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For the benefit of the extra readers who are getting a copy
of the Parish magazine this month it is worth restating that this item
in the magazine is intended to inform residents and promulgate what the
Parish Council is doing on their behalf at the local level. The Parish
Council is the first tier of elected representatives and as such has an
effective part to play in local affairs. This is the last report for
this year and the main meeting to report was a full Parish Council
meeting on the 2nd November. The first item on this agenda was to
approve and ratify the minutes of all the committee meetings that have
taken place since the last full meeting of council.
Special expenses
Among the matters arising from the Finance and General Purpose Committee
meeting was a progress report on the protests against the very unfair
decision of the District Council to abolish ‘Special Expenses’ in
2006/7. This decision will result in extra Council Tax charge in all the
rural parishes of the District. ‘Special Expenses’ were introduced as a
charge on the towns to avoid ‘double taxation’ when certain services are
provided and paid for by both the Parish and District. A draft letter of
complaint to NHDC has been sent to all the thirty three (33) rural
parishes in the District to lobby their support. A meeting with the
District Council is now planned to address this serious and complicated
concern. Readers may wish to look at their Council Tax demands to see
the discrepancy between Towns and Parishes.
Traffic calming
The ‘Slow Down’ sign that operates from time to time in Stevenage Road
was discussed. It was felt that this device was sufficiently effective
in slowing traffic that we should consider purchasing a sign for our
exclusive use. To purchase a sign would cost about £2500 as the post was
already in place. Consideration was now to be given to including this
item in next years Budget.
Clean water
The pond in the main recreation ground that was cleaned out in September
has started to recover and is looking much improved. The water level is
now rising again and should rise still further during the following
months. It is estimated that over fifty tons of silt, weeds and ‘foreign
bodies’ were removed in this operation. Pictures of before and after are
displayed in the Library.
Service of Remembrance attendance
Over three hundred people attended this years moving Service of
Remembrance on the 13th November. It was bright sunshine, when the road
was closed, whilst the parade led by the British Legion made its way
with police escort to the War Memorial in Old Knebworth. The younger
members of our community were well represented by Navy, Army and Air
Cadets and members of all the various sections of the Scout and Guide
Group. Reverend Jim Pye took the service and read out the long list of
the names of the fallen from our village in the two world wars. The Last
Post played brilliantly by a young musician started the Silence followed
by Reveille. Wreaths of red poppies were then laid by the British
Legion, our M.P., District and Parish councillors and representatives of
all the groups present.
By the time this report is published our Christmas
Lights should have been on for a little while. It would be helpful for
us to have comments from residents and businesses so that we can plan
ahead for the future. Should we plan to increase the display? Your views
please
Finally the Parish Council would like to take this
opportunity to thank all residents for their support and feedback during
the year and wish readers a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. |
