July reports

Friday 20th July attended meeting of the Dorset Association of Larger Councils at Blandford. My report to the meeting is below .I represent Lyme Regis at this meeting as they are a Larger Council. The speaker was Louise Colclough, Waste Policy Manager, Dorset County Council gave a very useful and interesting talk on Waste Management in Dorset. .



Tuesday 17th July
Meeting of Nalc Policy in London of which I am the Chairman The general issues surrounding regional assemblies, their role in EU funding, first-tier representation on them and various other issues were discussed. Given the likelihood of announcements on the future role of regional assemblies and their role, it was decided committee would be updated when full details of future developments were clear.

Community Ownership of Assets – Linkages between this consultation and post office services were observed and members felt the existing examples of good practice from members would further illustrate the points made in the response.

Members were updated on two active consultations on the Planning White Paper and Effective consultation which have been sent to County Associations and are due responses later in the summer. The recent CRC reports into young people in rural areas and into CALCs were also discussed.
REPORTS FROM OUTSIDE BODIES
Member updated members on Rights of Way and the Lost Ways project. Members were updated on post offices, Post Office limited are due to publish their closure programme from July. When the programme is known, it will be forwarded to all County Associations. Reform of Burial law was also mentioned. Members enquired of representation on Village Halls meetings, further attempts to secure ongoing representation on the body will be made.

Monday July 2nd I attended BCAG ( Burial and Cemeteries Advisory Group Meeting) at the Ministry of Justice a department of the Home Office for a meeting on behalf of the National Association of Councils in the morning. We discussed a written Ministerial statement on Burial reform and the Government response to the consultation paper. We should appreciate from that the intention is to take forward work on a scheme to provide for the re-use of old graves , to provide anew guidance on the provision and maintenance of burial grounds, and to update and revise exiting burial law where necessary and when opportunities arise. There are no plans for a comprehensive burial bill. We also discussed Memorial safety and the local government white paper update.

In the afternoon I made my way up North to Royal Leamington Spa for a visit to the town .









Royal Leamington Spa the opening of the Britain in Bloom week. An interesting town listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as the homestead of Lamintone. A Czech memorial in the town that I shall be commenting on in the British Legion page is unusual. Being Wimbledon fortnight it was interesting to find out that the site of the world's very first Lawn Tennis Club, established in 1872 by Major Henry Gem and three friends. They drew up the first rules at the house of Major Gem in Hamilton Terrace a Plaque marks the spot. Sadly flats are now on that spot. The Renshaw brothers won Wimbledon men's doubles1885/86/88/89 and in 1888 J.E won the singles title only to be defeated in the following year by his brother.

The Mayor and Mayoress with children from the local schools and an entertainer who was excellent got the week off to a great start The Town Clerk led us round on our tour and made a good job of something I am sure he was not used to. Bye the way the reason he did it was that the normal guide was on holiday in Lyme Regis would you believe !








I have visited many Towns and Parishes since becoming a councillor. Representing Dorset on the National Association of Parish and Town Council committees and this town of Lyme Regis as a Larger Town in the organisation, visiting Royal Leamington Spa had been one the most pleasurable. Approximately 20 Councillors made the visit representing Councils from all over the Country. We were welcomed by the Mayor, Chairman, Town Clerk and councillors from the town. I personally thank them, on behalf of NALC for the warm hospitally shown to us. Best of luck with your traffic wardens !