Lound Parish Council Annual Parish Meeting 2022

Chairperson’s Annual Report – Cllr. Pauline Sheehy

 

Happily, Covid restrictions were first eased last June and we resumed public meetings in the village hall. Now all restrictions have been lifted, life has mostly gone back to normal, including normal parish business of overseeing maintenance of the village infrastucture; keeping grass verges tidy, tree and footpath monitoring, planning issues, emergency planning and health and safety issues etc.

The Parish Council began the 2021/22 year with five councillors but having recruited some and others having stepped down, we are still seeking one member to make up to seven members.

Neighbourhood Plan

The Lound Neighbourhood Plan was finally endorsed after a village referendum in February and is now in place. The full final plan is available is available on the Lound Village website. Our thanks to Michael Naylor, Nick Prout, Andrew Perkins and the other members of the Neighbourhood Plan Committee for all their hard work putting the plan together and communicating with the village at every stage.

Escaped Dogs

This has been ongoing and the PC has been working closely with the Environmental Department at Bassetlaw District Council.  In January 2021 the dog owners were fined for breaching a Community Protection Order but the escapes continued. Further breaches resulted in yet another prosecution in early 2022 when the owners were again fined and ordered to reduce the number of dogs. Residents continued to report incidents to the Environmental Officer at Bassetlaw and the Police. Following a number of incidents in April we understand that Bassetlaw took further action. There has been no further evidence of escapes to date.

Proposed Asbestos Picking Plant on Daneshill Road

 In January 2020 when the FCC presented the PC their proposals which was pending a planning decision from BDC. The PC formally objected to the proposal at the consultation stage. The proposal went to the Planning Committee for a decision, where members of the PC and villagers expressed their concerns. The proposal was passed but pending a decision by the Secretary State who then subsequently ruled that the proposal should be subject to a positive Environmental Impact Assessment. Last year FCC resubmitted their proposals for planning approval but have yet to submit an EIA. The issue is being closely followed by the PC.

Village Green Improvement

Many thanks to Brian Horne and a small team of village volunteers for taking on responsibility for the Village Green. It is looking beautiful. A scheme of new planting has begun to encourage wildlife and to make it a place for villagers to spend time in. Moss has been removed from the pathways without the use of chemicals and only natural organic substances are used on the planting areas. Three tables, made by Alan Marsh from slices of the recently felled old ash tree, have been installed so that visitors to the garden can make better use of the green.  A tap has been installed to provide much needed water to thirsty plants and Brian has created a lovely water feature.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

Plans began some months’ ago when Brian and his team planted six native ornamental trees in the playing field. A bench and a flowering tree have also been ordered to commemorate the Jubilee. We have already raised in excess of £400 towards the bench. It will be installed opposite the playing field beside the Lound sign and the tree will be planted in the autumn at the crossroads beside the village green.

Plans are well in hand for the Jubilee Street Party on 3rd June to be held outside the Village Hall. Free refreshments and children’s entertainments will be available but bring your own wine, in particular for the Loyal Toast which will take place around 2pm.

The Bluebell Inn is complementing the Parish event on the 2nd with a rounders match at 3pm on the playing field and barbecue in the pub garden from 4:30pm and; with a barbecue from 6pm on the 3rd 

 

You can follow what is happening in the village and the PC’s work via the website loundvillage.co.uk and the Crier.  The PC will continue to work to maintain our beautiful village for the benefit of all residents.  We currently have a vacancy for a Councillor on the PC and we really need to be at full strength to be effective, so please consider whether you might have some time to offer to serve. Thank you to everyone in the village for their support over the last year.

Pauline Sheehy