It is very good news that the Magazine can at last be delivered to everyone’s homes after a long lay off when so many people have been isolated in their own homes with no social life and nothing but miserable government announcements coming at them day after day on the mainstream media.
Fortunately, some semblance of normal life is at last returning and the Parish Council was very happy to welcome residents to its meeting on Monday 14 September. Yes, you can now come back to the Village Hall for our meetings. We are exempt from the recently introduced 6-person rule, we have done our risk assessments, laid out seats to observe social distancing, increased cleaning regimes, provided hand sanitiser, noted people’s details for track and trace purposes, and advised people to wear masks if they are able to do so. Nothing beats a real meeting with real people compared to meetings via computers, but there will be the option to attend remotely if required.
Traffic calming was discussed again at Monday’s meeting. The Parish Council is currently in correspondence with the Police regarding what might be done to reduce speeding in the Village. Further steps have also been taken to arrange an early meeting with SCC Highways with a view to introducing some of the suggestions which were made by residents who took part in the traffic survey.
Negotiations are continuing with Surrey Wildlife Trust to enable the Parish Council to take over some of the responsibility for the management of the Newdigate Brickworks Nature Reserve which has been allowed to fall into a tragic state of disrepair over recent years. The Parish Council is determined to get an agreement in place before the winter months so that proper maintenance and repairs can start to bring this once beautiful area back to life and make it safe for all users again.
The ongoing problems caused by bonfires and the burning of noxious imported waste were discussed. A resident spoke about the horrible air pollution being caused by this kind of bonfire in Hogspudding Lane. This is being investigated currently by the Environment Agency and it was pointed out that the more people who complain directly to the Environment Agency the more likely it is that action will be taken. Their number is 0800 807 060. Reports of air pollution from bonfires can also be made to Mole Valley District Council Environmental Health on 01306 885001 or by completing their online form on the website www.molevalley.gov.uk.
There was a report about what is happening at Gatwick Airport which has had most of its business wiped out in the last few months, like so many other businesses. They are running a few flights now but it will be a while before they get back to normal and certainly a long time before they talk again about expanding. This is kind of a mixed blessing for some of us who have suffered noise from planes flying over our homes, but it is very sad for all those people who have lost their jobs, and it is making life very difficult for people who want to go on holiday or visit friends in other countries.
It has been pointed out that some residents might want to raise matters with the Parish Council but they are not able to come to meetings at the Village Hall and do not have computers or use emails via their smartphones. So if you would like to raise any questions with the Parish Council, please do write to me at the address below. I look forward to hearing from you or better still seeing you at the next meeting of the Parish Council in October. The agenda will be placed on the noticeboards in the usual way.
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[mks_one_half]Lesley Bignell, Clerk to the Council[/mks_one_half]
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15 September 2020[/mks_one_half]
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[mks_one_half]clerk@newdigateparishcouncil.gov.uk[/mks_one_half]
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www.newdigateparishcouncil.gov.uk[/mks_one_half]
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