CHOLSEY'S 2020 VISION
-- developing our Parish Plan for the future
Steering Group: Minutes of the Meeting held 17 October 2005
Welcome and introduction
Geraldine Kelly welcomed everyone to the meeting (some 30+ people attended).
It was agreed that the first meeting had been productive, and that it had been useful to do the 'post-it' exercise.  The results of this would be circulated, and people would be invited to join working groups to follow up on the topics identified.  Geraldine stressed that we were really hoping that people who are not already involved in village clubs and societies (i.e.  not 'the usual suspects') would be willing to be involved in the Plan.

It was suggested from the meeting that perhaps the 'Houses' used for the Millennium Games might be a useful way to take the work forward?

Geraldine suggested that a timescale of about a year would be preferable to complete the Plan.

Discussion
Pat Dawe's article in the Forty Update was raised, with respect to whether Cholsey should remain a village or become a small town.  Pat explained that she had written this article in her role as SODC Councillor, and not with respect to the Parish Plan as such.  The issue was whether infrastructure monies from new development, such as from the Fairmile site, should come to Cholsey or be used in Wallingford.  If Cholsey had no plans for new facilities, such as library, medical, sports, schooling, and transport, then any new monies will go to Wallingford.  If we want new monies to come to Cholsey, then it will help if we have a Parish Plan in place by about September 2006, which spells out what the people in Cholsey see as priorities.

Clarification was sought as to whether this is a campaigning group, and where the Plan will be circulated to, when published.

It was suggested that it would be a good idea to publish the Minutes from these meetings on the Parish Council website.

It was suggested as a useful way forward to look at other Plans, which have already been completed, such as Brightwell cum Sotwell.

Terms of Reference and Nominations

It was agreed to add to the Terms of Reference for the Project Group, that the Plan would be published, and made known to the Parish Council, District Council, and County Council.

No nominations for Chair or officer posts had been received before the Meeting.  It was proposed that Geraldine Kelly be elected to Chair the Project Group.  (Richard Cory- Wright was also nominated, but he did not feel able to stand).  Geraldine was elected, with one vote against and one abstention.  Geraldine confirmed that she was only willing to take this on, if everyone agrees to help and to play a part in taking the Plan forward.

It was agreed not to elect any more Officers at tonight's meeting, but to ask for volunteers to join the Project Group and working groups, and then for those people to elect Officers from amongst their number.  Sue Jeffs confirmed that she was happy to take notes for tonight's meeting.

The following people volunteered to join the Project Group:
Geraldine Kelly (Parish Council), Sue Jeffs (Cholsey 1000 Plus), George Crockett, Chris Navair, David Beaumont, Penny Thompson, Steve Stocks (volunteered as Treasurer), Stella Mitchell, Mick Woodley (from February 2006), Silke Zahrir, Barry Sheldon, Jeff Barker, Pam Kendall, Jon Axon, Louise Axon, Grace Ajose, Richard Cory-Wright, Mrs McCarthy, Kay Lunnan, Mary Severin / Trish Wilcox-Jones,  

Finances
Geraldine confirmed that a Grant of £2000 was available from ORCC (Oxfordshire Rural Community Council) towards the production of the Plan.  It was suggested that it might be easier if an existing group, such as Cholsey 1000 Plus or the Parish Council 'hosted' the funds, so that it is not necessary for Cholsey 2020 to set itself up as a charity in its own right.  There were differing views about this.  It was agreed to leave this to the Project Group to sort out and to ask ORCC whether there were any terms attached the Grant, in terms of how it should be administered.

Young People's Views
There was some discussion about 'proportional representation', and in particular how the many children and young people in the village would have a proper voice in the consultation.  This was agreed as extremely important for the Project Group to address.

Next steps
It was agreed that the Project Group needed to meet in November, to start to scope out the tasks and the project plan.  It was agreed that the Project Group's next meeting would be on Tuesday 8th November 2005 at 7.30 p.m.  at the Pavilion.

Signed  ……………………………………………………………(Chair)
Date...............................................................