Hanborough Parish Council

14th February report

Parish Council meetings

Due to the pandemic legislation was changed to allow for online meetings and we are currently not allowed to meet in person.  Councillors look forward to when face to face meetings can resume.  Public participation is encouraged as always and this can be by questions to the clerk or chair in advance, or by requests to speak.   All meetings are notified on the website and noticeboards as usual.  The clerk will share online joining instructions on request.

Annual Parish Meeting

We were forced to cancel this last year due to the first lockdown.  Currently we hope to hold this online on 20th April and further details will be published next month.

Local elections

Local elections were also postponed last year and are currently due in May.  The government remains committed to these going ahead subject to infection levels and we are planning accordingly.  Your District and Parish Council councillors will be up for election and this is a great opportunity for any residents wishing to get involved to put themselves forward.  For Parish Council roles please contact either the clerk or WODC.

MUGA and outdoor gym area

Council would like to remind everyone that the Multi Use Games Area and the outdoor gym remain closed until government guidelines are changed.  We will reopen as soon as we are allowed to.  The playground is allowed to stay open and the usual social distancing rules apply.

Hanborough Gate playground

This area was built by the developers Pye and we are working with them to take ownership and responsibility for maintenance.  This is taking longer than hoped but we will remove the fencing and open the facility as soon as possible.

Fly tipping

We have noted a rise in local fly tipping of both rubbish but also of green waste.  The local tip remains open and unlike many parts of the country booking is not required to visit.  WODC also offer a reasonably priced service to collect larger items and also a regular green waste road side service.

Traffic calming

Councillors are joining a Freeland group to explore a joined up approach to traffic calming initiatives in our parishes.  We welcome thoughts and note concerns raised in the past about Lower Road traffic speed and large vehicle access to Pigeon House Lane.

Dogs, dogs dogs!

We love our four legged friends but if you own one please ask them to respect other users in common areas.  We still have dog mess to remove in the areas around the playground (dog mess is very dangerous for children and unpleasant for the rest of us).  No dogs are allowed in the fenced area of either the games area or playground, and definitely not, as reported recently, on the picnic tables.

14th December news

Parish Council meetings

Due to the pandemic legislation was changed to allow for online meetings and we are currently not allowed to meet in person.  Councillors look forward to when face to face meetings can resume.  Public participation is encouraged as always and this can be by questions to the clerk or chair in advance, or by requests to speak.   All meetings are notified on the website and noticeboards as usual.  The clerk will share online joining instructions on request.

Become a Parish Councillor

Would you like to engage with your fellow residents and work to sustain and improve the quality of village life in Church Hanborough and Long Hanborough? As a Parish Councillor people regard you as responsible for things that happen locally. You will make a difference by influencing decisions that affect our village community. Being a Councillor is of course a commitment but highly satisfying.

Please contact the Parish Clerk to find out how you might get involved.

Playground ramp

The new ramp is open.  It's a great improvement on the old steps and provides a more accessible way through the area.  Councillors thanked Pye who's support was invaluable.

MUGA fence

Councillors have agreed to install a second entrance to the MUGA which will be at the opposite end from the current one.  Councillors have also agreed to raise the fence at the school end by 1.5 meters to help reduce the number of balls going over into the school grounds.  We anticipate that both projects will be completed early in the New Year.

Inclusive swing for the playground

The inclusive swing has been installed.  Thanks again to the residents who brought this idea to us and helped with choosing the most appropriate swing on the market.

Dogs, dogs dogs!

We love our four legged friends but if you own one please ask them to respect other users in common areas.  We still have dog mess to remove in the areas around the playground (dog mess is very dangerous for children and unpleasant for the rest of us).  No dogs are allowed in the fenced area of either the games area or playground, and definitely not, as reported recently, on the picnic tables.

Blenheim plans for the area

Blenheim attended the last council meeting to present strategic plans for the estate based around five initiatives to connect communities, use land for health benefits, put value on the natural land, move to carbon negative land management and create economic partnerships.

https://www.blenheimestate.com/land/