Castle Hedingham Parish Council

May 2004

Dear Parishioners

Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Report

The Parish Council would like to invite you to attend the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday 20th May 8.00 pm at the Memorial Hall, Castle Hedingham. Please find below a summary of the Parish Council activities during the past year:

Community Transport

The Parish Council’s Community Transport Committee has taken the lead in an exciting project to enhance the current bus service to Sudbury. The 331 Service to and from Sudbury was launched on 8th April 2004. There will be additional services on Thursdays and a new service for Saturdays. Details of the timetable are published on the Parish Notice Boards.

This is a joint initiative with Sible Hedingham, Great Yeldham, Belchamp St Paul and Belchamp Otten Parish Councils supported with funding from The Countryside Agency. The Parish Council would like to thank their partner Parish Councils, Essex County Council, Braintree District Council, the Rural Community Council for Essex, The Countryside Agency and De Vere Travel for helping to make this project possible. The committee is now investigating a second project to enhance services to Braintree.

Queen Street Priority Scheme

Essex County Council has developed this project with the support of the Parish Council following concerns raised by parishioners. Work on the scheme will start shortly.

Sudbury Hill Speed Reduction Project

The 40 mph speed reduction scheme for Sudbury Hill came into effect in February 2004. The Parish Council put this project forward to Essex County Council following concerns raised by parishioners.

7.5 Tonne Weight Restriction

The Parish Council are delighted that a 7.5 tonne weight restriction will shortly come into place on the two main access roads to the village. The restriction will apply to through traffic with the exception of scheduled buses and will extend to the Bulmer Tye junction. The Parish Council has pursued this matter with Essex County Council for many years and Councillors are aware it has been a great concern to parishioners. The Parish Council are very grateful for the efforts of County Councillor, David Finch, who has helped to bring this measure into place.

Traffic Strategy Group

The Parish Council established this group in 2003 following numerous concerns raised by parishioners regarding congestion. The group made an assessment of the village with Officers from Essex County Council and the following recommendations were approved by the Parish Council:

The introduction of the new-style thin primrose lines for junction protection at the following locations:

-Kirby Hall Lane and Nunnery Street

-Pye Corner Junction at the end of Crown Street

-Castle Lane junction with Bayley Street

-Sheepcot Road junction at Trinity Green

Signage is erected to advise visitors of the public parking available at the rear of the Memorial Hall.

The committee has also worked with de Vere Primary School who have joined the Safer Journeys to School initiative and intended to set up a walking bus scheme.

Memorial Hall

The Parish Council has financially supported the Memorial Hall Management Committee’s toilet refurbishment project. There have been substantial improvements made to the hall over recent years and this project was another fine example. The Parish Council would like to record its immense gratitude to the group of volunteers who give so generously of their time and expertise without whom these improvements would not be possible.

Cemetery Drainage

Works have been undertaken to address problems with the drainage at the cemetery. The situation will continue to be monitored carefully and further works will take place if necessary.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Councillors have been saddened by the increase in vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the parish. The Parish Council is working closely with the police and other agencies to take a positive and proactive approach to this matter.

Accounts

Below is a summary of the Parish Council income and expenditure for 2003/04. Copies of the full accounts will be available at the Annual Meeting.

Income:
Precept and Parish Support £23,234.00
Burials £1,070.50
Other income   £149.82
Total £24,454.32

Expenditure:   
Village Maintenance £12,370.91
Administration £5,086.99
Memorial Hall £1,497.33
Loan payments £1,952.81
Playing field reserve £2002.05
Grants £500.00
Other payments £760.68
Total £24,170.77
Plus net income £283.55
£24,454.32

Grants

The Council made the following grants in the 2003/2004 financial year:

De Vere Primary School - Arts Alive Project - £50.00
Castle Hedingham Tennis Club - Grant for work to wall - £250.00

Public Forum

The Parish Council has a Public Forum as the first agenda item at each meeting. Councillors are pleased to report that parishioners have taken advantage of this opportunity to address the council.

My first year as Chairman has been a busy one and I would like to thank Councillors for their support. I look forward to welcoming you to the Annual Meeting.

Yours sincerely

Sonia Allfrey
Chairman

Contacting the Council:

Mrs S Allfrey
The Dower House
23 Bailey Street
Castle Hedingham
CO9 3DG

Parish Clerk

Mrs H Carter