06/05/2026
For those who missed the recent Annual Parish Meeting, here is my Chairman's Report
I normally open the Annual Report with comments regarding the stability of the Council, despite the odd resignation and co option each year, this year has been particularly stable but, with the election upon us and several councillors choosing not to stand again, I was concerned that we would not have a council going forward. I am therefore pleased to see that this is not the case and that we do have five councillors who will be installed at the Annual Meeting of the Council, and hopefully they will be able to co-opt further members.
Once again, the precept has risen slightly, but, as always, the Council will not make increases for the sake of it. However, we must remain responsive to rising costs. Our proportion of the council tax is minimal, and the Council will always try to use that money in a responsible way.
Turning to ongoing matters affecting residents, traffic and road safety continue to dominate Council discussions. While we are at the limit of what we may easily be able to do about speeding, the movement of HGV and farm vehicles through the village remains a concern.
I would like to thank Cllr Cannon for his ongoing dialogue with the police and traffic planners as we look to make the village a safer place. The initiatives regarding quiet lanes and other traffic calming solutions could have a significant effect on the village, and I will be watching these with great interest.
The Wheatsheaf junction remains very much on the radar, but there is still no news on when work will begin. As this matter is out of our control, we continue to look forward to the time when something is done about what has proved to be a dangerous junction.
We still have no official word on the Envar incinerator plans, but I am encouraged by reports that they are unlikely to proceed. They still have some time before that application expires, so we cannot yet say that the spectre of this development has fully gone away.
I would like to thank Charlotte Lowe, who has supported us as our District Councillor and now also as our County Councillor. I also thank my fellow councillors for their support and, of course, Sarah, our Clerk, who will be essential as a process guide for the council in the next few months.
Thanks are also extended to those members of the public who attend our meetings, and I hope that more do so in the future.
In last year’s report, I said that I would not be standing for re election as a councillor in this year’s election, and therefore this is my final Chairman’s Report. I have served on the Council for 18 years, during which time there are a number of achievements by the Council of which I am extremely proud.
• Adoption of the village phone box when it was due to be removed, followed by the later installation of a defibrillator
• Submission of numerous successful Local Highways Improvement (LHI) bids
o Purchase and installation of the speed indicator sign
o Installation of bollards to protect the bus stop
o Introduction of 40mph buffer zones on the approaches to the village
o Early adoption of a 20mph speed limit within the village
• Standing as a Council and community against the Envar Incinerator proposal contributing significantly to the refusal of the original application
I hope that the Council continues to build on these foundations while responding to the evolving needs of the village, and I wish the new councillors every success for the future.
In my time as a councillor, I have served under three Chairmen and alongside 25 different councillors, as well as four Clerks. According to my records, I have missed only four meetings during that time and have served as Chairman for the last seven years. I’ve even been temporary clerk on more than one occasion!
I never had any ambition to become a councillor, but in 2008 I was approached by a respected member of the village who suggested that I stand and kindly “offered” her support.
Consequently, if anyone has been unhappy with my time on the Council, they should take it up with Sally.
Finally, I offer special thanks on behalf of the Council and the village to Shirley Firth. As someone who has been both Parish Clerk and a Councillor, she has served this Council more than anyone. I hope that she will now take it easy – although I doubt it.
Andy Notman
Chairman
Woodhurst Parish Council
