Chiltern Ridges report
By Tricia Birchley
Sir John Johnson opened the Annual Chilterns Forum on 6th November with a potted history of the UK’s AONBs. Royal Assent was given on 16th December 1949 to a crucial piece of legislation which meant government would henceforth fund the now 36 AONBs in England; the Chilterns were the first to form a Conservation Board. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act in 2002 gave new meaning to the national parks by improving access and managing their environment in a more sustainable way.
Approximately two hundred members learnt about many important local activities including the Chalk Streams project. The ‘Trout in the Classroom’ exercise had enabled school children to hatch 250 trout eggs and release over 120 fry into the River Chess. Conservation of commons and chalk grassland is a current priority as is managing the scale of visitor numbers.
The County budget
This is the time of year when County is fine tuning its budget for next year and considering the medium term plan for the next three years. I have been leading a member challenge to test the assumptions so far in ensuring a balanced outcome, focussed on local priorities. Whilst there is more to be done, during the autumn many roads have been significantly improved and many gullies in the parish will be cleaned out between now and the New Year.
The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority has issued a rural safety strategy in response to the 100 barn and farm fires they attend in the county annually, in addition to 50 animal related incidents. They ask us to know where our nearest fire hydrant is situated, that the name of our house/farm is clearly visible and that people with stock have a written evacuation plan. Farm fires are particularly difficult to deal with, often due to the unknown location of cylinders and fertilisers, inadequate water supplies and narrow access roads. Prevention measures have reduced the number of fires; we can all do our bit to help.
Winter is upon us and I do hope you will enjoy the Christmas festivities. It has been a tumultuous year both politically and in the City. The prospect of a general election draws near in what will be a closely fought contest. I hope Father Christmas will be generous this year and look forward to seeing you out and about in the coming weeks!
By Tricia Birchley
Sir John Johnson opened the Annual Chilterns Forum on 6th November with a potted history of the UK’s AONBs. Royal Assent was given on 16th December 1949 to a crucial piece of legislation which meant government would henceforth fund the now 36 AONBs in England; the Chilterns were the first to form a Conservation Board. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act in 2002 gave new meaning to the national parks by improving access and managing their environment in a more sustainable way.
Approximately two hundred members learnt about many important local activities including the Chalk Streams project. The ‘Trout in the Classroom’ exercise had enabled school children to hatch 250 trout eggs and release over 120 fry into the River Chess. Conservation of commons and chalk grassland is a current priority as is managing the scale of visitor numbers.
The County budget
This is the time of year when County is fine tuning its budget for next year and considering the medium term plan for the next three years. I have been leading a member challenge to test the assumptions so far in ensuring a balanced outcome, focussed on local priorities. Whilst there is more to be done, during the autumn many roads have been significantly improved and many gullies in the parish will be cleaned out between now and the New Year.
The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority has issued a rural safety strategy in response to the 100 barn and farm fires they attend in the county annually, in addition to 50 animal related incidents. They ask us to know where our nearest fire hydrant is situated, that the name of our house/farm is clearly visible and that people with stock have a written evacuation plan. Farm fires are particularly difficult to deal with, often due to the unknown location of cylinders and fertilisers, inadequate water supplies and narrow access roads. Prevention measures have reduced the number of fires; we can all do our bit to help.
Winter is upon us and I do hope you will enjoy the Christmas festivities. It has been a tumultuous year both politically and in the City. The prospect of a general election draws near in what will be a closely fought contest. I hope Father Christmas will be generous this year and look forward to seeing you out and about in the coming weeks!