CHOLSEY'S 2020 VISION -- developing our Parish Plan for the future Steering Group: Minutes of the Meeting held 5 December 2005

2.         Approval of 8/11/05 Meeting minutes and matters arising
The minutes were approved.  Geraldine Kelly (GK) is waiting for a link in order to publish 'post-it notes' exercise results on the Parish Council website (www.cholseypc.org ).  GK has also informed the District and County Council about the Parish Plan.

3.         Finance and Role of Parish Council
Cholsey Parish Council has agreed to sponsor Cholsey's 2020 Vision as a subgroup.  The Parish Clerk will fill out the ORCC grant application form.  The Parish Council will consider the approval of a grant of £2,000 towards the costs of producing the Parish Plan at its Budget Meeting.  Funds could further be augmented from local businesses and through fundraising events.  It is envisaged that most of the money will be spend on questionnaire design and printing of the Parish Plan.  Cholsey Council has given approval for Cholsey's 2020 Vision meeting minutes and other information to be published on its website.  A link to Cholsey Parish Council Meeting Minutes will be included in Cholsey's 2020 Vision minutes. www.cholseypc.org/Default.asp?Pageld=4

 4.         Terms of Reference
It was proposed that Cholsey's 2020 Vision should have Terms of Reference as opposed to a Constitution.  Following this, the status of Cholsey's 2020 Vision was debated.  It was concluded that it is neither an organisation nor a committee but an Action Group, which is guided by the Steering Group.  Several changes to the Terms of Reference were suggested and approved, and the amended Terms of Reference were adopted.

The next issue to be discussed was the name for the Parish Plan Action Group.  It was decided to continue using the name Cholsey's 2020 Vision, as it conveys the purpose of the group well and parishioners are already aware of the name due to publications such as the Forty and other announcements.

 5.         Feedback and discussion from working groups
Each working group reported on the progress they made since the last meeting.  Most groups have started auditing existing facilities.  Some have managed to recruit additional volunteers to help with the work.  The Education & Youth working group managed to recruit several active and passive members.  They have studied Parish Plans and contacted parishes that have published Parish Plans.  They have also identified possible grants for a skate park and a youth leader.
The Economy working group has recruited another member and started to draw up a list of relevant issues.  The Environment group has recruited three further members and has discussed various issues.  They are looking for individuals that specialise in environmental matters.  The Health group has audited existing services in Cholsey Parish and in Wallingford.  The Housing group started looking at the local development plan.

Other groups found it difficult to find volunteers willing to help and have asked to contact people who expressed an interest at the first public meeting.  A draft letter for this purpose was handed out and approved with minor amendments.  The letter will be circulated to those who have expressed an interest.  A list of working groups, meetings and other issues could also be published on the Parish Council website and in the Forty, in order to keep parishioners informed and to encourage them to assist.

A question on questionnaire design was raised.  There are several options: Cholsey's 2020 Vision can design their own questionnaire, use an off the shelf software for the purpose, or ask an outside company to design it.  It was decided to further discuss this at future meetings.

 6.         Skills Audit
The skills audit revealed that there is a broad range of skills amongst members of the Steering Group.  Most areas have individuals with experience and all areas have keen beginners.  The worksheet will remain with GK as a working document and will be updated and used as new volunteers join working groups.         .

7.         Projected Time Scale
There were no comments on the Project Plan Outline.

8.         Name of steering group -- See item 4

9.         Proposed date of next meeting -- To be announced