Parish Council News : Winter 2009
About the Parish Council | Local Matters | Planning | Public Meetings | Committee Meetings
Headley Report | Christmas Lights | Tree Wardens
Heat Seeking Technology| Bus Shelters and Bins | Village 30
Hedges | Windows
The Parish Council plays a vital part in representing the interests of the community to improve and maintain the quality of life and the local environment. We can influence other decision makers and in many cases, deliver services to meet local needs. Your views are always valuable and ideas for improving our villages and hamlets are welcome with your participation being appreciated on whatever level.
Headley Report - We are delighted to announce that our annual Report, produced in March each year, has been awarded 2nd place in the Hampshire Association of Parish and Town Councils’ newsletter competition. It has been suggested by the competition organisers that we make future reports available for purchase by residents of local towns and villages outside the parish of Headley, giving our advertisers better coverage and notifying a wider number of people of the facilities, clubs and societies that we have to offer. Our thanks go to all the contributors and advertisers.
Christmas Lighting – Mark and Sheila Dowdle, the landlords of the Hollybush Pub in the centre of Headley, have agreed to provide the power for the Christmas lights on our chestnut tree in the middle of the village. They are happy to add to the festive atmosphere of the village and we are most appreciative of their assistance.
Tree Wardens – Do you have an interest in trees? Our Tree Wardens help the Council by giving an opinion on tree works’ applications and providing information on trees in areas owned by the Council such as Arford Common. You don’t need a professional knowledge of trees, only a genuine interest, a desire to help the community and a small amount of free time. Please visit our website www.headley-village.com/parish, see the posters in our village noticeboards or contact the Parish Office.
Revolutionary Heat Seeking Technology - EHDC has teamed up with the Energy Saving Partnership to use revolutionary thermal imaging technology to identify houses that could benefit from cavity wall and loft insulation. So don’t be surprised if you spot one of the state-of-the-art HeatSeeking vehicles patrolling the district at night throughout the winter. Each vehicle has the ability to assess up to 1,000 properties an hour. EHDC has many support schemes to help people conserve their energy and if any homeowner would like a free insulation survey on their property, please call Heatseekers on 0845 390 9390.
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Local Matters
Bus Shelters and Dual Rubbish Bins – At the end of September, 2 new bus shelters were installed in Grayshott Road much to the delight of some of our local residents who in recent years have been caught in some rather unpleasant weather whilst waiting for their bus. We are also pleased to report on the installation of 2 new dual rubbish bins on the Village Green to meet the demand.
Village 30 – This national programme has recognised that a major problem being experienced in the introduction of the new 30mph speed limits through our towns and villages is one of attitude from drivers. Young drivers have historically been blamed for speeding but it is becoming more obvious that many who have been driving for a considerable number of years have little regard for the new regulations, considering them unnecessary and unhelpful. The fact is that the majority of serious injuries and deaths on our roads are due to speed and reducing the speed at which vehicles travel makes our villages a safer place. The Highway Code is updated regularly but how many of us actually keep up to date with the law? We all have a responsibility for safety and respect for the speed limit is part of this. Pass Plus is recommended for young drivers or those having just passed their test, the Advanced Driver training course for anyone with driving experience behind them and for older drivers, The Older Driver Skills Scheme run by Hampshire County Council.
Planning
Hedges – As a reminder, following our notification last Autumn, it is the responsibility of the householder to cut back hedges and shrubs that overhang a footpath or road. We know the cost of regular maintenance can be considerable and it is tempting to take out a hedge completely and replace it with fencing. However, please check with the Planning Department at EHDC as to whether this requires planning permission, both in terms of removal of the hedge and also in terms of the type and size of the proposed fence and its proximity to the road. It would be an expensive exercise to have to move a newly installed fence away from the road by another half metre.
Inserting Windows into new and existing side elevations – There may come a time when you would like some more light in one of your rooms located on the first floor or above of your dwelling. Very often, the obvious way to do this, is to add another window. However, you must remember that under permitted development regulations, any window created in the side elevations must be obscurely glazed as it has the potential to overlook a neighbour. In addition, any opening in the window must be 1.7 metres above floor level for the same reason.Public Meetings & Events Headley Walk for Health: All are welcome to join our regular walks. We meet at the Parish Office on Wednesday at 10.30 a.m. For the faster and fitter walkers for health, we now have a longer walk on the 1st Sunday of every month starting at 11 a.m. from the Village Hall. The programme of walks for 2009 is available - click here.
Parish Council: Meetings in the Parish Office next to the Village Hall
Planning – 2nd Monday in January then 1st Monday each month @ 8 p.m.,
Amenities & Recreation – 3rd Monday in January @ 8 p.m. and then 2nd Monday every other month from March.
Full Council – 3rd Monday of month @ 8 p.m except January 2010 (25th ).
Members of the public are welcome to attend all meetings.
HPC POLICY ON GRANTS AWARDS The Parish Council will annually award small grants to voluntary organisations for activities which benefit the inhabitants of the Parish. Such activities can often be carried out more efficiently by a combination of grant aid with voluntary effort. Community associations, cultural, educational, sporting, leisure and local branch charitable organisations are eligible but not individuals or commercial organisations. If voluntary organisations wish to apply for a Grant, grants are considered annually at Full Council meetings in October. Completed applications must be received by 19 September 2009, to enable ample time to peruse them prior to the October Full Council meeting. Parish Office, Arford Road, Headley, Bordon, GU35 8LJ |