April 2010 Annual Village Meeting Minutes
MIDGHAM ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Minutes for the meeting held in the village hall on Tuesday 27st April 2010 at 7.30 p.m.
The meeting was chaired by Mr H Long, Chairman of the Parish Council, and the minutes were taken by Mrs A Spoor(parish clerk). The meeting was attended by four further Parish Councillors - Mrs M Rusbridge, Mr D Lombardo, Mr J Ormrod & Mr J Goddard, the District Councillor- Mrs Irene Neill, PC Jason Murphy, Alison Prudden and 22 members of the public.
Apologies were received from Mr J Carey and also from the Reverend Des Foote.
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and the minutes of the Annual Meeting for 2009 were approved and signed.
Chairman’s report – The Chairman welcomed everyone and noted the excellent turnout. Mr Long explained how the parish is divided into wards in respect of planning applications, each with a nominated councillor who will seek comments from the applicant and neighbours. Applications are then considered at the next Parish Council meeting before being returned to West Berkshire Council who retain the final decision.
Mr Long reported that flooding has not been an issue again and that Mrs Hutchins has kindly agreed to act as a point of contact in respect of flooding matters. The snow/ice in the severe winter did however present problems and special thanks were given to Mr Inwood and others who helped rescue people in the difficult conditions. The parish council propose holding a special meeting with representation from West Berks council later in the year to address this issue – this will be advertised and villagers will be invited to attend.
Mr Long concluded by offering his thanks to the individual councillors for their continued hard work, to Mrs Berry for her services to the council as clerk and wished her well in her move and also welcomed Mrs Spoor as the new clerk. Thanks were also acknowledged to all who helped with the monthly parish magazine for their ongoing support.
Mrs Rusbridge gave a short update on the Village Hall and added that a meeting of the Village Trustees was being held in May to which the public are invited.
District Councillor’s report - Irene Neill presented her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
PC Jason Murphy Neighbourhood Specialist Officer, Thames Valley Police covering Midgham spoke about the neighbourhood team. Midgham is one of 12 parishes they cover with Sarah Preston regularly visiting the parish. Midgham has the lowest recorded number of offences in the area. He reminded residents to be aware of and report any suspicious goings on – they rely on public feedback. He is hoping to organise a crime reduction evening in the near future, but also offered personal visits to residents with concerns.
Alison Prudden from West Berkshire Adult & Community Learning team is keen to increase the level of community learning as this has significantly reduced over the past years and explained how the West Berkshire Adult Learning team would like to work with Midgham as a community. She promoted the laptop service where a mobile learning unit could provide internet access, word, photoshop or powerpoint courses at beginner or advanced level. Other community courses to consider include yoga, history, languages, gardening etc which can be organised evenings, daytime or even Saturdays to suit. Free taster sessions and assistance in setting up courses were offered by Alison. Six of the audience showed an interest with one person volunteering to make contact with Alison direct. The Adult and Community Learning team can be contacted on 01635 519060 or Alison’s direct line is 01635 519025.
Public time - Two questions were raised which will be taken to the next Parish Council meeting for consideration. These were:
- Mrs Sheila Porteous asked the council to consider installing play equipment in the play area on Birds Lane
- Mr M Inwood asked if there was progress regarding the opening to the wood below his property and the consequent risk of trespass.
Additionally a comment was made about parking at the village hall – it was explained that previous investigations show this as price prohibitive.
Any other business - There was none.
Finally the Chairman thanked Irene Neil, our two visiting speakers and members of the village for attending the meeting. The meeting closed at 8.45 pm and refreshments were served.
Minutes for the meeting held in the village hall on Tuesday 27st April 2010 at 7.30 p.m.
The meeting was chaired by Mr H Long, Chairman of the Parish Council, and the minutes were taken by Mrs A Spoor(parish clerk). The meeting was attended by four further Parish Councillors - Mrs M Rusbridge, Mr D Lombardo, Mr J Ormrod & Mr J Goddard, the District Councillor- Mrs Irene Neill, PC Jason Murphy, Alison Prudden and 22 members of the public.
Apologies were received from Mr J Carey and also from the Reverend Des Foote.
The chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and the minutes of the Annual Meeting for 2009 were approved and signed.
Chairman’s report – The Chairman welcomed everyone and noted the excellent turnout. Mr Long explained how the parish is divided into wards in respect of planning applications, each with a nominated councillor who will seek comments from the applicant and neighbours. Applications are then considered at the next Parish Council meeting before being returned to West Berkshire Council who retain the final decision.
Mr Long reported that flooding has not been an issue again and that Mrs Hutchins has kindly agreed to act as a point of contact in respect of flooding matters. The snow/ice in the severe winter did however present problems and special thanks were given to Mr Inwood and others who helped rescue people in the difficult conditions. The parish council propose holding a special meeting with representation from West Berks council later in the year to address this issue – this will be advertised and villagers will be invited to attend.
Mr Long concluded by offering his thanks to the individual councillors for their continued hard work, to Mrs Berry for her services to the council as clerk and wished her well in her move and also welcomed Mrs Spoor as the new clerk. Thanks were also acknowledged to all who helped with the monthly parish magazine for their ongoing support.
Mrs Rusbridge gave a short update on the Village Hall and added that a meeting of the Village Trustees was being held in May to which the public are invited.
District Councillor’s report - Irene Neill presented her report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.
PC Jason Murphy Neighbourhood Specialist Officer, Thames Valley Police covering Midgham spoke about the neighbourhood team. Midgham is one of 12 parishes they cover with Sarah Preston regularly visiting the parish. Midgham has the lowest recorded number of offences in the area. He reminded residents to be aware of and report any suspicious goings on – they rely on public feedback. He is hoping to organise a crime reduction evening in the near future, but also offered personal visits to residents with concerns.
Alison Prudden from West Berkshire Adult & Community Learning team is keen to increase the level of community learning as this has significantly reduced over the past years and explained how the West Berkshire Adult Learning team would like to work with Midgham as a community. She promoted the laptop service where a mobile learning unit could provide internet access, word, photoshop or powerpoint courses at beginner or advanced level. Other community courses to consider include yoga, history, languages, gardening etc which can be organised evenings, daytime or even Saturdays to suit. Free taster sessions and assistance in setting up courses were offered by Alison. Six of the audience showed an interest with one person volunteering to make contact with Alison direct. The Adult and Community Learning team can be contacted on 01635 519060 or Alison’s direct line is 01635 519025.
Public time - Two questions were raised which will be taken to the next Parish Council meeting for consideration. These were:
- Mrs Sheila Porteous asked the council to consider installing play equipment in the play area on Birds Lane
- Mr M Inwood asked if there was progress regarding the opening to the wood below his property and the consequent risk of trespass.
Additionally a comment was made about parking at the village hall – it was explained that previous investigations show this as price prohibitive.
Any other business - There was none.
Finally the Chairman thanked Irene Neil, our two visiting speakers and members of the village for attending the meeting. The meeting closed at 8.45 pm and refreshments were served.
posted by Elizabeth Berry at 1:41 pm
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