Snapshot…of the Parish Council meeting on 12 June 2018.
 
Planning Applications
An application for the construction of a new primary school building and boarding house, business centre and audiology clinics, conference rooms and landscaping were considered at the meeting.
     
Salting routes and snow clearance costs during the winter season 2017 2018.  
Last winter experienced unusually poor weather.  Going into the winter the Parish Council agreed to have three roads upgraded to primary route status, East Lane, Chieveley High Street through to Oxford Road and Curridge Road.  The cost of having these roads upgraded to primary route status have been confirmed by West Berkshire Council.  More than anticipated due to the severe winter which required at least 10 more snow clearances, heavier salting regime and salt runs than originally envisaged. The upgraded roads were kept in good order during the bad weather and verbal feedback from members of the community supports that it benefited the community and allowed them to use the public highways safely and access the main highway infrastructure.
 
Curridge Playground Annual Maintenance Work for 2018/2019
Annual maintenance works requested by the Curridge Playground Trustees were agreed by the Parish Council and the approved contractor, Scofells, will carry out the works.  Extra works planned this year include tree stump removals and a small extension to the grass area.
 
New Council Documents 
The Parish Council adopted a new privacy policy, record retention disposal schedule and agreed amendments to the Standing Orders and Records Management and Data Security Policy to incorporate recent legislation changes.
 
Data Protection Officer (DPO) and General Data Protection Regulations
The Parish Council have a new Data Protection Officer on a consultancy basis through BALC.
 
Armistice Day/ Remembrance Sunday 2018
Cllr Cole as District Council, suggested ideas on how this day can be commemorated and recognised by the community.  Cllr Cole is leading on this initiative with the support of other residents. The Parish Council agreed to offer support.
 
Footpaths
A number of footpaths including CHIEV38, WINT19/1 and CHIEV19/1 have been reported to West Berkshire Council for vegetation obstruction.  If you find a path obstructed please use the ‘Report a Problem’ on West Berkshire Council’s website for attention.
 
FAQ…of the month
Question– If I encounter a problem with a road, (e.g. a pot hole or footway), visibility at a road junction due to vegetation, dirty highway signs or problems with a right of way in the Parish, who do I report this to? 
Answer– Please report the matter to West Berkshire Council using their Report A Problemservice.
 
Spotlight…Dog Fouling on footpaths and byways in the Parish
Please pick up after your dog if it fouls a public right of way (i.e. footpaths or byway).   There are dog bins provided at the end of Bardown, Manor Lane, Chieveley Recreational Centre, Chieveley and Chapel Lane and Crabtree Lane, Curridge. A footpath has a minimum width of 1m and can be up to 1.5 metres for a field edge footpath or across a field. The countryside paths are for everyone to enjoy so please be a responsible dog owner and pick up after your dog if it fouls along a footpath or byway and dispose of the waste in a responsible manner.  Thank you.
 
Next Meeting...Next Parish Council meeting is on Tuesday 10 July 2018 at the Curridge W I Hall, Curridge, Berkshire RG18 9DZ at 7.30pm.

Snapshot…of the Parish Council meeting on 8 May 2018.

Planning Applications
Demolition of outbuildings and the erection of a single storey retail building, warehouse unit and entrance with an extension to the retail unit, variations of conditions for a quarry to provide a landscaping, planting and aftercare scheme with an extension in time for restoration, an agricultural barn and small extensions were considered at the meeting.

Annual Meeting of the Parish Council: This being the Annual Meeting of the Chieveley Parish Council, the Agenda included items for the election of Chairman and Vice Chairman for the year and for the appointment of Councillors to committees, working groups and outside bodies. Standard Parish Council documents were reviewed. Rob Crispin was elected Chairman and Mike Belcher as Vice Chairman of the Parish Council for the year.  Photographs and profiles of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Councillors can be viewed on the Parish Council web site via  http://www.mychieveley.co.uk/info/parish_councillors.

Appointment of Councillors to Committees, working groups and outside bodies: The Parish Council made a number of appointments of Councillors to committees, working groups and outside bodies associated with the communities of Chieveley, Curridge, Oare and part of Snelsmore.  Appointments were made for the Recreational Centre and Parish Council Liaison Group; the Downland Patient Forum; the Newbury Showground Residents’ Group; the Public Rights of Way Group; the Public Relations/Press Release and Website Group; HELAA & Local Plan Group and a representative for the Village Hall Committee agreed. The Speed Awareness and Road Safety Team (SARS) have been renamed and is now knows as the Highways, Traffic and Road Safety Group (HTRS). It was agreed that the Code of Conduct Committee and Parish Plan Review Group would be convened, if required, with any three Councillors.  

Data Protection Officer (DPO) and General Data Protection Regulations
The Parish Council agreed to appoint an external DPO.  The clerk and a Parish Councillor have attended GDPR training.

Local Council Insurance
This year the Local Council insurance can be extended to cover the Curridge Playground under one policy rather than two separate polices.  A 3 year fixed premium has been agreed for best value.

East Lane/Oxford Road
A request has been put to the Newbury Showground to cut back the hedge south of East Lane junction to improve visibility.

Drains & Gullies
A number of drains have been reported to West Berkshire Council for clearing. Chieveley High Street, Downend Lane and the drainage near the pump station at the end of Green Lane.

FAQ…of the month
Question – If I encounter a problem with a road (e.g. a pot hole or footway), or with the countryside and the environment (e.g. a public right of way) in the Parish, who do I report this to? 
Answer – Please report the matter to West Berkshire Council using their Report A Problem service.

Spotlight…on Grants for 2018/19
At the start of each financial year the Parish Council considers requests for grants and donations from clubs and groups in the community.  Whilst the funds available for allocation each year are limited, they provide an important contribution to the overall costs of the schemes proposed.  
The grants and donations approved for the new financial year cover contributions toward: playing field ground maintenance for Chieveley Recreational Centre; operating costs for the Curridge Residents’ Association; memorial and churchyard maintenance for St Mary the Virgin Church, Chieveley; planter maintenance undertaken by Chieveley Gardening Club,  playground maintenance for the Curridge Playground Charity, contribution towards sport skills sessions for Chieveley Pre School and MUGA maintenance for Chieveley Recreational Centre.

Next Meeting... Next Parish Council meeting is on Tuesday 12 June 2018 at Chieveley Village Hall & Recreational Centre, High Street, Chievley, Berkshire RG20 8TE at 7.30pm.

Chieveley Parish Council – latest news

May 2018