Ilmington (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Ilmington

PARISH COUNCIL: The January meeting, chaired by coun Tony Wilkins, opened with a report by Mrs Sheila Ribbans on the progress of the parish plan. She had formed a committee, who were all interested in going ahead with the project on condition that there were at least six members and that there was a parish councillor to liaise. She was confident of finding six, and coun Judy Maguire said she would join the committee. Coun David Sabin agreed to help to begin with, and coun Rob Hawkins would help out when necessary. Linda Ridgley of Warwickshire Rural Community Council had given Mrs Ribbans the name of a firm who would do the survey and analyse the results. There were grants available for this work but an application would have to be in within the next month.

Coun Sabin reported that he had contacted Margaret Burrup of Severn Trent about the sewage problems in the village. All complaints of this nature were put into three categories, sewage in houses, sewage in gardens and sewage on roads. This meant that Ilmington would be way down the list for remedial action. Coun Sabin asked her whether it would make a difference if the sewage were flowing into a stream. He and Mr and Mrs Bob Smith had agreed to monitor the situation until the end of the year and report to Ms Burrup.

Severn Trent had reported on the recent investigatory works in the village on the water supply mains. This was considered robust for the foreseeable future and no further planned disruption involving excavations within the village would be required.

The chairman said he wanted to put down granite chippings on the playing field car park area, but coun Sabin felt that this would just be pouring money away. The whole area needed to be surfaced properly. Coun Sabin agreed to get a price for the work so that it could be discussed at the playing field committee meeting.

It was reported that the field next to Kincraig Bungalow on the Mickleton Road was for sale as well as the bungalow, and the chairman was worried about the trees there. He agreed to inquire about getting a preservation order on them.

With regard to dog fouling on the football pitch, the chairman reported that he had obtained No Fouling signs but he had not sorted out how or where to display them. It was agreed that they should be put on the gates into the playing field.

The chairman had removed one tyre from the Armscote Road ditch but there was no other rubbish. The county council should be asked to clear their section of the ditch which ran for about 15 yards from the outlet.

A letter had been received from Julie Crawshaw, county council environment engineer, about gateway markers for the Cotswold AONB. It was proposed that two stones should be put up in Ilmington, and she would be happy to make a site visit to the village to decide on positions. She pointed out that the markers would belong to the AONB Partnership, who would maintain them and insure them. The clerk would arrange for a site visit.

There had been a complaint about people picnicing on the war memorial. It was felt that the only thing that could be done about this was for anyone seeing people picnicing to ask them to leave.

The county council should be asked to fill in a large pothole on the corner just past the Old Wharf.

Coun Sabin reported that he had received information on the DASH project (Drug Action in Shipston). DASH wanted to come out to Ilmington to see if they could help youngsters in the village, and proposed to come on Tuesday evenings.

The chairman said that he had reported problems with water in Back Street to the county council. He thought the main drain from below the school was blocked, probably with tree roots. The county council would do something about this as soon as possible.

NEW FORMAT: The experimental year of changing from a women's institute to a ladies' luncheon club got off to a good start. Vaughan Reece and his guide dog were the first after-dinner speakers.

The next meeting on February 25 at 1pm at the village hall will have a Middle Eastern flavour to accompany the demonstration of belly-dancing. Cous-cous, Mediterranean vegetables, olives and nuts, and sticky sweets should get members in the mood and encourage them to have a go at transforming themselves into Scheherazade. New members welcome. Visitors £3.