ORLETON PARISH COUNCIL – WHAT ARE WE DOING?
Despite now entering Autumn and a supposed slowing down of nature and life in general, this does not appear to be the case with Parish Council business. Repairs, maintenance and replacement goes ahead apace with a number of issues being resolved this month.
Please visit our website which details a significant number of matters undertaken by Councillors and volunteers. There are also a number of signposts to various organisations that can assist you in your search to resolve problems.
War Memorial
Renovation of the War Memorial has been completed ahead of time and it is now ready for the fast approaching Remembrance Sunday event. With black painted railings, stonework cleaned and repainted lettering, it looks as it should – a fitting monument of honour and tribute for the fallen, showing that Orleton cares and remembers.
Thank you to all involved in making this happen, not least to the stonemason who has done such a sterling job. But mostly to all of our residents who continue to demonstrate reverence and respect for the nation’s history and those loved ones and neighbours who gave their lives for our today. LEST WE FORGET
We have also commissioned additional street clearing and area tidying works to be carried out shortly before Remembrance Sunday. This will ensure that everything is in best shape for the day.
Street furniture
Following residents’ reports that a bench in Tunnel Lane was in a bad state of repair and unsafe, we removed it and replaced it with the green bench which previously was sited in Hallets Well green space. We have also purchased a new bench with the assistance of grant from the ‘Welcome to our future’ fund and this has now been installed at Hallets Well.
School noticeboard
Following Cllr Bishop’s meeting with Orleton Primary school’s headmaster we have jointly purchased a new noticeboard. This is now installed by the school and available for community notices.
Clearing Brimfield Brook
Volunteers, Justin Gunn, Mark Wetton, Martin Bradford, Cllr Brian Powell, Adrian Beaumont and Cllr David Lane from the Land Drainage Volunteer group worked with local residents on the 30th September to clear overgrowth from Brimfield Brook at the back of Millbrook Close.
Large volumes of foliage were cut and dredged from the watercourse to improve drainage for the village over the winter. It was very hard work, so the group were very grateful for the coffee, tea and biscuits supplied by appreciative residents. This was also an opportunity to test some of the kit recently provided by the parish council, particularly the waders, which made a significant difference to the operations.
The Land Drainage Group received five requests from residents for help with work on the brook. If any residents need help or support with their section of brook we are always ready and willing to assist at no cost. However, some of the grateful residents have offered a donation to the Group. Whilst we have refused to accept it we suggested that a donation could be made to Orleton Recreation Association and Cllr Powell informs us that £70 has been donated to ORA as a result. The donations will go towards purchasing a new strimmer.
Please contact the parish Clerk or Cllr David Lane for an immediate response to any problems you may have with the brook on 01568 780925. More volunteers are always needed and if you could spare two hours every few months please contact Cllr David Lane.
Footpaths
A big thank you to our Parish Footpath Officer – Martin Bradford – who recently repaired a broken stile leading from the Rec to the field behind. Martin and two volunteers – Mr Mark Wetton and Cllr Lane, have also installed some additional safe steps leading to the kissing gate on footpath between Tunnel Lane and St. George’s churchyard, making the approach much safer and easier.
Orleton Parish Council Community Grant Scheme
We have recently reviewed our Community Grants Scheme and introduced a new process to make it easier to apply and accessible for a more diverse range of local groups and organisations. We looked at other organisations and councils and have drawn on best practices in the industry. Our new grants of up to £500 are not only in line with similar sized councils across the country but matching grants offered by much bigger councils with significantly bigger budgets. We are hoping that the new scheme will support a much broader range of community activities and projects.
Financial Governance
The annual external audit process has now been concluded and PC members were pleased to note that Orleton Parish Council has been commended for its recent work to strengthen financial controls and compliance policies.
Home Upgrade Grants (HUG)
We have been informed that some Orleton residents have been identified as eligible for HUG grants. Do not miss out! – details are available on our website. Please check to see if your home is eligible for fully funded energy efficiency grants.
Colin Mitchell
Chairman
Orleton Parish Council