2018 – 2019 Parish Council Summary

2018 – 2019 Parish Council Summary – Shaun Orpen, Chairman
The backdrop to the year is that we are seeing more cuts in services from West Berks as they continue to need to find creative ways to operate within their shrinking budgets.
 
This has a knock-on effect on Parish Councils who are required to be more self-sufficient on some of the services, such as topping up salt bins.
 
The priority at the start of the year was finding a cost-effective solution to the maintenance of the playing field. The new Scofell contract seems to be working well (all be it with a recent hiccup). Thanks should also go to the Breadmore’s who have kindly taken on the mowing of the playground which has been a great help.
 
Considerable time has been spent in supporting the Holt with their bid to get traffic calming measures in place on the road through the Holt. By using Section 106 money we were able to get the Council to install “entrance gate” signage at each end of the Holt. Regrettably, on advice, the case to get a further reduction in speed limit was not compelling enough for us to take forward at this time; however, we continue to push the case.
 
We helped find a new chairman to take on the leadership and revitalisation of the village fete. This has led to a very successful re-invigoration of energy and enthusiasm, which translated, into greater attendance and a significant increase in takings for the village hall. A big thank you to Jeremy Snow and his team.
 
We continue to actively support the ASPIRE project, as the single largest and most significant project being undertaken in the village at this time. This is progressing to final approvals from the DAC (Diocesan Advisory Committee). A launch plan for the major fundraising has been prepared and is in the process of being finalised. Importantly this plan is as much about “getting more people engaged in the village community” as it is about “fundraising”. If anyone is interested in getting involved in whatever capacity please let us know.
 
There has been some significant tree maintenance at both Dunmore Pond and the Old Church Yard, which will need to be continued over the next few years on a managed basis.
 
We are very sorry to announce that Jackie Boxall has decided to step down from the Parish Council after 20 years’ service as Councillor, Clerk and Chairman. We are hugely grateful for her time and dedication to the village for so many years. She has been a great asset and will be sorely missed.
 
To replace Jackie. I am very grateful to Annie Agnew who has kindly stepped forward. To that end, I would like to welcome Annie who has now been co-opted onto the Parish Council.
 
In conclusion, we ended the year £160 under our budget plan of £6,700. We have either spent or have plans in place for spending the remaining Community Infrastructure Levy money.
 
Finally, as we turn our attention to the next year, we continue to focus on the plans and objectives outlined in the ongoing Parish Plan.