Mark Parish Council
Report on activities over the last twelve months.
The Parish Council meets every 2 months in formal meetings at the Church Hall. These meetings normally last about 75 minutes but can sometimes be shorter, on odd occasions, they can be closer to a couple of hours or more!
Your Parish Councillors don't just turn-up for those designated formal meetings, it is fair to say that the meetings follow a great deal of work in between times by these volunteers drawn from our Parish.
Over the last 12 months, the Parish Council has paid for and supplied a ‘bleed kit’ which is situated next to the defibrillator on the wall of the village hall; we sincerely hope that neither are ever required but are proud of our part in making sure that they are there. We also continue to play our part in village life by paying for the maintenance of the clock in the church tower; the church is a welcome reminder that our lovely village has been here for many, many years and long may it continue.
Your Parish Councillors don't just turn-up for those designated formal meetings, it is fair to say that the meetings follow a great deal of work in between times by these volunteers drawn from our Parish.
Over the last 12 months, the Parish Council has paid for and supplied a ‘bleed kit’ which is situated next to the defibrillator on the wall of the village hall; we sincerely hope that neither are ever required but are proud of our part in making sure that they are there. We also continue to play our part in village life by paying for the maintenance of the clock in the church tower; the church is a welcome reminder that our lovely village has been here for many, many years and long may it continue.
Amongst the other things that the Parish Council has supplied is the new 'Mark' sign at the start of the village (from the Watchfield end of the Causeway); it appears that some enterprising soul removed the original in the dead of night, obviously without authority. It may well have been taken for its scrap value or is currently gracing someone’s property, who knows where? It is hoped that at some stage, the long arm of the law will intervene and ask pertinent questions!
Other items which have also cost a considerable amount recently have been the replacement fingerposts at various junctions around the Parish. The original historic and helpful signs were either damaged by accident, vandalised or stolen; whatever the reason, it all adds up to an additional drain on our finances. Lastly, we have also replaced the old worn-out Parish Council Noticeboards at both ends of the village.
The Parish Council continue to financially support our marvellous Village Hall and encourage all parishioners to make more use of this facility and its grounds as much as possible. We are responsible for the children's play area and are actively looking at ways to provide new equipment when funds become available.
We are the major conduit to the relatively new Somerset Council, we liaise with, and badger them, whenever necessary. Some examples of this are the problems with the drains (at the village end of Kingsway) and issues with overhanging trees along Northwick Road. We will continue to do our utmost to bring to Somerset Council's attention any problems for which they have responsibility. Naturally, we are aware that budgetary constraints may mean that we do not get what we want, when we want!
We continue to play an important part in the planning process and are keen to encourage Parishioners in their attempts to improve their properties. We make recommendations to Somerset Council with which they sometimes agree, disagree or amend.
The Parish Councillors have individual responsibilities such as membership of the Village Hall Community Association, Speed Watch, Mark Parish Council Website, the Local Bus partnership, the Local Community Network, Somerset Parish Drainage Group, the W.I. and other worthy groups. Some also carry out minor repairs to damaged items such as the wooden markers on the Jubilee Green and the equipment in the play area by the village hall. This involvement, including membership of the Parish Council, is all voluntary and totally unpaid. I thank them for their devotion to Mark Parish.
Danny Kehoe
Chair, May 2025
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