Mickleton

The question of the money from the art project has still not been resolved. At the next meeting arranged for May it will be proposed that the villagers have a say as to what project the money should be spent on.

Twenty-six Girl Guides and Brownies with their leaders, a few villagers and coun J Franklin, met-up and did an excellent job of litter picking and rubbish collection in and around the village. A letter of thanks will be sent to the group.

Public time: Mr Tom Overton gave a talk about CPRE and hoped that the parish council would continue to subscribe to it. Mrs J Kinchin will work with the clerk in noting where to reinstate dog fouling signs and the installation of another dog loo in Pound Lane area. Dog mess in the village is on the increase.

The excess soil remains around the Tadpole fountain despite a promise of having it removed safely as ground elder is present. Mrs E Thompson reported that a villager had been concerned about the trough in Tadpole fountain that was provided by herself and her late husband.

District councillor Charles Gillam then gave his final report, and said he had tried to speak up for Mickleton both as a community and for the individuals in it while at Cirencester. Yet the main changes, greater bureaucracy, higher Council Tax, less accountability had all swept on regardless.

The major issue of the Plantation had not progressed. More positively, the junior playing fields, thanks to the enthusiasm of all concerned, were greatly improved. Likewise, although not always popular, the street lighting was better and he hoped it would continue to improve.

He wished the parish council well and also the new trio of district councillors. After his report, coun Gillam said that since a planning application came in for a conservatory in Nursery Close it was discovered by planning authorities that many have been put up in Nursery Close without planning consent and that in this precise area consent is required.

The new school: A Draft 106 agreement has been passed and the district council has given permission for houses on the site. But the 40 parking places requested, the quality of materials or design of the school and the traffic issue has not been addressed in the draft and council members have been asked to be vigilant.

The village may not get further visits from a dog warden, so continued dog fouling becomes an onus on dog owners to clear up their own dog's mess.

Odd job person: Despite advertising, only one person applied for the position. They will now be interviewed, pay and conditions discussed and hopefully Mickleton village will benefit from the extra care.

A more defined name plate for The Leasows has been put on the May agenda.

Footpaths, pavements and roads: Coun M Smith reported that all but the deepest pothole had received attention on the Ilmington Road. This will be urgently re-reported.

Sub committee reports: Coun A Trainor reported that a new chairman had been elected for the Hedgehog bus.

Coun M Hole reported dog fouling on the allotments and will check with the Poor Lands charity for the provision of an anti-dog fouling sign.

Coun L Stowe, for the junior playing fields, said the Dixon Trust has given £1,500 towards safety bases in the playing fields.

The next parish council meeting has been arranged for Wednesday, May 28, at 7.30pm in King George's Hall, Chapel Lane.

VIP GROUP: Mickleton VIP Group will be meeting at the Joseph Webb Hall, Chapel Lane, Mickleton from 11am to 12.30pm on Tuesday.

These informal meetings offer an opportunity for visually impaired people in Mickleton and the surrounding villages to meet in a relaxed atmosphere.