‘Team effort’ as Andy lifts annual award

STANDING in for the chair at this year ’s Melbourne Parish Council AGM, vicechair Cllr Nigel Collyer said it was always a pleasure to commence the annual business with the Dr Freeman Award, given each year to someone who has made a significant difference to the life of the village

This year ’s award was presented by Mrs Elizabeth Freeman to Andy Heafield for his involvement in the Queen’s Jubilee event in 2022

Andy said he was one of a team of four who worked on the event and, as the other three were councillors and could not receive the award, he proudly accepted it on behalf of all the team He went on to say the event was a fantastic occasion which had brought all the community together

The formal part of the annual meeting followed with reports from the various sub-committees, with Cllr Collyer having a prominent role to play covering not only the chair ’s report, but also that of planning and strategy, and the burials sub-group

Overall, the reports gave the impression of a busy council diligently covering a range of responsibilities, with many of the long-standing problems in the village still causing frustrations Parking, dog fouling, speeding, and antisocial behaviour all had a regular airing in the reports

The public questions section of the meeting was dominated by a group of residents who voiced concerns about reported plans by Forestry England to remove the fences at Poppy Wood Commerce Street resident Michael King de-

by Frank Hughes

scribed it as “trouble brewing” as the area was well used by dog owners and horse riders in the village, and the removal of fences would cause problems Another local, Liz Hepplewhite, said that as the hedges were permeable, the fences were needed to keep dogs off the main roads, as “not everyone has their dog under control” She also mentioned problems on the bridle path

Notwithstanding that Poppy Wood was in Stanton by Bridge parish, Cllr Collyer – acknowledging the strength of opinion – proposed that the issue was referred to the relevant subcommittee to discuss and to decide if any further action was appropriate

The menace of anti-social behaviour, which had come to prominence with groups of young people causing damage and fear, was discussed in the subsequent regular meeting

District Cllr Martin Fitzpatrick said he had discussed the issue with the police, who would ensure a heavier police presence on Friday evening He also said there were other measures the police could introduce, such as requiring groups to disperse, but they were reluctant to invoke these at the moment There was a need to ensure all incidents of ASB were reported (calling 101) so that the scale of the problem could be properly addressed

In other business Kings Newton’s residents had raised concerns on speeding through the village, plans for the Coronation Day event were on track, and a new committee structure for the council was being considered