PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

The June meeting was held in the Parish Hall under Coronavirus distancing regulations, which meant that members of the public could not attend without making an appointment prior to the event which is necessary but regrettable. A range of issues were discussed in the meeting including:

Co-option of additional Members:

Following the recent elections there were four vacancies on the Council and we are pleased to report that Ms. S. McIntosh, Mr. R. Pinches and Mr K. Pickering have been co-opted onto the Council leaving just one vacancy for an interested resident.

Internal Audit:

The Internal Audit report, which indicated that there were no concerns regarding the financial and overall management of the Council, were considered and adopted. The documents will now be forwarded to the Government appointed Auditors in London for consideration. Documents related to the audit can be obtained on request from the Parish Clerk.

Arson Attack:

Members expressed anger and distress over the mindless arson attack which had completely destroyed a picnic table in the Glebe area and a suitable replacement is being considered; this will cost well over four hundred pounds to replace. The Police have been informed and it is hoped that those responsible can be identified and dealt with.

Highways Problems;

Concern was again expressed about the lack of action from Shropshire Council in dealing with the many issues which have been brought to their attention. The Parish Council has no responsibility for Highways and Pavements and can only report problems to Shropshire Council in the hope that they will be dealt with.

Street Lights:

A full apology is offered to the residents in parts of Millbrook and Bridgeway over the continued delay in completing the work on up-grading the lights. The problem lies firmly with Scottish Power who have to make the cable connections and in spite of continuous efforts our contractors E.ON have been unable to get a firm date for completion.

Annual Parish Meeting:

The Council has a legal duty to hold an open meeting once a year but this was not possible last year because of the lockdown regulations. It had been planned to hold this year’s meeting in July but because of the on-going uncertainty about the removal of the restrictions it is intended to hold it on September 14th. and further details will be published in due course.

Annual Community Awards:

Each year the Council presents Community Awards to residents and others who have done outstanding work in or for the Parish. The awards are sponsored by RAF Shawbury and a Senior Officer normally presents them at the Annual Parish Meeting.

Members welcome nominations for the awards and feel sure there will be many people who have done exceptional work during the Pandemic as well as others who regularly go the extra mile in helping and supporting people and the community at large. Please get in touch with the Clerk if you wish to make a nomination. 

The June meeting was held in the Parish Hall under Coronavirus distancing regulations, which meant that members of the public could not attend without making an appointment prior to the event which is necessary but regrettable. A range of issues were discussed in the meeting including:

Co-option of additional Members:

Following the recent elections there were four vacancies on the Council and we are pleased to report that Ms. S. McIntosh, Mr. R. Pinches and Mr K. Pickering have been co-opted onto the Council leaving just one vacancy for an interested resident.

Internal Audit:

The Internal Audit report, which indicated that there were no concerns regarding the financial and overall management of the Council, were considered and adopted. The documents will now be forwarded to the Government appointed Auditors in London for consideration. Documents related to the audit can be obtained on request from the Parish Clerk.

Arson Attack:

Members expressed anger and distress over the mindless arson attack which had completely destroyed a picnic table in the Glebe area and a suitable replacement is being considered; this will cost well over four hundred pounds to replace. The Police have been informed and it is hoped that those responsible can be identified and dealt with.

Highways Problems;

Concern was again expressed about the lack of action from Shropshire Council in dealing with the many issues which have been brought to their attention. The Parish Council has no responsibility for Highways and Pavements and can only report problems to Shropshire Council in the hope that they will be dealt with.

Street Lights:

A full apology is offered to the residents in parts of Millbrook and Bridgeway over the continued delay in completing the work on up-grading the lights. The problem lies firmly with Scottish Power who have to make the cable connections and in spite of continuous efforts our contractors E.ON have been unable to get a firm date for completion.

Annual Parish Meeting:

The Council has a legal duty to hold an open meeting once a year but this was not possible last year because of the lockdown regulations. It had been planned to hold this year’s meeting in July but because of the on-going uncertainty about the removal of the restrictions it is intended to hold it on September 14th. and further details will be published in due course.

Annual Community Awards:

Each year the Council presents Community Awards to residents and others who have done outstanding work in or for the Parish. The awards are sponsored by RAF Shawbury and a Senior Officer normally presents them at the Annual Parish Meeting.

