Helmdon annual report (31 March 2012)

HELMDON PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT
YEAR ENDING
31 MARCH 2012

Chairman’s Overview
I would like to thank the other councillors for the sterling work that they have done in the previous twelve months and the continued support by the Clerk to the Council.
There were a number of successes during the year, not least the winning of the best medium sized village of the year plus being voted Northamptonshire
Village of the Year. John Coatsworth was the driving force in this and was well supported by the various village groups and organisations. Unfortunately under the rules of the competition we are not allowed to enter in the forthcoming year.
The replacing of the bungalows at the bottom of
Grange Lane by the affordable housing is a big improvement and I think has been well received by the occupants and the village.
With a lot of hard work by people in the village and the cajoling by Liz Hart of the
'powers that be' i.e. Anglia
Water and South Northants
Council (SNC) the flooding problems seem to have been alleviated, although if the wind turbines are allowed it may lead to a complete rethink of the new situation.
The affordable housing development near Grange
Lane was completed in February 2012.
The wind turbines continue to be a threat to the village and an appeal by
Broadview is to be held in May. With SNC we are making a robust defence of our village.
HS2 does not actually pass through the village under its present plan but we feel that we should be active in support of the other local villages in our

community. Should it go forward we will make our voices heard as we will be affected by the disruption of plant and machinery being moved and the problems of traffic movement.
Station Road bridge and the 'infamous traffic lights' still remain to be resolved and we are led to believe that the problem is due to the two sides
(Northamptonshire County Council and the British Rail Board) not being able to agree cost and responsibility. Autumn is the latest indication of when work will begin.
Finally the Parish Council has opted for commemorative Jubilee Gates to be built on the entrance to the village on the Brackley side and the submission of plans to the District Council planners will go ahead shortly.
Cllr Peter Burns, Chairman, Helmdon Parish Council
Summary of Accounts
Grants to village groups totalled £1,550, including £300 to the Guides, £180 to
Helmdon Acorns, £140 to the Sports Club, £100 to the Brownies, £250 to the
Footpaths Group, £50 to the Village Café, £100 to the Tuesday Lunches, £300
to the Friends of the Churchyard and £130 to the Church.
Of the £22,198 in the account, £ 10,778 is general reserves and £11,420 is earmarked reserves for the playground, computer equipment, benches, one pump repair etc. The Parish Council will be producing a project plan for the reserves funding this year.
Receipts
2010/11
Actual
£
10,807
79
34
10,920
Precept
Allotments
Investment Interest
Other
Total
2011/12
Budget
£
10,688
80
36
100
10,904
2011/12
Actual*
£
10,688
75
37
1,105
11,905

Payments
2009/10
Actual
£
949
1,303
4,778
300
1,550
334
9,214
Street Lighting
Parks & Open Spaces
Administration
Burial Grounds
Grants
Other
Total
2010/11
Budget
£
1,250
1,714
5,345
300
1,250
0
9,859
2010/11
Actual*
£
1,022
1,407
6,356
300
1,250
366
10,701
Opening Balance
Total Receipts
Total Payments
Closing Balance
2011/12
Budget
£
18,950
10,904
9,859
19,995
2011/12
Actual*
£
19,995
11,905
10,701
21,199
Summary
2010/11
Actual
£
17,244
10,920
9,214
18,950
*Actual figures are subject to Audit
Asset Value
The value of assets held at 31 March 2012 was £84,994. There were no disposals or acquisitions in the year.
Precept
2010/11
Actual
£
10,807
27.21
Total Precept
Band D Equivalent
2011/12
Budget
£
10,688
26.86
2011/12
Actual*
£
10,688
26.86

Councillor Contacts
The members of Helmdon Parish Council at 31 March 2012 were:
Cllr Peter Burns (Chairman)
Cllr Sarah Adhemar
Cllr Mike Barnes
Cllr John Coatsworth
Cllr Paul Duncombe
Cllr Bill England
Cllr Eddie Garner
Cllr Danny Moody
Cllr Gemma Simpson
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
[email address removed]
A full list of the current councillors and their contact details can be found at www.helmdon.com/parishcouncil.
Clerk to the Council
Mrs. Liz Hart
[address removed]
t: [phone number removed]
e: parishcouncil@helmdon.com w: www.helmdon.com/parishcouncil
Meetings of Helmdon Parish Council take place on the fourth Wednesday of
January, March, May, July, September and November starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Reading Room, Church Street, Helmdon. Members of the public and press are very welcome to attend.
Published by Helmdon Parish Council – June 2012