11/12/2008

Talk of the Town - December 2008

Talk of the Town Submission

The Drayton West Allotments are ours...!!

Finally, after almost six years of defending Daventry Town Council’s legal right to own the Drayton West allotment site, against Daventry District Council’s assertion that they were the legal owners, an independent arbitrator has pronounced that the Town Council is, indeed, the rightful owner.

The judgement is clear, unequivocal and binding and draws a line under this long running and, in our view, unnecessary dispute.

Daventry Town Council regrets that matters were not concluded sooner and that the protracted dispute could not be resolved without resorting to a legal judgement, with costs incurred by both sides; however the Drayton West site is now able to be used for its intended purpose – allotments – and work now begins on clearing the site and making it suitable for letting.

We have a long waiting list of potential allotment gardeners which should be whittled down considerably when plots are available and ready for letting in the New Year.

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We continue to wrestle with other challenges which are facing our community.

The applicants for the Churchfields, Monksmoor and Danetree Village ‘urban extensions’ to the Town have all submitted additional information in support of their case for outline planning consent. All have required considered responses from our Council on your behalf within a three week consultation period.

We’ve also made representations about the District Councils proposals to establish a Conservation Area at Daventry Country Park which, we feel, do not go far enough to protect this ‘Jewel in Daventry’s crown’.

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The proposed PRT system, colloquially known as the “Pods”, is being reviewed by our own working group, who are tasked with researching the value of this mode of transport for our town. You will be involved in this process and we will update you in the New Year with details of how you can contribute to this process.

We will consult you on the canal arm/marina proposal for which, we understand, further details will be made available by the District Council early in 2009.

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Mindful of the constraints of the economic downturn, the Town Council recently agreed its precept for 2009-2010, which will remain at the same level as 2008-2009. We are committed to providing a quality service at reasonable cost.

Our strapline is “Making Your Voice Heard”; You can visit our newly-launched website: www.daventrytowncouncil.gov.uk and share your comments and concerns for our community. You may even spot yourself on the photographs of the very successful Christmas Lights Switch-on Event!

Alternatively, why not pop down to the market this Friday (20th) where we have a stall situated outside Argos (easily identifiable as it will be adorned with our newly adopted logo) and chat with the Mayor and Town Councillors about local issues that concern you.

We wish you all a peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Cllr Lynne Taylor
Leader Daventry Town Council