LANGTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

9TH MAY 7.30 CORONATION HALL

 

Present:                                              Chairman        Cllr. M. Fisher

 

                                                            Vice Chairman           Cllr. M. Collins

                                                                                                Cllr. J. Burton

                                                                                                Cllr. D. Fearnside

                                                                                                Cllr. L. R. Gill

                                                                                                Cllr. D. Grinstead

 

                                                                                                P.C. Steve Wood

                                                                                                P.C. Shaun Weldon

 

                                                            Clerk                           Isabel Ward

 

Apologies:      Apologies were received from Dist. Cllr. N. Wilson

 

Minutes:         The minutes of the AGM held on 10th May, 2005 were read and approved. proposed by Cllr. J. Burton, seconded by Cllr. Gill

 

Matters Arising:  There were no matters arising.

 

Financial Report:  The financial report was deferred until the ordinary Council Meeting.

 

Chairman’s Report: 

 

In my report this time last year I talked about the difficulty of finding councillors. I am pleased to say we now have a strong team of people who work together for the benefit of the community.

 

This community minded spirit was shown recently when we sent out for help in installing two bollards, replacing benches and a litter pick in the Picnic Area.  Every councillor was there along with Isabel and Peter.  I thank you all for this.

 

Unfortunately the reason why one of the benches needs to be replaced is a much more worrying aspect.

 

Vandalism in the area has reached an all time high with damage being caused to the Picnic Area, Parish Notice Boards and roadside Benches.  When you can walk along Leeming Lane and see every daffodil head pulled off as far as the eye can see we need to start asking why!  We need to work alongside the Police and our Neighbourhood Watch Group to adopt what I believe is a zero tolerance to vandalism. I hope that

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 changes to our area will improve policing and get us back to a stage where policing is at the heart of the community.  I must say initial signs are good.

 

On a positive note I had the pleasure of attending the AGM of the Coronation Hall last week.  The hall is a major asset to this community with activities for all and would like to express my thanks to all involved .

 

In 2005 we started the process of taking over our own grass cutting in the village and hopefully the first cut will take place in the near future.  We also need to monitor the situation of litter and dog fouling within the area.  Either of these can damage people’s perception of the village.

 

The cottages this year have again proved that they need managing on a professional level.  I am pleased that Jim has taken on this responsibility for which I thank him.

 

Financially the council is in good shape with the income from the cottages and fishing rights.  This income has again given the council the option of not imposing a precept on Langthorpe.

 

The website has proven to be a success both in delivering local information to the masses and as a means of distributing council information to fulfil our duties under the Freedom of Information.  I would like to further develop the website this year.

 

2006 promised to be a year of change.  We look forward to the opening of the Maltings and the arrival of the new residents.  I feel it is of great importance that, as a

council, we welcome our new parishioners.  What better way to do this than a guide to Langthorpe waiting for them on their arrival.  A guide that contains all they need to know about the area and its council.  This document could also be sent to all parishioners and made available via the internet.

 

I also hope that it will be the year of the new play area which we have been waiting for a long time to come.   At long last the children of the parish will have somewhere of their own to play.

 

I’m also pleased that through Yore Vision we may start to see investment in the area in projects that could see a Visitor’s Centre and improvements to the river frontage of the village.  I’m please that Langthorpe Parish Council is taking a key part in these projects.

 

Finally, I would like to thank all the councillors for their help and support over the last twelve months with special thanks to my Deputy, Mike Collins for his help and assistance.  I would also like to thank Isabel for her many hours of devotion to the council.

 

I look forward to 2006/7 and hope that Langthorpe Parish Council can go on from strength to strength.

 

 

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Election of Officers: Cllr. M. Fisher was invited to remain as Chairman, proposed by Cllr. J. Burton, seconded by Cllr. D. Grinstead – all unanimous.

 

Cllr. M. Collins was invited to remain as Vice Chairman, proposed by Cllr. Gill, seconded by Cllr. J. Burton – all unanimous.

 

Any Other Business – there as no further business to discuss.