Hemyock

It may be news to some readers that hemyock.org carries the draft Minutes of Parish Council meetings, as soon as they are released.   You can see what was proposed and agreed here. 

As local government shifts powers to Parish Council level, the actions of the Parish Council become increasingly important to the life of the community.   For example, the Parish Council can take out very substantial loans that will be repaid out of future Precept money for 25 years.  

The Chairman of Hemyock Parish Council, Mrs Heather Stallard will Chair a meeting in the village hall (Forbes Lounge) at 11am on Saturday 10 September 2011 to initiate plans for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012 and all club members/parishoners are invited to attend.

Councillors at Hemyock bid a sad farewell to their Parish Clerk, Anne Kingston at the final council meeting ahead of local elections.  Anne had held the post for 24 years and was retiring to spend more time in the garden and with the grand children. 

Plenty going on in the village.  Read up on snow clearance, Annual Parish Meeting, challenges to MDDC charges and the forthcomoming election.

Brown envelopes have been dropping onto local door mats and they need your urgent attention.  Developed by Hemyock Parish Council and the Devon Rural Housing Partnership, the results will help to assess the future housing needs for the area, including the prevention of unnecessay deleopments.  One subject covered by the survey is the possible future of Old School Court.   So please complete and return them by 31st March.  Your response will have an impact!

Should the village precept be increased, do we need a block of flats in the centre of our village and will pedestrians lack protection?

‘Mind the Gap’ was a mini conference held in Hemyock recently to consider the provision of increased elderly care services in Hemyock and in particular housing.  Hosted by the Parish Council and including representatives from the Abbeyfield Society, WCHA the local housing association and Mid Devon District Council the group began by reflecting on the existing services available to local people provided by both public and voluntary sector.  These were not insignificant and the work of organisations such as the Healthy Living Centre, Blackdown GP Practice and Blackdown Support Group were highlighted and commended.

There is a warning of snow on the way.  Are you prepared?  If you follow this link to the DCC Emergency Planning Newsletter you will find sections of interest to help you prepare.    http://www.devon.gov.uk/ep_newsletter_dec10.pdf

If the snow does come, please check on your neighbours, especially the elderly.

Let's plan for the worst whilst expecting the best.

Letters from 13 key businesses were presented at a recent Parish Council meeting in Hemyock demanding action on the need for passing places on Pencross Hill to the North of the village.  As the village has grown, there has been a marked increase in the number and size of commercial vehicles on this route to the M5, Taunton and Wellington.  Councillors heard that when buses and HGVs meet, there is just no room for them to pass and no specific passing places for them to reverse into, on what is a very steep hill.

On Sunday 21st November at 10.00am we shall formally open our new flood plain bridge .  This significant project was instigated and funded on behalf of local people by Hemyock Parish Council.  Local landowner Geoff Acland will 'cut the tape' and there will be refreshments afterwards.  Come along and support this important village event.