From the CountyBy Tricia Birchley
The lack of sunshine this summer was extremely challenging! In spite of that, the wild flowers in the AONB were scintillating and as I write the Chiltern Gentians are in flower and the bee orchids were out a couple of months ago. No wonder we are so determined to protect our heritage.
The current economic climate makes the proposed increase in passenger traffic out of Luton seem increasingly unlikely. Our strenuous efforts to thwart NATS’s proposals show a glimmer of hope with reconsideration of plans to overfly the Chilterns. The current thrust is to encourage them to consider moving the ‘hold’ to Westcott which would relieve the concentration of planes over the Bovingdon Beacon.
During the summer, potholes have been repaired, road signs cleaned and hedges cut back. More importantly adjustments have been approved to the speed limits in our villages: Kings Ash will become 30 mph, then 40 mph down to the A413 and Chartridge Lane will revert from 30 mph to 40 mph towards Cogdells Lane. Barnaby and I were at County Hall when the changes were agreed.
As Lead Spokesman for Adult Social Care I’m pleased to say that the government inspection that looked into the protection of vulnerable adults and the prevention agenda, which supports older people to maintain their independence at home was entirely positive about the work done by our social care teams. An assessment is available to anyone who feels they may need help from social services, whether or not they have to make a contribution. Please let me know if I can help you make the necessary contact.
From November the Mobile Library will be making an additional stop at The Lee Village Hall on alternate Monday mornings. It’s important to say that its success depends on usage and there will be a great deal of information on board including advice on social services, internet access and details of County Council services.
I congratulate the Shop Committee in arranging the necessary finance and planning permission to support the new shop which is such an important amenity for the village. I think it speaks volumes about the caring nature of local residents and will be watched with interest by many other communities. So many of the facilities enjoyed by rural parishes have been swept away by this government and this is a real example of what a little local determination can achieve!