STRETTON-ON-FOSSE PARISH COUNCIL NEWS SHEETSeptember 2009COUNCILLORS: Chris Howe (Chairman) 664605 : Isobel Hazelwood (Vice Chairman) 661816 : Penny White 663811 : Russ Braithwaite 661839 : Jason Kristunas 662313 : Parish Clerk - Sue Finlay 661157
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR: Philip Seccombe 01295 680668 COUNTY COUNCILLOR: Christopher Saint 01608 662290
Useful phone numbers: Highways Customer Services – 01926 412515 Shipston Leisure Centre – 01608 662354 Shipston Library – 01608 661255 24/7 Book Renewal – 01926 499273 Trading Standards – Business advice line – 01926 414044 Consumer advice line – 08454 040506 Shipston Police Station (non-emergency) – 01608 661415 or 01789 444670 Community Links Transport – 01789 264491 Abandoned Car Clear – 0800 1699900 Back and 4th Transport – 01789 471595 Electricity – Central Networks – 08000855156 PHILLIS Support Team (for over 50s) – 01926 731144 Waste/Recycling Centre (Shipston) – 01608 663560 Water – Severn Trent – 0800 7634444
Stretton on Fosse Parish Council Chairman’s Report 2009 As in previous years, this council has tried to take a relatively low-key role in village affairs. We see our role as maintaining those village facilities that fall into our realms of responsibly. We do not seek to take on major new projects or create new facilities and we are keen to ensure that we perform our role at the lowest possible cost to the local council taxpayer. There have been a few significant achievements within the year, which we hope have brought or will bring significant benefits to the village. The Fosse Junction – for many years this has been a dangerous junction and there have been several minor accidents involving people turning out from the village onto the Fosse Way. We have regularly sought action on this matter and finally some funding became available that was allocated to this cause. Councillor Braithwaite lead the initiative and held several meetings with the Highways Planning team to introduce several different “traffic calming” measures. There are still of course those who drive along this stretch of the Fosse in an inconsiderate and dangerous manner but from personal experience I believe that the changes have had a positive impact on the safety of the junction. Housing Association Houses – the village, like so many others, has a severe lack of low cost housing that is available for local families to rent or buy. During the last twelve months a planning application was submitted to build a small number of new properties at the top of Harold’s Orchard. The application had our complete support and we are pleased to say that construction should start fairly soon. Councillor Hazelwood put a lot of time and effort into liaising with the Housing Association and Planning teams on our behalf to ensure that the properties were not only of an appropriate design but are also built to high environmentally efficient standards. Other items that take up much of our time include the general oversight of planning applications. Our level of authority in this area is distinctly limited and where possible we will always look to support applications, which do not cause offence or disruption to others. Obviously we do look to preserve the character of the village as much as possible and will always represent the views of residents if they are given to us. On occasion we do strongly object to applications in which case we will request that they get sent to planning committee but we try to limit the number of times that we do this since it increases our credibility when we really need to exercise that right. Parking has been a long running problem in the village and is unlikely to be less so. The real problem is that, with such limited space, careless parking can cause offense to other people but we have no power or authority in this area whatsoever. In the end these are matters that can only be resolved between neighbours in a friendly and considerate manner. There are other groups within the village who should be recognised for their energy and contribution to village life. It is all too easy to live in a village like this and forget that it is only due to the efforts of those who volunteer their time that the quality of village life is sustained and often improved. The village can always do with more, willing volunteers and anyone wishing to increase their contribution to village life will be given a warm reception. At risk of excluding people, which is most certainly not my intent, I would like to thank the Village Hall committee for they continuing efforts to maintain the Village Hall as a hub of community events. Wendy Temple and the team are making progress towards the creation of a village plan, which can be a vital tool in the management of, amongst other things, planning and development and hence the sustainability of the village. The Biodiversity group continue to work to ensure that the rich diversity of plant and animal life is documented and protected, and where possible encouraged expand. I have already thanked Russ Braithwaite and Izzie Hazelwood and would also like to thank Penny White for her continued efforts in the community and Jason Kristunas who saves us a lot of money by applying his practical skills to the construction of things like notice boards and the maintenance of the play area. Sue Finlay continues to support us exceptionally as secretary. Finally credit should be given to Philip Seccombe and Chris Saint, our district and county councillors who tirelessly contribute their time and act as wise counsel to us on the more complex issues of governance. Chris Howe Chairman
STRETTON ON FOSSE PARISH PLAN QUESTIONNAIRE You will recall that earlier this year you were asked to complete a questionnaire on those matters that were important to you from a list of 49 questions under the headings of Essential Services and the Environment: Facilities: The way we want to be. We received over 100 completed questionnaires which was an excellent response and thanks to all of you who returned them. The Parish Council now wishes to move on and produce a Parish Plan for Stretton on Fosse which links in to Stratford District Council’s Community Plan. Members of the Steering Group working on this will be available at the following functions to answer any questions you may have and would like to hear your views on the parish now and in the future. 6th June Presentation by Trevor Russel at The Plough 10.30 – midday (coffee and biscuits will be available at a cost of £1.50) 11th June Silver Club Teas/Sales 3.30 – 5.00 pm 28th June Cream Teas in Village Hall 3.00 – 5.00 pm 12th July Cream Teas in Village Hall 3.00 – 5.00 pm 23rd August Cream Teas in Village Hall 3.00 – 5.00 pm We will also be asking you to complete another questionnaire which is based on the responses we received from the first one and goes into more depth in seeking your views. The Steering Group is conscious of people’s concerns over the environment. It is for this reason that we have decided not to post a questionnaire through every letterbox as it is unlikely that all will be returned, thus wasting valuable paper. Questionnaires will be available at each of the above events and anyone not attending can request a questionnaire from Wendy Temple at The Lexdens, by phone 01608 661698 or by email wendy@lexdens.demon.co.uk. We would appreciate the return of completed questionnaires by the end of August. New Affordable Housing We are advised that the purchase of the land by Jephson Housing has been delayed whilst issues concerning the adoption of the surface water drainage are resolved with Severn Trent.
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