Annual Parish Meeting 21st May 2025 – Unofficial Notes!

Great to see some new faces at the Annual Parish Meeting.  Held in an inclusive circle as everyone is equal and it’s a forum to share activities in the village over the past year and hear what the community would like to say.  Thank you to the village hall for providing refreshments.

·         Parish Council Chair’s Report

·         Borough/County Councillors Report – Cllr Nick Adams-King, Leader of HCC

o   New housing targets may affect building of houses in the rural parishes including in those areas designated as ‘countryside’.   Those with Neighbourhood Plans in place will have more control over placement & type of new housing, designation of green spaces within a parish help to protect those areas.

o   New food waste bins to be rolled out in October 2025,

o   Change to additional bins to take all types of plastics and glass around 2027

o   Likely Mayoral Elections for New local areas administration body in May 2026, role of Police and Crime Commissioner will disappear and be part of Mayoral role.

o   Suggestion that SE Parish council should consider installation of speed indicators in 40mph zones of A27.  Other local villages are already in process of ordering them.  Around £3000 each.

·         Neighbourhood Plan Chair’s Report – still no date given for re-issue of Plan further to PC withdrawal of published statutory ‘Regulation 14’ Consultation in February 2024

·         Village Hall Trustees Report – see village website or noticeboard in hall for copy of report.  Increase in bookings, no increase in hire fees.  Meeting aims of the charity, more volunteers welcomed villagehall@sherfieldenglish.org.uk

·         SERP (playing fields) Report – new playground, new women’s football team, grants for field  drainage being sought

·         SE Schools Trust Report – various grants given to groups within the village including Community Art Project, Children’s playground & Church repairs

·         St Leonards Church Report

Community Issues raised by attendees:

·         Why do we need a Mayor?

·         Request to explain Parish Council Plans for changes in Parish website, who is involved in discussions?

·         Parish Resilience Plan – who is involved? Interested parties do not seem to have been contacted?

·         Speed on the A27 near Graemar Lane – accidents & possible routes of action

·         Suggestion that parish hosted training session on use of defibrillators.   Noted local organisations able to do this for low or no cost.  Village Hall happy to host.

Apologies if I’ve missed some important facts – happy to add more if you email me.  Ursula@sherfieldenglish.org.uk