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| Parish Council Report |
As a new boy on the Parish Council I have been amazed at the way local people use the Parish services more like a Citizenšs Advice Bureau than a local authority. Don't get me wrong, that is not a complaint, it's wonderful. The letters I receive and the numerous requests to the Parish Office are mostly about things over which we have no control or responsibility. And this is where a Parish Council has the opportunity to shine - unlike other councils. Whilst not having control over many residents' concerns, we can act as a gateway and point people in the right direction. The other marvellous role is to make representation on behalf of villagers and act as their 'voice' when it comes to campaigning for better road repairs, reporting faulty street lights, identifying dirty streets, fighting for better leisure provision, or handling anti social behaviour complaints.
And this is where I pay tribute to the small team of Parish staff whose commitment to serving the public is quite extraordinary: the volume of work they undertake increases daily as the village grows. We created a new post of projects manager (20 hours a week) to take forward numerous local schemes, and, following interviews, Linda Gibling was appointed to the post. The advert for a Parish Clerk (30 hours a week) produced a high class shortlist and the post has now been filled by Gillian Patschinsky who is in post from 25 November.
A big thank you to Linda Gibling who has made many new friends for the Parish and has provided a great service over recent years: she will be a great support to the new Clerk as we develop more links with the public.
Campaigning
We are developing our bid to establish a Napsbury Park Trust, to manage, with residents, the leisure facilities and expand the recreational area for villagers. The District Council have been very slow in responding to us but we are convinced this is the way ahead when you look at the success of Shenley Trust and Highfield Park Trust.
Our campaign against Gypsy sites on our Green Belt produced a petition of over 2,500 thanks to an action group of around 40 dedicated residents. There was a marvellous turn out at St Albans Council where the petition was
presented to the Mayor. Things will be quiet on this front until the new year when the District Council produces its own list of preferred sites (hopefully minus green belt sites in our village)
The village fireworks display is a major event and from next year it will be fully resourced by the Parish Council. Funds collected at this highly enjoyable occasion will be shared amongst a number of organisations, including the Scouts.
Goodwill and Good Neighbours
As we move into the Christmas period, boxes of biscuits will again be
distributed to senior pensioners. It is a small gesture, on your behalf, to thank those who have given much to our community during previous years. I hope we can all make some gesture of kindness to our neighbours or neighbourhood during the season of goodwill sometimes it's the small gestures that make a big difference. Christmas Greetings from your Parish Councillors.
Malcolm Macmillan
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