The final report to the Parish Meeting was that of the Neighbourhood Watch. Sadly, Georgina Sheldrake is the only member left, after the other two members either moved or withdrew. Luckily, crime levels are low in the village, but volunteers would be welcome. If you're interested, the role of Neighbourhood Watch members is to pass on police warnings and to keep a weather eye out for unusual activity.
The Chair of the Parish Council then gave the Council's annual report. Chris Wright paid tribute to the retiring members, as well as the retiring Parish Clerk, Elsie Rivers. The village falls within the area covered by the new Community Board for Stowmarket and its environs, and Cllr Wright noted the consultation exercise which took place. He felt that the results were somewhat skewed towards the wishes of younger members of the community. This might be linked to the disproprtionate participation of students at Stowupland High School, who were keen to have more fast food outlets in the town.
It was felt to be vital to link the Community Board to the village. Hosting a meeting in the village was felt to be essential and it was proposed that we host a meeting on the site of the village playground. There was a brief discussion of the proposed multi modal container depot at the northern end of the parish, with concerns aired over the length of time taken to determine what might happen. However, it was decided to have a separate Parish Meeting to discuss this hugely disruptive imposition on our village.
April 30, 2009
April 29, 2009
Parish Meeting report (part 2)...
On behalf of the Parochial Church Council, Alice Mathewson thanked the Parish Meeting for inviting them. She noted that regular services take place in the various churches in the 'rotation', including St Peter's, and it was agreed that details of services should be added to the website.
There was carol singing in the run-up to Christmas, and a dozen singers hit the streets of Creeting St Peter to raise funds for the church, with mince pies and mulled wine partaken of afterwards, all of which which sounded pretty jolly (and other things ending with 'olly').
Most of the PCC's non-service activity revolves around the need to raise funds to maintain the church buildings, as aging buildings require significant maintenance. It's a pretty church though, if a bit isolated.
My neighbour, Ian Harwood, presented the report of the Community Council. Their main project is the regeneration of the village's playground, and there is an application for funding through the landfill tax arrangements. £2,500 has been forthcoming from the County Council, plus £1,000 from the Parish Council. They have raised additional funds through a Fun Day, plus a bonus ball scheme, linked to the bonus ball drawn in National Lottery draws. Interested? Why not join in?
Finally, Ian noted improved co-operation between the Parish, Community and Parochial Church Councils which, given the size of the village, seems ridiculous. I look forward to reading a piece he will write for the village newsletter.
There was carol singing in the run-up to Christmas, and a dozen singers hit the streets of Creeting St Peter to raise funds for the church, with mince pies and mulled wine partaken of afterwards, all of which which sounded pretty jolly (and other things ending with 'olly').
Most of the PCC's non-service activity revolves around the need to raise funds to maintain the church buildings, as aging buildings require significant maintenance. It's a pretty church though, if a bit isolated.
My neighbour, Ian Harwood, presented the report of the Community Council. Their main project is the regeneration of the village's playground, and there is an application for funding through the landfill tax arrangements. £2,500 has been forthcoming from the County Council, plus £1,000 from the Parish Council. They have raised additional funds through a Fun Day, plus a bonus ball scheme, linked to the bonus ball drawn in National Lottery draws. Interested? Why not join in?
Finally, Ian noted improved co-operation between the Parish, Community and Parochial Church Councils which, given the size of the village, seems ridiculous. I look forward to reading a piece he will write for the village newsletter.
April 28, 2009
Parish Meeting report (part 1)
My first Annual Parish Meeting, attended by a crowd far larger than that which attended last year's event, took place yesterday evening. The Church Hall echoed to the voices of eleven attendees.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved before moving onto reports. First up was the report from Suffolk Police, who advised that we had suffered from four crimes in the past year, two of which affected the same business premises.
Next, our recently-elected County Councillor, Gary Green, talked about the review of unitary status and the steps that the County Council is taking with regard to the economic crisis. He confirmed that the Chief Executive is working part-time for another local authority, but that she is doing this in her spare time.
Cllr. Caroline Byles presented the Mid Suffolk District Council report, which included news that free swimming for the under-16's and over-60's has been introduced in Stowmarket. In addition, the fencing on Footpath 25 to the church requires repair. Neither the District or County Councils are accepting responsibility, and it was felt likely that either the landowner or the Highways Agency would need to act. There will also be a diversion of Footpath 15, and the Parish Council were keen to ensure that it was properly signposted.
Cllr Byles raised the spectre of lightning squatters on unoccupied land. An incident of this kind happened in Essex recently, and she gave us the lowdown on who to contact if such a thing were to happen in our lovely village.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved before moving onto reports. First up was the report from Suffolk Police, who advised that we had suffered from four crimes in the past year, two of which affected the same business premises.
Next, our recently-elected County Councillor, Gary Green, talked about the review of unitary status and the steps that the County Council is taking with regard to the economic crisis. He confirmed that the Chief Executive is working part-time for another local authority, but that she is doing this in her spare time.
Cllr. Caroline Byles presented the Mid Suffolk District Council report, which included news that free swimming for the under-16's and over-60's has been introduced in Stowmarket. In addition, the fencing on Footpath 25 to the church requires repair. Neither the District or County Councils are accepting responsibility, and it was felt likely that either the landowner or the Highways Agency would need to act. There will also be a diversion of Footpath 15, and the Parish Council were keen to ensure that it was properly signposted.
Cllr Byles raised the spectre of lightning squatters on unoccupied land. An incident of this kind happened in Essex recently, and she gave us the lowdown on who to contact if such a thing were to happen in our lovely village.
Parish Council meeting - 27 April
In the absence of the international news media, it falls upon me to report on happenings on the Parish Council.
Whilst the start of the meeting was delayed due to the late arrival of one of the councillors, the meeting was called to order by Cllr. Chris Wright, and the sole item on the agenda, consideration of a planning application to add a conservatory to one of the outlying properties, was taken. There being no objections from council members or from the public present (that would be me...), the council decided to support the application.
With that, and there being no items of 'Any Other Business', the meeting was brought to a close.
Whilst the start of the meeting was delayed due to the late arrival of one of the councillors, the meeting was called to order by Cllr. Chris Wright, and the sole item on the agenda, consideration of a planning application to add a conservatory to one of the outlying properties, was taken. There being no objections from council members or from the public present (that would be me...), the council decided to support the application.
With that, and there being no items of 'Any Other Business', the meeting was brought to a close.
A new dawn in Creeting St Peter!
Welcome to this new medium of communication! My name is Mark, and I've lived in the village for nearly two years, and I'll be your guide through the small but perfectly formed world that is Creeting St Peter. I may not be alone, but...
So, what is the purpose of this blog? Indeed, for those of you who don't know what a blog is, what is a blog? In reverse order, a blog (short for web log) is a kind of diary. They come in many varieties, some specialise in a particular topic, some espouse opinions or provide information, others are just a personal record for friends and family. However, they are primarily a means of providing information.
This blog will provide a running commentary on life in the Parish of Creeting St Peter. It won't be intrusive - no tabloid type scandal here - and it won't be party political either. There will doubtless be politics, after all, there are people who want your vote, and I hope to cover them too.
So, welcome to Creeting St Peter - the blog. Your comments, suggestions and, should you feel so inclined, contributions, are most welcome.
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