Roughlee Parish Council
Budget, Gardening, Speed Device...
At our meeting in January, we discussed and agreed the budget for the forthcoming financial year commencing in April.
The main area of discussion focused on village maintenance and gardening. For many years (longer than I can remember), we have benefited from the cost savings associated with the “Lengthmans Scheme”. Unfortunately, this scheme has now lost its council funding and is therefore no longer as attractive to us as it once was. We have also been affected by the lack of a FORA lead to coordinate these activities.
As a result, we are at an advanced stage of making our paid gardener’s role more attractive by offering additional hours at a slightly enhanced rate of pay. This led us to request a modest increase of 3.8% in our precept from Pendle Council. This equates to an increase of approximately 62p per year for a Band D property.
In relation to planning matters, I have nothing to report on the caravan site development, as Pendle Council’s planning department has not yet reached a decision.
On a disappointing note, I must report that someone appears to have been tampering with our Speed Indicator Device, causing it to stop working twice within a 48-hour period. The damage looks likely to require paid repairs. Prior to this act of vandalism, we had recognised that the height of the device was possibly too low, this has galvanised us it to finding a way of increasing it, with plans in place to have this remedied soon.
Finally, we are still seeking ideas for capital-based projects that would enhance the village. Once again, if you have any suggestions, please do let us know.
Next meetings: 2nd February and 2nd March, 7pm at the Village Centre