09.03.10
Discussions have been taking place between the Parish
Council and Royston Heath Archery Club about the possibility of
running archery lessons on the recreation ground during this Summer.
There has been interest shown in this activity, but before
we can proceed to the next stage we need to know how many people
would be interested in taking part. To register your interest,
please contact Councillor Tony Terry on 01763 848893 or by email
anthonyterry@btinternet.com
05.03.10
Following yesterday's approach to Herts CC about uncovered
Anstey Quarry lorries seen driving through the village, we have
heard from that the Monitoring and Enforcement Officer visited the
site today and made it clear that unsheeted
laden lorries exiting the site was not acceptable and instructed the
circulation of an urgent reminder to all hauliers to ensure that any
loads are correctly covered before exiting. Barkway Parish Council
is greatly appreciative of this prompt action.
04.03.10
The Parish Council has reported to Herts CC that Anstey
Quarry lorries have been seen driving North through Barkway, fully
laden with crushed concrete/rubble, but uncovered. It is a condition
of quarry operations that such lorries are covered.
04.03.10
Village pond - due to high water level and
concerns over the condition of the jetty, the Parish Council has
closed the jetty indefinitely. The public are requested to refrain
from using the jetty until further notice. Anyone who chooses to
ignore this, does so at their own risk.
27.02.10
Following an approach to North Herts MP, Oliver Heald by
the Parish Council regarding the problem of HGVs using the country
network and the possibility of SATNAV being programmed to avoid
certain country routes, we have heard from Mr Heald that he has been
informed by the Director of Environmental and Commercial Services at
Herts CC that Herts CC is currently undertaking a review of its
highway network, which includes an establishment of a route
hierarchy and HGV routing. This will feed into their Intelligent
Transport Systems strategy where one of the initiatives is to work
with road haulage groups and SATNAV providers to guide lorries
around Hertfordshire highways network. This is a project being
adopted by a Parish Plan working group who will keep on top of the
matter.
26.02.10
As part of the plans to meet the criteria, needed to
achieve "quality parish" status, Barkway Parish Council will be
issuing a newsletter to all household in the Parish on a quarterly
basis. "Barkway Bulletin will provide both recent news and future
plans aimed at keeping residents informed as to current and planned
activities designed to benefit the whole community.
Households should have received the first edition by now, but if for
any reason you have not received a copy, you may download a copy by
clicking here; or you may telephone 01763 848755.
Let us know what you think of "Barkway Bulletin" and if
there is any particular area which you would covered in future
editions.
16.02.10
The recent road works within The High Street were discussed with the
Area Manager from Herts Highways on Monday 15th February who was
visiting the village on a separate matter. The works have been
planned for some time but were delayed by weather. A window
appeared in the contractors schedule whereby they could be
completed, hence the sudden appearance. The Parish Council
welcomes the works which will hopefully see less vibration noise
from HGVS on the uneven surfaces, but will continue to push for a
complete resurfacing of the High Street in the future. The traffic
management was somewhat lacking, and Herts Highways will address
this with the contractor.The Parish
Council is also pleased to say that we learned that as part of this
phase of works, the pavement in London Road will be have its verges
cut back and the surface completely re-laid at some point in the
near future.
16.02.10
Today, many people, despite the weather, visited Laing's
lovely barn in Elms Lane, for the annual pancake and coffee morning
which included a bring and buy stall. The event was very successful
and enjoyed by all. A raffle was held and all proceeds will go to
Barkway Church. Click
here for
some photographs.
11.02.10
In response to the Parish Council's request for information
about salt bins, we understand from NHDC that there are
approximately 120 requests on a list for North Herts/Stevenage
alone. Very few have been installed in the current year and those
that have have been are the highest priority in accordance with the
County's criteria (gradient/school etc). Barkway is on the list for
a salt bin but we are not sure of the priority level. Funding
is an obvious issue currently with the provision of salt bins with
the level of gritting/pothole repairs being undertaken due to the
current cold winter. The question of salt bins was raised by the
Members of the Joint Member Panel and a report is to be prepared
regarding salt bins.
Your Parish Council will keep
on top of the issue.
08.02.10
It has come to the notice of the Parish Council that lorries
belonging to P J Thory Ltd have been driving through the
village at speeds estimated in
excess of 30 mph. The Parish Council has
taken up the matter with the firm and has been
assured that their drivers have been instructed to observe the speed
limit whilst driving through Barkway. If any resident see a lorry
from this company driving in excess of the speed limit, if they
could take the registration number and report it to the Parish
Council via this website or by email to
webmaster@barkway-village.co.uk
03.02.10
Sue Nielson, our Parish Clerk for the past 22 years has
retired and we would like to thank her for her long and valuable
service to the village. The position has been advertised and the
post has now been filled by Catharine Toms. We wish her well in this
role.
