KINGTON LANGLEY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2007

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

There had been several Councillor changes during the year. Councillors Simon Harris and Jill Saunders had left the village and Councillor Keith Harris resigned. New Councillors were Lynn Atwell and Graham Trickey and the final position would be filled after the May elections. Cllr. Rev. John Schofield had been appointed Vice-Chairman.

The village had had two major successes in 2006: The Commons Erosion Project – which is a separate agenda item, and Speed Limit Changes at both ends of the village. There is now a 40 mph on the Swindon Road past the Greathouse and from Plough Hill to the traffic lights has been reduced to 30 mph.

The state of the village is not good at the moment. There has been so much building work and a lot of mud and the Parish Council have agreed that it will be in touch with houses whose building work has exacerbated the issue to ask for a contribution to reinstate their verges. There has been more damage than usual to the roads and villagers were encouraged to contact Highways Department to report anything of concern.

The use of Internet is rising within the Parish Council as both District and County now use the Internet to send out what used to be large quantities of paper. Nearly all Councillors have access to the Internet which speeds up communication and distribution of information. We were pleased that Graham Trickey, who created the Parish Council website and now maintains it, has joined the Parish Council. Thanks to Graham for all his time and work on the Council’s behalf.

More volunteers to do small maintenance jobs around the village are still needed. If volunteers are not forthcoming in the near future the Parish will have to pay for the work to be done, which will result in an increase in the Precept.

The District and Parish Council Elections are on 3^rd May and there are two vacancies. The responsibilities of a Parish Councillor are firstly to represent parishioners in the management and planning of the village and secondly to manage small village projects. I only intend to remain as Chairman for another six months after the Elections and would encourage people to put their names forward as prospective councillors.