderly, socially disadvantaged, ethnic and racial minorities.
The Villagers’ views fell into seven categories which the Council agreed would be considered and feedback provided for the Village. A selection of the views raised are as follows:
Planning - no Green Belt development; affordable housing required; planning notices to be advertised in village.
Road Safety - High Street - roundabout by Little London; bypass; zebra crossing; speed humps/cushions needed; permanent speed cameras. Oving Road - weight restriction; 20 mph restriction; move 30 mph signs towards Oving. North Marston Lane - yellow lines by school; 20 mph restriction by school; parking facilities for school.
Village Amenities - use Recreation Ground car park for school parking; playground needed; arrange parking for Legion Hall; all halls need parking; purchase the Glebe field; street lights should be environmentally friendly.
Clubs & Organisations - there are enough of these but many need more helpers and supporters
Communications - newsletter; separate slip for items; notice board; web site; progress report of this meeting; District Council feedback; Bucks Herald report; organisations to e-mail.
Footpaths - Right to Roam; clear path to Whittle Hole.
Luton Airport - oppose air corridor extension
Towards a Quality Parish
Recent legislation allows for Parish Councils to put themselves forward to be considered as a Quality Parish. To be granted such status, which may allow the Council to take on more responsibility for the village and enables them to apply for grant money to further local projects, there are certain tests that have to be met. In essence these are:
Electoral Mandate - there should be sufficient candidates for all Council seats available
Qualifications of the Clerk - the Clerk to have requisite training for post
Council Meetings - there must be an agreed number of public meetings in the year
Communications - minutes of Council meetings to be readily available
Annual Report - this should be published and an dedicated public meeting held
Accounts - Audited accounts to be published annually
Ethical Framework - All Council business to be conducted in an ethical manner
Maintaining the Community Spirit
One of the aims of the Parish Council is to foster the spirit of community within the village. The Council is disappointed to learn of the apparent lack of support for such organisations as the Community Association and Youth Club - as raised at the Village Meeting.
At the start of a New Year it is hoped that those villagers who are of a like mind will come forward to assist wherever possible. Without this support it could mean the loss of established events as the May Feast and the closure of facilities for our children.
The Parish Council wish everyone a happy and peaceful New Year
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Parish Council Newsletter No 11 Issued October 2003
Village Communications
Why a Newsletter?
In the two and a half years since the first quarterly Parish Council Newsletter was published, there have been many topics that have been included. In the first edition, April 2001 it was stated that, whilst a précis of each Council meeting would be placed in “Whitchurch News”, and subsequently the minutes placed on the village web site and notice boards, the purpose of the Newsletter was to cover certain issues in more detail.
These have included the following: (number of Newsletter)
Whitchurch recreation ground and village hall (2); Parish accounts (3); Keeping up appearances - making the village a better place in which to live (4); www.whitchurch.org - introduction of village web site (6); Rights of way - a guide to public paths (8); Speeding in the village (10).
The Parish Council hope that these Newsletters have been of benefit and, in some regard, assisted in better understanding the subject topics. It would be useful to the Council to know what other topics would be of interest to you, or which of those previously published the Council should revisit.
What do you want from your Parish Council?
As elected members from the community it is the duty of all Councillors to represent the views of every parishioner. They welcome therefore hearing from you so that they can raise at the regular Council meetings any concerns or questions you have. The routine agenda for each meeting covers such things as Planning, Financial Matters, Highways, Footpaths and Street Lighting. If you wish to comment on any of these items or others you should contact the Council.
How to contact the Council
You can express your views in any of the following ways:
attending any of the council meetings, of which there are 10 each year, and speaking in the forum.
passing your comments to any Parish Councillor, the names of which are overleaf.
writing to the Chairman of the Parish Council via the Parish Clerk; see over for address.
contacting the Editor of the Whitchurch Village Web Site at editor@whitchurch.org who will forward your note to the Parish Clerk
What can you do to assist the village?
