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At the Annual Parish Council meeting in May 2000, a view was raised that my writings might be mistaken for the official minutes of our JPC meetings. The official minutes are written by the Clerk and RFO of the Council, and are not moderated by anyone prior to their approval at a subsequent meeting. Copies of the official minutes are available on this website.

Any matter raised in this page is solely commentary on activity in our three parishes and may also contain information, which has not yet passed before the full JPC, in which I believe electors may have an interest, all written from the perspective of the JPC Chairman who is responsible to all three parishes.

John Murphy
Chairman JPC

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BARFORD SHOP :

Progress remains impressive and the main build is now complete so the builders must be paid. This means that the shop now starts costing money even though it cannot generate income until the internal fittings and stocking are complete. The funding shortfall means that opening is delayed and we must all now consider whether we can give a little more towards the funding to achieve the earliest possible opening. Remember, it’s OUR shop, for OUR people and for OUR convenience, so we must support it – if it struggles, or worse still fails, it will be OUR fault.

There has been some suggestion that the JPC should commit to some onward support for the shop in the form of considering an annual grant towards assisting with paying off the shop borrowings. This would inevitably need to be added to the precept and ultimately the Council Tax – in crude terms each £1000 support via the precept would require approximately 12 pence per household per month increase in Council Tax.

Please let us know what you think.

Click here for more details in the shop group’s report.

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PLAYING FIELD PARKING :

I have frequently mentioned problems of parking on the track adjacent to the Playing Fields.

The Barford Byelaws specifically excludes all but authorised or essential users from taking “motors” onto this track which has the legal standing of a Public Footpath. The byelaws were drawn up solely in the interests of the safety of all users of the track and the Playing Fields. The Byelaw notices are clearly displayed at each end of the footpaths from Church Lane to Wasperton Lane and also at the Village Green.

For clarity, the only vehicles which are authorised to use the track are;-

• Vehicles on JPC business, eg contractors

• Allotment users, who we would ask to keep use to the essential minimum

• Emergency and contractor vehicles accessing e.g. the school

• Norton Lindsey FC, using the football pitch, with large numbers of vehicles when it is judged safer to park on the track than to obstruct the narrow parts of Church Lane/Street

• Authorised wedding/event parking on the Playing Field, as above

• Disabled access to the play areas/allotments

The validity of these byelaws has recently been questioned by an offender’s family, but the byelaws are “the law” and were determined correctly in the interest of public safety. The JPC and the Police stand by these rules and will follow up reports of contraventions, which should be sent to JPC members or direct to the Safer Neighbourhoods Police Team. Remember, the byelaws are there to protect your community and your environment but will only work if we all take an interest in them and ensure that they are observed.

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REMINDER - Barford Pre-school :

Many of you will be aware that Barford Pre-school is currently in severe financial difficulties and their long-term viability is very much in the balance.

JPC have asked for further information to detail the pre-school financial position but will be considering making a grant at the September 8 th JPC. In the meanwhile I would appreciate your opinions on the JPC supporting this cause from JPC funds, and hence your council tax, whether it be one-off grants or possibly annual support grants.

Please drop me a line, or preferably email.

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HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY :

The JPC is working with Warwickshire Rural Housing Association to investigate the housing needs in our area.

Whilst the Oldhams site development obviously satisfied a significant need, it was rather oversubscribed and suggests that there is still some unsatisfied requirement for affordable housing. Similarly there are suspicions that there is some need for market housing of a modest nature which might accommodate older residents and "down-sizers". It is hoped that we will be able to run an up-to-date survey in October to replace the last one which is now over five years old. Please draw this important survey to the attention of friends and relatives who may be in housing need and may have left or wish to return to our area.

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NEXT JPC MEETING :

The next JPC meeting will be held on Monday September 8th at Barford Memorial Hall at 7:30 pm.

There is a session for “ Public Participation ” early in the agenda after our essential housekeeping matters which must as a matter of legality take priority. “ Public Participation ” is a short period set aside solely to hear comments and questions from members of the public. No special presentational skills are needed and councillors will hear you in an informal and welcoming way. We are always pleased to have matters and opinions brought to our attention. We cannot usually enter into detailed discussion with the public at the time but if possible may be able to supply an immediate answer, OR will decide, at a later time or date, whether and what action may be appropriate.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to attend in person, you may submit “your views” for formal attention of the JPC by and the matter will be taken to the next JPC meeting and you will get a formal response.

An agenda for each meeting will be posted in advance on all the villages’ notice boards. Residents may also feel free to email myself (see below), or contact any of the Parish Councillors or the Clerk, James Johnson.

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John Murphy
Chairman, JPC
August 2008

Tel: 624421

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