Walkern Parish Council Report – May 2025
Walkern Parish Council Report
The Annual Parish Council Meeting and the monthly Council Meeting were held on Wednesday 7th May 2025 at Walkern Sports and Community Centre. This report covers some of the issues we have been dealing with over the last few months. The full minutes of the meetings will be available on the Parish Council website and on the Parish Council Notice Board outside Budgen’s shop.
Election of Chair
The Council was very pleased to re-elect Michele Rist as Chair and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office was duly signed.
Annual Parish Report
Michele Rist, as Chair, spoke of the many challenges faced by the Council including changing and updating policies as the responsibilities of local councils increases. The Council, although not at full capacity, works well together assisting each other where they can in all aspects of Council business.
Abi Brown, our clerk, has passed her probationary period and has been successful in obtaining a grant from East Herts District Council to cover the cost of fencing the play area at The Walkern Sports and Community Centre.
Reg Marjason , our Finance Officer, keeps the Council up to date on a monthly basis with clear statements so we are aware of what we are spending and upcoming costs. This year we have had to increase the precept which we receive from EHDC to cover Council responsibilities in order to meet rising costs. However, we have tried to keep it to a reasonable amount as the precept is financed from the local council tax paid by residents.
The Asset Register, showing all sites and buildings owned by the Council has been completely overhauled and will be checked annually. We are in the process of reviewing our contracts with the Allotment Association and the WSCC committee. Michele thanked Elaine Cook and her committee for her work in running the Allotment Association and also The Walkern Fair Committee and all those who helped to run the Fair at the WSCC on Sunday 4th May.
The History Society is making good use of the Pigeon Hut, a really interesting place to visit, displaying items found in local digs or donated by residents. Michele thanked the society for their hard work and future plans to plant a new area outside the building which will add to the bio diversity of the site.
Michele thanked Michelle Wakeley, employed by the Council, for her great work of general maintenance around the village from tidying hedge rows, cutting grass in the play areas to cleaning the wooden seating at the WSCC and many other tasks besides. She also thanked Michael, who works for the Council in clearing litter in the streets and emptying bins maintained by the Parish Council. Many residents care about the appearance of Walkern and Jan Fewell and her husband and Miki and Andy Phillips who all litter pick were thanked for keeping the Village tidy.
Crime remains low in Walkern but acts of vandalism such as broken glass and throwing of bottles and other litter at the sports field, graffiti on play items or damaging equipment still occurs. We try to respond quickly to such mindless acts.
The Council is about to decide on our grants to the different village organisations that have requested help. These requests range from money to continue ongoing work or one-off payments for a special event.
Ending the report Michele hoped that District Councillors Tom Deffley and Tony Stowe and County Councillor Ken Crofton will continue to give the Parish Council
their advice and support.
Playground Update
Michele mentioned in her Annual Report that the High Street Playground is about to undergo a massive refurbishment funded by S106 monies. Councillors are having a Pre-Start Meeting with Jilly Saunders, the area representative of HAGS, and we hope their representative who will oversee the work on site.
Michele also mentioned that the Book Exchange Box is now back in the playground. Many thanks to John Wilson, who donated a great deal of wood and time to the project and Tony and John Stinchcombe who completed the renovation. Annie Sabido, a Village resident will be keeping the box topped up and the books in good condition.
Play Area at the WSCC
We hope that residents are aware that a fence matching the wooden fencing outside the Pavilion is now in place around the play area. We are very grateful for the grants we have received from EHDC and Ken Crofton to allow this project to go ahead. The fencing will help keep small children safe and keep dogs out of the area.
Gridlock on the Roads to Walkern
The Council are aware of the chaotic situation that took place on Friday 9th May at about 3.30pm which resulted in a complete gridlock of roads leading from Stevenage to Walkern, Aston and the surrounding areas. Affinity Water are being approached for their comments.
The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Thursday 5th June 2025 at the Walkern Sports and Community Centre commencing at 7.00 pm.
Christine Nudds, Parish Councillor