What is Orleton Parish Council up to?
We would like to express our thanks for the dedication and hard work of our recent Chairman, Colin Mitchell, who has found it necessary to step down due to declining health. Colin has been a member of this community for over 27 years and sat on the parish council at various times over this period. His knowledge and contribution to our work will be greatly missed.
Maidenhead highway flood relief scheme
The second phase of this scheme is now being commissioned by the Highway Authority. This will involve topographical studies, CCVT work and 3D modelling of the area around the Maidenhead junction (B4361), over the next four to six weeks and then a three-month design period. Subject to any intervening issues which may emerge, we hope Ward Cllr Dan Hurcomb will then be able to set out the proposed details of the scheme to the parish by early March 2025.
Land Drainage Volunteers
We would like to thank Rob Morgan for his invaluable work flailing the banks around Les George’s long section of brook on Saturday 31st August. This work made the clearance of debris and overgrowth far more manageable by volunteers Jane Bingham, Mark Wetton, Justin Leech, Justin Gunn, Martin Bradford, Tony Davis and Cllr Lane, who worked together for over three hours on this section of brook on the 14th September. This is part of the autumn works to maintain and improve the watercourse and reduce winter flooding.
Further works were carried out to the rear of Captain’s Meadow on the 28th September with the additional assistance of some new volunteers, Mike Tipping and George Watson. Our thanks to Julia Leech and Mel Flory for providing excellent refreshments on this occasion! Our thanks also to Jimmy and Kris Morgan for their permissions to clear tree-fall on this occasion.
Public Rights of Way
On Saturday 31st August, Barbara Gittings, Martin Bradford, Alex Green and Mark Wetton carried out further work to maintain public footbridges on land owned by Jim Apperley, replacing rotten boards and making the structures safe for walkers. Thank you to all involved and to Martin whose unflagging work as our volunteer Footpaths Officer has been remarkable.
Martin also continues to use his considerable ingenuity to nurse some of the damaged alloy road signs back to life, making a silicone cast to recreate part of the damaged Kitchen Hill sign so that it can once again be whole.
Registration of Orleton Recreation Ground with HM Land Registry
In February 2023, the parish council received the deeds for the recreation ground from Dr Snape and set about registering the land with HM Land Registry. With the very generous help of the former trustees Alf Jenkins, Michael Sparey, Dr Snape and John Cox, this was completed on 24th July 2024. For those who want to view the title register and the accompanying map these are available on the HM Land Registry website under title number: HE72358.
Festival buntings
Following discussion with the Festival Group members the Parish Council has now purchased a permanent set of various durable buntings for use during public festivals. We hope that this will provide a more eye-catching display for the events staged in the village. In this connection Cllr Lane and Nicki Gunn met on 3rd September to measure lengths and identify anchor sights for these banners.
Planning matters – Travellers Site
The decision on whether or not to grant permission for the development of a travellers site at Comberton has now been referred to the full planning committee at Herefordshire Council. We shall be seeking the right to make representations at that meeting in addition to the detailed written submission already filed by the parish council.
Severn Trent – sewer flooding
Cllr Lane and the Cllr Mitchell met Severn Trent in Orleton on the 18th September to discuss the results of a six-month investigation into the cause of in flooding in the King’s Road, restricted toilet use in Captain’s Meadow and pollution of Brimfield Brook. We are not satisfied that the explanation given by Severn Trent for these regular events is plausible. We were however able to secure a sewer map from which we have been able to make our own calculations of the likely impact of surface water entering the sewage system and the sources of that water. On this basis we will now be referring our findings to Ofwat with a view to enforcement action.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A PARISH COUNCILLOR?
Orleton Parish Council currently has a vacancy for the role of parish councillor. If you would like to know more about this role please contact the parish council Clerk, Amber Littleworth clerk@orleton-pc.gov.uk who will be pleased to provide you with information. Alternatively, you can call Cllr David Lane on 01568 780925, to find out more about the work of parish councillors.
Orleton Parish Council – 15 October 2024