Approval
This report was presented to the Annual Parish Meeting on May 7 2014
Introduction
Since my last annual report and the new Parish Council meeting for the first time on the 8 May 2013 all involved have been actively working on parish plan 2 riorities (PP2) and at Parish Council meetings in 2013 and 2014 there have been lots of visitors allowing priorities to be discussed and advanced as working in partnership continues to be the key to achieving outcomes.
What have we achieved
Listed below are the actions which have achieved to date that were set out in the action plan for Coxhoe which was designed to achieve the priorities of PP2:
- The Parish Councils financial support helped secure the transfer of the leisure centre to Future Leisure in Coxhoe (FLiC) a not for profit organisation. The Active Life Centre is working tirelessly to increase usage, improve facilities and offer new opportunities to secure its long term future and sustainability.
- Facilitated working in partnership with a mixture of other local organisations to develop and agree a Children’s and Young Peoples Strategy. This is being done in partnership with Coxhoe Youth Room, Durham County Council, FLiC, Coxhoe Community Partnership and other village groups to develop and agree a Children’s and Young People’s Strategy to improve provision for young people of the area.
- The Parish Council has worked with other partners to secure the future of Coxhoe Village Hall and establish a new management committee which is working to secure the Village Hall’s long term viability. Huge improvements have been made to the fabric of the building and the range of activities they are able to provide for you, the community.
- Shared the results of the PP2 survey with Durham County Council Highways and commenced partnership working to address highways and transport issue.
- Commenced partnership working with the Co-operative Group to join up Coxhoe Village Hall and the Co-operative car parks.
- The Parish Council has supported with other partners the move to secure the future of Quarrington Hill Community Centre. The management committee is working to transfer the building from Durham County Council to ensure its long term viability and the provision of a range of activities for the community.
- Re- surfaced Coxhoe Village Hall car park and improved the lighting in partnership with the Village Hall and our local Durham County Councillors.
- Worked with the Kings Wood Community Action Group, other partners and Durham County Council to save the Kings Wood nature reserve.
- Shared community safety concerns with the local police and other wider issues with Durham County Council Neighbourhood Wardens at the monthly Parish Council meetings.
- Working in partnership with Durham County Council Planners to tackle untidy buildings.
- Secured additional land for more allotments in Quarrington Hill.
- Installation of replica railway crossing gates in the area of the Limes Estate in partnership with Barratts, Hellens and Coxhoe Community Partnership.
- Supported Quarrington Hill Village Partnership in aspects of developing proposals for play park and environment improvements.
- Provided summer floral colour through planters and hanging baskets on the main route through Coxhoe and Quarrington Hill.
- Commenced the re development of the central village green in Coxhoe with the planting of an avenue of lime trees and spring/autumn bulbs. This has been achieved in partnership with Coxhoe Community Partnership, Coxhoe Banner Group, Coxhoe History Group, Groundwork Trust and Durham County Council.
- Commenced partnership working with the MP for the City of Durham Roberta Blackman – Woods to look at the current strategic direction in relation to local secondary schools and associated transport issues.
- Provided grants to support to Coxhoe Scouts, Great North Air Ambulance, Coxhoe W.M.C. Football Club and Coxhoe Athletic Football Club.
Hopefully the above list (all be it a long one) starts to give you a feel for how delivery against the aspirations of PP2 is going with lots being achieved in the first 2 years of this 5 year plan. The Parish Council is looking forward to a further busy year and many more achievements in 2014 to 2015.
Conclusion
We feel that we have prudently managed our budgets this year to leave us in a position to address future projects whilst making clear progress on the priorities in the Parish Plan. Partnership working will continue to bring about real changes within the community and the work of the two village partnerships, the directors of FLiC, the management committees of Coxhoe Village Hall and Quarrington Hill Community Centre are all to be commended. They continue to work tirelessly in a volunteer capacity to drive and achieve improvement. I thank them very much for the work they do and reassure them that the Parish Council fully supports them and what they are trying to do.
Our County Councillors continued to support the Parish Council in our endeavours for which we are truly grateful.
I would sincerely like to thank my fellow Parish Councillors, all of whom give up their time freely and energetically. Special thanks go to Councillor K Stokoe who resigned from the Parish Council during the last year and it is always worth remembering that none of the Councillors receive payment for their efforts.
Paul Dodsworth
Chair of Coxhoe Parish Council
Parish Councillors and Parish Clerk:
Councillor Paul Dodsworth (Chair)
Councillor Stuart Dunn (Vice-Chair)
Councillor Kay Simpson
Councillor Barbara Hepplewhite
Councillor Tony Rowe
Councillor Colin Thirlaway
Councillor Tony Plews
Councillor Keith Pounder
Councillor Wendy Lavelle
Councillor Thomas Gorman
David Vasey (Parish Clerk)