The June meeting of the Finchampstead Parish Council was chaired by the Vice-Chairman, Cllr. Geoff Markham.  There was considerable discussion over a recommendation from the Amenities Committee about the twice-monthly skip at Avery’s Corner car park.  Recently, the skip has been filled (sometimes, we suspect, with commercial waste) within a short time of its arrival, and rubbish has been left on the ground around it.  Wokingham Borough Council has suggested that, instead of two skips per month, we have a manned refuse vehicle (more than twice the size of the skip) once a month on a Saturday.  The Parish Council has agreed to give this a try, and the vehicle will arrive for the first time on the morning of Saturday, 21 July.  Notices publicising the change will appear on notice boards and in Avery’s Corner car park in the next week or so.  Please spread the news!  The Parish Council will monitor the situation and your views will be welcomed.

Cllr. Lauraine Newcombe, Chairman of Planning, reported that the appeal by Millgate Homes to build flats at 347 Finchampstead Road, had been rejected by the Inspector.  On the Thames Basin Heath saga, English Nature has accepted the views of an independent assessor that the “exclusion zone” be a radius of 5.2km by road, which will, of course, make the protected area smaller.

Cllr. Suzanne Sach, newly appointed Chairman of Finance, took the Council through the Risk Assessment report and the Assets Register, both of which must be in place and approved as part of the Annual Audit.

The Litter Warden, Roger Long, sent along his amazing/appalling statistics – on average 36 bags of litter are being collected per month, and that is only from along our main routes in the parish.  Well done, Roger!  But it would be so much better if he wasn’t needed.

The Paddling Pool is open!  There have been a few complaints about WBC charges, but, with an extended season, it’s still an inexpensive way to keep children happy on a hot day.

The Roads Committee is intent on getting the speed limit reduced on Sandhurst Road, where yet another accident occurred recently near the blind summit.   Residents may have seen Parish Councillors being trained in the use of speed monitoring devices around Finchampstead.  In one morning, at least 50 motorists were observed exceeding the speed limit and will be sent warning letters by Thames Valley Police.

Meanwhile, more policing changes!

Andy Roberts is to return.

Adrian Hodges is to leave.

Tom Thomas is to arrive as a full-time beat officer.

We may be getting four PCSOs

Finally, there is now a vacancy on the Parish Council.  Lynn Vass, a Councillor for many years, has decided to move away from the area.  Lynn’s support, especially in matters concerning residents of the Rides area, has always been a feature of her service as a Councillor, and we shall all miss her kindness and her calm judgement.

Cllr Chris Driver

The date this page was last altered was July 21, 2007.

Copyright © 2003 Finchampstead Parish Council