You can make a difference to your village by supporting the many events that are held each year in the village and by participating in the various organisations. For instance the Whitchurch & Creslow Community Association is currently looking for active members, as is the Whitchurch and Oving Youth Club.
Note: Past issues of all newsletters are available on the village web site.
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Parish Council Newsletter No 10 Issued July 2003
Speeding in the Village
Is there a problem?
What is it that causes villagers the most concern? To some it is litter in the streets; to others the fouling of the pavement. More often than not, however, at the top of the list is the speed at which traffic passes through Whitchurch; whether it is down the Oving Road, along the High Street, into the village via Bushmead Road or cutting through Mount Pleasant as a rat run to and from the A413. The reports of many may be apocryphal as it is known that it is difficult to assess the actual speed without reliable measuring equipment. The Parish Council was determined to judge for itself. They, therefore, employed the services of SID.
SID
The Speed Indicator Device (SID), a portable free standing item of equipment which registers the speed of approaching traffic and indicates this on a screen, was borrowed from AVDC. It was placed at various locations in the village in the period 15th to 24th April and during the busy times in the early morning and late afternoon.
Over the six days that SID was on duty, so to speak, it was placed outside the surgery on the Oving Road checking traffic coming in and travelling out of the village. On one occasion it was placed at the bottom of Oving Road just up from the junction with Weir Lane. On another day it was in North Marston Lane close to the school. For two days it was in Bushmead Road.
It was a requirement of AVDC that someone be in attendance at all times that SID was in use, so the Council took the opportunity to undertake a survey. Traffic was recorded as either being below 30 mph (legal) when it passed SID or over 30 mph (illegal). In addition vehicles travelling at more than 50 mph and 60 mph were recorded.
Results
Of the more than 3000 vehicles recorded in our survey, nearly two thirds (62%) of all traffic was measured at travelling in excess of 30 mph. A large number were in excess of 40 mph and 59 were between 50 and 60 mph. Of greatest concern were 7 recorded at over 60 mph. The results of our findings, even though they cannot be classed as scientific, will be reported to the Highways Department of Bucks County Council in the hope it will add to the weight of evidence that something needs to be done to make our roads less dangerous.
In fact the County Council has initiated, starting some months ago, a thorough check on the traffic using the road between Long Crendon and Whitchurch. This road is known to be used by heavy vehicles cutting through from the M40 to the M1. The results of this study will not be known for some time but as a result we may see some changes.
What can the Parish Council do?
In the Local Government and Rating Act of 1997 powers were granted to local councils to contribute financially to traffic calming schemes. These have already been used to pay for the planned road humps in Mount Pleasant which should be laid during 2003.
Finally, the Parish Council wishes to thank those parishioners who volunteered to assist in this study. Everyone else can help by always obeying the speed limits in Whitchurch and elsewhere thus ensuring that other road users following have to do the same.
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Parish Council Newsletter No 9 Issued March 2003
Local Elections
Parish Councils
Whitchurch has a Parish Council consisting of seven Councillors. Other than one co-opted member, they were voted onto the Council in 1999. Their responsibilities include levying a precept and spending limited sums for the general benefit of the parish. They also manage the affairs of the village. Parish Councils are the basis of local democracy.
Local Elections
Every four years voters are able to go to the polls to elect who represents them on the Parish Council. The elections will take place this year on 1st May. All people on the Electoral Register 2002 - 2003, the qualifying date for which was 15th October 2002, are eligible to vote including those who have attained the age of 18 years on or before 1st May 2003.
Polling Time and Place
The polling station will be in the Church Hall, White Horse Lane, and will be open from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm on Thursday 1st May.
Candidates
Whereas District Councillors generally stand in support of one of the major political parties or as independents, Parish Councils are non political and candidates stand on their own account.
Who is eligible to stand as a candidate?
To stand as a Parish Councillor you have to be over the age of 21 and be a British Subject, a Commonwealth Citizen or a Citizen of the Irish Republic. You must also have occupied land in the Parish, as tenant or owner, or have resided within 3 miles of the Parish, or your place of work is in the Parish, for 12 months prior to nomination.
