Parish Council Notes - August 2009

Visitors' Notice Board

This has recently been installed and has attracted favourable comments. The board has various photos taken around Ovingham and a map which should help visitors to find their way around.

Parking Restrictions

Northumberland County Council (Highways Safety) is proposing to extend the double yellow lines round the bend at the south end of Horsley Road. It is hoped that stopping parking here will improve safety and traffic flow on this very busy corner.

Care of Ovingham Village

A lot of maintenance has been carried out throughout the village - mainly the cutting back of hedges. Bewick Lane received a much needed clearing of overgrown hedges and it is hoped that this will help to keep it litter free. Some shrubs are also to be cut back in the churchyard though the branches which overhang the pant will have to remain. A full and varied action plan is being prepared for the village and the council was pleased to receive some very useful (and sometimes quite radical) ideas to make the village more attractive.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Debbie Reed expressed her concern regarding climate change and how we can all, as residents, make a difference to our carbon footprints. There are many ways in which we can all help, even small ways can make a difference (have you thought of turning off your engine when waiting at the level crossing?). Ovingham Parish Council back and support Debbie in all she is doing and she will, in turn, help the council by keeping it informed of ways it can help.

Ovingham Bridge

East Tynedale Forum met recently and our representative, cllr. Richard Benjamin, reported that once again, Ovingham Bridge had been discussed - and once again we were informed that nothing is likely to be done for the next 30 to 40 years.

Road Transport Plan

Ovingham Parish Council will be meeting informally to discuss our requests for the Road Transport Plan (which Northumberland County Council use to prioritise work on highways). The council is asked to choose three items which it feels are the most important or urgent. As some of our requests have been on the list for several years, rapid action will not necessarily happen!

Next Meeting

Thursday 17 September 2009 in the Reading Room. All members of the parish are invited to attend.

Tynedale Hospice at Home

The Parish Council has received a DVD, together with contact information, from Tynedale Hospice at Home.
If anyone would like to borrow this DVD please contact Georgina Harper (Tel:831897).

NHS Swine Flu Advice

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Summer Play Scheme

The SureStart mobile play van is making two visits to Ovingham Playing Field again this summer.

They have made several visits and the last one attracted over 30 youngsters. These free sessions are open to youngsters aged from 5 to 19. Children under 8 must be dropped off and picked up by an adult.

Make a note in your diary if you have youngsters.

Dates: 3rd and 24th August

Venue: Ovingham Playing Field

Time: 1:15pm to 2:45pm

For further details, look at the posters on the parish council notice boards or phone the Play Project Worker, Chris Affleck on either 01434 652388 or 07515 993852. Alternatively, you can email him at chris.affleck@northumberland.gov.uk

Parish Council Notes - June 2009

Because of the Goose Fair and no alternative date being found, the Parish Council Meeting for June was cancelled. However, the work of the Parish Council goes on.

Councillor Jordon must be congratulated on the flower planting which she and her helpers have carried out. The village is looking very “Summery”. Some routine maintenance has been carried out to the vegetation in the village. Cutting back of the hedges has been carried out on Bewick Lane and also on Horsley Road. Residents are reminded that they are responsible for the cutting back of their hedges and trees growing in their own property if they overhang the public highway.

Unfortunately, there have been cases of graffiti in the village which is not very pleasant. It is a costly exercise having them removed, but this has now been done.

Many people have asked where the notice board containing the village map has gone. It is a mystery, but Councillor Holden, with a lot of artistic work on this part, has had a new display made and this is to be mounted on a new board. It should not be too long before this is in place.

Once again, there has been a delay with the moving of the interactive speed sign. However, it is hoped before not too long, the sign will be re-sited on Horsley Road.

The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on Thursday 16 July at 7.15 p.m. in the Reading Room. All residents of Ovingham Parish are very welcome to attend.

Parish Council Notes - May 2009

The Annual Parish Meeting was held 21 May 2009. Councillor Margaret Turnbull was re-elected Chairman and Councillor Jordon was re-elected vice chairman. Councillor Jordon was re-elected as the Council Representative on the Reading Room Committee, Councillors Mennear and Macdonald to the Burial Committee and Councillor Holden elected as Council Representative to the Governors of Prudhoe Community High School (Community sub-committee). 

The Chairman in her report thanked all the Councillors for their hard work during the year and recorded much which has been carried out by the Council. She also spoke of things that still required carrying out in order that the village will remain beautiful and good to live in - mainly the eradication of litter and dog fouling. Reports were also received from the various representatives to village committees. These can be read by contacting the Parish Clerk.

The Interactive Light is to be moved soon to Horsley Road. In future it will be moved more regularly but some work to overhanging tree branches may have to be carried out before it can be located to Castle View.

There are several places throughout the village which are suffering from graffiti. It is hoped to get these cleaned as soon as possible.  

As you may have noticed, our map disappeared a while back. However, thankfully a new map, with pictures has been finished and a new board is being made. It is hoped to have it back on display very soon. 

By now all residents will have received from Northumberland County Council letters regarding the garden waste collection. The Parish Council expressed their regret that this step is being taken

A new Village Action Plan is to be produced. If you have any items which you think should be added for the future, please would you let the clerk know.

The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on Thursday 16 July at 7.15 p.m. in the Reading Room. All members of the Parish are invited to attend.

10 May 2009 - Garden Waste Collection Service

The newly installed unitary authority - Northumberland County Council - are scrapping the free garden waste collection service set up by the now defunct Tynedale Council.

In a letter dated 7 May 2009 from NCC, they explain that households in Tynedale will have up to 8th June 2009 to decide ( ... ' to give you some time to decide to consider whether you wish to subscribe to the service... ') whether to pay £20 (incl VAT) a year for the service or choose to have their green waste bin removed. Residents choosing to have their bin removed will revert to having to take their garden waste to the tip themselves.

The letter points out that prior to 1 April 2009, some District Councils charged more that £30 a year and that only Tynedale provided a free service. NCC are introducing this in order that 'this service can be provided in a consistent manner and to a uniform standard across the County.'

A letter is due to be sent to all residents from NCC outlining these plans in more detail.
Watch out for more like this.