LESS crime has been reported in the Stockbridge police area in the last year than for the previous 12 months, according to Sgt Ian Ashbolt who addressed parish councillors on the police crime statistics.

A total of 47 people attended this year's annual parish assembly.

Among other issues discussed were:

Sgt Ashbolt also mentioned the police initiatives to reduce car crime and discussions with Test Valley Borough Council to provide alternative skateboarding areas. Wildlife and Neighbourhood Watch concerns were also addressed.

Parish council chairman David Baseley outlined a busy year in which the Government had introduced a stringent code of conduct which had resulted in two councillors resigning and the places filled with co-opted members.

The village design statement was agreed by the borough council and a parish plan project will now go ahead. The Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations took place and the play equipment was improved.

Two major planning applications during the year were the Little Dean nursing home plans and the application at Providence House.

The flowers baskets and tubs for the High Street will be produced again this year and the Marsh Path now has a new bridge, funded by Dr Hugh Saxton's book about Stock-bridge. A plaque is to be fixed to the bridge recording the gift.

The seats in the High Street have been cleaned and restained and the county council will shortly be building a new traffic island nearby.

Cllr Roger Tym chaired some important meetings of a new village flood committee and also helped produce a map of drains in Stockbridge.

The parish council is looking into public transport in the area and is assessing the need for a service similar to the Cango system around Andover.

A well-attended public meeting was held in Stockbridge to discuss the TVBC draft local plan. The parish council has objected to the section regarding the village and the planning sub-committee will be discussing comments and suggestions made at the meeting.

The website is operating effectively and is well used.

The village precept had to be increased this year to pay for the contribution to the town hall refurbishments.

Members voted to retain the provision of other services including flowers, traffic calming and donations.