Good evening Ladies and Gentleman,
I would like to welcome you here this evening to our Annual Parish meeting.
The Parish Council has been busy tending to affairs that affect our villages and communities to the best of their ability. It is not always easy to facilitate the vast array of tasks that would, in an ideal world, be undertaken and completed. However, I would like to summarize a little of the business of the past year.
We celebrated Cllr John Macklin serving 40 years on the Parish Council in November when we came together to thank him with a small leaving party and presentation. John then stepped down from the council. We also lost Cllr Lewis Goldwater who stood down from council due to personal commitments. In loosing Cllr Macklin and Cllr Goldwater, we have gained 2 new councillors, Adam Russell and Hayley Birch. The PC welcomed back Cllr Cathie Draper from a period of compassionate leave.
Our Ward Councillor David Hitchiner continues act on our behalf and keep us updated with matters arising within Hereford Council. Lara Edwards has been allocated as our new locality steward and she has been out to see a few issues to do with roads etc as well as coming out on a drive around the parishes to get to know the areas.
Dave Campbell, our lengthsman, has carried out his allocated duties once again and for that we thank him.
This year the 2 biggest issues needing to be addressed have been the serious flooding affecting many of our householders and the state of the roads due to the heavy rainfall. Cllr Taylor has been instrumental in campaigning to help alleviate the flood risks for us all. Various meetings have been held, and flood groups have been formed. Clearly, this is not a quick fix and is ongoing. Byford has had work completed to improve the state of the road and stop the flow of water eroding the surface by the church which has been deteriorating for several years.
The Byford work was funded by a grant to the tune of £5650. Our clerk, Lesley Hay works tirelessly to apply for any grants that may apply to us. Another grant was also gained to replace the gate leading onto the Bishon Common to allow better access to this area of interest. Also, a grant of approx £2,500 was received for work to be carried out by our lengthsman.
Rosemary Morgan and Sarah Keefe have continued to tend to the wildflowers planted within the parishes. Most are now well established and look beautiful.
Thanks go to all our Cllrs for their efforts in every area of Parish Council business. Everyone plays their part and use their area of expertise to assist, advise and work for the good of the community. Lastly, I must thank, on behalf of us all, Lesley Hay for going above and beyond her duty and for being so efficient in her work as our Parish Clerk.