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Dear Members of the Sampfords’ Parish,
Unfortunately due to the recent unacceptable behaviour of some of the members of our Parish we now have some vacant positions within the Parish Council. The vacant positions are 1 seat for Little Sampford and 2 seats for Great Sampford. For those who are unaware of what the Parish Council does, the following is just a brief outline of what we are responsible for; • Looking after and being responsible for the Village Hall. • Helping vulnerable members of the Parish during lockdown. • Keeping the 2 defibrillators in good working order. • Keeping the children’s playground safe and in good working order. • Ensuring that the public footpaths are accessible and free from obstruction. • Keeping the grass cut in the common areas around the Parish. • Reporting road conditions to highways. • Commenting on planning applications. We do not and are not responsible, for either rejecting or accepting planning applications which does apparently appear to be a present misconception. This responsibility solely sits with Uttlesford DC. However, that being said, the Parish Council is there to represent the views of all of the members of the Parish it serves. How do we do all of this? We have a number of meetings a year, usually no more than 6 which includes and AGM. Each member of the Council is given an area of responsibility such as footpaths, or the playground to look after. In summary it provides the opportunity for people to devote some of their free time to help others on a very local scale, and ensure that the Sampfords’ Parish continues to be the best parish in Essex to live in. If you are interested in becoming a Councillor please can you register your interest by sending an email to chair@thesampfords.co.uk by the 1st September. You will then be sent a short document to complete, which as well as personal details such as your address, will also ask you to summarise a little bit more about yourself and why you would like to have one of these roles. I hope that you all enjoy the rest of the summer. Keep Safe & Well. Best Wishes Jamie Woods Chair Chair@thesampfords.co.uk www.thesampfords.co.uk JOB OPPORTUNITY: THE SAMPFORDS PARISH COUNCIL, PARISH CLERK The Sampfords Parish Council is seeking to recruit a Parish Clerk. This is a home based, paid position, at the rate of approx £9 per hour (paid on a quarterly basis). 5 hours per week average working hours. Duties include: Administration of the the PC’s paperwork Maintenance and safekeeping of property registers and other legal documents Implementation of Council’s decisions Implementation of Council projects Preparation and distribution of PC meeting papers and ensuring public is aware of meeting times/dates Attendance at PC meetings, taking of minutes and distributing these to council members Ensuring that the Council conducts its business lawfully Keeping up to date with any relevant training and qualifications Upkeep of information on The Sampfords Facebook page and website If you are interested in this position please contact Jamie Woods from The Sampfords Parish Council at chairsampfordspc@outlook.com providing your contact details and a brief description of your skills and experience. The deadline for applications is 10th July. edit. Proposed Development of Three Detached Residential Properties Churchfield Great Sampford. Applicants Lindsell / Lavender The Parish Council voted in the following way - No objection 5, objected 1, abstain 2. Due to the heated and sometimes unpleasant nature of the debate I will not be releasing the way that individual councillors voted, I do not see that it is relevant.
I think that the following points need to be made that influenced Councillors decisions: We feel as a PC that some small developments in the village are vital for its long term future, particularly if the village wishes to continue to be able to support the remaining services which it has. For instance, the Mothers and Toddlers Group has ceased to exist, the Youth Club is not thriving as it was - the cricket club is barely able to raise a team, the tennis club is struggling for members and the list continues. We understand that people do not want a development any where near them, but we felt that this was a good plan which had been well thought out and would complement the village. There is a certain weariness amongst Councillors at the total lack of interest or concern regarding other planning applications in the village, particularly the ongoing development at “Meadow View” on the Thaxted Road. I believe that just one member of the village wrote in objection to the ongoing development of the site, but no-one else sees to worry. We also took into account that the all the letters opposing the scheme - bar one - were from Willets Field and Homebridge. We respect, as I have said before the concerns of these two streets but they do not make up the entire community - the majority of whom have made no comment. I have no knowledge of the JCCC records and I have had two people tell me that there was crash there, one is convinced that the pilot is still there and the other is sure that he is not. That is for others to decide and rule on. This planning application has a long way to go yet and I have to say that increasingly UDC takes no notice of the PC’s view at all. The PC does not “grant” planning to schemes, it only gives a view on behalf of the whole community. William Burton. Chairman. In light of the Covid-19 virus, the Parish Council have made the decision to postpone the litter-pick until the Autumn.
