Annual Report 2009-10

The Annual Report for 2009-10 will be published shortly.  Minutes of the Annual town meeting, which include reports on the Council activities in 2009-10, are available in the document library.

Annual Report 2008-09

MAINTAINING BISHOP’S STORTFORD HERITAGE

The Town Council came into existence in 1974 as the successor Authority to the former Urban District Council.  Although a relatively young Authority, the Town Council is proud to maintain the heritage of Bishop’s Stortford.

The Civic Year starts with the election of the Town Mayor in May and the Town Mayor presides over the meetings of the Town Council and also represents the Town at numerous civic functions in Bishop’s Stortford and further afield.  The Town Mayor and Councillors take seriously the responsibilities placed upon them by the electorate and they continue steadfastly to strive, unpaid to promote the Town and to try to safeguard the interests of its inhabitants.

PROMOTING BISHOP’S STORTFORD

Tourist Information

The Town Council assumed the responsibility for the Tourist Information service from East Herts District Council and this service operates from the Council Offices at the Old Monastery, Windhill.  Visitors can benefit from a wide range of services including booking of accommodation, receipt of holiday brochures and obtaining information about what’s on in the Town.  The Centre also sells local books and souvenirs and provides a ticket sale service for local concerts and events.  There is an additional benefit which the Centre provides which is unquantifiable and that is the financial service it provides to the vibrancy of the Town and many retailers are the recipients of visitor spending.

AMENITIES

i)  Allotments

The Council has ten allotment sites and approximately 2,800 rods – 89% of which are under cultivation.  The sites are managed by Site Agents on behalf of the Council and plot holders are actively encouraged to enter the annual allotment competition.  There has been an upsurge of interest in allotments over the last few years, fuelled by the desire for a healthier lifestyle.  Organic and fresh food (picked on the same day) must always be better than produce that has to travel great distances before reaching the retail chain.  Whilst not looked upon as being an activity synonymous with allotments, beekeeping is something which the Council is considering allowing on its allotment sites.  It may not be a well known fact, but the bee population has been drastically reduced recently, which has had a devastating effect on the pollination of plants.

ii)  Cemetery

The Council’s statutory function is to provide for burying the deceased.  The Council manages the Town Cemetery in Cemetery Road and carries out routine maintenance of the grounds.  There are sections for burials and more recently a section for cremated remains has been introduced.  A recent agreement has been entered into with East Herts Council to secure an extension to the Cemetery into what was the former Scott Road allotments.  However, there is still limited land at the Town Council’s disposal and it is estimated that the lifespan of the existing land will be no more than nine years.  This places the Town Council in a position of having to find alternative land for future burials, which could result in consideration being given to compulsory purchase.

iii)  Closed Churchyard

The Town Council is responsible for the upkeep of St Michael’s Churchyard in Windhill and ever conscious of its position in the older part of the Town, the staff endeavours to maintain the grounds to a high standard.  The small Garden of Rest at the bottom of Newtown Road, is also maintained by the Town Council.

iv)  War Memorial

The Council is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the Town’s War Memorial, situated in the Castle Grounds and for maintaining the floodlighting.  The monument was unveiled in 1921 and records the names of the fallen in both World Wars.  The monument is a focal point in the Castle Gardens and every effort has been made to maintain the structure to a high standard.  The Castle Gardens and the War Memorial provide the focal point for the annual Remembrance Day Service.

v)  CCTV

The Town Council contributes to funding the 24 hour monitoring of the cameras in the Town to the tune of £21,000 per annum.  The cameras have been effective in contributing to making Bishop’s Stortford Town Centre, a safer place for people to shop.

COMMUNITY AND PARTNERSHIP WORKING

i)  Planning Applications and Consultations

The Council is formally consulted by East Herts Council and Hertfordshire County Council on all planning applications that affect Bishop’s Stortford.  Through the Planning Committee the Town Council has commented upon a wide range of issues from small porch extensions to major development applications regarding the redevelopment of the Town Centre.  There are a number of important planning matters which will be considered in the future.  The development proposed for the new schools, the Goods Yard site development and who knows what proposals will come forward in the event of the development of Stansted Airport.  The Council has been consulted on a number of issues over the last 12 months, viz: the provision of gipsy sites, Primary Care Trust reviews, Road and Rail links to Stansted Airport, Terminal Control North proposed changes to airspace and the major issue of the G2 planning application in respect of the second runway.

The Town Council is kept busy in responding to these consultations and clearly the comments do form a means of hopefully representing the views of residents.  Consultation may be something that can be construed by some as a means of appeasement.  Nevertheless, members take the view on all such matters that better to have responded and lost than never to have responded at all. 

ii)  Representation on Outside Bodies

The Councillors represent the Council on numerous bodies in the Town and are grateful for the many people who assist them in this matter.

iii)  Partnership Working

The Town Council runs a vibrant Town Centre Partnership consortium of Councillors and the private sector, the aim of which is to create an effective co-ordination of private and public sector interests, working in partnership to create a successful and vibrant Town Centre for the benefit of all.

iv)  Community Facilities

The Town Council provides administrative support to Havers, Bishop’s Park and St Michael’s Mead Community Centres, being responsible for the booking and financial records. These Centres provide vital community facilities which are enjoyed by a wide range of clubs and organisations.

The Town Council is also Trustee of the Rhodes Arts Complex, incorporating the Bishop’s Stortford Museum, which has undergone a revolutionary change of fortune over the last two years.  The Complex now provides for a wide range of community activities and is fast developing into a centre of excellence for artistic performances.  The majority of the £3m funding for the refurbishment came from the Town Council, East Herts Council and Heritage Lottery.  The Town Council continues solely to revenue fund the Complex.

(v)  Minibus

The Town Council, as Trustee, is responsible for operating three minibuses which are primarily used to provide transport for elderly and disabled residents of Bishop’s Stortford.  A recent departure has been an extension of the service into the villages, the aim of which is to provide a transport link between villages and Bishop’s Stortford.  The Town Council, in this venture is helping to bridge a gap in the transport market caused by the withdrawal of a scheduled route.

(vi) General

The staff of the Town Council act as information providers for the many enquiries raised by the public and Councillors provide an invaluable Saturday Surgery service to those seeking to discuss any matters of concern.  The surgery operates between 10am and 12 noon on most Saturday mornings throughout the year, at the Town Council offices, The Old Monastery, Windhill.