What should you do if you wish to stand?
You must complete an application form. These are available from the Parish Clerk, details of whom are overleaf, from 1st March.
Closing Date
Application forms must be submitted before 12 noon on 1st April 2003.
Campaign Expenses
Prospective candidates can spend up to £242 on their campaign plus 4.7p per elector up to a maximum total of £270. All expenditure must of course be accountable.
If you are unsure whether you should put your name forward look again at Thirteen Reasons for not joining the Parish Council - see December 2002 issue of Whitchurch News or look on the village web site www.whitchurch.org on the Parish Council link on the Community page.
District Council Elections - Whitchurch in new Ward
These Elections take place on the same day as Parish Council elections. This year however there are changes and we are certain to have a new District Councillor. At the last elections Whitchurch, along with Creslow, Oving and Pitchcott, was in the Quainton Ward. Following the Local Government Boundary Review, which reported in February 2002, and based upon the number of electors in each Parish, Whitchurch and Creslow now join Hardwick and Weedon in the new Weedon Ward.
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Parish Newsletter No 8 Issued January 2003
Rights of Way - A Guide to Public Paths
One of the joys of living in Whitchurch, and a very good reason for town dwellers to visit, is the abundance of Public Footpaths that give access to the countryside. It is apparent however that many of us are not too sure who is responsible for maintaining these paths - from clearing the nettles to repairing the stiles.
The Public’s Rights
Your Rights of Way are: Public Footpaths - on foot only; Bridleways - on foot, horseback and pedal cycle; By-Ways - open to all traffic but do not expect a smooth surface.
Responsibilities of the County Council
Maintaining the Definitive Map which is an accurate and continuous record of public rights of way. The map may be seen at County Hall or by applying to the Parish Clerk.
Sign posting of footpaths and necessary way-marking.
Maintaining and controlling natural vegetation on the surface of paths. In practice few field paths receive routine maintenance.
Making grants to farmers or landowners towards cost of maintaining approved stiles.
Responsibilities of Landowners and Farmers (among other things)
Maintain stiles, refrain from obstructing the paths and cut back overhanging vegetation
The Role of the Parish Council
While the statutory duty to protect public footpaths, bridleways and by-ways rests with the County Council, Parliament has given important rights and powers to Parish Councils, as well as to the District Council. The Council has entered a Parish Paths Partnership agreement with the County Council.
No other authority can know local paths as well as a local council. In turn the Parish Council relies on parishioners to bring to it’s attention anything of concern. This can be done by attending the monthly Council meetings or by contacting the Parish Clerk. The Council has also promoted the publication, with the help of BCC, of the Whitchurch Circular Walk leaflet. Details of other walks can be found on the village web site www.whitchurch.org
You can also learn more by joining other villagers, the Whitchurch Walkers, on the third Sunday of every month from September through March.
Roving Freighter - a date for your diary.
To assist villagers in correctly disposing of household waste, without the need to visit the Rabans Lane site, the Parish Council has arranged with AVDC for a large refuse lorry to visit the village. The “Roving Freighter”, as it is known, which takes all forms of refuse, will visit the village on Monday 20th January 2003 between 12 noon and 3.30 p.m. It will park in the yard at Manor Farm, just up from the roundabout in Buckingham Road, where there will be ample space for cars. If this is a success then the Roving Freighter will be invited back.
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Parish Newsletter No 7 Issued November 2002
Proposed Extension to Western Airspace of Luton Airport
The Proposal
In July London Luton Airport (LA) announced that it was in the process of applying to the Directorate of Airspace Policy for a further small extension to the Northwestern part of London Luton Airport Control Area.
The Requirement
LA says that the new airspace will allow a straighter route to the North of Luton turning around Leighton Buzzard towards the runway and that the proposal only affects Easterly arrivals which account for about 25-35% of the time. It also says that, on balance, the changes would have a net beneficial effect on the noise emissions perceived from the ground.