Dear All this will take you to the ECC web-page on Corona virus.
https://www.essex.gov.uk/news/coronavirus Friday 20th March 2020
Corona Virus – an update on how schools are operating Dear Parents, I am writing to give you further guidance on the way that schools across Essex will be operating over the coming weeks. These changes cover all registered childcare providers (including nurseries and childminders), maintained and academy primary schools, maintained and academy secondary schools; special schools, further education colleges and independent schools. Firstly, I want to be clear that following the Government directive issued on Wednesday, as from the end of today (Friday 20th March) schools across Essex will be closed. This is to limit the chance of the virus spreading. The Government have indicated that by limiting the number of children who attend schools, settings and colleges, the spread of the virus will reduce and lower the risk to vulnerable individuals in our communities. School, settings and colleges are being directed to continue to provide care for a limited number of children - children who are deemed vulnerable and children whose parents are critical to the Covid- 19 response and cannot be cared for safely at home. The Government have defined vulnerable children as children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans. The list of critical workers can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational- provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision Even with some limited support for parents of vulnerable children and critical workers, the advice from the Government is clear: if you can safely look after your children during this time of a national emergency, then you should do so. Children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) If your child has an EHCP they will be able to attend a school, college or setting. This is an offer and there is no requirement for you to send your child(ren) to school if you do not need to or wish not to do so, you must let your education provider know what you decide. It is likely that there will be changes to the opening times for some schools in order to remain open in a safe way. Your school will provide you with details of what their plans are and what any changes will mean for you and your child(ren). The Government are putting legislation in place to temporarily amend parts of the Children and Families Act 2014, including those relating to special educational provision and health care provision in EHCPs. It is highly unlikely that schools, settings and colleges will be able to provide the same provision that is in your child’s current plan but they will work with you around suitable arrangements for your child(ren). There will be delays in the timescales for requests for assessment and new EHCPs during this time. The majority of children with SEND, who receive SEN Support at school but do not have an EHCP, are expected to stay at home, unless as a parent you are deemed a critical worker. For children with health needs or underlying health conditions Schools and colleges will work with parents to make a case by case assessment of the health and safeguarding considerations of children with an EHCP. For some, they will be safer in an education provision. For others, they will be safer at home. Schools and colleges will discuss this with you. If you are a critical worker: Children with at least one parent or carer identified as a critical worker by the Government can send their children to a school, college or setting if required. The list of critical workers is above. Even though you may be deemed a critical worker, it is expected that if your child(ren) can stay at home, they should do so. Schools, settings and colleges will not be able to provide an education offer to your child(ren) but will be able to provide facilities to enable you to go to work. All normal and usual education activity has been suspended during this emergency period. If you are not a critical worker and your child(ren) is not classified as vulnerable: We appreciate that this is a concerning time for all parents, but we are all being urged to do what we can to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The most recent scientific advice on how to further limit the spread of COVID-19 is clear. If children can stay safely at home, they should, to limit the chance of the virus spreading. That is why the government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and directed schools to be open only for those children who absolutely need to attend. Education resources for children Schools, colleges and settings will be providing a range of resources to support you at home with your child(ren). Schools are working closely with the Local Authority and the Headteacher Associations in order to offer a consistent and safe response to the current crisis. The health and safety of your children is everyone’s first priority. Thank you for your co-operation at this time. Kind Regards, Clare Kershaw Director of Education Sent of behalf of: Essex County Council The Association of Secondary Headteachers in Essex Essex Primary Headteacher Association Essex Special Schools Education Trust Vintage and Craft
at The Friends House High Street Saffron Walden CB10 1AA 10am to 4pm Refreshments available |
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