May 2019 Annual Parish Meeting - Chair's Report
Chairman’s Annual Report May 2019
I would firstly like to start with my thanks and appreciation to my fellow Parish Councillors who have given me much support during the previous 12 months and who voluntarily work hard to serve and support the community. There are with much regret six members who did not stand for re-election for the next four year term in office and I would like to thank them all very much indeed for their contribution and hard work during their respective terms in office, they all will be very much missed and I wish them well for the future. I would also on behalf of the Council like to thank Mike Allen the retiring Clerk and commend him for the work and dedication he has given to the Council and the Parish during the past 9 years, we are very much indebted to him and we wish him well for the future.
I would like to express my thanks to the residents of Ingoldmells. You have questioned actions, supported actions, attended meetings and popped into the office to let us know about concerns and offer suggestions. All this interaction is vital, and I hope you will all continue this open dialogue that has developed over the last few years as it is so important to us in helping move the Council forward.
I would like to welcome two new Councillors Tony Stubbins and Steve Walmsley and I trust we will have the same dedication from you in serving and supporting the community as we have from your predecessors and finally, I would like to welcome our new Parish Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer, Julie Rock.
Now to some business of the last few months, for yours and my ease I have chosen to list them in no specific order.
• An additional key piece of play equipment has been provided at Glebe Family Park
• Upgraded and replacement public seating has been provided in the main pedestrian foot fall areas
• The disused open air Bowling Club, Glebe Park, is now with support from the Council being managed by the Neighbourhood Management Forum as a community social centre
• Lighting to the roadway in Glebe Park has been approved by the Council and work will commence during the summer months
• Additional litter bins on Sea Lane and along the Skegness Road have been provided
• Solar Panels have been fitted to the Royal Arthur Community Centre in line with our green policy
• The Royal Arthur Centre has been redecorated and its lighting converted to LED
• The Council Offices and the Royal Arthur Community Centre has been assessed and approved for future Civic Ceremonies
• A ground floor Civic Room at the Council Offices has been created to give greater accessibility to members of the public to attend meetings
• Flower planters and barrier flower baskets are shortly to be displayed along the Skegness Road and Sea Lane which have been financed from BID funding. Hopefully this will develop and Ingoldmells will be renowned in the future for its “flowers in bloom”
• Additional grass cutting tasks around the village have been assigned, which were previously the responsibility of the County Council
• A number of grants have been awarded during the year to local organisations which in the opinion of the Council is in the interests of the parish
• The Parish Council continues to support the annual Christmas Tree Switch-on and Christmas Fayre
• The Parish Council continues to remember the 1953 Flood Victims in its annual wreath laying ceremony on the 31 January of each year
• The Community Library continues to flourish with its client numbers
• Regular dialogue with our colleagues in neighbouring Parish Councils to share knowledge and investigate collaborative work in public areas continues
• The shared part time Community Warden scheme for dog control in collaboration with the District Council continues to prove successful
• Ingoldmells Parish Council continues regular attendance and participation at external District and County Council meetings and we are continuing to develop relationships with Ward Councillors, District and County Council Officers, Members of Parliament and the Ingoldmells Academy to the benefit of the community
• The ‘normal’ daily business of reporting potholes, non-functioning lights, responding to planning applications and maintaining grass verges, hedges, recreational areas of the village, cemeteries, bus shelters, street furniture, noise, dog fouling, litter bins and toilets continues, mostly with success and at other times with frustration. However, we continue in these areas to get the best possible results we can for the village.
I, as your Chairman and my fellow Parish Councillors feel privileged to serve you and we hope that you will continue your support for the Parish Council and its work.
Bill Vincent
Chairman of the Council
20 May 2019