LEVENS PARISH COUNCIL – AUTUMN NEWSLETTER 2011
Message from the Chairman
The Main business on the Agenda over the past months has been the Local Development Framework. Thanks must go to the Residents Association for all their hard work in collecting information from the villagers. As the main voice between Levens Village and SLDC we must pass on not only the views of our residents but take into consideration the pros and cons of each site and whether benefit will be gained for the village i.e. school, churches, shop, bus routes and more affordable houses for the next generation.
Roger Mason, Chairman
Bus Services to and from Levens
The Parish Council is keen to hear from residents about the current bus services that are available to and from Levens. Are you happy with the frequency of the bus service? Where do you want to get to via bus? Would you be willing to pay for a bus service? Please email the clerk with any comments at parishclerk4@hotmail.com or speak to any councillor.
Levens Charity
The Charity was set up using the proceeds from the sale of the Lowgate Allotments which have been invested in trust, any income generated is put back Into the Charity. The Charity will help any charitable purpose for the general benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Levens. Criteria for application and application forms can be obtained from the Clerk.
Speeding
Over the next few months Speed Indicator Devices will be appearing in the village funded by the South Westmorland Local Area Partnership. These devices show you what speed you are driving at as you approach them. An area of particular concern in the village is outside Levens School where there is a speed limit of 20MPH.
SLDC, Local Area Development Framework -Allocations of Land
Response From Levens Parish Council To 2nd Consultation
The Parish Council held 2 extra meetings to discuss their response to the 2nd round of consultation by SLDC on the latest land that had been put forward for proposed development.
Here are some of the comments made by Levens Parish Council – the full version of this can be found on www.levens.org/parishcouncil
We have tried to work together to achieve a conclusion that suits everyone – the Levens Parishioners and SLDC alike. We have consulted and communicated with residents and with SLDC. At all times we have been trying to reach an informed and mutuallybeneficial conclusion within the LDF. The Parish Council supports some housing on small sites in line with the Village Plan, but on sites they believe to be suitable as opposed to those that have been put forward speculatively with no concern for the opinions and wishes of the residents of Levens Village.
Broadband Champion
Local parishes are meeting to work with Cumbria Association of Local Councils and the County Council to try to ensure that they are not left out of the current drive towards next generation access. Central Government is committed to ensuring that broadband provision across the country meets minimum standards and has charged Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) to work with rural areas via the County Council to ensure that this happens in Cumbria.
The First meeting took place recently to bring together parishes in Cumbria to explain where the process has reached and how communities should be organising themselves, singly or in groups, to take advantage of the new opportunities for enhanced connectivity.
Would you be interested in becoming a “Broadband Champion” for Levens? Please contact the clerk or any councillor for further information.
Highways
Did you know that you can report problems with local roads to Cumbria County Council Highways Dept?
The Highways Hotline number is 0845 6096609
The Better Highways team will be visiting the area again in early January to carry out minor repairs.
Precept for 2012/13
The Parish Council work hard to ensure that funds are spent wisely in the village, with this is mind the precept has remained unchanged for the third year at £6000. This year the Parish council are looking to refurbish seats within the parish and arrange for trees, bushes and grass to be maintained on a regular basis.
A New Village Hall
The Committee which was convened to try to progress work on providing a new Village Hall is still meeting. However, there has been a major hitch with prospective funding because the National Lottery, under its present criteria, is not funding any projects in the LA8 postcode. Lottery funding is vital to the future of the Levens Village scheme and until this criteria is changed it will be very difficult to proceed with confidence about raising the considerable sum needed for a new hall. Some Committee members will attend a South Lakes Funding Fair to be held at Brettargh Holt on 26th November where it will be possible to talk again to National Lottery staff in the hope that the criteria will change sometime in the future. Anyone interested in joining the New Village Hall Committee and helping to work towards this new facility for the village is asked to contact Frank Routledge on f.c.routledge@directsave.net
LEVENS PARISH COUNCIL 2012/2013
CHAIRMAN: Mr Roger Mason, Heaves Farm, Levens LA8 8DU
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Mr John Watson, Lawn Head, Lowgate, Levens LA8 8NJ
COUNCILLORS: Mr Roger Atfield, Central Stores,Levens LA8 8ND
Tel: 60275
Mr Chris Hammond, Rockgate, Hutton Lane, Levens LA8 8PG
Tel: 61128 Email: chrish@pvdobson.co.uk
Mrs Susan Bagot, Levens Hall, Levens LA8 0PD
Tel:61346 Email: sbagot@levenshall.co.uk
Mrs Helen Burrow,Davlen Fold, Brigsteer Rd, Levens LA8 8NT Tel: 61082 Email: dhj@burrow3.wanadoo.co.uk
Mr David Martin, Lords Plain, Levens LA8 8EN
Tel: 52263 Email:dmartin@ktdinternet.com
Mr John Thacker, Over Plain, Levens LA8 8DU
Tel: 60136
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:Mrs Anne Kerr, 8 Highcroft Drive, Allithwaite, LA11 7QL
DATES OF PROPOSED MEETINGS 2011/12
2011 – 14 June (Walk), 12/7,13/9,11/10,8/11
2012 – 10/1, 14/2, 13/3 (Annual Parish Meeting), 20/3, 10/4. 8/5/11 (AGM)
All meetings will be held at 7.30pm in the Methodist Meeting Room except the 13th March meeting which will be held in the Levens Institute.
There is a public forum for your comments and views at every meeting.
All electors are welcome and invited to meetings of the council.
County Councillor: Jim Bland, Oakridge, Underbarrow LA8 8BL
Tel: 015395 68576 email: james.bland@cumbriacc.gov.uk
South Lakeland District Council: Tel: 01539 733333
Add Content...