The Options
Four options have been proposed, but it is Option 3 which is favoured by LA. It is this Option which puts aircraft closest to Whitchurch. If approved the flight path would be directly over Stewkley, Dunton, Cublington, Aston Abbots and Wingrave.
The Response
Those consulted on this proposal were initially given a dead line of 27th September to respond. As many Parish Councils requested an extension to the consultation period this has now been put back to 2nd December 2002 . It should be noted that LA will only allow responses from Parish Councils and not from individuals.
The Discussion
There has been much debate in the Bucks Herald. Many Parish Councils, particularly those directly under the proposed flight path, have already held public meetings to gauge the local view. Whitchurch Parish Council included this topic on the agenda of their October meeting when only three Parishioners attended. However the general view at the meeting was predominantly against Option 3.
The Facts
This is a most emotive issue and therefore it is sometimes difficult to elicit the facts as to exactly how Whitchurch will be affected. LA has published the reasons why this Option is required, the benefits as they perceive them and the effect it may have on the local area. An alternative view is provided by PAVAN (Protect Aylesbury Vale Against Noise). This is an amenity group representing communities in Aylesbury Vale and has done research and published a great deal of information about Option 3 particularly. This information has been posted on the Parish Notice Boards and on the village web site www.whitchurch.org/lap Other detailed information is with the Parish Council and available on request.
What Now?
The Parish Council is committed to representing the majority view of the village and will respond to LA by the due date of 2nd December. To express your view you should write to the Chairman of Whitchurch Parish Council at the address overleaf. Alternatively you can send an e-mail to the Chairman via editor@whitchurch.org. All letters and e-mails received, with whatever view, will be attached to the Council’s response.
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Parish Newsletter No 6 Issued July 2002
www.whitchurch.org
Whitchurch has a new address - www.whitchurch.org For those of you already used to logging on to the World Wide Web you will be familiar with this style. It means that not only can anyone in the village look in to what is happening in Whitchurch but so can anybody in the world. Today they can certainly see photographs taken at the May Feast and learn of how we celebrated the Golden Jubilee. They can also find out who is on the Parish Council or the name of their local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator. It should be stressed that it is a site where contributions from villagers will be most welcome.
It was only in the last issue of the Parish Newsletter that the idea of a local web site was mooted and help was requested to launch such a site. The Council is delighted with the response. John Wilson of Market Hill was first to come forward to donate the domain name whitchurch.org. Offering technical support was John Dickerson, an IT specialist, of The Meadows, and he will continue to build the site and offer advice. We are most grateful to them both.
The aim was to produce a village directory which would be updated regularly and allow anyone to access information about the village, from it’s history to current affairs and activities. It will also have links to AVDC and Bucks County Council as well as to local bus company so timetables can be looked at. All this and photographs too of locations in Whitchurch and of events such as the recent Golden Jubilee celebrations.
Looking at the home page of www.whitchurch.org you will see reference to the various Sports, Social and Community organisations. The current entries are not exhaustive and it is intended to list every group in the village that wishes to be included. If, therefore, your group is missing please send details to editor@whitchurch.org and they will be added. Alternatively call 640949 or mail to 4 Rickyard Close. There is also reference to special events where we will feature any activity that you would like us to highlight and also a Guest book where you, and we hope readers from outside the area, can register your comments.
If you have ideas that would enhance the site please contact webmaster@whitchurch.org
The Parish Council fully appreciates that not everyone has access to the Internet. Reports of council meetings and the Parish Newsletter will continue to be published in Whitchurch News.
Job Vacancy in Whitchurch
After many years of valuable service to the village the Clerk to the Parish Council,
Mrs Deb Davis, has announced her retirement, effective from September this year. Anyone wishing to apply for the post should write to the Chairman of the Council, Mr Brian Foulger.
This important and necessary position requires an ability to prepare meetings and to take and publish minutes. An ability to type is an advantage and access to a PC is desirable. The ability to handle the Parish accounts is an important role of the Clerk. Knowledge of Whitchurch and the immediate area would be an asset but is not a prerequisite Training is available.
