PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

 Precept Meeting - 6th Jan 2011. The Parish Council met on 6th Jan to determine its budget for the financial year, 1st April 2011 - 31st March 2012, and to decide the amount of the Parish Precept to be collected as part of the Community Tax. Each item of expenditure was examined from street lighting, grass cutting, maintenance of the playing field and play equipment, insurance and the issue of the newsletter. The total budget was agreed at £26,000. The current Precept is £22,000. It was felt in the present economic climate that any increase in the Precept should be kept to a minimum, but that a small increase is necessary.

 It was agreed to increase the Parish Precept to £23,100 with expected income from reclaimed V.A.T. and a contribution from the Borough Council towards our grass cutting costs raising an expected £23,000 - our total anticipated income for 2011/2012 would therefore be £25,400. It was agreed to cover the shortfall from reserves.

 Two projects for 2011/2012 were considered.

1) A request for a notice board at the North End of the Village, has been received. It was agreed to purchase and install a Notice board to match the three existing boards. The estimated cost of £1,000, would be met from reserves.

2) The refurbishment of the older items of play equipment. It was agreed to discuss this at the next Parish Council Meeting, in view of the estimated cost of £3,500.

Parish Council Elections ~ Thursday 5th May 2011 is the date set for the Election to be held for the Borough Mayor and also our Borough Councillors, plus the National Referendum on Electoral Reform. Parish Councillors are also due for election. The statutory notices inviting nominations will shortly be posted. If standing for Election is something which you may be interested in and require more information on, please contact Parish Council Chairman Andrew Gell.

Future Meetings ~ Thursday 17th February 2011, 7.30pm in the Main Hall of the Lower School.