Welcome to Charlton Horethorne Parish Council
Welcome to Charlton Horethorne Parish Council’s Website. We are a very small Parish but we get involved in as many aspects of the community that we can. All information about our activities can be found by clicking on one of the links at the top of the page. If you still need more information, you can contact our Clerk via the Contact Us page.
We really value the involvement of all our parishioners, so why not come along to one of our well-
Parish Councillors
Michael Hutchings, Ian Macfarlane, Jenny Peet, Simon Purcell and David Peet
Please note the following information which explains the current situation regarding PC business whilst the COVID-19 restrictions are in place.
Following regulations which came into effect on 4 April 2020 (known as The 2020
Regulations) our Parish Clerk has received advice from the National Association of Local
Councils.
Based on that advice Charlton Horethorne Parish Council has resolved that:
a) There will be no annual parish meeting this year.
b) There will be no annual parish council meeting this year.
c) The parish council chairman appointment will continue until the next annual parish
council meeting in 2021.
d) The parish council will hold at least three meetings before the next annual parish
council meeting in 2021.
e) Public notice of a parish council meeting will be published on the parish council website
and only on a noticeboard if it is decided necessary and social distancing allows.
f) Minutes will only be published on the parish council website.
g) A parish council meeting may be held remotely as a video conference or teleconference.
h) If the parish council decides that a remote meeting is to be held, joining instructions will
be provided to any members of the public who wish to take part.
i) The parish council will have in place a business continuity motion to enable decision
making, planning responses and payments to be made as required.
j) All decisions, planning responses and payments made between meetings will be
reported on at the next parish council meeting.
k) Any signatures required for approval of minutes, bank reconciliations etc. will be
obtained at the first available opportunity, when restrictions are relaxed and conditions
allow.
l) It should be noted that SSDC planning department have stated that no extensions of
time for parish council comments on applications will be granted and parishioners
should be encouraged to make their own representations.
Avian influenza (bird flu): Latest situation
New housing measures will come into force in England, Scotland and Wales on 14 December.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-bird-flu-national-prevention-zone-declared
The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to bring in new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK.
Whether you keep just a few birds as pets or thousands, from 14 December onwards you will be legally required to keep your birds indoors, or take appropriate steps to keep them separate from wild birds. We have not taken this decision lightly, but it is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.
Poultry and captive bird keepers are advised to be vigilant for any signs of disease in their birds and any wild birds, and seek prompt advice from their vet if they have any concerns. They can help prevent avian flu by maintaining good biosecurity on their premises, including:
– housing or netting all poultry and captive birds
– cleansing and disinfecting clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
– reducing the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and using effective vermin control
– thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting housing at the end of a production cycle
– keeping fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all points where people should use it, such as farm entrances and before entering poultry and captive bird housing or enclosures
– minimising direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
Register your birds
We encourage all keepers to register their birds with us so we can contact you quickly if there is a disease outbreak in your area and you need to take action.
If you have more than 50 birds, you are legally required to register your flock within one month of their arrival at your premises. If you have less than 50 birds, including pet birds, you are still strongly encouraged to register.
Find out how to register your birds.
Poultry and captive bird keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7), and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301. Keepers should familiarise themselves with our avian flu advice.
Public Health England advise the risk to public health from the H5N8 and H5N2 strains of bird flu is very low.
The Food Standards Agency has said that on the basis of the current scientific evidence, avian influenza poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
