The Great British Spring Clean – 26th March at 10.30am
The Parish Council are joining forces with the Hampton Wombles and Solihull MBC on the 26th March to take part in the Great British Spring Clean 2022! This national initiative looks to involve local communities in tidying up their local areas and carry out a litter pick. We would love for as many residents as possible to take part. We will provide all the necessary equipment – all you need to do is turn up!
Please meet at the Parish Meeting Room (next to the Beeches) at 10.30 am on Saturday 26th March. We hope to see you there!
Parish Council Precept – Good News!
Residents will be aware that a substantial part of the Councils annual income is by way of a precept collected as part of the Council Tax.
The Parish Council, on 5th January, discussed and approved its budget for the 2022 – 2023 financial year and were pleased to be able to agree that, once again, there should be no increase in the precept which will remain at £31 per annum based on properties in Band D.
Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety
The interim traffic calming and pedestrian safety plan for Hampton-in-Arden was installed last year. A review is currently underway by Solihull MBC Highways and the Parish Council to examine the effect of these measures on driver behaviour. Results from our Speedwatch checks have shown that traffic speeds have been reduced overall and particularly the top-end speeds. When complete we will then be in a position to recommend any changes or additions.
So far so good but more needs to be done and, with this in mind, we would like to invite any residents who would like to comment to send these comments by email to our Clerk Julie Barnes.
Hampton-in-Arden Neighbourhood Plan Update
As many of you will be aware the Draft Solihull Local Plan (SLP) is currently being examined in public. The examination itself finished at the end of January 2022. The findings will then be considered by the Inspector who will then decide whether the Plan is to be adopted or amended.
Any Neighbourhood Plan has to be inconformity with the policies of the SLP. Our Neighbourhood Plan Working Group wanted to be certain that it was not wasting its time developing the new Plan when the draft SLP was being examined and met with Solihull MBC for guidance. It was advised to proceed cautiously and this is what they are doing. Areas of the new plan not specifically relating to policies of the new SLP are being worked on but the version of the Plan for local consultation is therefore not likely to be ready until later in the year.
Hampton Community Speed Watch
Speed Watch sessions have been on hold for some weeks as the Neighbourhood Policing Team have been unable to attend which is necessary for sessions to take place. When PCSO Aaron Murdoch moved to other duties he was immediately replaced with PCSO Emma Harkin, who also quickly moved on to a new role elsewhere. Emma was replaced by PCSO Akhtar Ali Shah who, in turn, has now moved to begin training as a regular PC. We still await a replacement as our local PCSO and to take on the Speed Watch role.
Perhaps it has been fortuitous, given the recent weather, that the volunteers have not been called on to attend any sessions as it would have been difficult for them to stand on the side of the road for an hour in wet and cold conditions.
Coming Soon – Warm Hubs
Warwickshire rural charity WRCC will be bringing our weekly Mobile Warm Hub minibus café to Catherine-de-Barnes Village Hall. Free coffee/tea, biscuits and friendly chat are all on the menu, and everyone’s welcome! Watch this space for more information…
Dates will be published on the Parish Council website and Facebook page when we have them.
Dog Fouling
There has been a noticeable increase in dog fouling in many parts of the Parish. The law is very clear in this respect and it is the responsibility of dog owners to clear up after their pets and offenders can receive a substantial fine if convicted. The Parish Council provides bag dispensers for those who forget their own as well as special disposal bins: please make sure to use them. It should be noted that the cost of this clearing up has to be paid for from the Parish Council budget which is funded from resident’s Council tax.
Conservation Group – A Call For New Members
The Conservation Group comprises a number of volunteers who meet regularly to help maintain the Spinney and Recreation Ground. The group, led by David Grimshaw is affiliated to the Hampton-in-Arden Society with occasional financial support for equipment from the Parish Council.
Time has taken its toll and the number of volunteers has decreased substantially over the past couple of years. There is now an urgent need for more, and preferably some younger, volunteers to join the Group and anyone interested is asked to contact Parish Clerk Julie Barnes for more information.