The Parish Council met 8 times in total during the year. Six of the meetings were the bi-monthly meetings of the council (including the Annual General Meeting), the Annual Parish Meeting in April and one extraordinary meeting in December specifically to discuss and approve the 2023-24 budget. All meetings are held in public, and parishioners are actively encouraged to attend, in particular the Annual Parish meeting which sets the agenda for the year ahead. Typically, only one or two members of the public attend our regular meetings however we are delighted that more came along to Annual Parish Meeting to put forward their priorities for the year. Most markedly for 2022-23, was the importance attached to the reduction of the speed limit from 60 down to 30 throughout the village, more of which later.

There are no changes to report as to make up of the Council during the year.

The highlight of 2022 was surely the celebration of our dear late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. This happily coincided with the completion of the playing field rejuvenation, and, despite the inclement weather, a fun-packed afternoon of games and races took place on the field, followed by a dryer and warmer, wonderful celebration tea in the Village Hall. Huge thanks must go to the Jubilee working group which did such an amazing job.

Sadder times so few months later when we heard in September of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The set protocol on such occasions was followed with appropriate announcements published and a book of condolence placed in the church. This book was subsequently sent to the Palace along with a letter of Condolence from the Parish Council on behalf of the village.

Simultaneously, the Council posted pronouncements as required by statute about the Ascension of King Charles III.

Maintenance of parish facilities remains the most important part of the Council’s functions. Managing this within ever tighter budget constraints and increased costs has proved extremely challenging and we remain hugely grateful to all the villagers who do sterling work at the playing field, Common and generally undertake lengthsman style duties such as keeping signs clear, footpaths accessible and the village tidy.

What a shame all these efforts are undermined by the small minority of dogwalkers who allow their dogs to foul our wonderful green spaces and pathways.

After many years of sterling service on the village green, closed churchyard and playing field, we have unfortunately had to say goodbye to our ground’s maintenance contractor, Bloomin Gardens due to renewal quotes which were beyond the affordability of the Parish Council’s means. We are however delighted to welcome Roberts Bates of RB Landscaping in Hilton as our new contractor. Also, this year we have been able to relinquish the lengthsman cost by undertaking much of the work with volunteers and we therefore also need to thank Max Higginbottom of Treemendous Estate Care who has served the village so well for so long.

Another significant responsibility we have with our facilities is the management of the trees. These are surveyed regularly throughout the year and professionally on a bi-annual basis with recommended remedial works carried out accordingly.

The village green was cleared in the Autumn last year and a new pond liner installed to replace the old one because of concerns it had deteriorated and hence through leakage had dried up more than usual in hot weather potentially posing a risk to the wildlife that lives in it. It is important to note that this is a manmade pond and so relies on rainfall to keep it topped up – in drier weather evaporation is inevitable and the pond level will fluctuate. We are hugely grateful to the East Staffordshire Community Fund and Townlands Charity who funded this work and most especially to Burton Conservation Volunteers who undertook it all. The pond will soon ‘green -up’ again as the plant life re-establishes itself.

The speed limit reduction through much of the village has been progressing frustratingly slowly since it was approved in Spring 2022. £10,000 of Parish reserves have been pledged to support the project but increasing contractor costs had threatened to de-rail it. Thankfully our County Councillor, Phil White fought hard on our behalf and the green light has now been given to carry on with a completion estimate of Autumn this year. Simultaneously we hope to install village gateway signs, speed indicator devices and more if we are able to secure sufficient funding. We also have the full support of our Borough Councillor, Phil Hudson who has signposted the Council to several possible funding options.

The scourge of potholes throughout the country has not passed Hanbury by and Cllr Tyson has fought and fought to get better quality improvements made to our roads. Please continue to report potholes on the Staffordshire County Council website however we seem to have a small light shining at the end of the tunnel with significant repairs carried out recently on several roads in the village in preparation for a full resurface in the Autumn.

Jenny Hendon, Chair Hanbury Parish Council, April 2023