11.01.10
Parish Council has contacted Herts CC Environment and complained at
the delay it is taking in getting salt bins for the village. These
were requested in December, and we received assurances they would be
in place as soon as possible. There is still no date for delivery of
the bins. We understand that the weather in the county has seen an
increased demand for bins in the bigger towns, but we are on
the list.
06.01.10A report commissioned by HCC entitled "Winter
Maintenance Programme - an investigation into the effectiveness of
the current arrangements" concludes
"
the Group
believes there is benefit clarifying that liability remains with the
Highways Authority (i.e. the County Council) if residents/businesses
clear snow from the front of their properties.
This would clear some of the confusion among the public as
regards the responsibility.
30.12.09
The Parish Council
received a further request from BT for the village to adopt the red
telephone box in the High Street. Adopting means that we keep the
box without the telephone equipment, and have to look after and
maintain it. Keeping it as a working phone, BT have to maintain it.
The Parish Council has responded to BT saying that
with no mobile or unreliable mobile phone
signal in the village, we therefore regret we are unable to accept
your kind invitation to “adopt” our listed telephone box, and must
insist you continue to provide a telephone service from the box and
continue to maintain the box in the manner you have done
successfully in the past.
22.12.09
The Parish Council, on behalf of the village, has
made strong representations to the Herts Environment Agency and to
our County Councillor about the lack of salt bins and road gritting
during the current bad weather conditions.
10.12.09
The local Police are concerned that this time of
the year may be a bonanza time for burglars.
If your property is going to be unoccupied at any time, please let
the Police know. You can do this by downloading and completing the
Unoccupied Premises Form
09.12.09
At a meeting of the Parish Council held in the
Reading Room on the 8th December, the current Chairman, Ken
McCormick stood down. Ken will continue as a Parish Councillor. In
his place Dr Robert Davidson, the current Vice Chairman, was elected
Chairman and in his place, Gordon Baker was elected Vice Chairman.
The Councillors present unanimously expressed their thanks and
gratitude to Ken for his hard work and efforts over the years as
Chairman.
07.12.09
The Parish Plan Steering Group delivered
a questionnaire to all addresses in Barkway and Newsells on Sunday
6th December. The purpose of the questionnaire is to give residents
a first opportunity of providing their views on the future of the
Parish. Questions relating to issues and concerns regarding the
environment and the community will be included and residents are
asked to complete and return the forms in accordance with
instructions by the 19th December. This is an important exercise as
the findings will go a long way in determining planning and funding
for the community in the future. Your co-operation will be greatly
appreciated.
23.11.09
Despite appalling weather the Barkway Moonlight Market in the Church
on Saturday 21st November was a huge success with over 200 people
enjoying the amazing range of goodies organised by the Friends of
Barkway Church. The food stall piled high with a wonderful variety
of treats was great attraction as were the stalls with Christmas
presents, decorations, candles, cards and local honey. Children were
able to make their own decorations to take home or be hung on the
Christmas tree in the Church next month. A major treat was the great
Barbers Shop group, who provided huge entertainment for those who
just wanted to sip their Whisky Mac and eat the hot sausages and
enjoy themselves.
11.11.09
Dog Fouling in Barkway has in recent times become a particular
nuisance, and the Parish Council has diverted valuable revenue from
its limited funds to provide dog litter bins at multiple sites
within the Parish. For the most part, dog owners within the
village have cooperated and used the dog bins and in so doing have
shown strong social responsibility and a commitment to keeping the
streets and pavements of Barkway dog mess free.
It has been reported to the Parish Council by a concerned residents
that despite our efforts and the cooperation of the majority of dog
owners/walkers, that it appears a persistent minority still fail to
clear up their dog’s mess.
The Parish Council prefers to try to tackle problems of dog fouling
by bringing the matter to the attention of the dog owner/walker.
However the Council has a responsibility to report to the
authorities any person who does not comply with the law.
We therefore wish to remind all dog owners/walkers that under the
Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, failure to clean up dog mess is
punishable by law and carries a fine of up to £1000 for each
instance. Please ensure that that you have the necessary bags/scoop etc with you when walking dogs, and that you clean up any mess
left by the dog(s) as required by law and use the dog mess bins. In
so doing you will help to keep our beautiful village clean and tidy.
05.11.09
Firework display at Barkway Recreation Ground
- a happy and safe evening was enjoyed by children and adults alike - the rain
held off. A bucket collection towards the cost of the event raised
£320.86 - a big "thank you" to those who helped to organise the
evening.
