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As of February 2010 there is one vacancy on the Parish Council. Parishioners interested in becoming a Parish Councillor should contact the clerk Michele Alexander on 01582 471117 or email woottonparish@btconnect.com
The next meetings of the Parish Council will be on
Wednesday 10th February 2010
Planning Meeting at 7.00pm followed by Communications, Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting at 7.30pm
Wednesday 24th February 2010
Planning and Environment Committee Meeting at 7.00pm
Wednesday 10th March 2010
Planning Meeting at 7.00pm followed by Full Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm
Wednesday 31st March 2010
Planning Meeting at 7.00pm followed by Leisure and Amenities Committee Meeting at 7.30pm
Wednesday 14th April 2010
Planning Meeting at 7.00pm followed by Full Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm
Wednesday 28th April 2010
Planning Meeting at 7.00pm followed by Communications, Finance & General Purposes Committee Meeting at 7.30pm
Wednesday 12th May 2010
Annual Parish Meeting &AGM and Full Parish Council Meeting at 7.00pm
The following Chairman's report appeared in the February 2010 edition of Wootton News
WOOTTON PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FEBRUARY 2010
Another year is upon us and your Parish Council is looking forward to working throughout 2010 to bring improvements to life in the village. Of course to make improvements and to run efficiently, the council needs money. The bulk of the council’s income comes through the precept which is set each year. The precept request is passed to the Borough Council which collects payment through the council tax and passes the money to the Parish Council. In spite of the fact that costs will inevitably rise during the coming year, the council has decided that in view of the difficult economic situation, there will be no increase in this year’s precept.
Last Christmas, which now seems an age ago, saw a Christmas tree erected at the bottom of Cause End Road. This has been very well received, with lots of appreciative comments from villagers. Now that the work has been done to provide a permanent base and power supply, we will be able to look forward to a tree being a regular feature of our Christmas celebrations.
December saw Wootton again hosting the Bedford Harriers Half Marathon. The event, which had the Upper School as its start and finish, was well organised and provided great fun for runners and spectators alike. There were, however, a number of complaints about a minority of competitors parking inconsiderately, around the village. The organisers did provide parking, at the Asda site, together with a free bus shuttle service. It is unfortunate that some individuals chose to ignore this and put their own convenience above that of local residents. The council can and will make the organisers aware of residents’ concerns but it should be noted that the event does not require Parish Council approval.
At the time of writing I have just been informed that the ‘Rave Bus’ has been broken into and vandalised, whilst parked at the council depot on London Rd. Much of the audio- visual equipment has been stolen. The bus is an important part of the parish’s youth provision and the council will be monitoring the situation carefully. If it does not seem likely that the bus will be available, within a reasonable time, alternative facilities will be sought.
Our two Borough Councillors have jointly been allocated approximately £14000, by the Borough Council, to be spent on suitable projects in the Wootton and Stewartby ward. Just under £4000 of this fund has been passed to the Parish council, to be spent in Wootton. We are grateful for this as it means that we have been able to bring forward the improvements at Lorraine Road cemetery and the second phase of the repairs to the war memorial.
Finally, just a reminder that there is still one vacancy on the council. If you feel that you could contribute to the council’s work, please contact our clerk Michele or me for further details.
David Price – Chairman, Wootton Parish Council
