BUDOCK PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT, 2007/08
2007/08 has been a very interesting year for the Council. We have a new Parish Council, following the elections in May, whereas the decision that Cornwall will move to a new unitary authority means that the existing District and County Councils will have been replaced by this time next year.
As Cornwall moves towards the dissolution of the District Councils, and the Unitary Authority, there is little doubt that Parish Councils will be expected to administer increasing powers and responsibilities as the second tier within local government.
Since last year, three longstanding members are no longer Parish Councillors. Their specialised skills and competences have, in the past, been invaluable to the operation of this Council. Hazel Perham and more recently Elizabeth Paget had worked tirelessly to preserve Public Rights of Way, and Derek Williamson’s local knowledge meant he was an ideal council representative to the Budock Village Hall Committee.
There is also another Councillor who is no longer with us. Sadly, Jean Pengelly passed away last autumn. Jean had decided to remain on the council for one further year, which would have been her 36th year of office. The statistics are impressive - almost 500 Parish Council meetings, that’s around 150 full working days or 30 full working weeks dedicated to the community, and that does not take into account the many hours that Jean spent on behalf of the Village Hall Committee or the WI.
The role of a Parish Councillor has substantially changed over the last few years, with more responsibility, accountability, paperwork and time commitment, all of which are likely to increase further. So finally, I would like to place on the public record my thanks to all past and present members of this council, and also our District and County Councillors, for their loyalty, hard work and conscientious dedication to the Parish and the local community.
Cllr John Bastin
Chairman, Budock Parish Council - 12th April 2008. |
