The members of the Parish Council discussed the contracts they had for grass cutting of the highway verges and the cemetery and for general village maintenance. The contracts had been running for five years and it was decided to look at the work that was being done and consider going out to tender again. They would welcome knowing of any local companies that might be interested in the work.
There was a detailed update on the work at Playfield Road playing field for the new play space. Following the clearance of the site by volunteers on 5th September, the dry stone wall contractor started on site the following week. It was expected that they would be on site until mid October. Once the wall was completed the main contract for the installation of the play equipment and the landscaping of the site would begin with an estimated completion date of mid December. The contract had been signed with TCL Landscapes Limited. An application for further funding had been made to the Aiming High County Council grant giving body for equipment for children with disabilities. A display of the plans and pictures of the play equipment had been put up in the Village Hall. All the work at the Playfield Road has been developed by the Play Areas Working Group which has been working with the Parish Council. Developments made by Parish Councils on their own land for community use such as play equipment do not normally require planning permission. The details of the proposed BMX track which will be installed separately have not been considered yet and neighbours will be informed.
There had been no progress with a number of items including the painting of the post boxes, the quotation for installing the posts in the verges in The Avenue and investigation of solutions for the surface water run-off in the village.
The members of the Parish Council hoped that there would be a good attendance this year at the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Sunday 8th November. There was a successful pre-meeting of the clergy, marshals and the uniformed organisations on 6th October. They discussed management of the closure of the road and the parade and service in St Swithun’s Church. The Parish Council was pleased to be working with the new associate priest for Kennington, Rev. Em Coley. The Clerk had confirmation that the troops from Dalton Barracks would be attending the parade.
There had been no enquiries at the Saturday Office. It was regretted that more people did not use the office which from next year will be on the first Saturday of the month apart from August and December.
The members agreed to offer a grant of £25 to the charity Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN).
