Annual ReportChineham Parish Council Year Review 2010-2011This year I would like to summarise the activities of the Parish Council over the last year, by way of embracing our E-Meeting technology (with which we started off our year) and illustrate this speech with some slides. It has been another busy year with lots of activity. Let’s take a general look at what we achieved:- Once again we held the precept and once again our books are in order thanks to the Finance Committee led by Cllr. Les Fryer. We continue to offer Chineham value for money with the work that we do on the community’s behalf. In May, Cllr. Paul Miller was elected as a Ward Member and the Parish council congratulated him on his success. However the Parish Council continues to face a big challenge. How do we get the people of Chineham to engage with us and tell us more of what they want? The Parish Council, for the second year, took a stand at the Four Lanes Fete, in July, to “meet the people” and show plans and forthcoming projects. We had a pretty poor response this time but we will be trying this again this year………... At the APA, last May; we had hoped for a good turnout by inviting RAF Odiham to present to us…………….. Only 6 members of the public turned out. (However this is similar across many parishes). This will need some more thought in the year ahead. Recreation A year where we moved forward: - The recreation team has had a large amount of detailed work to complete this year liaising with the Borough. It is essential that we continue this activity to direct how the remaining S106 money is allocated –currently £470,000 remains unallocated. The Binfields recreational area continues to be well used and extra equipment is in the pipeline. After much hard work by this Parish Council setting up, leases agreements and rules we have at last seen the Hanmore Road allotments in use. The sod turning was last May, the successful allocation meeting in June and after some constructional issues we were able to give the allotment keys out on the 18th Sept. The allotment association is developing and we are indebted to the site warden, Ken Hillier, for all his support. We are now to sort out Sheds and we have a grant for a community facility from Cllr Still to use. The Ballcourt rebuild project at Four Lanes School to provide a much needed facility for use in the “northern” end of the parish was progressed by the recreation committee but has met with resident opposition and so we hope things will be sorted for construction to start this year. We held consultations with Skate park users about development of the existing site and the Borough have tendered for a design and build project which was presented to users 2 weeks ago. Great support was shown. This will be progressed in the months to come. The Rec. Committee worked with the Village hall team to combine an adult fitness area with the Village Hall’s plans for a running track and with the support of Local Members this is being progressed by the Borough. More bulbs were planted along Hanmore Road and what a magnificent display we had earlier in the spring. Taylor’s farm has had its sports pitches laid and the Parish Council have now been invited to discuss their management. They are facilities that, by design, are to be shared with the resident’s of Chineham. Environment Brian Beckley left Chineham during the year and we were joined by a new rapid response warden, Tim Purver. Tim has proved to be a worthy successor, continuing to keep Chineham clean and generally supermarket trolley free! Then it snowed – not once but twice and road salting once again became an issue. We purchased more bins to help locals get in and out of their roads. We now have 2 snow shovels in the Parish cupboard so we are prepared when it comes again! In response to these adverse weather events The Parish Council has set up an Emergency Planning Team and emergency strategies are being developed. The Parish Council continues to represent Chineham on the Incinerator liaison committee now joined by regular attended Cllr. Bierman on behalf of the Borough. Andy MacQueen, the site manager is dedicated to keeping the plant in top condition and is ready to resolve any issues fairly – but still nobody from Chineham appears to have any…… Planning Cllr. David Thornton’s team has had a busy year overseeing planning issues that have been more large scale, Borough wide, consultations than those of a domestic nature. Other than the continuing battles to feel trees and the infamous 17 Reading road (to be called Mott Meadow?) it has been quite quiet. E-planning meetings have been started this year but although the new technology is sometimes frustrating, they are generally greeted with support by local residents. We had the SHLAA to deal with this year and the planning committee submitted a response in June. Various Borough meetings took place where vigorous attempts to avoid areas near Chineham being included were backed by Borough committee members but in the end the officers ignored their recommendations and included them anyway. This has led to the locally based SOLVE group being set up to try to attempt to keep development away from this locality. The SHLAA has been put on a shelf and the next consultation hit us around November time. This was the Strategic Housing Development Consultation where local people could comment on housing numbers in their areas and across the Borough. Cllr Rob Golding visited us in December for a very informative discussion. Various meetings were hosted in Chineham for residents. Once again Cllr Thornton and the planning team submitted a robust reply on behalf of the Parish. Policing PC Jim Charlton and PSCO Keith Patching continue working to keep Chineham crime free. In March we met our community wardens Alison Afzal and Richard Tozer - We continue to look forward to all working together. So in Conclusion The Parish Council goals for the coming year:- We must finalise the allotments. Seek ways to better engage with the residents. The major Recreation projects this year will be the Skate park extension, Four Lanes Ball Court and the Village Hall project and to develop a future strategy. Robustly defend Chineham’s interests in Borough Consultations Continue to make use of our base in the community as a regular venue for meetings. And finally – Thank you all – the team of Parish Councilors who really do the best for Chineham; you give up your own time to make it a great place to live and, of course supported by our hard working Clerk team; Karen and Eunice. Also; once again, thank you all for having given me your support throughout the year as your Chairman.
____________________________________________________________ But there is one more thing. Sadly it’s Goodbye Clerks time. Both our Clerks are stepping down, this month and next. Eunice has been with us nearly 3 years and Karen for 8. It is with great sadness that they are leaving but we wish them both well for the future – you are always welcome to visit us. Thank you all for listening
Chris Tomblin
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