Hartwell Annual Parish Council Meeting of 6th April 2003
Chairman's Report

As last year I offer my thanks to all our employees for their hard work during the last 12 months. Julie Bruley our clerk is getting to grips with all her responsibilities to ensure the Parish runs smoothly. This year it is hoped she will attend the AQA Certificate in Local
Council Administration course, which in turn will allow the Parish to be accredited Quality Parish Council status.

Thanks go to Ray Dines our cemetery groundsman who has maintained this cemetery to it's usual high standards. Likewise Bob Ganna who ensures our streets and pavements are litter free. Bob also assists us with extra jobs above and beyond those required of him. He has painted the war memorial fence and he has removed graffiti from Parish equipment. It's a pity the other authorities such as water, power etc, don't act and remove this graffiti from their equipment.

Our footpath warden Peter Fry gets special thanks this year for volunteering to modify the two stiles on the footpath around Rowley Wood. Both stiles now have an extra step (up and down) to assist the 'not so young' walkers to access this footpath. This path is probably the most used footpath in the village and several walkers have asked me to thank Peter for making their walk a little easier.

Thanks to our clock repairer Dick Wain, not for repairing the clock, but most recently erecting the new speeding signs. Dick is always willing to help with any job, which we are very grateful for.

Thanks to Michael Smith our District Councillor and Brian Binley our County Councillor who have once again represented our interests and put forward our views and concerns whenever asked. I welcome George Jones who has attended many parish council meetings over the last few years and who has been co-opted onto the parish council this year. All the parish councillors are aware that we came 2nd in the Northamptonshire 'Best Kept Villages' competition (sponsored by Calor Gas). This competition is open to all villages within the county. Our group (2) is for villages having between 500-2000 people in their population and we did extremely well to achieve the runner-up plaque. Thanks to all who assisted in making Hartwell a better place to live.

Once again, Remembrance Day was very well attended and I offer our thanks to all those who attended and participated, including the wreath laying party of two serving members of the forces and one retired member of the Military Police. Special thanks to Mr Stoneman who plays the last post so well and with such feeling.

I am still receiving many favourable comments concerning 'HartBeat'. It's becoming indispensible in some homes. Not read once and discarded, but retained for reference until the next issue is available. Many thanks to Andy Robinson for the design, layout and printing and Judy Webster who obtains advertising, new contributions and pursues contributors for their articles. Please note that any Parish councillor who has not participated in 'HartBeat' will be asked for articles, profiles, competitions etc, etc, etc. SO START THINKING!!

Services received and paid for by the Parish involves street lighting. Our maintenance contractor is Aylesbury Mains and they state that repairs should take no more than 5 days from notification to repair (spares permitting). I recommend that anyone with a problem (such as bulbs or sensors) report this to the clerk, then monitor the time taken to repair. Hopefully 5 working days should see it repaired. Our other major contractor is Blackwells who cut our grass up to 9 times per year, April to October.

Following last years comments concerns regarding the building of ten's of thousands of new homes within this area, few things are certain, but it appears unlikely to be many (if any) will be built between ourselves and Milton Keynes.

The bulk of Northampton new homes will be constructed between the Ml and J15a around South Northampton to Houghton, none of which appear to effect Hartwell. But there are still many problems to be resolved such as water, sewage, education, health care and increasing traffic etc, etc.

With regards to expenditure, from the figures available for the year 03/04 we are running at the same expenditure level as the previous year. This will be with the exception of the cost of the bus shelter which was precepted in 02/03 and will be paid for in 03/04. When comparing Hartwell P.C expenditures with other villages, we will still be below the halfway mark in a league table of spending when compared with other similar sized parishes in Northampton. It is to be hoped that we maintain our balance of good service and good value.

As last year I wish to thank all the parishioners of Hartwell who carry our numerous tasks on behalf of the community without recognition. Without your assistance Hartwell would not be such a pleasant place to live -Many Thanks.

John Budden Chairman-
Hartwell Parish Council