DARTMOOR FOREST PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
COVERING APRIL 2012 TO MARCH 2013
CO-CHAIRS’ REPORT
On behalf of my co-chair and myself - we would like to to thank all the members of the Parish Council, our hard-working Clerk, and all the members of the public who have contributed so much to the running of the Parish over the last year. Every year brings a different set of challenges to us, some longstanding and others new. As a community we must pull together now more so than ever to meet them all.
In these financial strained times it is difficult for us as a Parish Council, to do everything that we might wish to for the parish, however, we have been able to achieve much of what we set out to do. Having raised the funding required we will be able to start on phase 2 of the development of the play-park and we hope to have more new facilities soon for the younger children of the village to enjoy. After careful negotiation between ourselves, local business leaders and the National Park we have managed to achieve the setting of a fair price for parking in the village car park. The village youth club is up and running again and the Council is extremely pleased to see the success of the Football teams’ efforts in raising funds for the restoration of the playing field. We would also like to recognise the success that the Village Community Centre has achieved under its new Committee.
There should be no room for complacency though when we look into the future. There remain several knotty tasks for the Council to tackle on its own and with the help of other bodies. We remain particularly keen for the longstanding question of the use of Duchy Square Creativity Centre to be resolved. Bringing this building and the village square back into better use should remain a high priority for all the authorities involved.
My Co-Chair and I have been having a discussion about what we think the future of the Council ought to be. Holding the position of Co-Chair of the Parish Council has been and continues to be an honour for the both of us, however, we both feel that there is a danger that we may become too “set in our ways” if we decide to carry on for too long. Therefore, should we both still be in position at that time we will be withdrawing from our positions as Co-Chairs by 2016 and not seeking re-election to this office after that date.
We both send our best wishes to the whole Parish for the forthcoming year and look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.
Alison Geen & David Worth
How we did in 2012-2013
Note: The “Precept” comes from West Devon Borough Council and is a proportion of the Council Tax paid by all Parish residents.
COVERING APRIL 2012 TO MARCH 2013
CO-CHAIRS’ REPORT
On behalf of my co-chair and myself - we would like to to thank all the members of the Parish Council, our hard-working Clerk, and all the members of the public who have contributed so much to the running of the Parish over the last year. Every year brings a different set of challenges to us, some longstanding and others new. As a community we must pull together now more so than ever to meet them all.
In these financial strained times it is difficult for us as a Parish Council, to do everything that we might wish to for the parish, however, we have been able to achieve much of what we set out to do. Having raised the funding required we will be able to start on phase 2 of the development of the play-park and we hope to have more new facilities soon for the younger children of the village to enjoy. After careful negotiation between ourselves, local business leaders and the National Park we have managed to achieve the setting of a fair price for parking in the village car park. The village youth club is up and running again and the Council is extremely pleased to see the success of the Football teams’ efforts in raising funds for the restoration of the playing field. We would also like to recognise the success that the Village Community Centre has achieved under its new Committee.
There should be no room for complacency though when we look into the future. There remain several knotty tasks for the Council to tackle on its own and with the help of other bodies. We remain particularly keen for the longstanding question of the use of Duchy Square Creativity Centre to be resolved. Bringing this building and the village square back into better use should remain a high priority for all the authorities involved.
My Co-Chair and I have been having a discussion about what we think the future of the Council ought to be. Holding the position of Co-Chair of the Parish Council has been and continues to be an honour for the both of us, however, we both feel that there is a danger that we may become too “set in our ways” if we decide to carry on for too long. Therefore, should we both still be in position at that time we will be withdrawing from our positions as Co-Chairs by 2016 and not seeking re-election to this office after that date.
We both send our best wishes to the whole Parish for the forthcoming year and look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.
Alison Geen & David Worth
How we did in 2012-2013
Note: The “Precept” comes from West Devon Borough Council and is a proportion of the Council Tax paid by all Parish residents.
Achievements in 2012 - 2013
Notice Board - A new Parish Council notice board was erected in Hexworthy and the board in St Raphael’s was removed
Parking in Princetown – Our Co-Chair, David Worth, made a presentation to the Park Authority’s Members to put the Council’s case for a fair charge for parking in the Authority’s car park. As a result, the charge will be £1 all day for cars
Play Area – Funding for phase 2 was found, thanks to Councillor Philip Sanders who provided a grant from the Invest in Devon fund
Wall Repair – The wall opposite the war memorial in Tavistock Road Princetown was repointed
Notice Board - A new Parish Council notice board was erected in Hexworthy and the board in St Raphael’s was removed
Parking in Princetown – Our Co-Chair, David Worth, made a presentation to the Park Authority’s Members to put the Council’s case for a fair charge for parking in the Authority’s car park. As a result, the charge will be £1 all day for cars
Play Area – Funding for phase 2 was found, thanks to Councillor Philip Sanders who provided a grant from the Invest in Devon fund
Wall Repair – The wall opposite the war memorial in Tavistock Road Princetown was repointed
Plans for the period April 2013 to March 2014
Parish Plan – A new plan will be drawn up to reflect the current priorities in the Parish
Web Site – A Parish Council website will be set up
Cemetery Wall – Part of the cemetery wall in Postbridge has collapsed and will be repaired
Play Area – Phase 2 will be completed, providing new swings and more toddler equipment. Funding will be sought for phase 3, to provide teenagers’ equipment
Parish Council Meetings
All Parish business is conducted at the monthly Council meetings. Members of the public are most welcome to attend, and can speak or ask questions in the Public Sessions. Meeting dates are posted in all notice boards
Keeping Residents Informed
There are four notice boards around the Parish, they are located at:
Bellever, opposite the Forestry Cottages
Huccaby, opposite the front entrance to the Forest Inn
Postbridge, in the driveway to the Post Office & Stores
Princetown, opposite the war memorial
The agenda for the forthcoming Council meeting is posted on notice boards every month. In addition, an extract of matters discussed at Parish Council meetings is provided each month in the Parish Link magazine (for Postbridge and Hexworthy) and in the Around and About magazine (for Princetown)
Parish Plan – A new plan will be drawn up to reflect the current priorities in the Parish
Web Site – A Parish Council website will be set up
Cemetery Wall – Part of the cemetery wall in Postbridge has collapsed and will be repaired
Play Area – Phase 2 will be completed, providing new swings and more toddler equipment. Funding will be sought for phase 3, to provide teenagers’ equipment
Parish Council Meetings
All Parish business is conducted at the monthly Council meetings. Members of the public are most welcome to attend, and can speak or ask questions in the Public Sessions. Meeting dates are posted in all notice boards
Keeping Residents Informed
There are four notice boards around the Parish, they are located at:
Bellever, opposite the Forestry Cottages
Huccaby, opposite the front entrance to the Forest Inn
Postbridge, in the driveway to the Post Office & Stores
Princetown, opposite the war memorial
The agenda for the forthcoming Council meeting is posted on notice boards every month. In addition, an extract of matters discussed at Parish Council meetings is provided each month in the Parish Link magazine (for Postbridge and Hexworthy) and in the Around and About magazine (for Princetown)