Parish Council

To provide sufficient background information to enable the Council to determine the request for the continued use of a path across the Recreation Ground, as a means of gaining access to the School.

Review of Events

The following minutes have been extracted verbatim from the Parish Council records and presented in chronological order. They are believed to represent the full history of the events in respect to the provision of this path as recorded by successive Parish Clerks.  It is hoped that this review will be expeditious in arriving at an acceptable solution.  To put the occurrences into a meaningful time frame, the dates of the start and completion of the construction of the pavement along Station Road are included under items m and n.

06 10 98 - The matter was again raised under 'Public Participation' and reads - 'Cars can no longer be parked within the school.  The parents had collected suggestions for improving safety in this area.  A report from the DCC Schools' Road Safety Officer is awaited.  A footpath from the car park at the Rec. through to the school is mooted.  After a lengthy discussion it was proposed that a small committee be set up to address this problem and that it would be discussed further under Play Area.'

'Play Area – At this point there was further discussion about a footpath from the Rec. car park to the school.  Mr C Barton (with Council’s approval) agreed to lead a small committee that would address this problem.  The clerk would inform the headteacher and also Cllr. Bucknall (Council’s school governor representative).'

03 11 98 - Under the heading of 'Footpaths' the matter was again discussed as follows - 'At this point there was a lengthy discussion on the proposed footpath across the rec.  The Chairman called for a meeting to be held with the parents' representative and School Governors to determine whether a temporary path could be constructed.  Dr. Tapper offered his help.'

01 12 98 - The following was recorded under Public Participation.  'Proposed footpath between Rec. and school; also footpath from school along Station Road.  Although there is support for the footpath through the Rec. it has been implied that, if this footpath is brought into usage, it could jeopardise the provision of a footpath along the road by County.  The dangers of the road were reiterated.  It was suggested that a committee of parents, Councillors and Mr J Wootton be formed to produce a document for DCC urging that this footpath be insitu as soon as possible.'

05 01 99 - Extracts from the minutes are as follows:

'Council was informed that the parents involved with the provision of a footpath through the Rec. have formed a properly constituted committee.  Funding of approximately £177.77.  Extra funds may come from 'Village Events' Committee, also District Council.  An application has been sent to the Council.'

'Application from School Path Action Group.  The request was for £200.00 to assist with purchase of materials and preparatory work.  Cllr. Blundell, seconded by Cllr. Schwier proposes £200.00 be given.  All in favour.  The money will be paid on completion of the work.  The Clerk will inform the group officially.'

02 02 99 - The matter was further discussed as follows.  'It was reported that work on the temporary footpath across the Rec. should start this month.  The Chairman will prepare a 2 yr. wayleave ending in the year 2001.'

06 08 01 – A request for an extension was received.  'School Path Action Group.  Request for extension of temporary footpath.  Proposed by Cllr Salwey, seconded by Cllr. Spencer that the period be extended with the following provisos:

1. The gate at either end of the path is locked during all school holidays and closed during the day after it has been used in the morning and afternoon
2. The Action Committee maintain the surface of the path by using the wood bark that is adjacent to the path.

All in Favour.'

05 11 01 - 'A reminder is to be sent to the School Path action Group concerning upkeep of path and locking gates.'

07 10 02 - The following minute was recorded.  'School Path Action Group.  After a short discussion Cllrs. agreed to a six month extension.  Thanks were extended to Mrs Olds for trying to keep gates closed and stopping all day parking.'

03 02 03 - 'It was suggested that the wayleave path across the Rec. be left open but the management must be the responsibility of the School Path action Group.  The Clerk will contact the group to seek their opinion.'

15 05 03 - The clerk has ascertained from the Stour Park Office of the DCC that the order to construct the pavement along the south side of Station Road, between the Community Centre Car Park and the School, was issued on this date.

13 08 03 - Formal completion date (documentation) of the construction of the pavement detailed in item m above.

08 05 04 - 'It was agreed to meet representatives from the School to resolve outstanding matters on the perimeter path in the Rec.'

Note.  The sum of £164.27 was banked on the 16 12 04.

04 04 05 - 'The St Nicholas CE VA Primary School’s Travel Plan, having been previously circulated, was considered.  Council felt unable to give permission for the continued use of the path across the Rec. as a means of access to the school.  This was on the basis that originally the path had always been intended as a short-term expediency, to remain in use until such times as a pavement was provided along side the highway.  Further details of the proposed Passport Scheme are requested, to enable it to be meaningfully discussed.'

09 05 05 - 'It was agreed to obtain estimates for grubbing out the footpath leading to the school, as well as grading and seeding the adjacent rough area.'

06 06 05 -'It was proposed by Jill Curtis, seconded by Angela Schwier and carried unanimously that the quote from Bartlett Contractors Ltd for grubbing out the footpath in the Rec., clearing the area to the north of it, grading and re-seeding for the sum of £640.00 is accepted.  This is conditional upon a temporary fence being placed around the re-seeded area.' 

06 02 06 -'It was agreed to write to the School pointing out that the previous temporary permission to use the path across the Rec. Ground as a means of gaining access to the School, was withdrawn with the construction of the pavement along Station Road.'

The Community Centre Management Committee for their views on the use of the car park.