The annual meeting took place on Wednesday 20th March 2024 during which the Chairman delivered his report.
Chairmans Report
2023 has been another busy year for the Parish Council. The local elections last May saw a change of leadership at CBC. Our Ward Councillor Mark Versallion was re-elected and the Parish Council is grateful for his continued support.
The current members of the Parish Council were returned last May as the result of a non-contested election.
Councillors Dillamore, Quantrill, Jardine and Blyth – Pam, Colin, Emily and Billy and also myself were all previous members of the council who were willing to stand for election again.
After attending last year’s annual parish meeting Julian Knight put himself forward as a candidate and he has become a much valued member of the council, stepping up to the role of Vice Chairman.
We currently have one vacancy and we hope to take steps to co-opt someone in the coming weeks.
What does the Parish Council do you may ask? A Parish Council is the first level of local government and as such provides communities with a democratic voice and a structure for taking community action.
To help achieve this, some of our responsibilities include:
• Consideration of planning applications
• Raising issues with Highways to try and get repairs and improvements implemented.
• Raising concerns in respect of public transport services
• Liaison with the local police and providing information on reported offences within the parish.
• Reporting overgrown footpaths and rights of way.
• And in general to listen to the concerns of parishioners, especially at our meetings which you are all welcome to attend.
We have faced some challenges throughout the last year.
One of the main issues that the council has had to deal with this year has been the planning application for the Hyde. An extra-ordinary meeting was held in February regarding this and those that have read the minutes will know that the application has been withdrawn.
One of the biggest challenges now is to try and protect the Hyde from trespass, fly-tipping, fly-grazing and illegal occupation.
The original plans for the field aimed to do this whilst creating a green space. However, many people in the village were aggrieved and complained, the result being that we are now left with these risks. The Parish Council is dealing with the situation, working with the tenant and the planning team at CBC in order to mitigate the risk to the Parish Council.
Last year I reported on the work of the community working group that worked together with CBC in respect of contentious and unlawful developments across the local parishes. Due to changes following the local elections last year, this group no longer meets which is a shame. CBC still provide updates but that’s as far as things go at the moment. The parish council does still continue to share information across the group as much as possible and will always raise issues with CBC when necessary.
There has also been improvements and positive things this year.
Communication with the police and their attendance at meetings is much better. They are attempting to attend more meetings. We now receive responses to emails whereas last year many queries fell on deaf ears. This improvement is appreciated.
We have managed to deliver on some of the projects planned last year.
Mesh fencing was finally procured for the allotments and following a group effort was successfully transported to the allotments and installed. At the time of writing there are 3 vacant allotment plots but 2 people have queried availability and we are awaiting decisions from them.
Plot 1 although not the easiest to cultivate does attract the wildlife with resident robins and foxes. Someone from within the village is interested in taking on this plot as it’s such a peaceful place.
One of our aims last year was to buy a Tommy statue for the Upper green.
We actually purchased 2 and these were installed in November throughout the period of remembrance. Chris and Andy Connor have taken charge of them and will store them until next year. The 2 statues were joined by another purchased by Lynsey Box.
We are hoping to purchase new planters for the village greens, dependent on finances throughout the year.
Projects for the year.
CBC and the police continue to acknowledge the parking problems around the upper green. The last correspondence on this matter was received in November 2023 when CBC advised it would be added to the annual plan.
Cutbacks and budgets restraints may well have an impact but we will continue to push CBC on this.
The big project this year will be working with the hall committee to purchase new play equipment for the recreation ground. We are hoping to meet with suppliers and gain quotes within the next few weeks. Once decisions are made as to the equipment needed, fund raising will be a top priority. We will be looking to the villagers for ideas and support with this.
Once this project is costed we will also be looking at the availability of grants.
We are very much at the start of this project and envisage it taking up to 2 or possibly 3 years to reach completion and it will be delivered in stages. Obviously the more quickly we can raise the funds, the sooner we can get the play equipment installed.
Any ideas for fund raising will be welcomed and anyone wishing to donate to this project should contact the clerk. We will provide updates on this throughout the year.
Some of you may already be aware that it has been agreed that the management of Tilsworth Charities will transfer to the parish council.
Pam Dillamore as Chair and Celia Bourne and Colin Quantrill as trustees have worked hard over many years and have now decided the time is right to retire.
The transfer of documents and financial details is underway and we hope to complete this over the next 2 or 3 months. The Clerk has spoken briefly with Marilyn Wilder who is a trustee and she is happy to advise on the finance aspects and complete the submission of annual accounts and returns.
.It is unlikely that the parish council will take direct responsibility as this will be down to the trustees of the charity. It is envisaged that business in respect of the charity will be conducted as part of one or two parish council meetings per year.
Several people have voiced a willingness to act as trustees including Cllr Versallion.
We will report more on how this is progressing at future meetings.
We have discussed with Cllr Versallion the possibility of having traffic lights installed at the Dunstable Rd junction with the A5. As many know, accessing the A5, particularly when turning right is extremely hazardous given the speed and amount of traffic. The A5 is the responsibility of national highways and not CBC so it is not something that will happen quickly. Cllr Versallion will steer this project.
As always we have a small but efficient army of people in the village to thank. These people give of their time to help support village life in numerous ways.
The Church as in many villages is a major presence and All Saints is supported by a team of volunteers and the Friends of Tilsworth church who help with fundraising events including the annual fete, the harvest supper, the Christmas bazaar, quiz nights and much more. Celia and Pam do so much to help organise and support these events and many of the villagers help by manning stalls and helping with refreshments.
Glenda from Stanbridge runs the monthly coffee mornings in Church House. Sue Scott co-ordinates the delivery of the Meeting Point Magazine whilst David Payne does the actual door to door deliveries.
Julian Knight and Gifford Box have been taking care of the grass cutting in the church yard.
My apologies as I have no doubt missed some people off the list but everyones efforts are so much appreciated.
There is a small core of people that the parish council is indebted to each year.
Lynsey and Maurice Box who quietly give their time as needed. Lynsey helping to keep our village tidy and tending the planters on the upper green and Maurice for his work with Speedwatch and ensuring the defibrillators in Tilsworth and Stanbridge are in good working order.
Chris and Andy Connor – always willing to step up over the years and now taking on the Tommy statues for remembrance day.
Billy and Fiona Blyth for arranging the supply and delivery of the Christmas tree.
And Yiannis. Emma and the team from the Anchor for decorating the tree and the upper green each year.
A special mention this year for Julian and Carol Knight who have embraced village life and are willing to support, help and arrange just about any event that needs it, most recently the litter pick on 24th March.
My thanks go to our parish councillors who will continue to support the village. Our parish councillors give of their time voluntarily and although having their own lives and issues to deal with, will strive to make sure the parish has a voice.
My thanks go also to the clerk who constantly works over and above her hours to support the Parish Council. We would struggle to exist without her.
We hope to see some of you at our meetings throughout the coming year.