Dear Resident,
Just another short note from the Parish Council as we are still unable to meet up under the Covid-19 restrictions.
In line with Covid -19 rules the APM that usually takes place in April was cancelled, it has yet to be rearranged.
Our Annual Accounts for 2019/20 have been audited by Jane Whitfield as Internal Auditor. These will be ready to be signed off by Richard Cobb as Parish Council Chairman and Wendy Kitchener as Financial Officer Responsible prior to submission to PKF Littlejohn the external auditor in August.
The small amount of Planning Applications received during the “Lock Down” have been dealt with, using the guidelines set out by Local Government.
The work of resurfacing the High Street and Francis Road was put on hold due to the “Covid Lock Down.” We hope to see this work take place when it is safe to do so.
A gate has been ordered to secure the Village Hall car park. The gate is to be fitted across the drive level with the front of the Hall. This work has become necessary due people outside our community using the car park late at night for activities not connected with the hall or recreation ground! We have been reluctant to do this in the past because we didn’t want people parking in Francis Road should the car park be closed off. I am pleased to say that Richard Ground who lives opposite will open the gate in the morning and close it at night. So, this will not be an issue. Plus, we will fit a combination padlock with the number available to those using the hall. Many thanks to Richard.
The allotments in Francis road are now 100% taken up. They have been a hive of activity with people enjoying the open air in the lock down. There is a great sense of community where people can Social Distance but still meet people. It’s been a real tonic in these strange times. Even I have learnt to grow a Lettuce!
Water Pressure in the Village has been a real problem over the last 4-6 weeks. I would like to thank Councillor Nick Tiffin for his “work” with Affinity Water and the working relationship he formed with James the escalation manager at Affinity Water. Without going into detail, the supply line from Ashwell water reservoir (our local storage facility) has now been fixed. I have never known the pressure to be this good in 40 years. Let’s hope it continues along with some rain.
The Parish Council would like to thank the efforts of the Village Hall committee during the Lock Down. They have secured a £10,000 grant though NHDC from the central government Covid -19 response. This will secure the Hall over the next 2-3 years where income to the hall will be lower because of the ongoing effects of the pandemic. Very well done.
The acts of kindness continue with people helping neighbours out with shopping, picking up prescriptions. The list goes on.
The War memorial clock is not chiming, we hope to be able to have this repair work completed along with its annual service very soon. Again, things are slower due to restrictions.
It has been great to see the support for our Landlord and Lady Gerry and Julie with people using their “takeaway service” over the last months. We all hope to see the Pub open soon fingers crossed.
Also we have heard recently that the Archery Group will restart their meetings on the Recreation from the 8th July following the guidelines laid out by Archery GB . With Social Distancing and restricted to 8-10 players, who have pre-booked. Following current hygiene guidelines. 
Keep safe
Richard Cobb-Chair of Hinxworth Parish Council.

The following is a report from the Chairman Dick Cobb presented at the Parish Council Annual Meeting - 

Welcome to the Hinxworth PC AGM 
Thank you all for making the effort to attend.
 Steve Jarvis our County Councillor sends his apologies he has two AGMs to attend tonight. Welcome to Janine Paterson our District Councillor.
As you will be aware this is the last meeting of this Parish Council, we have come to the end of our 4 year term.
So there can be no election of Chair & Vice Chair until the May election are completed.
My Report.
I am pleased to look back at the last 12 months as fairly peaceful.
So I can be brief.
As promised, we have installed a Smiley face speed sign out at the South end of the High Street this was funded by the Highways and ourselves on a 50/50 basis. £2,500 being our share have a 5 year Guarantee with the Highways looking after it,
There has been a noticeable improvement from speeding traffic coming from the Ashwell end approach, it is our hope that we can get a similar agreement for another sign at the North end as the current sign although still working its well passed its operational life.
Pot Holes take up a lot of time! With the help of Steve Jarvis, we have had a good job of quality repairs to New Inn Road.
We have been promised the High Street will have a similar works done in the New F/year with the whole road being top dressed the following 12 months.
Gully/Drain cleaning has improved this year as well.
 
The Village Hall
I would like to thank the current and passed members of the Village Hall Management Committee for the great efforts they have put in the last 12 months.
We have a new kitchen which is fantastic and was made possible by their hard work, fund raising. 
And physically fitting the kitchen themselves with their husbands!
Also the generous donation of a Local Resident, the fund raising, and the Parish Council input we now have a facility we can be very proud of. 
For me this is what living in a small community is all about
Going forward The Hall Committee will have to generate more cash to balance the books over the new f/year, I have every faith they will do that. Now that this large spend is out of the way.
Recreation Ground.
I am pleased to say the Archery Club have signed the annual agreement for 2019/2020 starting in April.
And the Caravan Club have booked again for this year and also already for 2020. This is a good revenue income for us.
We have been approached by some youngsters from the village headed up by Tom Mills who gave us a small presentation to the PC last month. Which was well received.
This was regarding the Tennis courts and its long-term future. The court was installed over 30 years ago and times have changed.
The surface is showing signs of wear and tear caused by the weather rather than people playing. The Tennis Club folded several years ago.
The idea is to look at the feasibility of having a more usable area for Walking football, Net Ball etc, we have visited Ashwell school to look at their Play areas which are fantastic, this cost is way out of our budget, but we will look into see what is feasible.
We will consult with everyone before any changes are made. But I promise you, we will not be having a Referendum!
We have installed a large gate from the car park area to the rec and will look to securing the main front gate better to deter fly tipping or illegal use of our Recreation ground.
The Allotments are being used with only six spaces vacant, many thanks to the enthusiasm of Hilary Perricone.
Planning
There have been no big issues in the last 12 months, we are very aware of the unsightliness of the boarded-up site in Chapel Street.
And will continue to work with the relevant council officers where appropriate regarding this site.
Finally I would like thank my fellow councillors Eric Sore, Nick Tiffin, Russell Lewis & David Osmond for their support and hard work over the last 4 years.
Russ many thanks for your help particularly with the new Village defibrillator and the training which you organised and your involvement with our new PC Web site.
Also, David who has been a Parish Councillor for eight years who has decided not to put himself up for re-election. His experience and been very helpful to me and I wish him well.
Also, our Parish Clerk Wendy for her continued support and hard work which is invaluable to.

Please click on link to read the County Councillors Report from Janine Paterson presented at the Parish Council Annual Meeting on 2nd of April 2019.