Annual Parish Meeting 2021

This standing committee consists of eight members of council and has met three times this civic year. The terms of reference for this committee can be found at https://bracebridge-heath.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/committees/1.  

Grounds maintenance and grass cutting

Last year Parish Council accepted the Parish Agreement with Lincolnshire County Council for the cutting of grass verges in the village. Grass cutting resumed later than usual due to the effect of Covid and national restrictions. Our contractor resumed services in May 2020 and carried out the 7 cuts that were contracted for 2020. The Parish Agreement has been signed again for 2020-2021.

Council appreciates the patience and understanding from residents in what has been a difficult year. A small number of complaints were received about the grass cutting service in 2020. Residents should be reminded that maintaining the appearance of the village is important but the primary purpose of this contract is for highway safety, ensuring that visibility is not impaired by uncut verges and that there is an off road refuge area for pedestrians and vehicles.

Community facilities – pavilion and library

Like so many other facilities and businesses, Council has had the very challenging role of running facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic. The fluctuating guidance and local and national restrictions have meant that the pavilion and library have been closed for much of the year. The committee would like to extend thanks to the library volunteers who returned in September 2020 to offer a click and collect service for library resources. Whilst this was a limited service for the village, Council is aware of how popular and appreciated the library service is. The role of our volunteers in providing this service cannot be overstated.

Thanks also go to our regular hirers of the pavilion building and football pitches. Council appreciates that this has been a difficult time for local businesses and organisations. Your patience and understanding with our limited facilities and availability is appreciated. Many thanks also go to our Facilities Cleaner who has worked diligently to keep our facilities clean and safe to use. The pavilion has remained closed for most of the year and has suffered a loss of income from hire although the Parish Council has received funding through the business interruption grants to offset this loss.

Recreation Ground

The recreation ground has also been subject to local and national restrictions this year with closures of the MUGA, tennis courts, skate park and outdoor gym at times. Sadly, the pavilion building and recreation ground has suffered from regular anti-social behaviour and vandalism which has resulted in a number of repairs to the pavilion building. On the advice of local PCSOs a number of actions have been taken to discourage this behaviour including removal of a bench near the MUGA, increased lighting for longer periods at night and encouraging residents to report antisocial behaviour to the police at the time it is happening.

Council previously resolved to install new CCTV on the pavilion building and within the vicinity of the MUGA and tennis courts. The new CCTV will also be monitored through a contract with Lincoln City Council and will hopefully help to reduce antisocial behaviour in this area. There have been a number of setbacks in having this equipment installed. It is hoped that this work will be completed in coming months.

The Amenities Committee would like to give grateful thanks to our Clerk and Assistant Clerk for all their hard work above and beyond their usual work in ensuring that the facilities were shut or opened in line with Government instruction. This has included putting in place lengthy risk assessments and lots of new measures to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Play parks

As with other facilities, play parks have also been affected by Covid-19. Initially being closed, the parks reopened with new signage to help remind users of the risks and hygiene requirements of using facilities. Play parks have remained open since July 2020 and are a well used facility in the village.

Although delayed because of national restrictions, a new trim trail was eventually installed in September 2020 at the Grantham Road park. The committee hopes that this new item is being enjoyed.  

Allotments

There has been increased interest in allotments this year with a steady stream of enquiries about availability throughout the year. All plots are now allocated and there is a waiting list for new tenants. Allotment rent was increased this year to £16 per plot per year which remains a very competitive cost.