Up to 15 minutes are allowed for public participation. Participants are restricted to 3 minutes each.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed Councillor Graham Prestwood, Chairman of Hemswell Cliff Parish Council, and invited him to address the Committee. Councillor Prestwood thanked the Chairman and the Committee and made the following address.
“Since moving to Hemswell Cliff in 2011 and joining the parish council, I've seen many significant changes in our village. Throughout this time, West Lindsey District Council has provided unwavering support for which both the parish council and I are extremely grateful. Around a decade ago, I had a conversation with a dedicated West Lindsey District Council officer who is sat not too far away about trying to create a normal village. This was met with a strange look, but she embraced it and has supported us ever since.
What the MOD left us was nothing like a normal village, but over the years dedicated councillors have worked hard to improve things and we are now seeing real progress. We have established council owned play parks, green spaces, allotments, sports facilities and have put in place a neighbourhood plan. These achievements were made possible through collaboration between the parish council, Hemswell Residence Company, West Lindsey District Council and have significantly contributed to the transformation. Yet challenges still remain.
To address these we have developed to community improvement proposal, which we hope you've all had time to read. We feel this proposal is the final step in achieving our vision. With footpaths linking all areas and skirting the green space, we can foster community cohesion. New seating will create inviting spaces for people to gather, socialize, play, and enjoy their surroundings. Lighting at the ballpark will extend its use all year round, benefiting the local and wider community. Currently, our footpath network is inadequate. With few drop kerbs, this is an outdated remnant of the MOD era, but in today's world this is unacceptable. Our soon-to-be open community room at the Broadcast Engineering Museum exemplifies this issue. Accessibility for disabled individuals, the elderly and parents with pushchairs is hindered by the need to walk down the road or rely on vehicles.
Never before has our village come together quite like this. A competition for the school children to design a litter picking post has sparked a movement: ‘Make Hemswell Cliff Glitter’. The community, businesses, the parish council, the broadcast engineering conservation group and Hemswell Residents Company have all pulled together and the results are amazing. People are stepping up like never before. I'm currently blessed with a very proactive and passionate group of councillors. Since launching this proposal we have already added over £8,000 worth of extra facilities and we have just secured £20,000 from the lottery to support our £100,000 FCC communities bid to upgrade the play parks.
With your support we can complete this final push and perhaps one day we won't need to refer to Hemswell place to live. We urge you to support this vision in every way possible. Thank you chair, councillors for your time and consideration.”
The Chairman thanked Councillor Prestwood for his words, and invited Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan, Ward Member, to speak.
Councillor Howitt-Cowan echoed the words of Councillor Prestwood and expressed what a privilege it was to be involved as District Councillor in the transformation of the area. He described how he had seen the community grow and mature over his 15 years as Ward Member, praising the wonderful Parish Council and the commitment within the community to enhance their area with the involvement of all. Councillor Howitt-Cowan praised the clear and grounded vision which had excited the community, highlighting the tagline of ‘Make Hemswell Cliff Glitter’. He referenced the title of the present Committee being Prosperous Communities, emphasising the excellence of community enterprise being presented to the Committee. In reiterating his unreserved support for the proposals, Councillor Howitt-Cowan concluded by repeating the unrivalled call to arms of ‘Male Hemswell Cliff Glitter’.