COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW BERGH APTON PARISH COUNCIL’S VIEW

Dear Parishioners
PLEASE HAVE YOUR SAY-EVERY VOTE COUNTS

You will no doubt have seen the notification,from John Fuller, on the Parish Website regarding the Community Governance Review.
The Parish Council also wishes you to have your say by visiting :- http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/communitygovernancereview1/

BERGH APTON PARISH COUNCIL IS SOLVENT

There appears to be a trend to no longer have each Village represented by their own Council but for Parish Councils to merge. One of the reasons is cost. We are concerned that from the article published our parishoners may feel that Bergh Apton cannot sustain the cost of a Parish Clerk. We wish to reassure all of you that this is not the case. We are solvent with a considerable bank balance which will more than pay for the clerk and additionally there is the funding for us to take steps to improve the village such as bringing in speed restrictions to protect walkers, dog walkers, horse riders and the wildlife. If you are intending to complete the survey please therefore do not make your decision based on the solvency of the Parish Council, we would reiterate we can comfortably afford a Clerk!

BERGH IS MERGED WITH APTON

The thought of amalgamation with other villages brings risk. Mundham and Seething Parochial Councils merged in 1604 and the people in each village still have the interests of their own church at heart. The principal is entirely the same here. Whilst each village would have a couple of representatives for the village, it would lead to long meetings dealing with issues which do not affect your own village, conflicts over where new build would be positioned and these are just a couple of examples. If one village becomes stronger the interests of that village will be served before our own. Do remember there is also only one Chariman who also has a casting vote if needed so which village would the chairman come from?

To date, no other village council has approached Bergh Apton about merging and we as your parish council feel a move like this would be detrimental. We wish to preserve the beauty and identity of the village and represent the Parishoners wishes.

BERGH APTON NEEDS TO RETAIN IT’S IDENTITY

To date, we as a Council had voted that this move would not take place however that decision on our part to date appears to have been disregarded and this recent article does not reflect the thoughts and feelings of your Parish Council. We have a new parish council now, with a new Chairman and Clerk and wish to keep you all fully appraised. Please do come along to the meetings and support what we do, you are very welcome and its very encouraging to hear from you. We have to be careful in these fast moving times that our wishes do not get overlooked and our interests are protected and that responsibility lies with your own Parish Council.

Julie Gosling
Clerk to Bergh Apton Parish Council