Chairman's Message

CHAIR`S ANNUAL REPORT 2008

The last financial year has never been more demanding with new legislation coming from central government including the updated code of conduct, updating the Asset Register, Risk Assessments on all our activities, a review of our Standing Orders and financial regulations, the more accurate recording of all the decisions that the council makes.

A number of legal issues have had to be resolved with our solicitor including the Village Hall roof, the Brimp site, and land issues with Medway Council on leases etc, and finally the constitution of the village hall has been brought into question.

The old disused play area in All Saints Road has been transformed into a very popular allotment site with all the available pitches taken up very quickly. I should like to put on record our thanks to Mr Dave Wallace of the Allhallows and Stoke Allotment association for taking over and managing this project. Our Clerk has just been with us now for just over a year, I keep telling her that the last year was not the norm but I don’t think she believes me any more.

We have been able to supply a kick wall in the recreation ground at a cost of £3890 and hope to purchase a further one this year. A new small children’s play area is out to quotation and will be situated in the recreation ground. We have already spent over £3,000 on refurbish works on the proposed new community centre on the Brimp. We were able to obtain a grant from EON of nearly £1,000 to help with the Brimp project. Also £4.700 grant from Medway’s Rural Liaison grant.

Donations to local groups continue with some £250.00 being donated by us last year, making a total of over £1,600 in the past two years alone. A new tarmac surface was paid for at the Village Hall side entrance. Other expenses were £2,700 on caretaking/cleaning. £3,800 on the magazine. £1,000 on the web site. £1,700 Insurance and £2,200 on the provision of water for the new Allotments.

I should like to put on record my thanks to the Clerk and all Members for their dedicated work for the best of the community, all of which is on a voluntary basis as parish councillors do not receive any payment for the job. None of your precept is spent on Councillor’s wages, in fact it can cost us money in phone calls and stationery etc.

Cllr Rod Morrad

Chair. Allhallows Parish Council.