This meeting had an “end of term” feel to it, as it was the last one before the local elections.  Those Councillors who chose to stand again for the Parish Council have all been returned unopposed and, in May, we shall be joined by two new Councillors.

However, two Councillors, Pam Hughes and Ian Milne have decided to stand down, and the Chairman, Roland Cundy, paid tribute to the hard work they have each put in on behalf of the people of Finchampstead.  Pam has been a Councillor for over sixteen years, and in that time she has, above all, championed the cause of the elderly and infirm.  She set up the Shopping Bus, and represented the Council with Keep Mobile and the Older People’s Forum.  Pam chaired the Fuel Allotment Committee and took a keen interest in recycling as well as serving on several committees.  We shall miss her and wish her all the best in her retirement.

Ian, whilst not having been a Councillor for as long as Pam, has worked doggedly for the Roads Committee which he chaired.  He has attended endless meetings at Wokingham Borough Council, and with residents of some of our more dangerous roads, in order to get the speed limits lowered, and to put in other safety measures.  This has required enormous determination and tenacity, as the ‘powers that be’ were often not keen to implement these changes.  Ian was also responsible for liaison with WBC to put lighting in the car park at Avery’s Corner, and he also dragged the Parish Council into the 21^st century by setting up our website!  Ian now lives outside the parish and will serve as a councillor for Wokingham Town.

The actual business of the council meeting was quite limited – not a lot seemed to have happened – but Councillor Simon Weeks reported that there will be a Special Executive Meeting of the Borough Council on 22 April to decide the final terms for the new Baptist Community Facility at Gorse Ride.  If all goes well, building should begin in July.

The “new” Parish Council will meet in May, and there will probably still be vacancies – do think about joining!  Also, all Parish Council meetings are advertised on our notice boards, and we welcome members of the public to attend.  Why not come along?

Cllr Chris Driver

The date this page was last altered was May 26, 2008.

Copyright © 2003 Finchampstead Parish Council