Embsay with Eastby Parish Council Annual Report
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EMBSAY WITH EASTBY PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT 2018-2019 Gillian Alcock Parish Clerk Message from the Chairman of the Council It is hard to believe as I write this that it is four years since the current Parish Council took office. We started in 2015 as an almost ‘rookie’ Parish Council with a newly appointed Clerk, only a couple of days before the first Annual Parish Meeting. “Hitting the road running” with a very steep learning curve for many of us, initially involving a lot of time and effort, was our induction. Since then we have held regular Parish Council Meetings, produced monthly Embsay with Eastby News Reports and revamped the website (keeping it up to date with ongoing news and reports). Successful projects during the past year have included the refurbishment of the War Memorial and gardens in preparation for the Armistice Centenary in November 2018. The Council’s thanks go both to the family of Pat Harris for the donation of a bench in the Memorial Garden and the family of Frank Stokes for their agreement that a donation from Frank, prior to his death, be used towards the refurbishments. Early 2018 saw the culmination of the acquisition of the Main Street Car Park lease by the Parish Council and since then the planned improvements for surface repairs, remarked parking bays and renewed signage have been completed - vastly improving the original site. The Parish Council has continued to take responsibility for the ‘bring bins’ in the car park, thereby managing to retain a useful community service. Additionally, the Parish Council has undertaken extensive tree maintenance in the parish particularly in the Recreation Ground and the Memorial Garden whilst also supporting several initiatives within the Nature Reserve. September 2018 saw the first Village Fete, organised by volunteers and supported by the Parish Council, for the enjoyment of the whole parish. Similarly, the Armistice Centenary Weekend provided an opportunity for both sombre reflection and lighter celebration with services, afternoon tea and period entertainment. Once again, the parish showed the versatility, talents and enthusiasm of many of its residents, given freely for the enjoyment of others. One notable performer was the Reverend Louise Taylor- Kenyon and the Parish Council would like to put on record its appreciation for all that she did for the parish, prior to her recent departure to Northumberland. The Parish Council has continued to maintain the Defibrillators, in place for emergency use, in both Embsay and Eastby. The Vehicle Activated Speed signs have been in evidence throughout the year, along with the volunteer Speedwatch Group, in order to highlight and hopefully reduce incidences of speeding, for the ultimate safety of all residents and visitors. I should, personally, like to thank the very many volunteers that we have in the Parish. Whether by direct involvement with the Parish Council - helping to maintain gardens, benches and footpaths or by their support through some of the many other groups such as The Village Show Committee, The Friends of the Recreation Ground and of the Nature Reserve, The Good Neighbours, The Embsay Research Group, Speedwatch, Neighbourhood Watch, the Embsay with Eastby News and the Library they all help to make the Parish the community we would wish it to be. I hope that when you read this report you will also share my appreciation for all that your Elected Council Members have achieved, during their four-year term of office, with the help of the all-important Clerk. Judith Benjamin – Chairman of the Parish Council May 2019 MEMBERS Cllr. Brian Shuttleworth (Vice-Chairman) Cllr. Vince Smith Cllr. Stella Kirkbride Cllr. David Hill Cllr. Andrew Ayrton Cllr. Robert Stead Cllr. Tom Lovett Gillian Alcock (The Clerk) The Council Year 2018 – 2019 This is the last year of this Council’s term of office. However, by the time this issue is printed we will have the New Council formed. As always, the past year’s activities reflect Council Members’ commitment to regularly undertake appropriate action to improve or extend the services to the Parish. These includes the following: Village Maintenance and Environment Cllr Benjamin, Cllr Kirkbride, Cllr Hill and Cllr Stead The grass cutting contract with Dragonfly Grounds Care Ltd has been renewed for another year and they are now responsible for cutting most of the verges in the parish. They also assisted in the clearing of the footpath from the Church to Kirk Lane, making it more accessible to many. Another multi-waste bin has been installed on Millholme Rise and the Parish Council is working along with the Craven District Cleaner Neighbourhoods team to keep litter and dog waste to a minimum. The Council is aware that there are many dog walkers in the parish and your assistance is much appreciated. Several protected trees have been pruned back