Billing Parish Council
Established 1894
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Serving Bellinge, Ecton Brook, Great Billing and Little Billing
Chairman’s Report 2007/2008
The last twelve months has proved to be a busy period for Billing Parish Council, Parish Councillors themselves, the Parish Clerks and Chris Campling, the Green Space Manager. I would to personally thank all of them for their individual and joint contribution.
The Parish Council is trying hard to work as a team and achieve results for all parishioners irrespective of which part of the Parish they live in.
During the last twelve months we have added to the team with additional councillors joining us; John Marlow, Debbie Nichol, Ray Clements and Peter Gable. David McKintosh completed twenty seven years of service to Billing Parish Council as Clerk but has finally decided to retire from the post. David will still play a part in Parish affairs over the next few months as he helps our newly appointed Clerk; Sue Harris settle into the position. I would like to thank David (and his wife Doreen) for their great contribution to the Parish of Billing over the last quarter century plus. On a sadder note Margaret Stevens passed away recently and as well as offering thanks for her contribution towards Parish business the Council sends sincere condolences to her family.
The Parish of Billing includes everybody from Great Billing, Little Billing, Ecton Brook and Bellinge and although the Parish owned land is centred in Great Billing it is most important that we all look to our Parish as a whole and not just to our ward, or our street etc. It is also important that we continue to recognise different aspects of our Parish and where applicable we must mark those different features. We are justly proud of our diverse community; retaining our village identities for both Great and Little Billing and encompassing our newer communities of Ecton Brook and Bellinge.
It is important to understand that the Parish Council are not allowed to work in certain areas, such as those owned by Northampton Borough Council or Northamptonshire County Council; we are restricted by legislation in all areas as to what we can and cannot do and we must always consider the safety and well being of those who carry out tasks and those who may be affected by such actions. We do understand the frustration that sometimes arises when it appears that we are ignoring some problems and concentrating on others. Please feel free to make contact with the Council and ask if you have a problem and feel we can assist or if you have an idea for something that could improve the lives of you and/or others.
We are particularly keen to engage youngsters within the Parish in beneficial activities and as such we fully support the use of Parish property for sport and recreational activities whether that be by improving football and cricket facilities, encouraging the use of the sports pavilion for appropriate activities or maintaining Pocket Parks. We are not able to do this alone and we actively seek the help and support of parishioners to achieve these ends. This year’s cricketers will hopefully benefit from extensions to each end of the cricket strip which should resolve the problems of bowlers creating holes where they run in to bowl.
The Pocket Park in Great Billing was once again, last year, awarded a Green Pennant which was great reward for the small group of volunteers and the Green Space Manager who maintain and improve this area. Currently the team is recreating a Ha-Ha wall to show how cattle and sheep were contained without spoiling the landowner’s view across their fields. When the Elwes family lived in the village and owned surrounding land there was a fine example of such a wall located in what is currently the sports field. The wall was eventually removed when the Elwes’ home and land was sold off for development and permission given to the estate manager to remove the stone for building purposes. Support for this project has come from Hevey Building Supplies Limited and we are most grateful to them. Already though the project has suffered from persons who seem more intent on destruction rather than creation and some of the new wall construction has been removed. We will persevere and hope to have the Ha-ha recreated in the next couple of months.
Little Billing also now has a Pocket Park of its own, located on the site of the old play area. Michael Clasper is coordinating the set-up of this park and is progressing towards fully fledged Pocket Park status. Both Parks now need a boost from volunteers. A couple of hours a month helping out can make a big difference. No special skills are needed; just some enthusiasm and a few hours to spare.
The long awaited replacement bus shelter has been installed at the top of Great Billing village and was rewarded upon its arrival with some press attention. The shelter has been well received and is in regular use.
The Annual Fayre was a resounding success again last June and plans are well formed ready for this year’s event which will take place on Saturday 28th June. There are still places available for groups or individuals who wish to have a stall or make an appearance in the arena.
The Council is now producing a regular printed bulletin with three or four publications being produced each year. The bulletin provides all sorts of information aimed at keeping parishioners in touch with what the Parish Council is actually doing. We would welcome contributions for this bulletin.
Use of the Sports Pavilion continues to grow. As well as the Bizzy Bears pre-school group, monthly WI meetings, two senior cricket teams, senior and junior football, both boys and girls, we now have Yoga and dance classes taking place during the evenings. Groups make use of the facilities for meetings and the Parish Councillors have received some training in the Pavilion. To complement this use the Green Space Manager has decorated the main hall and has replaced the notice boards with larger and more practical ones.
As I stated in my report last year; we as councillors continue to provide the best we can with the resources and money available. We welcome comments and feed back and will listen to what we are told. We are all volunteers with no political agenda, we just aim to make Billing Parish a pleasant place for people to live and work in.
I would like to thank those of you who have attended this evening. If you have any questions I will try to answer them or a reply will be sent to you as soon as possible, if an immediate answer is not available.
Steve Rockall
Chairman
