In recent months we have been working closely with HVHCA on proposals for work to the Community Centre. In view of the age of the building essential repair work is necessary in a number of areas along with improvements to recognise the fact that user needs have changed in the thirty or so years since the Community centre started to be designed. We had hoped to be able to arrange a viewing of the plans at the end of 2010 but some more work is still needed to reach that stage. A date for the exhibition of the plans will be announced as soon as possible.
Community Awards have been presented to residents at the last two Annual Village Meetings and their introduction received a warm welcome. The awards recognise achievements for the benefit of our Community by individuals or businesses. The only firm rule is that the service to the Community for which the award is to be considered must have been on an entirely voluntary basis. Please do let us have nominations by the end of March. Previous nominations that did not result in an award are not being carried forward so do please re-nominate names from previous years if appropriate.
The long running series of planning applications for the Bungalow site in London Road is finally drawing to an end. Hart have approved a plan for four houses which is a dramatic improvement on the plan for a substantially larger number that was previously approved on appeal. The reason for the developer downsizing his ideas for a larger number of units is the huge cost he would have incurred in moving a fibre optic cable which lies under the pavement.
December Parish Council meeting was delighted to approve a £10,000 grant to enable the Allotment Association to establish the site which they have contracted to buy on the B3349 on the very outskirts of Hook. This grant toward start-up costs will cover fencing which is essential to protect their growing crops. As Focus goes to press 93% of available space is now firmly reserved.
Once again Hook Announcements has really come into its own during the bad weather in December. We are able to pass on last minute updates such as changes to rubbish collection and cancellation of the Christmas Cracker which were both necessary due to snow and ice in early December. We only use the facility to pass on essential short notice news. In order to join the list of those of us in our Community who receive these occasional announcements please go to the Parish Council web page atwww.hook.gov.uk and follow the link to sign up.
Antony Hunter – Parish Councillor