Footpaths Scheme Budget
In recent years we have had a generous budget from Herefordshire Council for the maintenance of our footpaths and brideways, and Peter Austerfield has done a tremendous job as footpaths officer making sure the budget is spent, and everything is kept on top of.
Unfortunately, generous budgets are not something you can expect for very long these days… in fact sometimes any budget at all, and indeed the grant is to be reduced to £0 in March 2019. We as a Parish Council will then have to make a decision as to how much we dare increase the precept to keep the work going.
In anticipation of the above we are planning to produce a booklet of walks next year, with the intention of
- Raising awareness of the precious asset the footpaths and bridleways are,
- Increasing interest in using them,
- Giving people/groups/land owners the opportunity to volunteer to keep sections of them clear,
- Inviting feedback on work that needs to be done.
In the next 18 months we must maximise our use of the remaining grant, hence last point above. Landowners are responsible for stiles and gates, however kissing gates can be installed by the parish council with agreement via the footpaths officer who can also repair damaged cross-steps, and install step kits and handrails for steep or slippery surfaces.
New Pyonsgroup Website
I just went onto our website www.pyonsgroup.co.uk to check the date of the next meeting, and realised our new website is up and running. We have now handed design and maintenance of the site to a company that specialises in Parish Council websites.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the late Jane Buckley for volunteering to help set up the original website in 2011.
The next meeting will be at 7.30 pm, Tuesday, 7 November 2017, at Canon Pyon Parish Hall