ANNUAL REPORT 2006-7

             This is an overview of Yaxley Parish Councils activities during the pastyear.

 Achievements

The achievements in this year reflect many of the plans outlined in last years report. This success of the 
plans has been due to the degree of control the council has had over the various items. Where the 
control is with the council then a successful outcome has been achieved, subject only to our financial 
constraints. Where the outcome has been largely determined by outside bodies, usually where planning                
matters are concerned, then success has been limited. In some instances this has given time to explore 
alternative avenues that may be more beneficial in the long term.

The council conducts its business by a committee structure. Each committee meets every four months 
to discuss and plan the required activities in detail and then return their recommendations for acceptance 
by full council that meets on a monthly basis. The finance committee meets once monthly. This committee,                
along with its others responsibilities monitors expenditure by the committees and council to ensure overall 
expenditure is correctly controlled.

The details of the council’s activities are therefore contained within the following summaries.

Ferndale Committee.

This committee was formed temporarily to deal with the extensive matters within the Ferndale development, 
and in particular the sports field. Since my last report we have been successful in obtaining a grant from the               
F A of  £257,221.00. This will assist with the building of the Pavilion and Car Park that is to be constructed 
on Queens Park. The build is due to start on 11th June 2007. This remains the largest development the 
Council is currently undertaking.  A children’s play area has been erected at the side of the Queens Park                
along Daimler Avenue.  Now this has been completed this will be transferred over to the Playing Field Committee
who will be responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. 

Playing Field Committee

This committee is responsible for all the areas dedicated to recreational activities and including play equipment. 
This year we have replaced the swings on the Green Lane play area. The cost of this project was £5,286.00. 
We have allocated funds and await installation to replace the slide at the Middletons Road play area. 
This, although not broken, did not comply with the regulatory guidelines for children’s play equipment. 
Replacement cost £8,200.00. These costs are higher because with each new appliance we must provided                
a protective safety floor surface. All play areas have regular inspections and work is ongoing to maintain                
the high standard required. Vandalism is still an ongoing problem, and has cost the council in excess of 
£1,000 during this year. 

A complete refurbishment of the pavilion on the recreation ground is now in progress with an estimated 
cost of £9,500.

 Allotments and Byways Committee

This committee is responsible for all open spaces, roads and verges as  well as the allotments.
The program of tree planting around the village has continued this year  with further ongoing
work. This programme began over 20 years ago and it is now very rewarding to see many of the 
trees attaining significant growth and improving our environment. We have had a considerable amount 
of work carried out on trees that have been damaged by vandalism. These have been damaged to such
a point that we have had to employ specialist to remove them completely at a cost in excess of 
£3,000. These trees had preservation orders on and therefore have to be replaced.

Due to on going problems being reported from the allotment holders we are trying to establish a 
committee of the allotment holders to liaise with the council. This will provide a link and enable 
the Council to have a contact should problems occur. 

Litterbins continue to be an ongoing problem with regular vandalism causing concern  amongst residents. 
We continue to replace where possible.

Amenity Centre Committee

This committee is responsible for the operation and management of the Amenity Centre facilities.
This  year the windows and doors in the Owen Pooley Hall have undergone renovation repairing and 
replacing as required. This building is listed and lies within the conservation area, therefore all work 
must comply with the specifications stipulated. The cost of these to date has been in excess of
 £7,000 with sum work still outstanding. Some funding is available and has been applied  for. General
maintenance and internal refurbishment on the property has been ongoing.

The heating system failed in the Owen Pooley Hall, repairs were carried out along with electrical work 
costing in excess of £2,000. 

Long-term plans include replacement of the reception area to Own Pooley Hall and replacing the floor in 
the Austin hall. Other improvements are ongoing when possible and affordable.

The use of both the Owen Pooley and Austin Hall’s are still in great demand with activities every evening 
of the week and a high level of lettings at weekends.

The council is at present looking to install CCTV around the Amenity Centre and hope that this will 
reduce the vandalism within this area.

Cemetery Committee

This committee is responsible for the operation and management of the cemetery and maintenance of 
the closed church and burial ground. Work has been carried out on the old Chapel of Rest in the old 
cemetery. We have repaired vandalism to a section of stained glass window at a cost of £700. We have 
also decorated this Chapel at a cost of £1,400. This building is continuously under monitor for 
subsidence, funding is being applied for to assist with underpinning, cost expected to be £16,000. 

We have replaced a large section of the entrance and paths in the newest area of the cemetery at a 
cost of £5,000. Work has been ongoing with the extension of the cemetery to the northern boundary. 

Our staff, continue to monitor the shrubs and trees around the headstones. This committee’s 
highest priority is to obtain suitable land for expansion,  as our current space is limited. 

Finance and General Purposes Committee

This  committee is responsible for managing the council’s finances, reviewing planning applications, 
the council’s equipment and staffl matters. With the heavy workload, this committee meets every 
month and twice monthly should this be required.

This committee has purchased two new mowers at a cost of £24,300 to replace the old equipment 
that was beyond economic repair. We have also purchased hand held mechanical hedge trimmers, 
and serviced our other equipment

 The planning application reviews have continued to be plentiful and demanding a high level of attention. 
There have been several contentious items involving larger extensions to the village, removal of existing 
properties to build multi-occupancy buildings as proposed in Chapel Street. Our feedback to the 
planning authority is usually in accordance with their views and contributes a local dimension. 

The council’s finances are reviewed every month and a high level of control has been achieved. 
There have been a few instances of committee expenditure being granted in excess of the committee’s 
budget due to exceptional circumstances. The excess finance came from the council’s reserves. 
A financial statement is included in this report.

The precept is the rate paid to the council by the residents, has reluctantly  been increased above the 
rate of inflation. We as a council have restrictions upon us, have to provide a level of requirement                
to the village and to fulfil our plans requested for an 3.5% increase, which in present money terms 
equates to £2.06 per year on a band C property. The council tries to be very prudent with
its financial planning, but with the village expansion high extra commitment may be required in future 
years to provide the facilities required. We also have to maintain the level of reserves held by the council.

This committee also manages the production of the council’s quarterly newsletter to all properties 
within the parish. This newsletter is intended to give parishioners a brief resume of council activities 
and notification of future events. 

This committee also monitors the operation of the council web site. This continues to increase its 
use and recently been exceeding 2000 visits per month. This offers an important means of communication 
for the council and the village.

Financial  Report

The expenditure of all committee’s was within the planned budgets. At  the end of our financial year 
the council was in a sound position and ended the year debt free.

Conclusion

I would like to thank our councillors and staff in coming to the end of a very eventful and successful year for 
Yaxley Parish Council. We have successfully completed the majority of our planned activities and discharged 
all our duties while remaining financially sound. The village is in a good condition, the amenity centre projects 
are ongoing and lettings have increased, the playing field facilities have been improved and safer for the 
parishioners to use, the cemetery is in good condition and the Ferndale project when completed will be 
fitting for the village.

Many of the councillors, especially the committee persons,  have given a significant amount of their time 
to carry out the required work to attain the required result. Without these few and their dedication this 
council could not continue and therefore personally thank them all.

I would like to thank our retiring Parish Councillors, especially Mr M Whitney who was our past Chairman 
for fourteen years and Mrs Butcher who has been connected with both Parish and District Council for many 
years. They have  all served the Parish Council well with their efforts and time. I would also like to welcome
our new Councillors and look forward to a successful year.

Cllr.  David Youles                                                                                 
16th May 2007

Chairman,  Yaxley Parish Council