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Parish Newsletter No 5 Issued April 2002
Whitchurch on the Web?
The Parish Newsletter was introduced just one year ago. The aim, as stated at the time, was to better inform you of the work done by the Parish Council on your behalf. Now it has been suggested that we should expand our coverage and consider establishing a village web site via the Internet. This would not only benefit residents of the village, past and present, but would be a focal point for people outside the area to learn more about Whitchurch.
Not only could Parish Council news be included, such as this Newsletter and minutes of previous meetings, but it could promote the Village and it’s amenities. We could post photographs of the May Feast, for instance, or conduct local surveys which may assist the Council in planning its work. It could also have links into Bucks County Council, where there are many old photographs of the village, and AVDC web sites.
Many places like Whitchurch do have their own sites. Check out www.cheddington.org.uk to see what one of our near neighbours has done.
To achieve all of the above we need help. If you have the skills and knowledge to create such a site, or you know of someone who does, please contact any of the Council members. You can also send a note to acpain@rickyard.ndo.co.uk.
Your Village Your Money
In Newsletter No 3, under the heading of Parish Accounts, the concept of the Precept was explained, and that this was the Council’s main source of income.
The precept for 2002/3 has now been set. At £9510 the precept has increased by more than £2000 over the previous year. The main reasons for this are:
Queen’s Golden Jubilee - £1000 has been allocated to support the village celebrations on 3rd June - details of which will be announced by Whitchurch & Creslow Community Association. Some of the money will purchase mementoes for the children of the village.
Dog Bins - £400 is one expenditure which the Council wish it did not have to make. As a result of continued abuse by some dog owners, it is now necessary to purchase these bins and to pay £370 per annum for their maintenance.
Road Humps - £850 is an annual charge to pay off over three years an interest free loan to finance the installation of speed humps in Mount Pleasant to make it safer for children.
Other items included in the precept are: Clerk’s salary/expenses £1120; street lighting/repair £2000; grass cutting/maintenance etc £1230.
Full details will be posted on the Council Notice Board
We should like to use this space to pay tribute to Lavinia Hoad who, for many years, has served the Village as a Parish Councillor. She retired from the council in February 2002 and her place has been filled by Andrew Pain who has been co-opted.
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Parish Newsletter No 4 Issued January 2002
Keeping Up Appearances
To many the benefits of living in a village are enhanced by the beauty of the surrounding countryside, the character of the buildings, and the friendliness of the people. It is hoped that Whitchurch can boast all these things. Even so there is much that has to be done to ensure the appearance of the village is maintained. This rests in the main with the villagers themselves - the upkeep of their home and gardens, the preservation of local amenities and acting with respect for one another - but the Parish Council also plays it’s part.
In Newsletter No 3 you will have read that the total annual expenditure of the Parish Council is close to £6,000. A considerable amount of this is spent on improving the appearance of our village and thus making it a better place in which to live. Detailed below is how some of this money is spent. With your help there may be areas where we can reduce the expenditure and hence save you money. On the other hand you may think more money should be spent in other areas. If so come along to the next Council meeting and let us know.
Village Footpaths - the Parish Council ensures these are inspected regularly and, in association with the Parish Paths Partnership, maintained to ensure ease of access. If walkers see the need to clear a path they should report this to the Parish Clerk.
Grass cutting - the Council has a contract for the edges to all roads and footpaths and grassed areas within the village boundary to be trimmed three times a year. If additional cuts are required these can be undertaken.
Roadside signs - Bucks County Council Highways Department is responsible for signs such as road names and direction signs and should clean them. Admittedly this is done irregularly and so it has even been known that a parishioner has taken a bucket and cloth to improve the refuge islands in the High Street.
Bus Shelters - the two shelters in the village are cleaned as and when required. It has also been necessary to replace broken glass, as with the one near Swan Close, and to paint over graffiti in the shelter opposite the Oving Road surgery.