Members welcome nominations for the awards and feel sure there will be many people who have done exceptional work during the Pandemic as well as others who regularly go the extra mile in helping and supporting people and the community at large. Please get in touch with the Clerk if you wish to make a nomination. 

Parish News May 2021

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

Changes to the regulations governing Council meetings meant that this month’s meeting could not be held on line using Zoom, so for the first time in twelve months the meeting was held in the Village Hall under strict Covid distancing. This meant that it was not possible to allow members of the public to attend and raise issues without an appointment and the same regulations will apply to the meeting in June.

As this was the Annual General Meeting of the Council the first business was the election of officers and representatives. Councillor John Kennedy was re-elected un-apposed as Chairman with Councillor Brian Lyon appointed again as Vice Chairman also un-apposed. Councillors then took on board responsibity for attendance at various committees and for overseeing areas of Council work. Full details of these can be found in the draft minutes which are already posted on the Council’s web site.

Items considered at the meeting included:

Parish Council Election:

Disappointment was expressed that there had been no need for an election as only eight people had completed an application for the twelve seats and all of those were existing Council Members. This means that there are four vacancies which the Council can fill by ‘adopting’ members and if you are interested please get in touch as soon as possible.

Children’s Play Areas:

It was reported that work was already underway in up-dating the play areas and replacing worn out equipment and ground matting and it was expected that work on both sites would be completed by the end of May.

Street Lighting:

It was noted that the concrete and sodium lighting owned by the Council in sections of Millbrook and Bridgeway had been replaced and that quotations had been requested to enable improvements to be carried out to the lighting in the Carradine area.

Annual Parish Meeting:

By law the Council has to hold a meeting each year which is open to all residents but last year because of all the Coronavirus regulations this was not possible. If the Government’s ‘Road Map’ proceeds as planned this year’s meeting will be held in the Village Hall on July 12^th. as by then it will be possible for people to meet together. Included in the meeting will be the presentation of Community Service Awards so if you know of people you feel should be nominated please forwarded the details to the Clerk. We feel sure there will be residents who have done outstanding work in dealing with issues related to the epidemic.

Shawbury United Community Sports Centre:

Members were very pleased to hear that the committee had received the promise of a considerable grant from Shropshire Council generated by the Community Infrastructure Fund related to the development of the Oaklands Estate. This grant together with grants made by the Parish Council and other organisations should mean that the project can now go ahead.

Again a reminder that if you have any issues or comments please phone the Clerk on 01743 236810 or Email him on shawburypcclerk@talktalk.netand that also there is plenty of information on the Council’s web site –www.shawbury-pc.gov.uk.

 

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS April 2021

The April Council meeting was again held on line and virtually a full complement of Members accessed it dealing with the following topics:

Election:  The Elections Officer at Shropshire Council had reported that there was no call for a Parish Council election as only eight nominations had been received for the twelve available seats and those eight people would automatically be elected. This means that there are four vacancies and an attempt will be made to co-opt people to fill those seats. So if you were too late with your application; failed to see the advertisement or were not sure what to do, now is your chance. Just get in touch with the Parish Clerk who will tell you what is involved and how to apply and any applications received will be considered at the Council meeting in June.

Outreach Post Office: Shropshire Councillor Simon Jones reported that the telephone had now been connected to the Village Hall and plans were in hand for the project to start in the first week in May and it is understood that the office will operate for three hours on one day of each week.

RAF Shawbury: A report had been received from Lt. Matt Peters, who attends Council meetings as a representative from the base, which asked for the Community to be thanked for their continued support of the  recent night flying phase and the essential training activity being undertaken under Covid restrictions.  He also reported that the Gliding Club intend to fly every Saturday and Bank Holidays throughout the summer. From September 1^st. to February 1^st. flying will take place on Sundays.

Playing Field: The Council has given agreement for the Football Club to resume holding junior matches on the marked area and dog owners are reminded that dogs have to be kept on leads on any area designated for this type of activity. This is to ensure it is a safe area for children and the Council will be erecting appropriate notices.

