Message from the Chairman of the Parish Council March 2026

Dear Residents,

At our last meeting we had a busy meeting and representations from 2 residents regarding activities at the social club, whilst the Parish Council owns the land, the management and operation of the Village Hall and social club are the responsibility of these organisations and the responsibility falls to their management committees.

We received a complaint from a resident who drew our attention to the fact that the first northbound bus shelter was falling into disrepair and action was taken promptly to

remedy this and make the area more attractive. In order to prevent  anti-social behaviour the old brick bus shelter was boarded up and obscene graffiti removed. The old brick bus

shelter was to have been demolished but due to the land being waterlogged last year it was not possible. We have approached the land owner (Southill Estates) who advise us that they will try to carry out the demolition after the harvest (weather permitting).

I would like to thank the volunteers who keep the northern bus shelter neat and tidy and planted with flowers and the others who regularly do litter pick throughout the village.

In January we mentioned the traffic and parking problems experienced at the entrance to the school. A meeting was held with the Borough head of Highways, Mr Andrew Prigmore, the Parish Clerk, the head teacher Mrs Headland and myself. Typically, the day of the visit the traffic ran smoothly and there were no real issues with traffic or parking. Mr Prigmore who has a long experience of these matters pointed out that many other school have much worse traffic problems than we have at the moment. This may well change in the future as the school expands to 3 tier entry and in the future a 4 tier entry school. In that respect it may be necessary to look at other options possibly a one way in and one way out solution. To make things safer it was proposed that the flashing school sign on the northbound at the MacIntyre school be moved to a position before the bend northbound to give advance warning of the school.

Many residents have drawn our attention to the problem of speeding despite the average speed cameras, especially after the last speed camera going southbound increasing the danger residents face when exiting their properties. We don’t always get the statistics but in December 564 speed violations were recorded. During the last full Borough Council meeting the Mayor agreed that villages should not have to pay the maintenance costs of approximately £5500 this year, however, this would mean a 20% increase in our costs next year and would then have to be covered by an increase to the precept (the amount we get from Borough to cover our costs). As a result, I wrote to Richard Fuller M.P. on behalf of Cotton End residents asking why we have to pay this amount when the Government in just one month had an income of £56,000 in fines which went to central government. We are looking at replacing the now defunct speed indicator.

Looking at Grass Cutting in the Village, our current contractor Martin Green will no longer be able to provide this service and we are asking for tenders from other contractors. Thank you Martin for your service to the village. At our meeting one suggestion was to reduce the area of grass to be cut and to re-introduce the wild area in the play area and to possibly have a wild area in the main field. We would welcome any thoughts you may have on the subject.

We need volunteers for our Street Watch team. You will have received a leaflet detailing the Street Watch scheme, which has helped many communities, by making a visible presence to deter crime and reassure vulnerable residents that there are people keeping a look out for them. All that is required is 2 hours of your time, to suit you, each month call me directly if you are interested on 07707 521731.

Finally, we have been advised by solicitors that the transfer of land which had not been transferred by the Borough Council after the creation of Cotton End Parish Council in 2019 has now been completed.

Andre Merel

Chairman, Cotton End Parish Council

Full details of other items discussed are at meetings is available in the minutes of meetings on the Parish Council Website www.cottonend-pc.gov.uk and on the Parish Council Noticeboard.