Minutes of Nettlebed Annual Parish Meeting
held on April 12^th 2011 in the Community Hall

Members Present. Councillors B. Lewis (chair), J. McDonnell, J .Simon, N. Gibson, M. Atkins, D. Butler and clerk D. Elms.

Also Present. Sergeant G. Pink - Henley Police, M. Lewis - Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, A. Paterson – District Councillor and 35 parishioners

Apologies – Councillor S. McIvor and County Councillor R. Belson.

The Chairman –B. Lewis welcomed everybody, after which each of the 10 candidates for the May election were given 5 minutes in which to tell those present why they wished to become a Parish Councillor.

Police. Sergeant Pink said he hoped to be able to provide more village coverage. Burglaries in our area were slightly reduced. After conducting a survey in the village when feed back was requested from all our parishioners the main topic was the problem of speeding. and parking.

Neighbourhood Watch  Most of the village was covered but a few additional co-ordinators would be welcome. With a network of co-ordinators we are able to get news to as many people as possible.

District Councillor The County Council has increased it’s tax by 2.75%. Of 43 libraries, 23 will be kept open since they are the most widely used. An additional sum of 3.5 million pounds has been allocated to the Council for road surfacing, not potholes. Speed cameras are back in use now that the police have found a means of paying for the service. In future when caught speeding motorists will be given the option of attending a course on road safety, the cost of which will be £95 and that money will pay for the cameras. The County is congratulated on it’s recycling and is among the highest in the country. An incinerator will be built at Ardley in the north of the county to dispose of non recyclable waste.

Old School Green Houses 11 houses have been built on the site of the old school and we are all delighted at the appearance . The 3 houses owned by SOHA have been allocated to local people. The grassed area fronting the houses will be managed by the Parish Council

Transport Councillor Gibson explained that the subsidy for the buses to Henley remains in place until next year, but the subsidy for the buses to Reading has now expired and changes are necessary. It is probable that the bus will run on 3 days only instead of 5 but it might be possible to have a bus on Saturday mornings. The Lifeline bus which is sponsored by several Parish Councils including Nettlebed, runs on Thursday mornings calling at several villages prior to going to Henley or Didcot. The few people who use this service find it invaluable but sponsorship is more likely to continue if more people use the service

Art Society To commemorate their 60^th. birthday next year, the art Society wish to donate something to the village. The design they have suggested is a construction of brick and flint and when this was shown to the audience they were not impressed. Finding a suitable site is not easy as most of the land is common land and before building on common land it is necessary to apply to DEFRA and this can take months. A suggestion was made that possibly the old pump in front of the Village Club could become a feature and be placed on the grass fronting the Old School Green houses. That would not require permission other than from the Parish Council

Common Land. Councillor Simon explained that all common land is owned by somebody. Crocker End Common is shared between three owners and regulated by SODC. The District Council are anxious to hand the regulation over to the Parish Council.

Sports Pavilion The final touches are now being carried out on the pavilion. The plumbing, electrics, water supplies have all been dealt with and the non slip flooring for the toilets, showers and kitchen is being selected this week. We are all indebted to the volunteers who have given hours of their time in order to reach this stage and to keep the costs down

Co-operation with Henley Cricket Club The Sports Association is delighted to have been approached by Henley Cricket Club for them to use our cricket ground for 18 Saturday matches. If our ground is needed on any Saturday, they would make other arrangements. The outcome is that they will play their teams on 16 Saturdays this year . In return they have spent large sums of money getting the ground and the outfield in a first condition. They have offered the services of their groundsman and have updated and repaired all the equipment required. The Parish Council has contributed £500 towards these expense and the Sports Association may be in a position to donate a sum of money, once all bills have been settled. Henley C.C. have promised to ensure that the ground is left in good order in readiness for the Nettlebed players to use the ground for their Sunday matches. A licence is being applied for and it is hoped that bookings will be taken for parties with the kitchen facilities available. Fund raising has resulted in this lovely new pavilion now we must continue to raise funds for it’s upkeep

Housing project in Watlington Street Now that the post office has been relocated to the High Street, the planned building can proceed. It will be a few weeks yet as archaeological work has to be carried out on the ground before building can start.

Newsletters. The editor – J. Simon hopes to be able to issue 4 copies a year and parishioners are invited to send any items suitable for inclusion. The website which is also kept updated by J. Simon, is highly praised and well read judging by the numerous letters received from various parts of the world.

Village Party. There will be a village party at the club on Friday, April 29th Starting at 10.30 a.m. there will be a large TV screen for viewing the royal wedding, followed by a hog roast and lunch at 1.30p.m.Tickets at £5.00 available from the Post Office and Village Club, with no charge for children under 13years. Entertainment will be provided for children

Children’s Playground. The litter bin which was attached to the fence was burnt out by vandals taking with it an area of the fence. We have now purchased a metal refuse bin which is cemented to the ground.. Our thanks to retiring Councillor S. McIvor who has done a splendid job looking after the playground

Inter Village Quiz Councillor Gibson is a member of the inter village quiz team If any Parishioner would like to take part they are invited to contact Mrs S. Byers. It is an interesting way of getting to know our neighbours from surrounding villages.

Community Hall and sports pitch The hall has proved to be a very popular venue for parties of all types. Children’s parties are held most Saturdays. The Sports Pitch is also very popular with football and tennis bookings at weekends, evenings and during school holidays

Fete Now that the pavilion is built we are able to hold our annual fete which will take place on July 2^nd. Mrs H. Goodall is busily arranging a wide range of activities hoping to suit all ages.

Talking Newspapers. Malcolm Lewis explained the workings of the talking newspapers, so valued by people with impaired vision. Any interested people should contact Mr. Lewis.

Allotments. With regret the Parish Council has been forced to increase the rental for the allotments to £12.00 as from April this year. We do not make a profit but must cover the cost of the water supply. Our thanks to Pat Sparrowhawk who manages the allotments

Litter Blitz We plan to hold our annual litter blitz on Saturday, April 16^th. Meet at the car park at 10a.m. and spend a couple of hours clearing the paths, verges and woods of litter strewn by careless folk, mainly motorists. Litter picking sticks, tabards and gloves will be provided .Our thanks to Councillor Butler who collects all the bags of rubbish which our volunteers leave at the roadside.

Age Concern Parishioners are reminded that Age Concern meet every Friday in a lovely room at the Sue Ryder home. Various entertainments, talks and activities take place and coffees and lunch are provided. This is a wonderful day out for people who are unable to get out and about and enjoy the company of other folk. Transport can be arranged if required. .

What next? We, in the Council are very proud of what has happened in Nettlebed in recent years. We have lovely new surgery, a wonderful new school, 11 attractive new houses in the High Street, A recently modernized filling station with a lovely Spar Shop. A newly located Post Office and shop, a café, a rearranged White Hart hotel with more bar facilities and now a lovely spanking new Sports Pavilion with a first class playing field

Thanks The Chairman thanked everybody for attending, thanked the Councillors and clerk, the people who kindly distribute the news letters, all those who regularly help with the litter blitz and any others who help to keep the wheels turning smoothly The next meeting will be on May 10^th when we will know who are Councillors are.

Meeting Closed 10.30p.m..