Street Lighting - with the exception of that at the roundabout and on the refuges, which is maintained by the BCC Highways Dept, all other lighting is the responsibility of the Parish.
Litter - this is the responsibility of all of us. The AVDC sweeps the pavements only three times per year and the Council promotes an annual clean up. At other times it is hoped that villagers will do what they can to prevent litter and to pick it up if they can. Certainly they should not drop any in the first place! There are ample rubbish bins throughout the village.
Dog fouling - This subject is one most often debated at Council meetings. There is no question that the responsibility for this rests solely with the owner of the dog. The Council is planning to purchase waste bins in the New Year.
Graffiti - this, sadly, has been more evident in the past few months - the village sign was defaced in October. All the Council can do is to spend your money cleaning up afterwards. If you know who are the culprits contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
The Parish Council is indebted to Andrew Pain for his considerable contribution to these reports
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Parish Newsletter No 3 Issued October 2001
Parish Accounts
Like any efficient household the key to a happy home could be said to be the proper balance of the financial accounts. Ensuring that there are sufficient funds to pay the essentials, checking regularly that one is getting value for money, and that there is just a little bit more for those unforeseen expenditures. This is just what the Parish Council has to do in respect of the money spent in Whitchurch, which of course is your money. You are therefore always welcome to attend the Council Meetings and to participate in the Parish Forum, whether it is about the way your money is spent or anything else.
Each year, in January, the Council meets to review the accounts and to estimate expenditure for the following financial year. From this they establish the precept - an order on parishioners to pay a rate on top of the Council Tax for sole use within the Parish. This is applied to Council Tax payments beginning in April.
For year 2001/2 it was set at £7000, the same as the previous year and one of the lowest in the county.
The main items of expenditure are: (Actual costs 2000/01)
Street lighting - Energy costs and maintenance of poles and fittings, (£2348)
Grass cutting of road verges and certain pathways - three times per year (£681)
(Bucks County Council contribute to this cost)
Salary of Parish Clerk (£900)
Insurance (£309)
Buckingham Association of Local Councils - subscription (£108)
Auditor’s fees (£202)
Cleaning of bus shelters (£152)
Hire of Church Hall - to accommodate Council meetings (£60)
Affiliation fees - subscription to Council for Preservation of Rural England
and Bucks Community Action (£50)
Unique to last year the Parish purchased Millennium gifts for the children of the village at a cost of £377.
The total expenditure for the year was £5800.76 and full details of the Parish Accounts, which are audited each year in the summer, can be viewed on the dates published in the notice of such audit and on request to the Parish Clerk. The auditor's final certificate of completed audit is also displayed on the notice board together with further details of viewing. The audited accounts are always available for inspection at Parish Council meetings.
Additional expenditure in this current year may be the introduction of dog litter bins which the Council is currently considering.
If you have any questions about the accounts please contact the Parish Clerk or speak to any one of your elected Councillors listed overleaf.
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PARISH NEWSLETTER No 2 Issued July 2001
Whitchurch Recreation Ground and Village Hall - The story so far
Whitchurch has been seeking a site for a recreation ground and village hall for 100 years. At last we have the former and a wonderful opportunity for the latter.
Whitchurch currently has no Community Centre and village life is the poorer for it. Although there are three meeting places within the parish, the largest of these holds a mere 80 people. This capacity is far too small for a village whose population now amounts to around 1,000 souls. Furthermore, none of the existing halls has adequate car parking.
In order for the new football pitch, sited on the new recreation ground at the rear of Ashgrove gardens, to be of use to village football teams, there must be changing facilities and toilets. Without these no team can progress through the league system. This will necessitate a building on the site. To build these facilities into a Community Centre would maximise their use.
The considerable area of the recreation ground gives ample space for many outdoor sports and pastimes such as bowls, tennis etc. These will all be considered in the future and all will need similar facilities as the football teams. The proposed Hall would also offer the opportunity for indoor sports such as bowls and badminton. The village community association has offered to sponsor a children's play area in the immediate vicinity of any Hall on this site.
