HOT TOPICS
CROWN HOTEL or TESCO EXPRESS
Tesco have apparently said that they want to open an Express convenience store in Boston Spa utilising the Crown Hotel which is for sale. This would not involve any change of use planning application and would only require listed building planning approval if they wanted to alter that part of the premises which is listed Grade 2. This is in addition to the proposed store in Collingham and the possible Tesco supermarket in Wetherby.
What do YOU think about this ?
Would YOU welcome a Tesco Express ?
Let us know your thoughts on this potentially emotive and explosive subject by using the ENGAGE contact form
DIAMOND JUBILEE
EVENTS IN BOSTON SPA
Early May- children’s art competition with local schools.
Winners will be displayed in the Village Hall, and local artists will judge.
Thursday 24th May Yorkshire Film Archive showing 60 years in Yorkshire – Village Hall 7.30
Tickets in advance from Yeadon’s shop.
Saturday 2nd June Jubilee Jazz night - Village Hall.
Parish event provided by the Parish Council
If you remember the Golden Jubilee picnic this is a chance to enjoy it all over again.**
Monday 4th June Village Picnic at Riverside Meadows start 7.00 pm
including: Children’s face painting---ice cream van---Punch & Judy Show
Jazz band featuring Mel Swales’ Jubilee Stompers---hog roast from Firth Butchers---(tickets pre-booked from Yeadon’s shop to be sure of your meal!) finishing with Fireworks at 10.30 pm
Local photographer Andrea Thornton will capture the scene
Saturday 16th June Boston Spa Gala Parade will feature Jubilee fancy dress themes.
Look out for Jubilee themed flowers being planted by Boston in Bloom.
Watch out for more details nearer the time.
ARCHIVES
The Parish Council has recently gained access to an old safe in the Village Hall and discovered a whole host of old records, Minute books, correspondence etc relating to the Council over the past 100+ years. It would like to research and then ensure that these records can be maintained for future geneerations and possibly publish some of the more interesting items on this website.
To help in this process it would be very pleased indeed if any resident had experience in archives or knew of any Archivist who may be prepared to help with that research or at least offer advice on how best to approach the subject. If you can help in any way please contact the Clerk in the first instance using this LINK.
CHURCH FIELDS UPDATE
Residents will have noted that the temporary fences, put up for the archaeological investigations which were carried out by Durham University, have not been removed even though the excavated materials have all been returned. Taylor Wimpey have now advised that they are programmed to commence works on site in the spring with, presumably, the initial drainage and roads works to provide access to the site. Arrangements are being made for a meeting with Taylor Wimpey to discuss this and several other aspects of the works.
STREET LIGHTING
At its meeting on Monday 20th June the Parish Council reviewed the results of the consultation on street lighting for High Street (see below) and reported on other investigations it had carried out to see if any further alternatives were suitable to meet the criteria for High Street. As no such practical options were available and after some discussion the Council resolved to ask Leeds/SSEC to proceed with the modern standard lighting solution subject to investigations into one or two aspects of the scheme raised by members of the public. This decision reflects the wishes of the majority of those who submitted response forms. The Council will also investigate suitable colours for the street lighting and other street furniture in the Conservation Area and is particularly aware of the importance of the centre of the village to the community.
A lot of time and effort has already been spent in investigating and agreeing a scheme to “declutter” the High Street by removing or relocating traffic and other statutory signage and this will now be able to proceed as the replacement and additional lighting columns will provide a base for many of those signs that cannot be entirely removed. In addition the Council will look afresh at how the centre could be enhanced to reflect its distinctiveness and importance to the community and to the commercial success of the businesses that operate along High Street
The RESULT of the Consultation is as follows :-
The village has a tax base of 1866 houses from which 287 responses were received with the following outcome :-
176 preferred the standard columns
111 were in favour of older style lighting of which 28 wanted them from the Church to the Village Hall and the remainder from Deepdale to Gas Works Lane. There were one or two alternative suggestions from ‘all the way along the length of High St’ to ‘from Deepdale to the Fox and Hounds’ or ‘ from the Church to Grove Road’. On finance 41 wanted the cost to be met by way of a single payment and 64 wanted a loan to be spread over ten years. These numbers do not add up because some people did not state a finance preference.
22 Residents offered to make some payment towards the cost with a total offered of £3255 of which £2500 was offered by just two respondents. A further 6 said that they would probably offer something but did not define the amount and one conditioned their offer to it being matched by a significant number of other residents.
The question of the colour to be used to paint the columns was more complicated as several who opted for the older style lighting also wanted to leave the columns unpainted which is not an available option as the Gladstone fitting is supplied in black. Some selected both painted and unpainted and some others did not state any preference. Nevertheless of those who did express a preference 81 opted for black, 51 green and 148 opted for the columns to be left unpainted.
55 Traders along High Street were leafleted and 11 returned a response form. Of those 7 wanted the standard lights and 4 opted for older style lighting of which one preferred the shorter Church to Village Hall option. None made any offer of a contribution towards the cost of the older style lighting.
What had been anticipated to be a difference of opinion between residents on High Street and elsewhere in the village turned out not to be the case at all with a number of residents from elsewhere in the village opting for old style lighting and quite a few residents on High Street choosing the standard lights.
The Parish Council will now arrange a further meeting with Leeds to agree the way forward.
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WISE ( Wetherby In Support of the Elderly) has now established a monthly Café for dementia sufferers and their carers in the VILLAGE HALL. They also provide a range of other services such as Befriending, Home from Hospital, a Luncheon Club and lots of helpful advice on a wide range of topics. You can contact them by e-mail or visit their website for more information on this very special service
They would also like to hear from anyone who could volunteer to help with their invaluable work |
The new ENGAGE page is now up and running giving you the opportunity to engage with the Parish Council and the community in a "forum" where your views and ideas can be discussed with other residents. Two subjects have already been listed so why not have a look and join in the debate.
Don't lose your LEAD ( or copper)
At the last Parish Council meeting in January 2011 the Police reported that there had been eight thefts in the village in December. Of those six were the theft of lead from roofs and it was believed that some may have been committed during daylight hours. Please keep a close eye on both your own and your neighbours houses and if you see anything at all suspicious please do make immediate contact with the Police ( see below for contact details) and make a note of any cars parked nearby which may be being used by the thieves. It is only by being vigilant that between us we can make a difference.
!!?? Are YOU worried about anti social behaviour ??!!
Thankfully we live in a village with a relatively low crime rate, however from time to time we do encounter antisocial/threatening behaviour whether it is littering or groups of people loitering in the street (swearing/spitting/underage drinking etc ) which is very unpleasant and creates an atmosphere of menace.
Addressing the problem is one of the top priorities for the Parish Council and it is discussed with the Police at the monthly Parish Council meetings. The Police do take the matter very seriously and in order to support them it is important that the public contact them each time problems are encountered so they can take the appropriate action.
The Police Telephone Contact Details are :-
999 In an emergency when there is a danger to life or a crime is in progress
101 For non-emergencies and to report a crime
You can keep up to date on how officers are tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in our area by logging onto http://www.wypnpt.org/ or http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/
If you know who is committing a crime in the area the police can be told confidentially on Crimestoppers
0800 555 111
It would also be useful if you would advise the Parish Council if you have contacted the Police in order that progress can be monitored. This can be done via this website and by emailing to bostonspapc@btinternet.com .
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In the words of the Police
“You talk, we listen “ – “You tell us , we will act!”
Any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Let’s tell the Police not just our mates in the pub or the Mums at the school gate!