Chairmans Report 2023/24
Chairmans Report - 21st May, 2024
Another year has passed us by and another report is now due.
Seven Councillors started off the year and in November we co-opted Joseph Pepper to join us, giving us the eight Councillors we need.
We have continued to meet bi-monthly in May, July, September, November, January and March, usually on the 2nd Tuesday (but not always). Our meetings are regularly attended by Cllr Dan McNally who is our Ward District and County Representative and of course, myself, who, as well as having the role of Chair of Marshchapel Parish Council I am also one of the Ward Representatives at East Lindsey District Council.
During last summer we liaised with Internetty to put free Wi-fi to the Parish Council office and in the Village Hall, which hirers can use whilst on the premises. They very kindly agreed to let us ‘plug in’ to their electricity and so we were able to have our very first communal Christmas Tree on the amenity grass near the Village Hall. We are hoping to get our new seat, notice board and flag pole in place very shortly.
We are still very much aware that there is a problem with parking outside the school and we have done what we can to address this. The Head Teacher is also aware and working hard to alleviate this problem.
The War Memorial is now being maintained by a villager, voluntarily, we are very happy with this as the War Memorial always looks immaculate. Our thanks go to him.
We were delighted to get a Lottery Grant in November for a Monkey Climber, Play Boat and seating (adult & children’s) for the Playing Field, we are aware there is a small problem with the mud round the Monkey Climber and will be putting some special matting in place. We have also been asked to alter the gated entrance to the Play Area, to make is safer, this work is in hand. Unfortunately, the Play Boat has suffered some vandalism, we have a good idea of the culprits and any further information will be dealt with confidentially.
We are extremely pleased to see The White Horse has re-opened and hope that they continue to thrive in our village, a big thank you to the new Landlords for all their community efforts and to everyone who supports them.
Planning applications continued to come in, which we monitor and comment on. If any Parishioner needs our help in submitting their views and comments please get in touch with the Clerk. Our website is full of information about the Parish Council and all activities in the village. Please check it out at: marshchapel.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk if you have a problem finding it just type ‘Marshchapel Parish Council’ into your search engine and it should pop up straight away. There is a lot of new and useful information on the site and it is regularly added to.
Finally, it should be noted that none of the above would be possible without the continued support from all the Parish Councillors, the District Councillors and the work put in by our Clerk. I am very grateful for their efforts and the work they all put in.
Councillor Paul Rickett
Chairman – Marshchapel Parish Council
21/05/2024