Finchampstead Parish Council met at California Ratepayers’ Hall on Wednesday, 11 January, a week later than usual, to allow for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

During the Chairman’s report on the Minutes, Councillor Ian Milne reported that 30 responses to the Newsletter/questionnaire had been received, and that he will draw out ten of them to receive the advertised £25 each - it could be you!

Cllr. Cox confirmed that Dr. Corfield, of the Finchampstead Surgery, is willing for Welcome Packs to be distributed from the surgery when new patients register.  The Amenities Committee will discuss the contents of the pack when it next meets.

The Planning Committee has recently been made aware of the restrictions imposed on development by the Thames Basin Heath boundaries.  The Parish Council has asked Wokingham District Council for clarification as most of Finchampstead Parish falls within these boundaries.

Cllr. Ian Milne, chairman of the Roads & Road Safety Committee, reported that a meeting had been held at Wokingham DC to discuss the speed of traffic in the Parish, and that an investigation is to be carried out.  Since that meeting there have been several road-accidents which are under investigation, including one in which two people were killed.  Sadly, this can only help the case the Parish Council is putting forward for reduction of speed limits on Sandhurst Road and The Ridges.

There are now signs prohibiting the parking of vehicles on the access road to Avery’s Corner car park (Nine Mile Ride school), but Parish Councillors noted that cars are still being parked, causing considerable congestion at busy times.  Obviously, Wokingham DC needs to send parking attendants along; maybe this selfish parking would stop if a few £80 fines were imposed.

Five Parish Councillors attended the Gorse Ride Multi-agency Group meeting on 6 December.  Cllr. Lynn Vass reported that everyone involved was very positive, with plans for the setting-up of a Kids’ Club, regular walkabouts to identify where work needs to be done, and the involvement of residents in an Association which has support from Wokingham DC.

And finally, with the success of Trafalgar Day still ringing in our ears, Cllr. Geoff Markham suggested that the Parish Council should host an event to celebrate the Queen’s 80^th birthday – watch this space!

Cllr Chris Driver

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

Copyright © 2003 Finchampstead Parish Council