CHOLSEY'S 2020 VISION -- developing our Parish Plan for the future Steering Group: Minutes of the Meeting held 9 February 2006

Minutes of previous Meetings and matters arising
Barry and Steve have liaised about the Environment Summary. It was felt that it might be useful to formally ask the Environment Agency about any relevant plans for Cholsey.
Sue queried whether the Downs are a designated ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’, and if so, this presumably should be mentioned. No-one was aware that there are any specific SSSIs within the Parish. It was also noted that Brightwell had included questions about the importance of the views of the countryside and how these could be retained, and it was agreed that these are important issues for Cholsey.
Barrie had got the 2020 Logo from Stuart Dewey, and had designed a nice poster, which had started to be put up round the village (thanks to Pam and Leslie). It was agreed to move the posters around the village, so as to keep to the ‘2-week rule’ on fly-posting.
Stella reported that she had visited the Pre-School, and had talked to 12 people there. There was some feeling that no-one knew who to talk to about the Parish Plan - so having the posters and another Forty report would be a great help. Once people understood the point of the Plan, and that it can have influence, they were quite enthusiastic about it. Stella has had 4 new volunteers as a result of the posters.
Barrie had drafted a letter for Geraldine for the Wallingford Herald, and was also drafting a Forty article.

Updates from Groups
Pam and Leslie had agreed to lead on Transport.
Lisa and Geraldine would be leading on the Economy.
Stella had followed up about involving children and young people in developing the Parish Plan. The Pre-School (Tracy) had agreed to work with the younger children (age 2-5) to find out their priorities and views. It had also been agreed that the Primary School (years 5-6) would be involved in a Parish Plan project, after the SATS. Stella would be going in to talk to them about taking this forward.
She also said that Chinnor had produced an excellent youth supplement for their Plan. She had shown this to some 10-18 year olds, and they thought it was fine.
Stella had also had discussions with the Organiser at the Day Centre about the possibility of going in to talk to the centre users about the Parish Plan, to show them examples of other Plans, and to start gaining their views and priorities. This would also be an opportunity to make it clear that there would be help available in filling out the questionnaires, should anyone wish. Sue confirmed that Lynne Stone (651152) from the Day Centre Committee was keen to help with older people’s issues and to help with making sure that these are included in the consultation.
Sue confirmed that Suzanne Willers from ORCC had spoken to SODC and it had been agreed that she could help us with a Housing Needs Survey. Sue was arranging a meeting with Suzanne. Stella was interested in joining the Housing Group. It was felt that we would need to look at the impact of new development on the infra-structure in the village - e.g. School capacity, shops, and play facilities (especially at the Fairmile end of the village).

Issue Consultation
Barrie circulated a slightly revised version of the draft Issue Consultation Form. There was a long discussiion about whether the length and range of questions is right, and the practicalities of using it to interview individual people, if there was a ‘crowd’ (e.g. at the station). It was agreed to pilot it next week outside Tesco, and then to report back to the next meeting, before using it at other locations. Steve and Barrie would do 2 hours on Wednesday 9.30 - 11.30 a.m. Pam and Leslie would do Saturday morning.
It was agreed to get the poster blown up to A1 and laminated. Barrie would e-mail it to Pam and Leslie, and they would speak to Richard Cory-Wright or Wallingford Print Shop about getting it printed.  David kindly offered the Church trestle to display it on. (Gladys Sadler to be asked for access to the Church to pick it up).
Barrie would re-do the Issue Consultation Form with larger print, and Steve would ask Ian Miles (Parish Clerk) to copy enough for the pilot.

April Event
It was agreed that each Group should think about having a poster/display area, and what it would include. It would need to be inter-active, so that we can be sure to get people’s views on the issues to be included in the questionnaire. To be discussed in detail next time.
We need to give some thought to incentives (? Lucky draw for pub/restaurant vouchers) and also to how to make it fun.
Whether we need an organiser(s) for the event would be discussed next time.
There was some discussion about whether to have the Development Brief for the Fairmile site and Celsea Place as part of the display, to stimulate discussion and views.
The flier Insert for The Forty magazine would need to be finalised at the next meeting, and also the likely delivery dates to be double-checked with Stuart and Judy Dewey to make sure they would be early enough to publicise the event.

 Finances / ORCC Grant Application
As we are now starting to incur some expenses, Steve would talk to Ian Miles about the simplest way of claiming against the Parish Council’s allocated grant. Steve would design a simple claim form that we can use to get expenses re-imbursed.
Steve circulated Draft 3 of the ORCC Grant Application figures. He confirmed that this must be submitted by 3rd March 2006.
His understanding was that we are obliged to raise a minimum of 5% of the expected spend in cash ourselves, over and above voluntary labour time, and not including the Parish Council’s commitment. It was generally felt that this didn’t seem very reasonable, in view of all the time that people are giving, and that the Parish Council contribution should count towards this.
Steve would liaise with Anton Nath at ORCC about possible consultancy help and costs for designing the questionnaire and publishing the plan, so that these can be included.

Next Meeting
This was confirmed for 27th February 2006 at 7.30 p.m. at the Free Church (apologies Sue Jeffs and Stella Mitchell)
David was thanked for his hospitality again.