A recent village appraisal that was circulated to all parishioners included a question about a Village Hall. 82% of those who responded put the provision of a hall as their top priority and indicated that they were prepared to meet the cost of such a facility. More recently, a letter circulated to all villagers outlining the proposal now before the Planning Committee received not one written response against the proposal.
Approaches have already been made by local associations and societies who would use the facility if it existed. A nursery school would be able to operate from there. It would be popular for receptions following weddings held in Whitchurch and many of the surrounding villages. At present the nearest facilities of any size are either in Aylesbury or Westcott. Surrounding villages of a size not large enough to have their own Hall, would welcome the opportunity to use one in Whitchurch.
In June 2000 the Parish Council made the above points in a presentation to The Aylesbury Vale District Council Planning Committee. In spite of objections from the Planning Officer, there was very considerable support for the proposal from the Committee itself. It appears that permission could well have been given but for a legal constraint that was discovered at the eleventh hour. This was in the form of a legal covenant agreed between the AVDC and Banner Homes, the developers of The Meadows, restricting the type of building allowed on the new recreation ground.
Currently we are investigating the possibility of providing the changing and social facilities to support not only the football pitch but also other sporting activities that might be required at the recreation ground in the future. The endeavour to provide a Village Hall on the site will continue.
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Parish Newsletter - First Edition Issued April 2001
Introduction
Your Parish Council has initiated this quarterly newsletter to better inform you of the work it does on your behalf. Whilst a précis of each meeting will continue to be placed in Whitchurch News, the Newsletter will be used to cover certain issues in more detail. This, the first edition, will focus on the make up of the Council and the endeavour to build a Village Hall
Parish Councils
Every parish in England and Wales with more than 200 electors must generally have a parish council with at least five members. Elections are held every four years - at the same time as district councils - with the last being in May 1999.
Parish council functions include: allotments; encouragement of arts and crafts; community halls; recreational facilities; and many minor functions. They also have the opportunity to comment on local planning applications within the parish. In addition they may spend limited sums for general benefit of the parish, levying a precept on the district council for their funds. More recently they can now spend money on community transport initiatives.
In all they do councillors are responsible to each elector in the parish. For this reason everyone is welcome to attend the monthly council meetings, to raise any concerns they may have and to listen to the business of the day.
Clerk to the parish council (to whom all correspondence is to be sent)
Mrs D Davis 6 Horn Street, Winslow MK18 3AL 713210
Member Address Tel No
Brian Foulger (Chairman) 3 Castle Lane 641275
David Ryder Richardson(Deputy Chairman) 7 High Street 640054
Vincent Alderman 61 High Street 641288
Ashley Bond 1 Mount Pleasant 641552
Lavinia Hoad 30 Oving Road 641747
Harold Newman 51 Ashgrove Gardens 641328
Richard Shuffil 61 Ashgrove Gardens 641156
Please contact and Members with observations or for advice. Better still, attend a meeting and make your voice heard.
Dates of Parish Council Meetings for the remainder of 2001
23rd April, 21st May, 18th June, 16th July, 17th September, 15th October ,19th November
Time and Venue
7.30 p.m. in the Church Hall, White Horse Lane, Whitchurch
Agenda of each meeting
Parish Forum - opportunity for parishioners to ask questions or make comments
Matters arising from previous minutes
Correspondence - letters received and sent by the council
Planning - review of any current applications
Financial - review of expenditure
Any other business
Minutes
Minutes of each meeting are issued by the Clerk to the council and, once approved, posted on the village notice board sited at the junction of Keinches Lane and the High Street. This is so that every elector can learn of the matters discussed and actions agreed by their Councillors.
Council Initiatives
During 1999/2000 the Council sponsored the following initiatives:
Village sign - unveiled New Years Day, 2000
Millennium mugs and coins for children of the village - distributed
Whitchurch Parish Map - complete
Bulb planting - complete
Whitchurch Village walk leaflet - ongoing
Village information boards - ongoing
Cleaning village of litter - ongoing