We have also been given an assurance that before the end of April Shropshire Council’s Outdoor Partnership will be carrying out repairs to the footpath which runs from the car park to opposite the school entrance.

Vote of thanks:                                                                                                                                 

Before the meeting closed it was noted that Councillors Dave Roberts, Sam McIntosh and Robert Pinches had not sought re-election to the Council and the Chairman, on behalf of all the Members, expressed sincere thanks for the valuable contributions they had all made in supporting the Council and the Community over many years and wished them good health and happiness. His comments were supported by all the Members.

Other News: The meeting planned for May will be the Council’s Annual General Meeting with the election of officers and representatives and we are planning to hold it in the Village Hall under the strict regulations issued by the Government. This means that if members of the public want to attend they will have to contact the Clerk beforehand so that the necessary arrangements can be made. By the time we hold the July meeting we expect that if the road map progresses as outlined by the Government meetings will be held as normal.     

Just to remind you that if you want to attend or have any issues or comments please make contact with the Clerk who will be more than happy to help. You can telephone 01743 236810 or email shawburypcclerk@talktalk.netand that there is plenty of information on the Council’s web site www.shawbury-pc.gov.uk.

 

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS March 2021

As has become the norm, this month’s Council meeting was accessed by Members online using Zoom and a full range of issues were considered, including the acknowledgement that this was the last meeting of the current Council before nominations had to be made for the Parish Council elections taking place on May 6^th.  Current Members have to stand for election alongside any other residents who feel that they would like to serve the community. With very few exceptions anyone in the Parish over eighteen years of age can stand for election, so if you have plenty of energy and enthusiasm this is your chance. If you are interested, look out for information in the press or give the Parish Clerk a call and he will advise you what you need to do. Failing that you can apply to the Elections Officer for an application form – 0345 678 9015.

During the meeting the following topics were considered:

Projects:

Disappointment was expressed that planned projects had been delayed either because of the lockdown regulations or the inclement weather but it was hoped that by the time of the April meeting the up-grade of the children’s play areas, the replacement streetlights in Millbrook and Bridgeway and repairs to the footpath on the playing field from the car park to opposite the school entrance would all be completed.

Highways:   

It was noted that repair work had been carried out on the A53 in the Edgebolton area but that there were still outstanding problems and concern was raised that little effort had been made to clean the road after the repair work, with debris left which could cause danger to cyclists and motoryclists.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Shropshire Councillor S. Jones stated that repair work on the B5063 had been delayed because of Issues with Kier Contractors and following an inspection additional repairs had been included in the project. It was planned for action to be undertaken within the next few days.  

The Chairman congratulated Shropshire Council on its effort to keep the road behind RAPRAclear of litter and it was noted that they were planning to clear litter from the sides of the A53 between Shrewsbury and Shawbury.                                                                                                                                   

Post Office:

Shropshire Councillor Simon Jones reported that although the Post Office was closing on March 10^th. it was unlikely that the Out Reach Office would be opening until the end of April because there had been a delay in connecting a telephone for the office which was essential, as well as unforeseen staffing issues. Because of a reduction in a Government grant the new office would only be open on one day each week.

RAF Shawbury:

Lt. M. Peters who regularly attends Council meetings reported that Night Flying would be resuming on March 15^th. and will last for six weeks and that the Aries magazine published by the base could again be accessed on the web site. He had been asked to pass on thanks to the community for their continued support of planned activities.

Correspondence:

Since the last meeting over forty items of relevant correspondence had been received by the Clerk and forwarded to Members for consideration. These messages included complaints, praise, requests for information, up-dates on the virus and legal reports and when necessary had been responded to in appropriate ways by the Clerk acting on advice from Council Members.   

Next Meeting:

The next Council meeting is planned for April 13^th. and as always details will be published on local notice boards and here on the  web site.

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS 12th January 2021

The Council continues to hold online meeting using Zoom and the latest on was held on January 12^th. when as usual a range of topics were discussed.

 Projects:

The Clerk reported that because of the Christmas and New Year break and the new coronavirus restrictions, planned developments had not taken place including the installation of the new lights in Bridgeway and Millbrook, the replacement of road name plates and urgent repair work. All these projects would be kept under review and it is anticipated that there will be action very soon.

Concerns:

All Mem