19.10.09
Friends of Barkway School and the Playgroup Committee
would like to say a huge "thank you" to everyone who supported the
Auction of Promises on Saturday 17th October. The event was a great
success and has raised approximately £8000.00. Special thanks to
everyone who donated promises, to those who bid for items, to those who
attended the event and to all the people who worked so hard behind the
scenes to make the evening a success.
22.09.09
It can be announced that this morning the Planning
committee voted unanimously to reject the application by the Golf
Course to create the golf academy by the importation of inert
debris. Whilst roads were discounted as a problem, the sheer volume
of material, the length of the works, the failure to properly
consider a right of way and other breaches of HCC policy were
sufficient to persuade the committee to dismiss the application.
A representative of the agent did appear and did mention that they
would consider an appeal if the application was rejected.
06.09.09
A fabulous time was had by all at the Barkway Playgroup 'Camping
on the Rec' fundraiser organised in August. The sun shone, the
sausages sizzled and the bonfire blazed. We managed to raise
around £450 !, which will go along way to keep the playgroups
head above water. Thank you so much to the Parish Council who
allowed this event to go ahead and also to everyone who came. We
hope to make this an annual event, so will see you next year
under the stars.
Lisa Taylor
Chairperson of Barkway Playgroup
03.08.09
Wheatsheaf Meadow House will be used for the
summer and autumn months as a temporary
office by North Herts Homes, to enable
them to manage a programme of improvements in their properties in
the villages south of Royston. The offices will only be used by NHH
staff during office hours and will have minimal impact on
neighbouring householders. To this end, workmen have been and
continue to work at the site, in order to install the offices. As
stated before, there are no plans to use the building for any type
of accommodation. The Parish Council is in discussion with NHH over
the development of affordable housing in the village to meet the
future accommodation requirement identified in our Housing Survey
needs.
30.07.09
TRO3876 Temporary Closing and Temporary 10mph Speed Restrictions in
Various Roads in Royston, Sandon, Therfield, Barley and Barkway.
Click
here for details of this order.
23.07.09
Barkway Parish Council, by working actively with NHDC, our
District Councillor and Herts. Police, has recently secured a change
in speed monitoring initiatives, with the Ermine ward now benefiting
from 10 speed checks per month, 3 of them enforceable, whereas
before the number was less and none were enforceable. A small but
important improvement.
It should be noted that in the last 2 years, of those
caught speeding by the police, 80% of the offenders were local
residents.
For rural parishes, such as Barkway, it is necessary to
embark on and complete a Parish Plan (PP). Such plans encompass many
issues and proposals for corrective action and their implementation.
Barkway has commenced this process and is under the steerage of the
Barkway Parish Plan Group, which opened consultations with the
community at the recent Barkway Church Fete. Not surprisingly,
amongst several issues within the Parish village traffic,
particularly speed and HGV’s were raised several times. The PP
enables everyone to raise issues, express their opinion on those
issues, and then get involved to work with the authorities to seek
actions to resolve those issues.
Whilst the PP progresses, for concerns over traffic issues, it is
recommended that residents can contact the following:
Speeding/ traffic and parking
Hertfordshire Police non emergency calls dial
0845 33 00 222.
The operator who answers will
ask you for details about the nature of your call and pass you on to
the relevant department and person.
Roads / Traffic calming -
Herts. Highways and Environment 0300 123 4047
or email
hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk
In doing so, this may have a better effect in raising the profile of
speeding and gain more speed monitoring, as it has been made clear
to the Parish Council that in order to secure the funding for any
traffic measures it is required to complete a Parish Plan, which
takes time and for which there is no fast track or short cut to
secure funding
20.07.09
North Hertfordshire Local Development Framework
Local Development Framework - Land Allocations Additional
Suggested Sites Consultation July 2009
As part of a consultation process
being carried out by
NHDC seven
sites in and around Barkway
have been
identified
for additional housing.
Documents relating to this consultation process can be accessed via
the NHDC website
www.north-herts.gov.uk
and by following the links until you reach "Land Allocations
Additional Suggested sites".
The Barkway Parish Council held a special planning meeting on 11th
August to discuss the response on behalf of the
village. Residents are welcome to present their views to the Parish
Council through this website. It must be remembered that in
cases like this the more responses NHDC receive the better - each
response in favour or against counts. In the meantime, the proposed sites can be viewed by
clicking
here.
The Council's preferred method for accepting comments is by using
their online consultation software.
Online consultation softwareHowever,
representations can also be sent by e-mail to:
ldfconsultations@north-herts.gov.uk
Or by post to:
LDF Team
North Hertfordshire District Council
Gernon Road
Letchworth Garden City
Hertfordshire
SG6 3JF
The closing date for receiving representations is 14th September
2009
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