Annual General Meeting 2026
Chairman's Report 2026
Welcome to the Annual General Meeting of St Tudy Parish Council for 2026.
As Chair of the Parish Council, I am pleased to report on the Council's work over the past twelve months. I would first like to thank my fellow councillors for their continued commitment to the Parish and the community it serves, and I hope they will remain willing and able to continue in their roles for the foreseeable future.
Over the past year, we have provided financial support to parish organisations whose requests met the appropriate criteria, and we are pleased by the positive impact this has had. For the 2026/27 fiscal year, we have increased this support and look forward to the further benefits it will bring to the community. We remain committed to backing community-led projects and initiatives. We have also reviewed and commented on planning matters. Although the Parish Council does not determine planning applications, we do submit comments that reflect local views. Both we and the County Council must work within national planning legislation, which can made some applications difficult to assess. Even so, we have been able to support most of the applications received.
Establishing the new cemetery remains the Parish Council's greatest challenge. Protocols for running and managing the cemetery are now in place, and the PC has invested in specialist software to meet the expected regulatory and record-keeping requirements. An ambitious planting scheme is under way to create a respectful and dignified community space, and my thanks go to the dedicated volunteers and councillors who braved terrible weather to help plant the hedges in early December.
Footpaths, signposts, litter, tree works and public toilets all remain the responsibility of the Parish Council, and I thank the councillors who continue to oversee these areas with dedication and good humour.
Every Parish Council depends on a Clerk to ensure it operates properly within the national regulations that govern it. Following Catherine's retirement, we are delighted to have appointed Tracey as her successor. The Clerk is central to the effective running of the Council, and Tracey has taken on the role with confidence and professionalism. I would also like to thank her personally for all she does to support both me and my fellow councillors.
The Parish Council has worked to build a stronger financial foundation that better meets the expectations of our audit authority. To maintain financial stability, we have increased the precept for 2026-27. This funding enables us to carry out both the Parish Council's statutory and discretionary responsibilities. We are always cautious about increasing the precept and fully recognise the impact this can have on the community. However, our parish precept remains well below the county average, and we will continue to work hard to keep it that way.
It only remains for me to, once again, thank the members of the Parish Council and the parish community for the input, lively debate and support they so generously give us. It is a privilege to have the trust of this community and to serve it in helping to shape it's future.