Chairman’s Overview
The last year has been a busy one for the Parish Council dealing with election outcomes, the Fiery Hill road development, with travellers invading the playing field off Bittell Road as well as our usual activities.
The year started with the contested election of Councillors which had not happened since Barnt Green Parish Council was first formed seventeen years ago. The election appointed three new Councillors with two existing Councillors being unsuccessful. Judith Jagger who had been Chairman for the last 4 years retired after serving 17 years and her excellent service was recognised by all the Councillors. Unfortunately Diane Carr who was vice-chairman was not re-elected in spite of her splendid organisation for the last two village festivals; her huge contribution over the years was recognised by the Council. Tom Gray who had been on the original Council was not re-elected and his service was also recognised.
The newly elected Councillors were Edwin Gumbley, Charles Hotham and John Jagger. The Council elected Alun Davis as the new Chairman and John Jagger as vice-chairman but unfortunately Alun Davis had to resign from the chair during the year due to unexpected work commitments and John Jagger was elected Chairman in January with Doreen Hawkley appointed as vice-chairman.
The Parish Council planning team spent many hours with a planning consultant, a planning barrister, Bromsgrove planning staff and District Councillors about the proposals to build 98 houses behind the Barnt Green Inn. The Council organised two public meetings to explore all the arguments for and against the Bromsgrove Core Strategy 3 proposals to designate the site for development with the overwhelming view of villagers against development and we submitted these views in response to the BDC consultation. We opposed the Banner Homes planning application together with the newly formed Barnt Green Area Residents Association but the BDC Planning Committee said they could not find any planning grounds to refuse. Legal advice was taken that advised it would be futile to apply for a judicial revue of this decision. We all owe a big thank you to Susan Whitehand who has worked tirelessly on the project. The Parish Council is now working closely with Banner Homes and BDC planners to define the style and detail of the proposed 88 houses in the outline planning granted. We are also having input into the affordable housing provision and the choice of the partner housing association.
We twice had to evict travellers who had camped in our playing field last summer. The second invasion happened shortly after the first before we could install the defences you can now see at the entrance that should prevent any further occurrence.
With the support of the Barnt Green Chuggers the Council organised an extremely successful Sports Relief Mile in March with over 200 entrants and many spectators. Thanks to Councillor Charles Hotham and the Chuggers for organising a splendid event.
Our regular activities are detailed in the report below and my thanks go to all the Councillors for their hard work and support.
Our very able Executive Officer Roger Westbury will retire in May 2012 after 7 years excellent service to our council. We thank him for his hard work and wise advice over those years. We have appointed Paul MacLachlan who many of you may know to replace Roger and we welcome Paul to our team.
To read the rest of the Report, please click here.
John Jagger,
Chairman of the Parish Council
May 2012 |
