GOOD EVENING EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO TONIGHTS ANNUAL PARISH MEETING.  I AM GILLIAN WARRRENDER, CHAIR OF THE PARISH COUNCIL.

 

THE PARISH COUNCIL HAS FULFILLED ITS ANNUAL CYCLE OF MEETINGS AND IN ADDITION HAS HELD A NUMBER OF SPECIAL MEETINGS IN WHAT HAS BEEN A MOST EXCITING AND REWARDING YEAR. 

 

THE COMPLETION OF A COMMUNITY BUILIDING NAMED KILHAM HALL HAS BEEN THE RESULT OF MANY YEARS OF PLANNING BY THE PARISH COUNCIL AND ITS SUCCESS HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING.  AS WELL AS THE REGULAR TUESDAY COFEE MORNING THERE IS A WEEKLY ART CLUB AND SEQUENCE DANCING.  THE HALL HAS BEEN HIRED FOR MANY PRIVATE FUNCTIONS, AND IT IS HOPED THAT A MOTHER AND TODDLER GROUP WILL BE FORMED.  THERE WILL BE RACE NIGHT ON 7 MAY WITH PROCEEDS USED FOR PURCHASING CHILDREN’S PLAY EQUIPMENT.  BOTH THE OFFICAL OPENING EVENT ON 1 NOVEMBER AND THE CHRISTMAS CAROL SINGING WERE WONDERFUL OCCASIONS FOR THE PARISH TO CELEBRATE ITS NEW FACILTIES.  ACTIVITIES TO BENEFIT YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE ALSO TAKEN PLACE INCLUDING FOOTBALL COACHING SESSIONS AND FREE BICYCLE CHECKS AND EQUIPMENT.

 

THE REST OF THE PARISH HAS NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN AND WE ARE GRATEFUL TO DMBC FOR PROVIDING NEW BENCHES FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR RESIDENTS AND FOR THE RESURFACING WORK TO DONCASTER ROAD. THE PARISH COUNCIL IS PROVIDING A NEW NOTICE BOARD FOR WARNING TONGUE LANE.  FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY AND THE LANDOWNER OF WILLOW FARM THERE IS NOW ACCESS TO THE NORTH BANK OF THE RIVER TORNE. WE CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE DMBC’S NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM TO KEEP THE AREA CLEAN AND TIDY.

 

IN CONCLUDING MY REPORT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO FORMALLY THANK MY FELLOW COUNCILLORS PARTICULARLY THE VICE-CHAIR JENNIFER WORTHINGTON FOR HER SUPPORT AND EXPERTISE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WELCOME BARBARA FUSSEY AS A NEW COUNCILLOR. ALSO THANK YOU TO OUR CLERK AND HANDYMAN. WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR WARD COUNCILLORS BUT DUE TO THEIR CURRENT COMMITMENTS THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ATEND OUR MEETINGS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

 

LASTLY BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST MY THANKS TO RESIDENTS OF THE PARISH FOR BOTH THEIR SUPPORT AND INFORMATION PROVIDED DURING THE YEAR.

 

AND THAT LADIES AND GENTLEMEN CONCLUDES MY REPORT