Chairman's Report for 2008/09

The year under review has been a difficult one. A substantial programme of improvements to the Council’s assets has bee undertaken, with several projects in progress, while long term threats to the shape and nature of Kemspey have emerged from vague anxiety to all-too-likely  reality as the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy seems to be inexorably gathering momentum.

On the plus side, there have been visible changes as we have striven to achieve a cleaner, more attractive environment. The new combined litter and dog bins have been a success and litter picking by parishioners has made some improvements to the appearance of the village, though sadly there are still too many instances of thoughtless littering on the side roads, fly-tipping and inadequate control of dog fouling (notably at the Playing Field). The new notice boards, are a visible improvement on the old ones. Much work has been done at the Rocky, where with the assistance of the County Council the footpath railings were cleaned and painted. The area opposite The Crown Inn has looked particularly attractive this year after the clearance work undertaken by the County Council. Improvements to our roads have also been made.

The project to improve the Play Area at the playing field has been successfully carried through with the installation of new metal fencing. Vigorous efforts to obtain additional grant funding are being made for imaginative further improvements and parishioners’ views (including young people) on matters like additional play areas in the Parish, or the nature of the facilities needed, will be welcomed. In this instance we really need your advice!Extensive works have been carried out at the Community Centre to improve the floors and ceilings, repair the roof, and improve the grounds. The facility continues to run at a very high level of utilisation and the Council gratefully acknowledges the contribution made to the community by the two businesses based at the Centre.

In the outlying areas progress is now being made in clearing and improving ditches and drains with attention focussing on places where there is regular flooding when it rains. As ever, there is substantial activity to preserve and improve one of Kempsey’s greatest assets – it’s Commons.

It is perhaps not generally appreciated that the Parish Council is responsible for capital assets valued around £1 million (The Community Centre, the Playing Field and Sports Pavilion, the play area, the Rocky, and 5 commons) The cost of maintaining these assets is rising. In some cases funding support is being reduced, as in the case of Ashmoor Common (a triple SSSI site) where new guidelines for managing such areas are emerging.

On the negative side, our Post Office has closed and efforts are continuing to find an alternative. The Talbot Inn and The Ghurka Knight have experienced turbulent times. Work has just begun on the site of the old Baptist Church to deal with the unsightly gap left by its demolition.

Kempsey has long been heralded as “a sought after village” by estate agents. Your council has lobbied long and hard to preserve this accolade, opposing the SWJCS proposals for the southward extension of Worcester City into large tracts of the Parish, providing as many opportunities as possible for residents to see for themselves the dimensions of the threat to the future of our community – alas all too likely to happen.

There is now, thankfully after many disappointments, the possibility of a flood alleviation scheme for Kempsey in the foreseeable future and your Council welcomes the vigorous activities of the FLAG committee which is spearheading the presentation of the case for the scheme.

The impact of the current economic recession is a matter of considerable concern to your Council. It is evident that local businesses are suffering and it is equally clear that sooner or later there will be consequences for public expenditure. The indications are that it is likely that Parish Council expenditures may be capped. Accordingly your council is pursuing a prudent policy of building up financial  reserves to meet this eventuality and other unforeseen contingencies and is approximately half way to its declared policy of achieving reserves equivalent to the annual precept.

The achievements of the past year would not have been possible without the unstinting dedication of the Clerk, Mrs Andrea Halford, and her assistants. Mrs Sharon Baxter and Mrs Gillian Davis as well as Mrs Gail Brookes, the Sports Pavilion caretaker and Mr Roy Clarke, the Lengthsman. Particular thanks are also due to the committee chairpersons for their energy and innovativeness.

David Harrison

Chairman, Kempsey Parish Council 2008/09

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