Scopwick Parish Council News Spring 2010

Winter is a long time passing this year. The recent snow and rain means that the Beck through the Scopwick & Kirkby Green is carrying vast volumes of water at a rate fast enough to even keep the ducks on the bank most of the time.

The most visible activity in the Parish just now is the refurbishment of the Village Hall. Inevitably one or two issues have cropped up during the work and minor changes have had to be made. However, it does look as if all the improvements will be in place by the middle of March and normal service will then be resumed with the new toilet and canteen facilities in place exactly as planned.

Last summer it was noted that the hedges and trees around the Village Meadow were becoming overgrown to the extent that they were overhanging the area and encroaching on the useful space. A contractor has been employed and is currently working to reduce the hedge height and cut back the overgrowth. It looks a bit drastic just now but that work will be appreciated when the weather finally improves, the leaves return, and the area is clear and available for use.

At the January meeting the Parish Council carefully considered the budget required for the next financial year starting in April. The sums are small compared with some of of the surrounding parishes but nevertheless vital to maintain the area. The budget is drawn up to provide money for a wide range of responsibilities from obvious ones, such as cutting the grass through the villages and looking after the playing field, through to a wide range of maintenance functions and support for activities within the Parish.
Having set out the budget, the Parish Council was able to put forward to the District Council a funding requirement with no increase over that submitted in each of the last two years.

There has been concern expressed that the Planning Permission granted for the composting facility to be built in the Longwood Quarry did not limit the routeing of traffic carrying waste material into or out of the facility. The County Planning Office has now provided detail showing conditions attached to the Permission that not only limit the hours during which trucks may operate but also banning them using either Heath Road or Main Street. That should reassure local residents of both Scopwick and Kirkby Green concerned about possible noise and road safety issues.

Mobile Library Time Table for Scopwick & Kirkby Green

Tues 23 March
Tues 20 April
Tues 18 May

Kirkby Green Main Street
arrive 2.00 depart 2.30

Scopwick Village Hall
arrive 2.45 depart 3.15

It is wheelchair accessible and they will deliver books to housebound people.