Chairman's Reports

As I find myself reflecting on the year, the last 12 months seem to have flown by.

Back in July, Anglian Water held their second public consultation in the hut for their planned local reservoir. A high level of attendance and engagement by locals meant there was plenty to discuss at the special Parish Meeting held the following day.  Thirty five people attended the meeting which was chaired by our local representatives on the Anglian Water consultation committee, Parish Cllrs Charles Campion and Elaine Penketh. All the key points raised in the meeting were submitted in a report directly to Anglia Water.  The top two proposed changes to the plans were to move the proposed round-a-bout access to the new visitors center on the A52 further West and the proposed water treatment works over to the West hand side of the reservoir away from Swaton.

Parish Councilor Elaine Penketh successfully applied for a National Lottery grant allowing us to replace both the Community Trust and Parish Council ageing noticeboards with one new larger combined noticeboard. The other part of the grant monies provided a climbing net to be added to the trim trail in the park.  My continued amazement and thanks go out to Elaine who has continued to secure grants for the village which has allowed us to have one of the most outstanding play parks in the area.  I also want to express my thanks to Nathan Eaves for helping me install the new noticeboard.

A few years ago, two trees were cut down at the front of the park and, after multiple requests to the Crown Estate, two replacement trees have been planted. Now starts the slow process of filling the open space as the trees grow.

I also want to thank Cllr Charles Campion for organizing the sharing of the task and mowing along with Joff Parsons, John Wilkinson and John Brookin who give their time and petrol to keep our park looking one of the best in the area.

The Parish Council also had to act to instigate the Crown Estate fulfilling its responsibility to maintain the other vehicle access alongside No.5 High Street which had become seriously overgrown with brambles. The area has been cleared and some fence panels have been replaced.

Elaine has also continued to run the monthly Parish Council Surgery on the first Saturday of each month in the village hut which is a real opportunity for residents to discuss or raise issues affecting them.  Our local District Councilor Russell Jackson attends these sessions as do the other PC councilors when they can and I thank them all for their continued support.

The village experienced probably its second worst flooding in January along with many other villages in the area.  Fortunately there was only one property in Swaton affected mainly due to the run off from the road and fields. Action has been taken to request improvement to the drainage around that house which included a site visit in March from the then County Councilor Andy Keys and Local Highways Manager Rowan Smith.  We await their proposal.

The village has also set up an Emergency Plan thanks to the efforts of Richard Arnold so we now have a group of volunteers ready to manage any Emergencies in the village.  I represent the Parish Council as part of the Emergency group.

Our village has continued to appear free from litter thanks to our resident litter picker Robert Brown who has now stepped down so I wanted to thank him for his contribution to the village.  I am also happy to welcome Nicola Arnold as our new picker.

I wanted to add a few final thanks to Shelagh McIntyre our excellent Clerk for her help and continued support and guidance and Cllr. Judy Patrick for her continued support as our Finance Officer. Thanks too to Cllr Parsons and Andrews for the first years’ service as Parish Councilors.