Randwick Parish meeting last night

Last night Randwick Parish met at the Scout Hall - there will be a report in the Runner so I wont repeat here - but lots discussed - heres just a taster:

Photo: Randwick woods

- the Mayors Pool being repaired after the car rolled into it earlier this year (great job done on it)

- a rather unhelpful reply from County re buses going down The Lane in Randwick - they wont look at it until contract renewal (see many previous posts on this)

- the post of Randwick Clerk is advertised - 4 applicants so far - Arthur, the current clerk will retire in March

- the budget for next year - not any major changes planned at this point but money proposed for items like a land-use survey that will fit with the Parish Plan - I did speak to Stroud Valleys Project today about this as they helped with the one in Cainscross

- I proposed a letter of support for GLP (see previous post yesterday) - the Parish will consider it

- the footpath opposite the Scout Hut needs action - children are dangerously slipping down it into the road

- I updated Parish very briefly re Ruscombe Brook (see previous posts)

- the Village Hall improvements - they are looking at renewable enregy as an option - it is interesting that noone talks about an ordinary gas boiler paying for itself, let alone a car or a computer, yet many of us talk about how a solar hot water heater should? Also figures are often based on current energy prices - over the past two years, oil prices have climbed from $50 to nearly $100 a barrel. Some commentators note that it could rise to $300 over the next 3 years. Anyhow I'm hoping they will be able to achieve something - I did note that the little noticed provision of the 2006 Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act gives new powers to Parish Councils to encourage or promote microgeneration. Several Parishes are now using the powers - Kirkburton Parish (with a Green majority) for example has established an annual £10,000 budget to invest in microgeneration and basic energy conservation measures in community buildings such as village halls. It is also a good way to raise peoples awareness of small scale renewable energy through such examples - and encourage more people locally to adopt the measures.

Didn't mean to scribble so much on that - time for my tea so I'll stop this blog now....