Chairman's Report
Freshwater Parish Council
During the Christmas period the Parish Council were saddened to hear of the death of Mr Lionel Osman. Lionel had been a very long serving member of the Parish Council and had also represented Freshwater as a County Councillor. He was a well-known member of the community and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
The Probation Service Unpaid Work Team have worked together with the Parish Council and Environment and Neighbourhood Officers to install a new safety rail alongside of the footpath leading from the GP Practice to Brookside Road. We hope that this will enhance the safety of the path.
The recent icy weather has led to concern within the Village about the well being of our more vulnerable residents, particularly when stocks of essentials such as milk and bread became a bit scarce in our local shops. It was very good to hear how neighbours were helping one another out and much credit to our local milkman who continued to deliver during the worst of the weather.
I am sure many of you will have begun to notice the effect that the weather is having on our road surfaces with potholes seeming to appear daily. Bob Nelson our local environment and neighbourhood officer is working closely with the Highways Supervisor to ensure that new holes are reported and repaired as quickly as possible. Please report any holes you are particularly concerned about to our Parish Clerk who will forward them onto the Highways Department.
The Parish Council has recently been notified of a Delegated Decision by the IWC to undertake a safety audit on Pixley Hill/Copse Lane in relation to the No. 7 bus route. It will be interesting to see the result of this audit once it has been completed.
Gill Kennett
January 2010