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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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DRAINAGE IN CHURCH STREET :

The recent heavy and wet weather has once again shown how poor and inadequate our drainage in Barford is.

At the June JPC the issue was again raised with particular reference to the area outside the school where there is often standing water in the area where the children cross. This was quite rightly identified as a safety issue and we have forcefully passed it on to the appropriate departments at WCC, also highlighting the persistent flooding in other areas on Church Street, particularly above the Church Lane junction, opposite Verdon Place and near the junction with Bridge Street.

There have been several efforts at minor improvements but it seems we may need to push for more serious works. If you are affected by this problem do let us know but more importantly let the WCC councillors and officers know – with enough nagging we might actually get something done!

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SHERBOURNE A46/J15 BYPASS :

In May some of us attended the project liaison meeting to learn how the scheme was going.

Things are well on schedule and the actual bypass part should be open to traffic in November, after which work will start on improving the Longbridge roundabout itself. The bridge over the M40 should be largely complete by the time this is delivered but that work is dependent on weather and specifically lack of wind.

Some nearby residents have been troubled by noise, dust, vibration and night workings and we have apprised the contractors who will try and minimise any impact where they can.

There will be some active traffic management through into August so there may be a slight increase in delays, but beyond that disruption should be lessened due to the reduction of traffic on the Longbridge roundabout. There was good news that there will be an A46 northbound bus stop incorporated into the scheme, which will be accessible on foot from the village, albeit via a fairly long but safe route.

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WARWICK DC – CORE STRATEGY – PREFERRED OPTIONS :

This relates to allocation of land for future housing.

This area is currently expected to accommodate 10,800 extra houses, some already allocated, in the period up to 2026 and there is an ongoing consultation process to identify suitable locations. The currently favoured proposal places the majority of extra houses in or near the four main towns of Warwick, Leamington, Whitnash and Kenilworth, in the South Coventry/A46 corridor area and encourages additional provision in villages such as ours only where there is clearly demonstrated local demand.

This is not too far removed from the concept which the JPC promoted to WDC at the last stage of consultation, so if it goes on in this form we are likely to be able to happily support them. Our neighbours at Bishops Tachbrook are however much less happy as expansion of Warwick Gates over Harbury Lane brings the built up area much closer to them leaving only a much reduced “area of restraint” for separation.

Of much greater concern is the news that the original 10,800 homes may be inflated under central and regional government pressure by a further 10,000 homes and they will be much harder to locate sympathetically. To fully understand the issues and to formulate a joint response we recently met with several other local parish councils and established some common grounds of concern which could then be presented at the “examination in public” which would finalise the numbers of extra homes to be inflicted on this area.

I will report again as soon as we know the final numbers and as the deployment of those numbers becomes clearer. …

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WCC – MINERALS STRATEGY :

No news expected until November.

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GLEBE HOTEL – CEDAR TREE :

Many residents have expressed concern about the condition of this iconic cedar which does not seem at all happy or healthy.

Specialists suggest that the problems relate to root impaction caused by parking and there may be various possibilities of treatment, although none can guarantee a full recovery.

Cllr Mrs Hayward in particular is liaising with the Glebe owner to try to find a practical and affordable way forward, and the JPC will provide whatever support it is able. A tree that age and size, which has become one of Barford’s much loved landmarks must be worth fighting for so we will do what we can.

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ANNUAL PARISH MEETINGS :

I reported on all the Annual Parish Meetings last month.

At the June JPC, Cllr Mrs Gordon reported that some Sherbourne residents had taken exception to my blunt reporting style and references to poor attendances at the Sherbourne APM. I had absolutely no intention of offending anyone, and unreservedly apologise to anyone genuinely distressed by my comments. My sole intention was of course to draw attention to some of the very important issues which are currently or likely to start impacting on Sherbourne parish and its residents, whilst highlighting the APMs as the major democratic opportunity of the year.

If my writings did or do raise any issues for discussion then do please feel free to contact me (details below) or Peta Wilkinson, our Vice-Chairman, or indeed any of the councillors for any of the three parishes. Additionally there is a Parish Councillor surgery session on the first Saturday of each month in Barford Village Shop from 10.30 to 12.00 when all are welcome and there are also the regular Coffee Stop mornings in Wasperton which are frequently attended by councillors.

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BARFORD SHOP/ MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS :

The shop hosted the first of these sessions last February – they are each month, on the first Saturday from 10.30-12.00 noon. We were pleased that a small number of residents took the opportunity to call in and have a chat or ask some pertinent questions which we were able to answer appropriately. It is your opportunity to meet us informally and raise any issues of concern or float new ideas.

The councillors manning the session will vary each time and even possibly during sessions to keep us all abreast of views. Any appropriate issues raised may then be taken forward directly or used to stimulate debate at future meetings. Even if you do not have burning issues just drop in for a chat, especially if we have no customers at the time, and the coffee is always good …

Click here for an up to date list of all JPC Councillors.

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MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE RECORD :

The Chairman of the JPC has asked that a record of JPC members' attendance be published on the website.

Click here to download record of attendance at meetings of the JPC from May 2007 to Feb 2009 (PDF file, 12k).

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NEXT JPC MEETING :

The next JPC meeting will be held on Monday July 13th at Wasperton Village 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
June 2009

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