COUNCIL PRECEPT 2017-18
At the January Parish Council meeting the Parish Precept for 2017–18 was set at £330,400 (£321,400 in 2016 -17). This means a total rise for an average Band D household of £1.07 pence.
The Precept covers the running costs of the services provided by the Parish Council and management of all its land, facilities and services provided. We continue to offer free pre-application planning consultations. We continue work closely on the development of the Hook Neighbourhood Plan and emerging Hart Local Plan. We support a number of local organisations, events and charities. Where possible we obtain additional funding to enable enhancements to the facilities in Hook and secure them for the long term.
NEW COUNCILLOR
Chris Terrey was co-opted to the Council on 4th January. He moved to Hook in 2015. Chris has 35 years’ experience in the civil service, particularly in central government, having worked in the Cabinet Office and the Prime Minister’s Office. He is currently a Director of Hook Village Halls Charitable Association and a member of The Base committee. He is also assisting in the creation of the Hook Shed club.
Chris said ‘I am keen to serve my local community and have a particular interest in the Third Age and local issues.
NEW OFFICE TEAM MEMBER
Hook Parish Council welcomes Pam Mercer to the Parish Council office. Pam is the new Community Engagement Officer and, in addition to being responsible for the website and all aspects of the Council’s social media strategy, she will be involved with community activities such as the Health & Wellbeing Event, Annual Village Meeting and production of the HPC Annual Report.
RE-ORGANISATION
The new Community Engagement Officer position is as a result of an independent review of Hook Parish Council by HALC (Hampshire Association of Local Councils) to ensure that the Council is well placed to meet the growing needs of the community. Following this review, the committees of the Council and reporting procedures were re-structured. In addition, to meet modern day practice, the role of Parish Clerk has been renamed ‘Executive Officer’.
HOOK HOPPA
Due to circumstances beyond our control, at the end of January, Capital Cars suspended the Hook Hoppa service due to an issue with the Operator License. Anyone affected by this service suspension should contact the Parish Council office.
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS
After the resounding success of the 2016 Community Christmas Lunch, the Parish Council will host another in 2017. There’s no need to be alone next Christmas – just make a date in the diary to join us on Monday 25th December. Hook’s 2016 Community Christmas was made possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of Hook Fun Run & Road Races, Trees Newsagents, Bell Cornwell, Hook Lions, Whitewater Pharmacy, William Grant & Sons, Tesco, Rawlings, Taylor Wimpey, Jonathan Glen via his Hampshire County Council Councillors’ Fund and all the dedicated volunteers, who gave their time to make sure all who attended had a wonderful time. Thank you everyone for your fantastic support!
HOOK’S HEALTH & WELLBEING EVENT
After the success of last year’s event, thanks to the Big Lottery Fund grant, another Health & Wellbeing Event will be held in 2017. This will be hosted by the Parish Council on Saturday, 20th May between 11.00am – 5.00pm and is free to both exhibitors and visitors. This is a great chance to interact with and find all about the great activities, organisations, charities and clubs operating in Hook.
Feedback from last year revealed that it was a great village networking event, whether visiting or exhibiting. In addition to stands, there will be training on how and when to use the defibrillator, first aid training and a host of other demonstrations. Refreshments will be available with proceeds going to Hook in Bloom. More details will appear in next month’s Hook Focus.
COMMUNITY AWARDS
Do you know anyone who should be recognised with the Hook Community Award? The only firm rule is that service to the community, for which the award is to be considered, must have been on an entirely voluntary basis and over a sustained period. Previous nominations that did not result in an award will not be carried forward, so please re-nominate. Nominations should be emailed to by 31st March 2017.
KEEP CALM AND CHAT TO A COUNCILLOR
If you would like to have an informal chat with a Parish Councillor about anything relating to Hook, please join us in Hartletts Café on the 4th Tuesday of every month in from 6 – 7 pm. The next one is on Tuesday 4th January. Further dates are:
- 28th February 2017
- 28th March 2017
SAVE THE DATES
Events at Hook Community Centre:
- Children’s Animal & Wildlife Fun Day (Free) – Monday 20th February 2017, 11.30am – pm
- Hook Health & Wellbeing Day – Saturday, 20th May 2017, 11.00am – 5.00pm
- Hook Annual Village Meeting – Wednesday, 24th May 2017, 7.30pm