this year and the Parish Council has also met its obligation regarding overhanging trees. Parishioners are reminded that it is the householder or land owner’s responsibility to ensure that trees and shrubs do not overhang other properties or footpaths. Some of the Christmas Lights in Elm Tree square were renewed following damage and brightened up the darkness of winter until Candlemas. Volunteer Group: The volunteer’s group has continued to assist the Parish Council by helping with the ongoing maintenance of benches, flower beds, troughs and garden areas, in addition to litter picking throughout the parish. Volunteers also help with the upkeep of the Car Park, Memorial Gardens, Nature Reserve and the Recreation Ground. The Parish Council would like to express its thanks to all who have helped in any way, giving freely of their time and expertise or by donation. If you would like more information on the Volunteer’s Group or need to report a problem, please contact the Clerk. Nature Reserve & Allotments Cllr Ayrton, Cllr Kirkbride and Cllr Hill Friends of Embsay with Eastby Nature Reserve Report for 2018-19 The Friends of the Nature Reserve and Students of Craven College have been very busy this year with a major upgrade to the reserve’s paths, materials for which have been funded by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund. YDNPA have also restored the entrance gate, funded by a NYCC grant for the gate itself. New finger post signs have been installed at Millholme Rise and West Lane/Primrose Glen, to help visitors locate the reserve entrance. The Friends and Students have continued to carry out fence repairs, tree surgery and the clearing of excessive vegetation. This has let a lot of light in and provided space for the planting of 1,500 snowdrops and 500 bluebells, both native species of England. A further batch of bluebells and native wild flowers are intended to be set this coming season. The Friends would like to thank Embsay with Eastby Parish Council, Craven College and YDNPA for their material and manpower support in the above endeavours. All this hard work was rewarded by the Friends winning a Craven Community Champion Award 2019. Congratulations to John Oldfield, Sarah Copeland, Roger Henderson, Tom Lovett, David Hill, Stella Kirkbride and to all the volunteers involved The Nature Reserve was nominated for the Greener Craven Award by Andrea Burden, the Sustainable Development Fund Officer at Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority. FEENR is now recognised to be up there with the best ! Another pleasant surprise was that Shona Watson (in the photo) was there on behalf of the Skipton and Craven Parents Group, which won the Best Community Group award, so congratulations to them. SARAH COPELAND, TOM LOVETT SHONA WATSON & JOHN OLDFILED AT THE CRAVEN COMMUNITY AWARD 2019 The Embsay with Eastby Allotment Association Report 2018-19 The Allotment Association Members have been busy this year securing and making safe the boundary fencing and walling. Thanks go to Cllr Ayrton for his assistance. New plans for the year ahead, with the aid of a Parish Council grant, is to provide easier disabled access to both sites. (enquiries to Peter Creek by email [email protected]) Recreation Ground Cllr Stead and Cllr Hill The Friends of the Recreation Ground have had a successful year in terms of fundraising for the development of the ground receiving several grants from outside bodies, including Aviva, ‘Tesco Bags of Help’ and by donations from the Village Fete Committee along with their own organised events such as the’ Race Night’. New signage was recently provided by the Parish Council, which also continues to oversee regular safety inspections. The Friends organise ‘tidy up’ sessions of the Recreation Ground and it continues to be a popular facility for both residents and visitors. If you would like to get involved with support for fundraising or general maintenance assistance please contact [email protected] or Mark on [email protected]. The group also has a Facebook page “embsay play” The Parish Council requests that if anyone is aware of any damage or problems, they please contact the Clerk, or a member of the Recreation Ground Working Party. Contact details are posted on the noticeboard in the play area. Planning and Land Development Cllr Shuttleworth, Cllr Benjamin, Cllr Smith and The Clerk All planning applications in the Parish (submitted to either Craven District Council or the Yorkshire Dales National Park, dependent on location) are sent to the Parish Council as statutory consultees. All are carefully considered and responded to. Many are routine but some are more complex. The Parish Council is always careful to adhere to the guidelines of the National Planning Policy Framework, the recently submitted Craven District Council Local Plan and the recently adopted National Park Plan. The Parish Council also tries to ensure that, where applicable, the interests of the parish are considered.