Parish News - February 2014

The Next Parish Council meeting will be on 20^th March at 7.15pm in the Reading Room.

Cllr Ian Heslop is our Fire Warden for the Reading Room having volunteered after Neville Gray talked us through the requirements.

The Closure of the bridge is imminent – there will have been a meeting in February for residents and I do hope any questions have been answered by now. The Parish Council are in close contact with County Council and will try to update you as much as possible.

The Parish Council have decided to hire a contractor for cutting grass on their own land this season. They will also continue to monitor that which is cut by County Council and Isos.

A very welcome and constructive on site meeting was held in February with representatives from County Council. Areas covered included potholes, overgrowth, parking and it is the County Council’s intention to hold these on a regular basis. Certainly, talking through issues face to face seems more productive.

The Councillors are still considering recycling facilities but recognise that options are limited. Cllr Lesley Richardson is hopeful that a carton bank can be installed and she will provide the Council with more details at the next meeting, including possible locations.

Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Parish News - January 2014

Last summer, Cllr Hazel Chalmers, along with resident Ken Rusby, attended a meeting about Community Agreements which partly focussed on flooding. As a result of this she is hoping to set up a working party for Ovingham. Please contact Hazel for any more information.
The first new Village newsletter has been published. This is hoped to be issued on a quarterly basis and submissions need to be received for the next edition by early February. The newsletter is run by volunteers and the Parish Council do hope you give it your support.
Essential repairs have been completed at the Cemetery Lodge and the tenant was able to move back in before Christmas – very timely!
Moles continue to be a problem on the Playing Field and the mole catcher has been kept busy. A martial arts group use the Pavilion on a regular basis and appears to be well supported.
Due to time constraints, the Councillors met in December in order to submit a response to Northumberland County Councils Local Core Plan Strategy. This is primarily concerned with future housing needs and is asking for responses from all Town and Parish Councils. Ovingham’s main concern is the possibility of the removal of green belt to allow housing, and the impact on infrastructure especially increased traffic through the village and across the bridge as well as a knock on effect from Prudhoe.
Our next meeting is 16^th January. No meeting in February, so the next date is 20^th March, at 7.15pm in the Reading Room.


Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Christmas Carol Concert

Our vicar Eric, informs us that this year's Carol Concert will take place at 4:30pm on Sunday 22nd December in the Church. All the participants are under 18 and they have decided to send the proceeds of the retiring collection to Christian Aid's Philippines Fund. Click on the image for full details.

Parish News - December 2013

Councillors had a very informative site meeting with and engineer from County Council regarding the closure of Ovingham Bridge. As the date for closure nears, more information will become available but it is anticipated work will begin in February when scaffolding is erected, although the road bridge will not close to traffic until April. The pedestrian bridge will close for a week for refurbishment, but the road bridge will be pedestrian only during this period.

Following their recent inspection of the village, a request has been submitted to the County Council asking them to cut back overgrowth etc. and also to inform them of uneven pavements, potholes and the like. The Councillors will continue to monitor the village on a regular basis.

A fence has been installed in the gap in the hedge between the playing field and the cemetery. Repairs have been carried out to the shutters at the Pavilion and also to some play equipment.

The Horse chestnut tree in the Churchyard should have been removed by the time you read this – a Horse Chestnut has also been felled at the entrance to Piper Road. The Parish Council had been informed by County Council’s tree officer, that they were diseased.

The First meeting of the year will be on Thursday, 16^th January at 7.15 in the Reading Room.

Margaret Davenport
Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council

Housing Benefit & Council Tax Support

Please click on the image below for information regarding advice on Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support.

Road Closure - Windsor Crescent

Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 - Section 14

As Amended by Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991

Temporary Road Closure - U8267 Windsor Crescent, Ovingham

For your information the County Council intends making an Order under the above Act to prohibit the use by vehicular traffic on that section of the U8267 Windsor Crescent, Ovingham in the County of Northumberland.

The Temporary Order is to be effective from the 09th of December 2013 until the 03rd of January 2014.

It is expected that the road will only be closed from the 09th of December 2013 until the 10th of December 2013 between 08:00 and 17:00 hours each day.

The alternative route for vehicular traffic will be via Piper Road.

The closure has been requested by Northumberland County Council in order to resurface the carriageway.

Kind Regards

Andrew Douglas

TTRO Officer (Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders)

Parish News - November 2013

Still no further news regarding a new Councillor to replace Kevin Piper. This can take time but I am sure someone will be appointed soon.
       At the October meeting, Ken Rusby gave an updated account regarding the application recently submitted by SCA which, due to its location, affects Ovingham. The Parish Council are grateful for his help on this topic as well as that of Bob Klotz and Neville Gray. Councillor Phil Holden has become our representative on the SCA Forum.
      As reported in the November magazine, grass cutting next year will be undertaken by a private contractor. The Councillors’ had received 3 quotes and made their decision in October.
Highways department have been asked to place road markings in the village such as “SLOW” to help combat speeding. Other proposals are double yellow lines by Model Cottage/Tynedale Gardens entrance as visibility is poor when exiting from here due to the number of parked cars.
      As a result of a request from Green Ovingham, Councillor Jordon had been in touch with Adam Keen, Recycling Officer at NCC, regarding proposals for a bottle bank. Although such a facility can be mobile, a lack of possible sites continues to be a problem.  
      It is hoped that a quarterly Newsletter will be up and running soon. The Parish Council have agreed to cover the estimated costs of the first issue and trust that it will be a successful venture and well supported by the Village.
    There is no meeting planned for December and on behalf of Ovingham Parish Council, may I pass on the compliments of the season to you all.
     Margaret Davenport
     Clerk to Ovingham Parish Council