Parish Council Notes - September.

The main items discussed at September’s meeting were proposals for the Local Transport Plan. Each year the Parish Councils are asked for their three top priorities to be submitted to Northumberland County Council. Ovingham Parish Council has again asked that priority be given to a new bridge, as well as re-locating the 30mph sign at the approach to Ovingham from Wylam (moving it further away from the village). The Council have also asked for parking bays and/or double yellow lines around the schools to ease congestion and that there be a continuous footpath from Ovingham to Ovington.

Councillor Jordon reported that there had been quite a few responses to the recent Village Plan Questionnaire that had been delivered to each household in Ovingham. These will be collated in due course with all the others, which have since been returned. A time consuming task no doubt!

Revised Bus Times - 111 and 686

We have been informed that the timings of two local bus routes are to be changed. Please click on the images to see them clearly - and contact a councillor if you will be adversely affected.

Mobile phone - lost, found and returned!

A couple of weeks ago, a mobile phone was found on the playing field and handed in as lost property at Prudhoe police station.
The person who lost it saw the note that was put up and reclaimed it.
He is understandably very relieved and would like to thank the finder personally.
Give me a ring (Phil Holden 830517) if you found it and I'll put you in touch.

Reminder - Bin Day Is Changing

A reminder that bin collection day is changing starting week commencing Monday 12 September.

All houses should have had a leaflet explaining the reasons for the change and the new day for collection. As collection times might change from time-to-time, residents are asked to make sure their bins are ready for emptying by 7am.

Collection of garden waste bins is not affected.

Full details can be found on the County Council's web site - www.northumberland.gov.uk or you can ring customer services on 0845 600 6400.

New Litter Bin - River View

The litter bin located at the entrance to the Village Green disappeared in mysterious circumstances some time ago. Where did it go?

Since the county council wouldn't pay for a replacement, Ovingham Parish Council agreed to buy one. In the photo, Cllr. Richard Benjamin is seen testing it out with its first bit of litter. The bin can quite properly be used for bagged dog poo.

OPC also agreed to provide a completely new one at the entrance to the field which leads up to Whittle Dene just off Horsley Road. This one will be installed soon and it is planned to fix both bins up with a dispenser for free poo-bags ... so no excuses now!

Village Plan - Questionnaire

Residents will soon be receiving a questionnaire which invites comments on a whole range of issues. The council will use the responses to plan long and short term targets and will help to form the yearly precept for the next five years. The precept is the annual sum of money we receive and is included in the Council Tax.

The questionnaire is an important opportunity for residents to inform the council of issues that concern them. A good response is also important for the council as it helps us to understand what residents would like us to concentrate on.

Please find time to complete your questionnaire and return it either to one of the councillors or the Reading Room letter box. If you haven't received your questionnaire by the end of August please contact one of the councillors and they will make sure you get one.

Completed forms need to be returned by 3rd September when analysis will begin. Needless to say, the questionnaire is completely anonymous and confidential.

Parish Council Notes - July 2011

PC Charlie Cross from Community Policing, Prudhoe, attended the June Parish Council meeting to give a talk about recent policing issues in the area. Although these did not specifically affect Ovingham, there had been a spate of bogus callers and theft of metals. He asked that people be on the alert, and it was always better to report anything suspicious, than not at all.

Councillor Jordon had been busy reviewing village maintenance areas and presented a detailed list of ones of concern. These included the east end of the village, on the Wylam road were weeds, brambles and overhanging branches were a big problem. Also weeds and overgrown shrubs by Ovingham Bridge and on the bend in Horsley Road.

The Old Post Box has been donated and collected by the Heritage Centre at Bellingham, where they hope to use it to collect children’s completed quizzes. There seems to be lots to do at the Museum and may be worth a visit during the school holidays. The museum is open Mon – Sat 9.30 am – 4.30 pm and Sundays 10.30 am – 3.30 pm, or telephone 01434 22 00 50.

There will be no Parish Council meeting in August, but I hope to keep you updated with some information in the next magazine.