Finchampstead Parish Council met on Thursday, 15^th February at the Memorial Hall, with Vice-chairman Councillor Geoff Markham in the chair as Councillor Cundy was on holiday.

Councillor Eric Cox, Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the proposed budget for 2007-8, which was fully discussed and approved.  The precept of £97,000 is the same as for the current year.

The Amenities Committee reported that Welcome Packs are now available at doctors’ surgeries and churches in the Parish.  These contain information which, we hope, will help new residents to settle happily in Finchampstead.

Councillor Newcombe, Chairman of the Planning Committee, reported that the garish sign at Inchcape garage does require planning permission.  However, the Parish Council was bemused by Wokingham DC’s refusal of planning permission for the sign erected (but recently blown down) by the Finchampstead Society advising prospective purchasers of land near the Finchampstead Surgery to contact the Society.  The sign was deemed by Wokingham DC to have an adverse effect on a sensitive rural area – rather ironic when its purpose was to help protect the rural area!  Another planning matter, briefly touched upon, was that, if and when we get allotments, it is very unlikely that sheds will be allowed.  Your reporter is horrified; I thought one of the main purposes of an allotment was to have a shed!

The Roads Committee reported that a pedestrian crossing is being proposed by Wokingham DC to cross Finchampstead Road just north of California Ratepayers’ Hall, in order to help children to cross safely to and from their school buses.

The Council was pleased to hear that the controversy surrounding the opening-up of Gorse Ride has been resolved and that most residents are content with the compromise which has been reached.

There are currently two vacancies on the Parish Council, so if you feel that you would like to help keep Finchampstead a good place in which to live, and want to join a group of like-minded people, do contact the Clerk for more information.

The Annual Gathering will take place on Wednesday, 28^th March at California Ratepayers’ Hall.  This is your opportunity to find out what your Parish Council has achieved over the past 12 months and to ask about plans for the future.  It’s a mainly informal evening, with cheese and wine, and is an excellent opportunity for networking between local groups and organisations, as well as private individuals.

And, finally, don’t forget to use our Post Offices.  You may be able to tax your car, etc., on-line, but by doing it at the Post Office you will be helping to keep alive a vital part of community life.

Cllr Chris Driver

The date this page was last altered was March 11, 2007.

Copyright © 2003 Finchampstead Parish Council